Ruppy, this isn't a shot at you, and I know you mean well...and it's not even really a shot at kenm, because I'm sure HE means well, too...
But...other than encouraging a buyer to perhaps be more patient (which could be done via PMs), what is the point of everyone and their dog who had a transaction with someone currently "under the microscope" have to do with ANYTHING?
Buyer - "Seller hasn't shipped my stuff, and it's been over 2 months."
Seller has failed.
Others chime in "oh, MY transaction with this seller was wonderful!"
Yeah?
And....?
So....?
Is that supposed to magically make the buyer feel all warm and fuzzy and want to drop the whole thing, let the seller keep the money AND the product...? Does that somehow DIMINISH the buyer's BAD experience, that the seller has had multiple GOOD experiences with others?
Can you imagine:
Wal-Mart Customer: "Hi...you folks were supposed to deliver this item three weeks ago, and it hasn't arrived."
Wal-Mart: "Sir, we've had MILLIONS of transactions with other people, and no one's ever had a complaint." (how many times have we heard THAT one...? The unspoken finish to that sentence is "so you shouldn't, either.")
Other customers who overhear: "Yeah, we LOVE Wal-Mart! They've been great!"
Wal-Mart Customer: " ...so, can I expect my thing any time soon, or should I just drop the whole thing, considering what a stellar job you've done with everyone else?"
It is beyond belief, it does the person IN the situation no good (except PERHAPS to POSSIBLY give encouragement...because they certainly can't do anything else...and that can be done via PM), and, frankly, it's a slap in the face of the one making the complaint, intended or not.
The fact that the seller has been WONDERFUL every previous time does not change one iota the fact that THIS time, they weren't. And to THIS customer, THIS time is the only one that matters.
Excellent post...