Author: James

PbNation implemented a new feedback system yesterday.

First, in order to just to understand it, you have to read 3 pretty damn long posts. After that, it should be simple right? Meh. First, you have to find the little tiny link next to the report the post link. Great placement geniuses. Expect a lot a “Great Seller. A+++” reports in the future. After you click that link, you’re presented with some options. Like having to say if you were the buyer or seller, since it’s too stupid to figure that out from the thread.

Once you have figured out all that and there’s some feedback there, it’s all presented in an eBay-esque fashion. In fact, so eBay-esque that it’s a blatant rip-off of an eBay Feedback page.

PbNation:

eBay:

Yup, that’s a rip off if I’ve ever seen one. I guess copyright infringement doesn’t apply to them.

But, it’s not so much that’s it’s annoying and confusing, it’s the fact it doesn’t prevent anything it’s supposed to.

According to them, it’s much harder to commit feedback fraud. And by much, they mean slightly more complicated. Here was the old way to commit feedback fraud.

1. Create account
2. Post in feedback thread

Here’s the new way

1. Create account
2. Post in B/S/T thread
3. Post feedback

Mmm, 1 extra step. Hardly a deterrent. But hey, if they want to believe that, I guess they can, since ‘fake feedback’ isn’t even a reason for the feedback to be removed.

If PbNation is provided with a valid court order finding that the disputed feedback is slanderous, libelous, defamatory or otherwise illegal.

The feedback comment contains profane, vulgar, obscene, or racist language or adult material. Inflammatory language, such as “fraud, liar, cheater, scam artist, con man” etc., while strongly discouraged, will not be removed.

The feedback comment contains personal identifying information about another member, including real name, address, phone number, or e-mail address.

Negative feedback intended for another member will be considered for removal only in situations where the member responsible for the mistaken posting informs PbNation of the error and has already placed the same feedback for the correct member.

Now, for the best part, it’s really easy to screw someone over. Let’s say, you give someone feedback. They wait for the 24 hour grace period that allows you to edit it, then they give them some nice negative feedback. you can’t do much about it. Before, you could at least reply to it to let others know that that guy was crazy, but now, you can’t do crap. You can’t edit the feedback you gave. You can’t give them bad feedback in return (you already gave them feedback. I would constitute that as feedback fraud). You can report it, but according to the rules, it’s can’t be removed. You got yourself a nice frowny face stuck on your feedback.

And let’s say you only had 20 feedback prior to that, you now have a 90% feedback rating (Good = +1, Bad = -1, 20-1 / 21 = 90.47%). Personally, I wouldn’t ship first to you. A 90%? That’s just as good as a 20. Anything but 99% or 100% sucks, that’s just how it is.