I need to vent. I apologize. I am close to losing my mind with these Fiverr changes… and the ‘zen desk’ is just having the opposite effect on me.
Let me give a bit of a backstory. I have been a super seller for 2 years before the new system came into place. I didn’t qualify because of cancellations.
I am a video spokesperson and a professional stage actress, and I would make videos for companies that I felt comfortable (or more or less comfortable) to associate my image with. This meant most orders, I am not THAT picky either, but occasionally I would get orders from clients, who never read descriptions, where I list what I don’t film for (e.g. dating sites, product testimonials etc). In order for my cancellations to be less than 10 percent, I have to break my own moral rules, and sell a bit of my soul sometimes, working for scammy websites tricking people into getting rich fast or worse. Do I like it? NO. Should I do it? No. But I decided to just suck it up for a few months and pray no one I know will find those videos and just not cancel for a period of time to regain my levels…
I got back to level 2 (after months), and today they have demoted me, because of one situation.
A client asked for a big discount, claiming he had no more funds… I agreed, and the client got a Standard video for a price of Basic. The video was top quality, with a bonus of me singing a song to the camera after the text. The review the client left said “Perfect, better than expected” but - 3 stars…
I asked the client if there was something wrong. (This client wants to order more, of course I need his constructive criticism if I am to work with him again, or I will have 3 stars from him without any insight in the future). I needed him to know he can always ask for a revision if not satisfied with a video. The client said that it was a mistake, that he thought I deserved 5 stars and asked how he can change it, to which I responded that I have no idea. The client decided to ask Fiverr team to change my rating. Let me stress - the client offered to change the rating, not me. I only wanted to know what was to be improved with the video. Fiverr demoted me stating I manipulated the rating system. When I described the situation I got a what seems a copy paste Q&A response, that has nothing to do with my specific situation. If the client would have written ‘mediocre video’, left 3 stars, never ordered again - I am fine with that. I don’t care about this rating, I just need to know for my future with this client what was he not happy about with the first video…
What would you guys do in such situation? Just not ask, just not work with this client again? Never ask them what was wrong? Or just keep doing what you are doing and risking 3 stars every time? Or would you have asked? Do you think this counts as manipulating the rating system to ask what was wrong with a video to a client who has intention on buying again??? (It was his initiative to ask Fiverr to change the feedback)…
I am just lost with all these Fiverr changes… It’s a never ending battle…
I have to already not cancel anything (I need to keep these 2 cancellations per month allowed for real emergencies, like clients ordering by mistake etc) and just film for whoever wishes me to film for them, even if they are fetish videos or online scams or anything I clearly state I don’t do… But on top of it I can’t have a normal business dialogue of constructive criticism with my clients… It’s become ridiculous… Please Fiverr team don’t just demote us, look into particular cases, and answer after reading out messages, not just copy pasting generic Q&A response…
Anyway, I hope your Fiverr life is going better than mine
(edited 2 times for grammar 1:41 AM Central European Time Saturday Nov. 10)