Encouraging Feedback

[AuthenticSigns]

Today I noticed I have 97 sales but only 29 people have left feedback. I have not received any complaints so I am wondering if I should start encouraging members to leave feedback on a note or card packed with the item.

Does anyone on the team encourage feedback? I was also curious about other peoples ratio of feedback.

[RobsRustics]

I'm fairly new to Etsy, and just joined this team today. I have been dealing with the same issue. I have 30 sales, and have only received 5 feedback (100% positive). I have sold things through eBay for a while now, and the feedback rate has been much higher. I think it may be because eBay uses notifications on the main page to remind people to leave feedback, where her on Etsy, I had to actually dig around for a while in order to figure out how to leave feedback. I haven't figured out a way to encourage customers to leave feedback, but would be more than receptive to any suggestions others have found helpful.

[Former_Member]

Yeah, it is difficult to get that feedback, isn't it?

I've recently started sending a message to customers, after I know they've received their items. Something to the effect of "I'd like to follow up with you on your order and make sure that you are happy with it. If you could take the time to add positive feedback for me, that would be wonderful. Here is a link for your convenience..."
http://www.etsy.com/feedback_awaiting.php

I've had several imediate responses and great feedback :)

[Former_Member]

Several of my sales have been friends so I just ask them to leave feedback BUT I do enter a thank you card in with all my transactions. Going to start asking them to leave feed back on there. :)

[PatchSigns]

Yes, Rob... I agree with you. Leaving Feedback is a little confusing. As for me... as a Shop Owner... for any sales that I have, I leave a Feedback to the buyers. It doesn't really help in receiving Feedback back to me... BUT... I want all the buyers to know how very appreciative I am of their business.

[AmandaGdesigns]

Most of my sales are to first time Etsy shoppers who don't come back to Etsy to leave feedback. I realize they would have to go out of their way to leave feedback so I don't ask them to do it. Feedback will gradually increase.

[Former_Member]

I'm still really new here, so the fact that I have four feedbacks - all positive! - out of 14 sales seems normal for this site.
I think...from what I've been reading anyway.
I include a thank you note with every shipment, and also let my customers know they should contact me immediately if there is any problem, before leaving feedback.
I spent a lot of time wording my note so it didn't sound like I was begging for feedback. I hate getting those notes in my boxes so I didn't want to send them! I'm just asking for people who aren't happy to please contact me first.
I'd rather give refunds than get negatives!