Really weird question

[ALFAdesigns]

Hi Team,

I have a really, really weird question.

Is there a way to politely discourage/prevent somebody from buying from your shop?

There is a person who has marked a lot of my items as favorites. Out of curiosity I went and checked out her profile, and found that she consistently leaves negative comments and/or feedback regarding her purchases. In fact, she does not have a single positive feedback without voicing at least some criticism. If she ever buys from me, I would be extremely nervous. Frankly, I would rather loose a sale than risk spoiling my feedback score. So, just in remotely possible case she decides to buy from me, is there anything I can do except crossing my fingers and hoping for the best?

[wildwomanbeads]

I have no idea and will be following your thread to see if anyone else does. I hope you figure out what to do. If she does buy, maybe just tell her you're sorry but that item just sold to someone else and you haven't had time to update the listing? Baffles me too.

[Former_Member]

Anna, you can put a statement in your profile that reads:

I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at anytime.

Then if you feel this person has bought from you for fraudulent means you'll have a case to cancel the sell and move on.

Good Luck.

[Former_Member]

You can refuse service. Here is what Etsy says.
http://www.etsy.com/help/article/483#transactions_refusingservice

Has there been a consistent reason for the negatives? Is there a way you can address that before the item is sent?

[SpangGangDesigns]

Someone who constantly leaves poor feedback may be investigated by Etsy. I would be proactive in this case and report her to Etsy to be looked into. May prevent a future problem!

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

If it's the shop admirer that I think it is, their feedback rating is very low and you could probably use that alone as a reason to refuse service.

[Former_Member]

I just followed that link and if you read in the Transaction Cancellation it says "The seller may not cancel a transaction for the purpose of avoiding fees or feedback."

[ALFAdesigns]

Erica,

Not all her feedbacks are negative. In fact, the majority are positive, but "with a twist". She would say something like "nice XXXX, but it came with YYY ZZZ, which kind of spoiled the experience". Maybe she just was extremely unlucky, or she is one of those people who are impossible to please, or she believes it is her role to prevent the seller from being spoiled by too much praise ;-)

jenni,

Her complains are about the kind of items different from what I sell, so I don't know what she may complain about in my case.
Thank you for citing Etsy rules, if push comes to shove, I may use this escape route.

[Former_Member]

I guess if she buys from you, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Take pics of the complete item before you ship and send her a pic as proof of completion and provide her with the tracking number with the shipping notification. And your shop looks really professional, so I'm sure you already are a pro at packaging your items so they won't be damaged. :) Good luck with that!

[ALFAdesigns]

Linden Lea,

Thank you for the compliment and for the advice.
Yes, I am totally paranoid about my necklaces and especially earrings being broken in transit, so I package and over-package.

[QuirkyUniverse]

I don't think you can block someone from buying, if they did buy you could cancel the transaction, but keep in mind it takes about 48 hours for the cancellation to go through and in that time the buyer and seller can leave feedback.

[SanaGem]

Anna, pleasy try to keep kalm.

First, she has not bought anything yet, only faved your items. She may have faved them for other reasons than buying ( copycat, anything!)

I am afraid if she buys something and you cancel it, she can post negative feedback promptly and surely!

Like it was adviced above, if she really buys, document everything, write her a nice convo and bless the package. Some people like playing "hard to be pleased customer" to get better service.

Wishing you to sell marked pieces very fast to somebody else! :)))

[ALFAdesigns]

Thank you for advice, everybody! This team rocks ;-)

Happy selling and great feedbacks to all of you.

[SomsStudio]

I have a gut feeling that those "positive" feedbacks with a "twist" were negative feedbacks earlier that became positive after a kiss and make up with the seller.

[artpassionsdesign]

Anna, you can sell to her. Don't leave her feedback until she does. You would then be able to leave her the same level of feedback with an explanation so folks could finally figure her out.

[SilverJewellerySpot]

Anna, maybe it is better to refuse service. Etsy gives this right.
Like you, i prefer positive people and customers, because i am trying my best!

[Former_Member]

Glad you posted this question Anna!

Great advice from everyone .

As a seller we will all encounter a buyer every now and then who will be hard to please. Back handed compliments are just some peoples way of getting their way. Documenting everything is always a good idea in every transaction.

I look forwarding to more advice from savvy sellers on this subject,