I'm pretty proud of the little side business I've got going on with selling items on Ebay! I've managed to make some extra money with stuff I don't even miss. The other day I was leaving some feedback for a customer, and noticed that I had still had 100% positive ratings from everything I sold. Then glaringly I noticed a single neutral review. I clicked on that review so fast, and promptly got really angry. The neutral review said that the item they bought was not as I described. First of all, I photographed that item perfectly-including a close up of the fabric, which they were complaining about. Secondly, I accepted a much lower offer from them than I had originally wanted. So this person had the nerve to complain about something I had clearly photographed, and they got it for super cheap. I think that's why they left a neutral review, rather than negative.
So, I know what you are thinking. It's neutral, not a negative review! While my brain totally comprehends that, I still can't help but be irritated. They are tarnishing my reputation! If this Ebay review had legitimate complaints, I could have tried to resolve the issue. It is a business after all, you do need to make your customer happy.
I noticed though, that is how I react to all negative "reviews" or comments about me. I could not get this dumb review out of my head for the whole day. Tons of positive reviews, but all I could see what this one. Anytime I see or hear anything negative about me-it's all I can think about. I was able to stop obsessing over this ebay thing after I decided it was unfounded. I want to apply that same strategy next time I get any type of negative feedback since I have such a lovely history of obsessing over them. While I don't think I can completely ignore negative comments, my goal is to give them less thought. I say less thought, because I do think you need to notice them. I needed to give thought to that neutral review to decide if I could do anything to fix it. Most of the time the answer will be No, I can't fix that. Once that is decided, there is nothing else to be done. If what you are doing is right, and you a doing your best, that negative comment really doesn't even deserve a second thought. Focusing on the negative is just such a huge expenditure of energy. I don't know about you, but I have so many other things going on that I really can't afford the brain drain and distraction of negativity.
Leave me a comment: How do you deal with negative reviews? Is it something you can easily ignore? What about negative comments? Do you reply to them?
xoxo Kristen
It would stick with me too. I don't know why but I am a huge people pleaser. Don't worry about what they think. You have tons of clients that love what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right! Can't help but want to please everyone, but it's just not doable. Thanks for reading!!
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