eBay is your partner, not your enemy

So, a podcast I listen to has this theory that we shouldn't bash on eBay, and while they do take a large cut of our profits, that they are providing a great service (letting us to sell to people around the world that would be impossible otherwise), and that they are your partner in selling. They want to see you do well because it means they do well. They are big supporters of calling eBay when you have an issue and talk to them. Yesterday I received my first negative feedback, left by the buyer of the Artful Dodger hoodie. The feedback was

The buyer never contacted me before leaving this and seemed quite pleased when he bought it. So I messaged him asking what the issue was and if there was anything I could do to help fix it. I was careful not to suggest that I wanted the feedback removed or changed. He responded saying that it wasn't clean, that it gave him an allergic reaction and that he needed to take an anti-histamine, that he had to get it dry cleaned and that he had to replace the pull string because it was worn. He said I could fix it by giving him $35. I knew that the hoodie has been washed, and the string was fine. I wasn't going to get into a debate with him, and I could tell it was an attempt to get a discount after the fact. I was at work and couldn't respond, and he sent a further message saying that if I paid him $35 he would gladly leave good feedback. This is where he made a mistake. eBay does not allow you to threaten bad feedback in exchange for a discount, it is called feedback extortion. So I called eBay, and after I got through to them, I explained the situation and they put me on hold for a couple minutes, read the messages and agreed with me and removed the bad feedback. He also commented that my reply was professional and appropriate. So, a 5 minute phone call, which was quite pleasant, and I am back to 100% positive feedback. It is good to know that eBay is willing to work with you as long as you work within their rules.