Returning buyer leaves 4-4.5 stars

[magyarmelcsi]

Hi there!

I’ve been struggling with this situation for a while now, and I was wondering if any of you had any tips regarding the issue.

I am an illustrator, I’ve been here since last October, I think I can say that I had very few problematic customers. This one though is real strange. He is a returning buyer, ordered from me at least 9 times. He used to place orders for the wrong packaqes though (He never writes before placing an order). When I told him that what he was requesting is a totally different price range, he agreed to upgrade to premium without trouble. He never mentions that he is not satisfied, I always make the requested modifications on his pictures, I always deliver on time. But since telling him he needs to pay more, he always leaves a 4-4.5 star reviews. Before telling him the package problem, he always left 5 stars. Honestly, I would not be upset about that, If I did not know how the system works. I am worried this might affect my rating in the long run and not in a positive way. I have given him countless discounts, I am always updating him on the process, always asking his opinion, I honestly do not know how I could treat him better at this point. This is affecting my mental health, my anxiety always kicks in whenever he places a new order.

What would you do in that situation?

Thanks for your answers in advance!

Best regards,
Melinda

[elle_and_co]

Its so very unpleasing that buyers can just give ratings however they like…a buyer gave me tips, and still left 4. star review.

Well, just try to always do great job for him and other clients…if many other buyers leave 5star ratings for you, it will push his own back.,

And next time he orders your gig.,.,.,you may just tell him to always contact you before placing orders.

Though some buyer intentionally do that, because they understand that sellers dont like to cancel orders, so they try to place a lowballing order without contacting seller.

[melissaharlowvo]

Hi Melinda- what a struggle. I actually had a client return to me after canceling an order and wanted my voice for another project. I thought of the long term consequences of working with this client. The stress of a possible cancellation and poor review are not worth the money to me. So After reviewing the project I politely turned it down by say, “ I don’t feel I am the right voice for your project and there are many great voice talents on Fiverr. I am sure you will find the perfect match.” I had a client who gave me a 3.7 even after she loved the narration. She came back and wanted another project so that tells Me she was happy. I explained that given my last review I was not sure I was the voice she was looking for. She had no idea that a rating could devastate a seller. I explained that her rating “did not match her happiness with the result and I was confused why she would return.” I reluctantly took her second project and she gave me a 5 but the entire time I was nervous.

Your buyer is happy otherwise they would not return. The review seems to be a back- handed way to show the displeasure with your higher price. I was bold enough to say something to my 3.7 buyer when she returned and we were able to work it out.

But the control this buyer has over you is not healthy. Work should be pleasurable not scary! Either be honest the next time and explain the ratings don’t appear to match his happiness with the job and allow some dialogue. It may be good for both of you to clear the air.

You are smart and observant and if you feel this buyer does not get it, I would block the buyer and move forward with happy and pleasant buyers. The energy you are spending on this stressful situation is not worth your sanity. Does this make sense?

[elle_and_co]

Hi Melinda- what a struggle. I actually had a client return to me after canceling an order and wanted my voice for another project. I thought of the long term consequences of working with this client. The stress of a possible cancellation and poor review are not worth the money to me. So After reviewing the project I politely turned it down by say, “ I don’t feel I am the right voice for your project and there are many great voice talents on Fiverr. I am sure you will find the perfect match.” I had a client who gave me a 3.7 even after she loved the narration. She came back and wanted another project so that tells Me she was happy. I explained that given my last review I was not sure I was the voice she was looking for. She had no idea that a rating could devastate a seller. I explained that her rating “did not match her happiness with the result and I was confused why she would return.” I reluctantly took her second project and she gave me a 5 but the entire time I was nervous.

Your buyer is happy otherwise they would not return. The review seems to be a back- handed way to show the displeasure with your higher price. I was bold enough to say something to my 3.7 buyer when she returned and we were able to work it out.

But the control this buyer has over you is not healthy. Work should be pleasurable not scary! Either be honest the next time and explain the ratings don’t appear to match his happiness with the job and allow some dialogue. It may be good for both of you to clear the air.

You are smart and observant and if you feel this buyer does not get it, I would block the buyer and move forward with happy and pleasant buyers. The energy you are spending on this stressful situation is not worth your sanity. Does this make sense?

I would block the buyer

is it possible to block a buyer??

[melissaharlowvo]

I would block the buyer

is it possible to block a buyer??

Yes you can block anyone. I would use it very sparingly and only after trying other ways to work it out.

[cherboub]

First don’t request from buyer to leave or modify a review because it’s against fiverr TOS.
The majority of buyers depend on emotions not on logic when leaving a review.

Don’t care and continue giving a good service because that’s out of your control.

[melissaharlowvo]

I would block the buyer

is it possible to block a buyer??

You click on the buyer and in the upper right hand corner are three dots- you click on those and you have the options listed.

[melissaharlowvo]

First don’t request from buyer to leave or modify a review because it’s against fiverr TOS.

The majority of buyers depend on emotions not on logic when leaving a review.

Don’t care and continue giving a good service because that’s out of your control.

You are right. Only discuss ratings as a way to open dialogue regarding the project. What can you do better next time? Your rating did not seem to match your happiness can you explain? Etc. I have had people offer to give a five star if I would lower the price and I simply say, “my work speaks for itself”

[coerdelion]

@elle_and_co - nothing is worth your mental health. I don’t think I’d bother with attempting to work it out - just block the guy …

[magyarmelcsi]

Hi Melinda- what a struggle. I actually had a client return to me after canceling an order and wanted my voice for another project. I thought of the long term consequences of working with this client. The stress of a possible cancellation and poor review are not worth the money to me. So After reviewing the project I politely turned it down by say, “ I don’t feel I am the right voice for your project and there are many great voice talents on Fiverr. I am sure you will find the perfect match.” I had a client who gave me a 3.7 even after she loved the narration. She came back and wanted another project so that tells Me she was happy. I explained that given my last review I was not sure I was the voice she was looking for. She had no idea that a rating could devastate a seller. I explained that her rating “did not match her happiness with the result and I was confused why she would return.” I reluctantly took her second project and she gave me a 5 but the entire time I was nervous.

Your buyer is happy otherwise they would not return. The review seems to be a back- handed way to show the displeasure with your higher price. I was bold enough to say something to my 3.7 buyer when she returned and we were able to work it out.

But the control this buyer has over you is not healthy. Work should be pleasurable not scary! Either be honest the next time and explain the ratings don’t appear to match his happiness with the job and allow some dialogue. It may be good for both of you to clear the air.

You are smart and observant and if you feel this buyer does not get it, I would block the buyer and move forward with happy and pleasant buyers. The energy you are spending on this stressful situation is not worth your sanity. Does this make sense?

Hi!

Thank you for your answer! I have been communicating with him this whole time, I honestly do try to make his experience the best. I always ask If there is anything I can do for him before delivering.

To be honest, I have thought about blocking him not once and not twice. It is just so very against my nature. And the strangeness of the situation is what’s frustrating me the most. But you are right, I am an illustrator because I love doing the work, it should not be scary. Not in this way anyway.

[magyarmelcsi]

First don’t request from buyer to leave or modify a review because it’s against fiverr TOS.

The majority of buyers depend on emotions not on logic when leaving a review.

Don’t care and continue giving a good service because that’s out of your control.

Thank you!

I know not to ask for modifications or review leaving, I never did that. He is entitled to his opinion, it is just sad that he uses his opinion to lower a reputation that he happens to be depending on for his brand.

[cherboub]

Thank you!

I know not to ask for modifications or review leaving, I never did that. He is entitled to his opinion, it is just sad that he uses his opinion to lower a reputation that he happens to be depending on for his brand.

it is just sad that he uses his opinion to lower a reputation that he happens to be depending on for his brand.

That’s out of your control, accept everything good or bad in life, that’s the path to peace.

[visualstudios]

it is just sad that he uses his opinion to lower a reputation that he happens to be depending on for his brand.

That’s out of your control, accept everything good or bad in life, that’s the path to peace.

Having a client leaving a review under 5 stars is out of your control… once. After it happens once, block him, problem solved.

[fouzia_zakria]

Don’t work for him anymore. Tell him you’re already booked.

[cherboub]

Having a client leaving a review under 5 stars is out of your control… once. After it happens once, block him, problem solved.

What do you think when you give a great service then buyer leave under 5 stars review!

[visualstudios]

What do you think when you give a great service then buyer leave under 5 stars review!

I think that buyer is a liability for my business and I don’t want to work with them ever again. One thing is a problematic order, when the review is justified. That we can learn from and improve. When the order is perfect, and the service was to his liking, and he leaves a negative review (don’t even start, we all know any review under 5 stars is negative on Fiverr for all intents and purposes), they must be blocked and never worked with again. It’s not worth it, specially because we can’t even ask them “wtf, why the bad review when you were happy?” Too risky.

[english_voice]

I know it’s easy for me to say this, but please don’t get upset about a 4 or 4.5 star review - that’s still very, very good! Having said that, I also was devastated when I had a 4 star review a couple of years back. I genuinely believe it is the only non-5 star review I’ve had. But I too felt upset and I questioned what I could have done differently.

The reality is that most people will either leave 5 star feedback or they won’t bother with feedback at all. In my experience very, very few people give thought about leaving a score that’s somewhere in between. It’s just one of those things 🙂

[visualstudios]

I know it’s easy for me to say this, but please don’t get upset about a 4 or 4.5 star review - that’s still very, very good! Having said that, I also was devastated when I had a 4 star review a couple of years back. I genuinely believe it is the only non-5 star review I’ve had. But I too felt upset and I questioned what I could have done differently.

The reality is that most people will either leave 5 star feedback or they won’t bother with feedback at all. In my experience very, very few people give thought about leaving a score that’s somewhere in between. It’s just one of those things 🙂

Good points, except the first one. Given the current state of Fiverr’s marketplace, any review under 5 stars can’t be considered “good”, much less “very good”, when 90% of more of the reviews are 5 stars. If the market was fair and true, the average rating across everyone would be tending towards 3 stars, that should be expected. That’s not what happens, the reviews do not follow a gaussian curve (as they should). They’re incredibly top heavy - just look at the level stats, to keep your level you need to keep your rating above 4.7. That’s absolutely insane in any marketplace. The best movie of all time does not have 94% on IMDB, equivalent to 4.7. Nor do the best game, best album, best restaurant, etc. Not even Jesus would be rated above 4.7 on average, and he was, like, the best human ever. The review system on Fiverr is totally distorted.

Fiverr itself demotes your level if your average rating is under 4.7. Therefore, a 4.0 review is not good - it’s pretty bad. A 4.7 review is passable. A 5 star review is good.

[english_voice]

Good points, except the first one. Given the current state of Fiverr’s marketplace, any review under 5 stars can’t be considered “good”, much less “very good”, when 90% of more of the reviews are 5 stars. If the market was fair and true, the average rating across everyone would be tending towards 3 stars, that should be expected. That’s not what happens, the reviews do not follow a gaussian curve (as they should). They’re incredibly top heavy - just look at the level stats, to keep your level you need to keep your rating above 4.7. That’s absolutely insane in any marketplace. The best movie of all time does not have 94% on IMDB, equivalent to 4.7. Nor do the best game, best album, best restaurant, etc. Not even Jesus would be rated above 4.7 on average, and he was, like, the best human ever. The review system on Fiverr is totally distorted.

Fiverr itself demotes your level if your average rating is under 4.7. Therefore, a 4.0 review is not good - it’s pretty bad. A 4.7 review is passable. A 5 star review is good.

I have a theory! I think most buyers accept the fact they’re getting a job done at a very good price. Therefore so long as the seller meets their basic expectations, then the buyer is very happy to click on 5 stars. Likewise, some buyers just want the job done and can’t be bothered to leave feedback. The same happens with eBay feedback.

Think of feedback as being like a light switch - it is either on (5 stars as the buyer is happy) or off (no feedback, the buyer is happy but just can’t be bothered). There is no state in between for the light switch!

I think we’ll have to disagree on the 4.7 review being passable and 5 as good. Despite what I’ve said above, if the buyer really does want to put some thought into their review, they do have the option of opting for 1, 2, 3 4 or 5 stars.

[visualstudios]

I have a theory! I think most buyers accept the fact they’re getting a job done at a very good price. Therefore so long as the seller meets their basic expectations, then the buyer is very happy to click on 5 stars. Likewise, some buyers just want the job done and can’t be bothered to leave feedback. The same happens with eBay feedback.

Think of feedback as being like a light switch - it is either on (5 stars as the buyer is happy) or off (no feedback, the buyer is happy but just can’t be bothered). There is no state in between for the light switch!

I think we’ll have to disagree on the 4.7 review being passable and 5 as good. Despite what I’ve said above, if the buyer really does want to put some thought into their review, they do have the option of opting for 1, 2, 3 4 or 5 stars.

I think most buyers accept the fact they’re getting a job done at a very good price.

That works on a dirt cheap, $5 marketplace. I don’t sell stuff for $5, I want my prices to reflect industry standards, as they should. I don’t want them to be cheap - I want them to be priced exactly at what they are worth.

I think we’ll have to disagree on the 4.7 review being passable and 5 as good. Despite what I’ve said above, if the buyer really does want to put some thought into their review, they do have the option of opting for 1, 2, 3 4 or 5 stars.

There’s no way to disagree here - Fiverr itself has made that clear. You need to keep an average rating of 4.7 to keep your level. Most people are able to keep their level. Therefore, anything under 4.7 is bad, according to Fiverr. Why would they demote people for having a performance that isn’t bad? They could easily made it so 4.0 was the threshold to keep the level, much more reasonable. But they chose 4.7 for a reason. A rating under 4.7 is bad in Fiverr’s opinion, simple as that. The same way a cancelation rate or late delivery of under 90% are bad.

[techno_sol]

Hi there!

I’ve been struggling with this situation for a while now, and I was wondering if any of you had any tips regarding the issue.

I am an illustrator, I’ve been here since last October, I think I can say that I had very few problematic customers. This one though is real strange. He is a returning buyer, ordered from me at least 9 times. He used to place orders for the wrong packaqes though (He never writes before placing an order). When I told him that what he was requesting is a totally different price range, he agreed to upgrade to premium without trouble. He never mentions that he is not satisfied, I always make the requested modifications on his pictures, I always deliver on time. But since telling him he needs to pay more, he always leaves a 4-4.5 star reviews. Before telling him the package problem, he always left 5 stars. Honestly, I would not be upset about that, If I did not know how the system works. I am worried this might affect my rating in the long run and not in a positive way. I have given him countless discounts, I am always updating him on the process, always asking his opinion, I honestly do not know how I could treat him better at this point. This is affecting my mental health, my anxiety always kicks in whenever he places a new order.

What would you do in that situation?

Thanks for your answers in advance!

Best regards,

Melinda

I have given him countless discounts, I am always updating him on the process, always asking his opinion, I honestly do not know how I could treat him better at this point. This is affecting my mental health, my anxiety always kicks in whenever he places a new order.

I’m so sorry to hear your this experience. This is not good, if you don’t want his orders you can just block him, or can you make a record of his conversation where he said, he is satisfied but don’t leave a actual feedback and seek help from customer support?

I would recommend, just block him if he is taking advantage of you. Please take care of your health as well.

Good luck!

[english_voice]

I think most buyers accept the fact they’re getting a job done at a very good price.

That works on a dirt cheap, $5 marketplace. I don’t sell stuff for $5, I want my prices to reflect industry standards, as they should. I don’t want them to be cheap - I want them to be priced exactly at what they are worth.

I think we’ll have to disagree on the 4.7 review being passable and 5 as good. Despite what I’ve said above, if the buyer really does want to put some thought into their review, they do have the option of opting for 1, 2, 3 4 or 5 stars.

There’s no way to disagree here - Fiverr itself has made that clear. You need to keep an average rating of 4.7 to keep your level. Most people are able to keep their level. Therefore, anything under 4.7 is bad, according to Fiverr. Why would they demote people for having a performance that isn’t bad? They could easily made it so 4.0 was the threshold to keep the level, much more reasonable. But they chose 4.7 for a reason. A rating under 4.7 is bad in Fiverr’s opinion, simple as that. The same way a cancelation rate or late delivery of under 90% are bad.

And I agree with you in principle! l have many years’ experience in my field and I therefore place a value on my time, experience and skills - as we all should. I don’t offer a $5 gig as I have found that tends to attract low quality / high hassle work.

However, while I can realistically expect to earn $30-$40 per hour privately outside of Fiverr, experience tells me that on Fiverr most buyers are prepared to pay about half of my private rate - simply because the competition is vast and I have to price my services accordingly (not too expensive, not too cheap - just fair). I’ve been here for seven years and believe me I’ve experimented with pricing over that time!

In my case I don’t get enough work privately, which is why I’m happy to invest some time in jobs on Fiverr that still pay me a fair price. Where Fiverr wins for me is that it brings a relatively steady stream of jobs, whereas my private work is hit and miss. There’s no one size fits all rule. That’s just how I run my little business!

[english_voice]

I have given him countless discounts, I am always updating him on the process, always asking his opinion, I honestly do not know how I could treat him better at this point. This is affecting my mental health, my anxiety always kicks in whenever he places a new order.

I’m so sorry to hear your this experience. This is not good, if you don’t want his orders you can just block him, or can you make a record of his conversation where he said, he is satisfied but don’t leave a actual feedback and seek help from customer support?

I would recommend, just block him if he is taking advantage of you. Please take care of your health as well.

Good luck!

Yes, health is everything. It really is.

[lenasemenkova]

Hi there!

I’ve been struggling with this situation for a while now, and I was wondering if any of you had any tips regarding the issue.

I am an illustrator, I’ve been here since last October, I think I can say that I had very few problematic customers. This one though is real strange. He is a returning buyer, ordered from me at least 9 times. He used to place orders for the wrong packaqes though (He never writes before placing an order). When I told him that what he was requesting is a totally different price range, he agreed to upgrade to premium without trouble. He never mentions that he is not satisfied, I always make the requested modifications on his pictures, I always deliver on time. But since telling him he needs to pay more, he always leaves a 4-4.5 star reviews. Before telling him the package problem, he always left 5 stars. Honestly, I would not be upset about that, If I did not know how the system works. I am worried this might affect my rating in the long run and not in a positive way. I have given him countless discounts, I am always updating him on the process, always asking his opinion, I honestly do not know how I could treat him better at this point. This is affecting my mental health, my anxiety always kicks in whenever he places a new order.

What would you do in that situation?

Thanks for your answers in advance!

Best regards,

Melinda

This is affecting my mental health

Block him. If you have trouble getting over it and it’s affecting you this deeply, block him.

I had a buyer long ago who’d place orders and set up prices herself (by buying the Basic package and adding some random unrelated extras). The price would end up being 20-30% lower than required. The job was easy and the first few “custom prices” were close enough so I figured she just didn’t understand how the site worked.

Then she placed an order for what would be my Premium package by buying the Basic one and getting a $5 extra (thus discounting 50%). I told her it wasn’t possible, sent the screenshots of package descriptions, got yelled at for being “ungrateful”, canceled the order and that was that. Some people are just entitled. You’re not their parent, partner or therapist to change that.

[shaishavvashi]

My first client gave me 4.3 stars and I thought that was good but now I am not allowed to go to respond to buyer requests. Its really frustrating. Clients should not give less than 4.5 stars for any order that they are satisfied with. Being snobbish actually ends up hurting sales.