Feedback Stats (formerly iTrader)

Bugdoc

Bugdoc

Feedback: +32 / =0 / -0
Joined
Oct 29, 2016
Messages
1,217
Why do we have a feedback system for the exchange when it's use isn't required? I've had a spate of recent sellers refusing or neglecting to respond in kind to my positive feedback given after the transaction has completed (ie I received the knife in satisfactory condition).

I went back to look at my purchases off the exchange and found that less than 2/3 of sellers responded to my positive feedback on them. I am always prompt in making payment, never giving the seller a reason for dissatisfaction.

Starting the feedback process is usually left to the buyer in my experience, who prudently should wait until the item is received. The seller then has the advantage: haven gotten a positive rating they can then reciprocate or not. This seems to be the case as most of those who have burned me have high numbers of positive feedback.

What do others think? I had the thought to PM each seller upon the sale's completion to see if they wish to participate in giving feedback, but again this favors the high volume sellers who have little need for more feedback.

Just my 2¢.
 
Requiring a rating lessens the impact of the rating itself, so I understand why it's not required. I also understand those with lower quantities of ratings wanting to raise their rating count, as we all were once new and rating-less, so I definitely reciprocate what I receive.

But, I've witnessed that those with the highest amount of ratings tend to think less of each individual transaction since they already have so many, and thus they are more likely to brush it off as inconsequential. I'm sure a PM to the seller would be fine, if someone gets pissy about getting asked for a rating it is their fault not yours.
 
Why would use of the rating system be required? I understand the frustration, from the perspective of a person trying to build a reputation; but the idea of making ratings mandatory just doesn't make sense. (Think about the application and enforcement of such a policy.)
I'd noticed that an increasing number of people weren't using it prior to the change (based on my own experiences); so I became less likely to leave ratings as a seller unless/until a buyer left it for me.

Since the changeover, I no longer use the ratings system...that means I can't get ratings, either.
 
I wouldn't be too concerned about it. I've never had anyone refuse a sale with me because of low feedback. It feels like once you have a handful of pozzes, you're good to go.
 
I don't concern myself with getting feedback, though I always leave it. The one exception that puzzles me a bit is when someone out right asks me to leave feedback, but doesn't themselves-a little weird.
Some take awhile, even months. CSome probably just forget
 
Earlier on (not as much anymore), after a mutually agreeable transaction, I'd usually ask via PM or email if the other party wouldn't mind leaving feedback, always letting them know I would of course reciprocate in kind. I would then provide them a direct link to the sales post (where you could simply click "rate seller") to make their lives easier. They were usually appreciative of not having to navigate the clunky iTrader system and feedback would be left.
 
I've only done two deals on this site, both trades, but I only have 1 feedback review. I myself made sure to leave positive feedback for both because they both ended smoothly.

If I had 20+ positive reviews I wouldn't be too concerned with it, but it'd suck to do another 5 or so deals and still be stuck at one positive review.
 
I think a lot of people simply forget. When I first started transacting deals on this forum I remember that I humbly contacted the other party on several occasions and politely asked for feedback. Most of them had simply forgotten.

One guy needed me to walk him through the feedback process which I gladly did. Another guy simply never responded to my request. But most of them had forgotten or didn't realize how important it was to me and all I had to do was ask.

Just my own personal experience.
 
I have left feedback with every single one of my purchases. I'd say I have received about 75% back.
Really nothing that I can do about it. Either people forget are don't care about leaving it.
Joe
 
You cant make them do it....
You do what you feel you need to and
deal with the POS feedbacks you do get..

People can be immature and inconsiderate anywhere
you go including here.
Its human nature..They want...but they dont want to
give??
 
Bugdoc said:
Why do we have a feedback system for the exchange when it's use isn't required? I've had a spate of recent sellers refusing or neglecting to respond in kind to my positive feedback given after the transaction has completed (ie I received the knife in satisfactory condition).

I went back to look at my purchases off the exchange and found that less than 2/3 of sellers responded to my positive feedback on them. I am always prompt in making payment, never giving the seller a reason for dissatisfaction.

Starting the feedback process is usually left to the buyer in my experience, who prudently should wait until the item is received. The seller then has the advantage: haven gotten a positive rating they can then reciprocate or not. This seems to be the case as most of those who have burned me have high numbers of positive feedback.

What do others think? I had the thought to PM each seller upon the sale's completion to see if they wish to participate in giving feedback, but again this favors the high volume sellers who have little need for more feedback.

Just my 2¢.
Click to expand...

^ I can completely relate where you're coming from. :thumbsup:

I've had so many people here (too many to count), who were very communicative, during the time our transaction was being consummated. I always make it a point to pack my items extremely well, include a very thoughtful note inside, ship the very next day after the item sold, and keep the other party abreast of the shipping movement, all the way to it's arrival. Once it's confirmed that the item I shipped, has in fact been received, I then leave postive thoughtful feedback. I then send them a final PM/email, thanking them for the smooth transaction.

For some reason, there are some people (mostly buyer's in my case), that just seem to go MIA once they've received what they wanted.

It sucks, but don't let it get you down, OP. I think this speaks poorly, of the type of person who does this. :thumbsdown:

In the end, I take solace in knowing, that I conduct myself both ethically & professionally, and that I have no control with what other people here, do; or how pathetically, they behave. :)

Peter Hartwig said:
I don't concern myself with getting feedback, though I always leave it.
Click to expand...

^ +1

The first couple of years I used to get uptight when the other party went MIA. Now that my reputation here is rock solid, and people know that I'm a highly trustworthy member, I just move on. But I'm definitely aware, of those who left :thumbsup: feedback for me, & those who didn't.:thumbsdown:


GIZMOMAN said:
You cant make them do it....
Click to expand...

^ Oh yes you can- there are always ways... :D
 
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The system is bad, I have completed 40+ deals on the forum and had 15 or 16 feedbacks. That is approximately 33% but you can only do so much. That being said, the fact that you cannot leave negative feedback for a bad deal if you got a refund or the issue was rectified by some other reason make it insignificant. If I do a deal and receive a knife that is not as listed then that deserves negative feedback, even if I am made whole in the end.
 
Thanks for all of the thoughtful replies everyone. Interesting kelama to see it goes both ways. I've pretty much said my piece. I'll only add the thought that a requirement to rate could be enforced quite easily since this is a highly moderated forum with other rules that do get enforced.
 
I tried to leave a trader rating yesterday for a deal I'd done.
The error message said the rating could only be done if the other party posted in my thread. Is this something new?
I don't mean to be thick but I can't recall having to do this before.
 
if a trade or a sale is done privately
The buyer/trade party needs to post in your original thread before feedback
or trading remarks can be left..New website format...No formulas to learn
 
Bugdoc said:
Thanks for all of the thoughtful replies everyone. Interesting kelama to see it goes both ways. I've pretty much said my piece. I'll only add the thought that a requirement to rate could be enforced quite easily since this is a highly moderated forum with other rules that do get enforced.
Click to expand...

If memory serves me-This is the official BF feedback area and Itrader came with software and was kept due to members liking how easy it was to use. With all the problems Itrader causes, due to member misuse, for moderators and Spark I imagine they would rather get rid of it rather then moderate more.
Due to it's high positive bias it isn't all that great a tool anyway IMO, but it at least lets you know the person doesn't rip off everyone if they have a good positive score. Not worthless at all, but you do need to understand it has some weaknesses and use accordingly . again IMO
 
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This forum has definitely served it's purpose over the years.
From this point on I'll leave feedback here exclusively.
I've done many more exchanges than are reflected in my rating as others have mentioned.
I always liked it better here but just got in the habit of using the other.
I'm glad I got re-educated.
Thanks!
 
Bugdoc said:
I'll only add the thought that a requirement to rate could be enforced quite easily since this is a highly moderated forum with other rules that do get enforced.
Click to expand...
I'll still dispute that, having moderated a large forum for many years. There's plenty to look at already, without having to view every ad, monitor to see when items sell, and recheck each until feedback is left. Sure, it could be kept on the honor system, with no checks unless/until somebody reports that they didn't get feedback... then moderators would have to review the ad, contact the party/parties involved, and follow-up until complete.
Its easy to say something is easy to enforce when one isn't the one shouldering the burden of doing so. Keep in mind that the site is not willing to enforce it's stance on using "goods and services"...do you really think it will be found worthwhile to force members to post in ads and submit ratings?
 
I don't doubt what any moderator puts in, and I am not suggesting adding active monitoring. Rather, it would be based on reporting to a mod, who would then adjudicate. It would only take a few bans of repeat offenders to show the forum is serious. Otherwise, can the system.

For myself, I won't be using it anymore unless I get one first, but from my experience that don't be happening much.
 
Bugdoc said:
For myself, I won't be using it anymore unless I get one first, but from my experience that don't be happening much.
Click to expand...

All due respect, if everyone had that mentality then everyone would still be stuck at zero.

On the old Itrader format, you could easily see how many feedbacks a person received and how many they have given. It was almost always lopsided in favor of receiving. 60% is just about par for the course.

I only recall one person where it was the opposite. They had about 75 received and had only given out like 3-5. This guy sticks out because he was eventually banned for pulling some shady stuff.

All you can do is honor your word on a deal and leave feedback if you feel it is merited. People are just people and will do what they do.
 
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