Why are questions & answers on the items viewable to all?

[Bohemian]

I agree that messages should be private and only found out today that they are not (always thought they were previously) If an item is
automatically relisted, are any previous questions and answers from the last time of listing, always deleted ?

[terry5732]

I don't believe they are

I currently have one that I know of where they haven't been

[aftech]

I think the messages should always be private. After getting a question and giving the answer I normally close the auction and relist it just to remove the Q&A from public view.

So public Q&A feature is making you losing all the Google clicks you earned!!

[moonwitch]

I think the messages should always be private. After getting a question and giving the answer I normally close the auction and relist it just to remove the Q&A from public view.

I agree...several times on Feebay...I have been sent a request for a discount for a bulk purchase....and I added a new auction for the buyer and sent them the link.

I wouldn't want everyone on eBid knowing what deals I made for individuals

[HerMajesty]

I asked a question a couple of days ago from a new seller. as yet I have had no reply.

Do you not think that this is not of interest to other possible customers?

I think generally questions would be of interest to other potential buyers. HOWEVER, not all potential buyers know that every word they write in a question will be displayed as long as the listing is there. There may be other people who think it works like most other sites - when you ask the seller a question, or make a comment, it is between you and the seller. When I posted my first question, not knowing that, I put on an address for posting that I don't want out in the public view. The fact that you have had no reply has nothing to do with whether or not the question might be of interest to other buyers. It has more to do with telling you the seller isn't reading his/her emails. Your question is there for all to see. The sellers lack of response is there for all to see...........so your question is working away........that should be of interest to all. NOW that I know questions show up automatically, I am careful about what I post. My point is that it is not made clear to newbies or visitors that their words are out in public once they hit the send button.

[HerMajesty]

I don't believe they are

I currently have one that I know of where they haven't been

Good to know - I thought they were. Then I stand corrected.

[bykimbo]

Good to know - I thought they were. Then I stand corrected.

I don't understand what was being disagreed with that you're now agreeing with!

[theweaverboy]

This topic has come up in the past, and I totally agree with the poster. On the darkside I've had people leave me messages with there addresses and a couple who were in my area left phone numbers. I've left a message on my About Me Page about eBid being the ones responsible for the posting of the questions and not the seller, but this is the internet, and people don't need to pass a psychological test to be on it. A buyer post a question and commits to buy then goes nutzo when they see the question was posted and leaves a negative, and doesn't pay what will eBid do? Remove the FB, and give me back my fees? But what about the item and the money that was going to be paid for it? Guess I'll have to repost and hope that a good sane person commits to buy or bids, so I can actually get paid.

[booksforsale]

I asked a question a couple of days ago from a new seller. as yet I have had no reply.

Do you not think that this is not of interest to other possible customers?

It may well be of interest to other possible customers, but I would prefer to be in control of who sees what I discuss with a potential buyer.

There may be buyers who feel the need for privacy also, and the fact that the Q&A is public might put them off asking. This might just mean they will toddle off to ebay instead, where there is a degree of privacy. Or Amazon, where (I believe) any questions don't even get near the listings, instead they are routed straight to the seller.

The net result of this 'toddling off' is not only do I miss out on a potential sale to ebay/Amazon, Gazza and Mark miss out on 2% of my sale via gallery fees. Gazza - Mark, take note.

I think what goes on between a seller and anyone asking them a question is purely between them.

[FBNeNotes]

I asked a question a couple of days ago from a new seller. as yet I have had no reply.

Do you not think that this is not of interest to other possible customers?

YES... when I see that... I run away. Excuses aside... tis bad.