bclarkie wrote:I am also sending a similar email here:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/contact_us/_ ... ntinue+%3E

Buying and Finding > Problems with sellers > The problem you're having with your seller isn't listed

Member or Item being reported: cougarrinard

Message: This individual Cougarrinard:  http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d ... ackAsBuyer

has been abusing the Ebay feedback system for some time now.  Not only does he bully people into giving him undeserved positve feedback, he also retailates by giving undeserved negative feedback and he also tries to force people into mutual feedback withdrawls.  Now because he is viewing his feedback score as being to poor, he has resorted to bidding on a bunch of Feedback Boosting auctions which are also blatant violation of Ebays rules.  This person is perhaps one Ebays worst members and has been vioating its rules for years now.  This last thing is not the first time that he has done this and he needs to be dealt with appropriately.  To be honest, I am not sure if a day doesn;t go buy where this individual does violate at least one of Ebay's rules.  Please do something about him ASAP as if nothing is done he will continue to trample all over Ebay's rules at the expense of the rest of the community.  Thank you.


Again, if everyone could also take the time to report this one as well, hopefully we can make some headway with Ebay.

To whom it may concern,

I recently sent an email to customer service about an Ebay PowerSeller, "cougarrinard," and his apparent violation of the 'Unwelcome and Malicious Buying' policy.  The Ebay auction reference number was  
** expired/removed eBay auction **
and the violation was due to the fact that as a self-identified, resident of the UK he should not have bid on a clearly stated "US bidders only" auction.  According to your privacy policy, you do not necessarily inform us of your actions in these matters which I can appreciate and accept.

Unfortunately, this Ebay PowerSeller appears to be side-stepping another Ebay policy, that of "Feedback Manipulation," http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/fee ... ation.html.  According to your own policy:  

"It is a violation to exchange feedback for the sole purpose of increasing your feedback score to obtain site privileges or enhance your reputation. This most frequently occurs when a person purchases low priced, non-physical items, but may include other types of transactions as well."

While the user's purchases may be for legitimate reasons, the frivolous feedback left for these almost non-consequential items, only serves to artificially inflate his feedback score which many of us use to evaluate the legitimacy of the sellers on your site.  While your new scaled-feedback system is greatly appreciated and will certainly provide further clarification on the current positive-neutral-negative ratings, participating in multiple, trivial auctions with $0.01 BuyItNow prices can only serve to overwhelm any legitimate, negative feedback received.  

As a further refinement to your system and to eliminate this form of feedback abuse, I would suggest providing a graded feedback breakdown showing total feedback grouped into price ranges:  $0.01 - $ 1.00 = x, $1.01 - $10.00 = y, $10.01 - $50.00 = z, etc.  This would allow such users as "cougarrinard" to continue to buy these items, but provide potential buyers such as myself with the information necessary to make a better, informed decision about the legitimacy of a seller.

Thank you for your attention.

gyg wrote:Bloody hell Smarmy1 - you don't mess about do you?!

(remind me never to piss you off )

killjoy32 wrote:sorry to sound like a complete and utter dork.....but what is feedback boosting?

i take so little notice of my feedback, i havent got a clue

Al

bclarkie wrote:Looks like Dave isn't happy with his recent blight of negs on his main account so he has resorted yet again to feedback boosting:

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d ... ackAsBuyer

Badmike wrote:
Al;

Typically takes the form of selling non-existent or worthless products that don't actually have to be shipped (usually cost 1 cent, or are advertised as such).  Something along the lines of "Secrets to Ebay!", which is a digital file that can be emailed, sold to as many buyers as wished for 1 cent each.  The purpose isn't to distribute a product, merely a vehicle so all the parties can leave themselves glowing positive feedback.Illegal under Ebay rules...

Mike B.

Dear smarmy1,

Thank you for writing eBay in regard to your Feedback concerns.

We're concerned about violations on eBay, and we've thoroughly investigated your report regarding cougarrinard. Please be assured that we've taken appropriate action in accordance with our site policies. Our actions may include removing Feedback, issuing a warning, temporary suspension, indefinite suspension, or terminating the membership.

Out of concern for the privacy of all members, we can't discuss the results of our investigation of a member's account with another member.
I hope that this assures you that your account information will likewise remain private.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

(name changed to protect the innocent)
eBay Customer Support