Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve been selling on eBay for about 2 years. I’ve read your column for longer.  I saw awhile back you recommend someone have eBay remove a negative feedback. How does that happen?   Here’s my story, do you think I can get mine removed?

I unexpectedly had to have my appendix taken out, and ended up being in the hospital for 4 days.  I was still in serious pain for a week afterwards. I did not know that I was going to be in the hospital, and because of that I had listings end that needed to be shipped.  My husband did the best he could, shipping the items off within 48 hours.  My husband had messaged each buyer and told them I was in the hospital and that he was sending them their packages.  No buyers complained or messaged me.

Two weeks later I had a negative from a buyer that reads; “Took a long time to get her.”  I think she meant to write HERE instead of her.  It was my first negative, and it’s really freaked me out!  I checked the delivery confirmation; it was delivered within 4 days of it being sent, so I sent a message to the buyer.

“Thank you for your purchase.  I noticed that you left a negative feedback for me, and I was wondering if there is anything I can do?  I had an emergency appendectomy, and I had my husband send your package out.  I see you paid on 15^th and your item was delivered the 23^rd.  Would you be willing to revise the feedback?  If not, what can I do?”

 This is what she sent me back.

“Yes, I gave you a negative. I thought it took too long to get here.  Feedback IS my opinion right? Don’t you think it could have taken less time?  I also was kind of upset that you did not send it priority mail. Perhaps you can give me my shipping cost back?  I’ll revise the feedback if you do.”

 I refunded her the first class shipping, because that’s what she paid.  I sent her a feedback revision, and I have not received a response from her.   This is killing me!  I had 100% positive feedback, and now it’s 99.8%.   I have never had a complaint before for this, and this feels so unfair considering the circumstances.  What should I do?  Can I get this feedback removed?  Thanks for your help.

Lara T.

Dear Lara:

Negatives never seem to lose their sting, it doesn’t matter if it’s your first or tenth!  I don’t know what to do about your buyer, but I believe that eBay would remove this negative based upon the fact that she requested money back in order to remove the negative.  I believe this is seen as extortion on the part of the buyer.  I would contact eBay ASAP and ask them if they can remove it based upon that information.  The other point that it could be removed on, is that their feedback is based upon shipping time, and your tracking will show that it was sent and received in a timely fashion.

I don’t think there is any need to contact your buyer about this any longer.  Please let me know if you got this removed.

Strange eBay Item: Item #201204918157. A friend of mine was trying to decide whether  or not to sell his collection of 3M bookshelf board games. We did a little research, and found a few of his were valuable…. But none as valuable as this! Extremely Rare Jati 3M Bookshelf Board Game Factory Sealed Original Shrink Wrap SOLD: $725.00.