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crass to ask for feedback after a transaction?

i have been building a system for the last year, and have bought almost everything on audiogon. somehow, i have had extremely fantastic luck, in that the folks i have bought from have just been the absolute nicest people, very willing to answer questions, and freely sharing info and their vast knowledge. really coming out to help me learn more about the equipment we all share such a strong love for.

as a new member of the community, i can see the importance of the feedback system. i have always left positive feedback for the people i have dealt with. so far, two members i bought from have not left feedback for me, even tho i know they are sent a notice when my feedback is submitted, and even though we got on well together during the course of our dealings with each other...

in terms of general politeness, positive feedback would be much like a compliment, which one would never want to solicit, or "fish" for. in the context of our community, or "family", if you will, feedback could also be viewed as a courtesy, tho it seems as though the folks who established this system for us expect that we will do this small thing for one another.

do you think it's crass to ask a person to submit feedback after a transaction? i wonder why it seems not to occur to some folks, who seem completely nice and polite in every regard? ultimately, does it truly matter all that much?
tommycosmo
Post removed 
reubent
6,956 posts
 
I agree with Tvad. Ask nicely. Let them know that you've left feedback for them and would appreciate it if they could return the favor.

Typically what I do is when I receive an item, I sent the seller a confirmation that I received the item in good condition and I let them know that I have left positive feedback for them. I them go on to say "when you receive notice of my feedback, I would greatly appreciate if you would return the favor".

The above approach works pretty well. I'd guess I have a 90% success rate with receiving feedback on transactions. But I never nudge them more than once.....

Enjoy,

TIC
mitch2
3,961 posts
 
Although I agree with Tvad and Reubent, I think their recommendation would be more important if you only had 1 or 2 feedbacks. If I were considering a trade with you, I would look at your 7 positive feedbacks, all with very positive comments left by the other party, going back over about half a year. Two more positive feedbacks would not make any difference to me. At this point, I would say simply relax, pay attention to your due diligence (such as responsive communication, good packing, quick payment or shipping, and following up), be courtious to others, communicate promptly, and leave feedback for those you deal with, and you will be just fine.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
The Audiogon feedback system actually solicits feedback from your trading partner when you send in yours. Your comments go to your partner for approval, then he or she is asked for a response. So you don't have to call or write and ask. The system does it for you.
metro04
222 posts
 

In todays arena, I agree with Tvad and Reubent's approach. Tobias's view should work in an ideal world, but many of us can attest to carrying out flawless transactions, submit genuine praise, and get nothing in return even after several polite inquisitive reminders.

I consider myself to be one of the more honest members on the 'gon - honest/conservative grading, provide exemplary shipment packing, and maintain assuring correspondence throughout - only to be disappointed by blatant laziness IMO.

Only afterwards, after reading through their previous feedback history, do I notice it's a pattern with particular members not mutually returning the favor. I'd have at least another eleven responses since I joined back in '04', and though I still consider it a benefit, even with the current negative feedback policy these days, sometimes feel it's "iffy" until well established.

These days, I'll even politely work it into the initial correspondences as part of the sales agreement, that if all goes well, it's importance is known and freshly embedded into their subconscious.

By all means, try the "squeaky wheel" approach.
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