All the buyers who dont know how to use this new system has driven me to write down my opinions.   Here they are...

The DSR system, Detailed Sellers Report, is a system ebay devised in order for buyers to rate sellers on 4 different criteria.  Product accuracy in description, communication between both seller and buyer, speed of delivery, and shipping fees.  Although good intent was in store when this was initially implemented, buyers, even sellers who are buyers have not received adequate instruction as to how to correctly use the new system. 

Now, Buyers think they are scoring figure skaters.  They start at a 3 thinking that 3 is right smack in the middle where it should be and a very good score when actually they are dead wrong.  Ebay intended that a 5 is a trouble free and proper transaction.  In fact a product well described and the seller provides information to buyer on shipping and tracking, followed by delivery within 2 weeks, and free shipping is all status that merits 5 star services. 

Any buyer can lift up his 300 pound sword in arms, fight off an army of terrorists, come within an inch of the grimm-reaper, then finally save the day to click on that pay now button.  I hardly see what is so worthy of getting any feedback as a buyer, especially before receiving feedback from a buyer.  The ebay system does NOT tell sellers to leave feedback first.  Feedback is a privaledge that is earned.  I cannot see why an exchange of currency for goods can be worthy of feedback, unless there is a glitch in the matrix. In my opinnion, sellers have the right to determine if they want to leave feedback or not and either before or after the sale.

If the buyer is a real problem child and doesnt pay, which now if this is the case, a seller cant even let others know that the buyer is a dead beat, or if the buyer purchases just to leave negative feedback to harass a sellers DSR ratings, More and more buyers are becoming harassing in these ways.  The buyer has now taken on a role of abuse of power under these circumstances.  The seller can't leave any feedback reflecting his bad experience.  This should NOT be!

I give 5 stars to the seller and even mention it in their feedback.  Unless the seller takes the money and runs, never to hear from them again, ships absolute junk, sends 3 weeks after payment as per postage mark, and charges double ,then buyers should consider leaving appropriate stars that reflect their comments left to the seller in his feedback.  Too many buyers are leaving 3 or 4 stars as a mid-road rating but have no shmick of an idea that a 4.0 star average will reflect on the sellers ratings and if the seller falls below a 4.3 will get his selling privaledges removed.

A good rule I follow is if you leave the same stars as your comments then they will be exact instead of hypocritical.

The following should merit the seller *****5 stars*****......

1 - Item description should be accurate and well detailed.  Saying that you have an old so and so for sale in good condition is seriously vague and will set you up with problems if the recipient disagrees.  List accurately and well detailed because inaccurate listings may bring in the big money but will wind you up in problems with the buyer. *****5 STAR*****

2 - Send out welcome emails with thanks for purchase.  Explain to buyers any delays, go over the DSR system briefly, follow up with a tracking email, all done through your my ebay otherwise they may never get the email, say they never got it, or it will wind up in a spam blocker or junkmail.  Keep proof that you did send the info.  Keep your receipts! Ask the buyer to acknowledge they got the info. Ship within 3 days. *****5 STAR*****

3 -  Seller ships in a timely manner. (1-2 weeks MAX!!! from payment to cover holidays, work delays, weekends, health and such.) The buyer should be at the very least understanding that many businesses on ebay can't ship yesterday.  If buyers want it now, go to WALMART NOT EBAY. Seller should follow up with a welcoming and brief explanation of when shipping will take place, asking buyer to be sure they have reviewed the auction so there are no surprises, then follow up with the tracking info once shipped at least within 24 hours of shipping. *****5 STAR*****  

4 - Accurate shipping rates with no inflated handling, and especially free shipping is a 5 star, not a 4 so wake up buyers!

NOTE:- Buyer should NOT blame the seller when the darn shipper decides to get off his but to deliver. This is easily checked by looking at the shipping date stamped on the parcel. If the seller did his job, and got confirmation from the buyer, that the buyer has received tracking, then there should be no surprises. Sellers should NOT be held responsable for what the 3rd party does.

BUYER SHOULD...leaves APPROPRIATE stars for each  DSR criteria and APPROPRIATE feedback with matching descriptive comments.  The word thanks, in a feedback comment means nothing when  all the DSRs are low, it indicates hypocritical feedback. 

Unless the seller is rude or has bad attitude, then its a 5. Get it yet? Free shipping is automatically a 5.  Unless you expect the seller to use a service that ships yesterday and arrives only minutes after you paid, and costs more to ship than the entire transaction.

Buyers and Sellers need to get real on this.  Timely shipping is within 2-3 weeks.  Im sorry but we all dont go running off in the middle of the night to ship a parcel which the shipper lolly gags with for a few days before delivering it.  In this day and age, if you even get the parcel, it should be considered for a 5. 

What about our neighbors in mexico and canada? 

Are we going to constantly punish and undergrade them for shipping time issues when customs and shippers are most always the reason for shipping latency? Keep in mind, you can ship straight accross the US in a 3 day service but the seller needs to prepare his shipments and such and in some cases, his employment and family may interfere with his shipping schedule.  Dont be so hard on the sellers. You can pick out a good seller by his feedback and stars, and how he communicates during a transaction.  If they are making the effort you can clearly see it. Any item that was what you expected is a 5.  Unless you bought something that was totally not what you expected like a rock.  Damages shouldnt drop a sellers DSR either.  Velocity in the fall of a parcel can play a big role in shipping damages.  Insurance is something to consider also.  How can you blame a seller for damages caused in shipping?  Good packing often results in good damage free boxes but the shippers have conveyor belts at the hubs which fill containers going to different destinations.  If you have taken the time to go to a shippers outlet and see exactly what the walls see, you would be shocked!!!

Now you got the skinny on DSRs.  Take this info and use it wisely, you will see that if you treat each other fairly, your feedback will shine.