Strangely, all things old are new again (in the nicest possible way) when it comes to Ebay!  Here, your opinion counts!  Today, we can find almost anything -- even things that are not made any more.  Conversely, we can also find the best in cutting edge technology too.  We find also, that the newest concept is that your opinion really does count -- you DO get a vote!!

One of the most important assets (and least well understood) in the Ebay community is your feedback.  It is as important as stock in your store, items in your auctions, or funds in your Paypal account.  Those who are new to the Community want more feedback, and those who are old hands, want only the best feedback.  The newest concept for sellers are the detailed seller ratings (DSRs) which seperate those who get cheaper listing rates and more exposure, from those who don't!  THAT is HUGE -- money in your pocket.  This guide is to help both sellers and buyers get exactly what they want (positive feedback in high numbers) in their Ebay Feedback account!

As stated abive -- as a Buyer or Seller -- Feedback (and lots of it) is key -- herein lies your credibility within the community, for good or ill.  Over time, the credibility shown in your feedback score directly translates to your sales numbers.  I was shocked at how much my sales began to increase after the 1500 feedback number!  Feedback is critical to your credibility as a seller or buyer especially on big ticket items.  Excellent feedback opens the door to community trust from customers and eBay management alike, which allows you to be trusted to bid and buy costly treasures large and small or to sell anything legally saleable.  The trust a seller finds in your feedback also works toward extending your time before payment is due (if necessary) or for a seller to allow you to shop through several auction cycles to combine shipping and save big on shipping costs.  As a seller, Feedback quickly answers the ever present buyer question, Can I trust this person to provide a good product in exchange for my hard earned money??

Recent change no longer allow sellers to leave negative or neutral feedback for buyers.  At first blush, this looks very unfair -- but don't forget, you can still reply to any feedback received!  (Scroll to the bottom of the Feedback page and click on "Reply to Feedback"  then scroll up and click on the reply button next to the item and feedback you wish to comment on.  Remember to keep your comments factual because future customers will learn about you from the comments you leave in situations such as this.

If you are new to buying or selling on Ebay, the following are critical  things to remember about feedback:

1.  It is there for a reason, and therefore it is important that you leave it for buyers or sellers every time.  The system is automated so you can write a phrase that fits, then just copy and paste it into feedback for positive sales.  I am fond of mentioning good communication and fast payment because these are key to sellers.  As a buyer I really like to acknowledge the quality of the product, fast delivery time and the courtesy of the seller.

2.  Before buying, check the Feedback Left For Others Tab on the seller's account. If they have loads of sales and have left feedback too few times -- buy your item elsewhere (if possible) if feedback is important to you.

3.  You can build feedback quickly by purchasing many less expensive items.  If you purchase many items from a single source (seller who combines shipping), you save additionally by combining shipping costs where it is offered!  Further, if you win a bid, check out the seller's store for additional items to take advantage of combined shipping and feedback building.  Look for sellers that accept Best Offers and Combined Shippin to save even more while building feedback!

4.  Find a good seller?  Shop the auctions and the store.  This is a great way to save on shipping and build your feedback too.  Always be sure to bookmark a responsive seller in your favorites.  There is simply no substitute for a seller who sells quality items, has a reasonable return policy and keeps his or her words to the customers.  Ttrust is a great asset when shared through a good experience -- you want to be sure you can easily find that seller again and again.  Just like your favorite bricks and mortar stores -- your favorite sellers on Ebay will offer many favorite treasures weekly.  If you are a repeat customer, your seller may be willing to offer a buy-it-now price upon request for an item that you just must have.

5.  Know your seller before bidding!  Check out the feedback score and read some sample feedback.  The trust and service is evident (or not) right in the text.  Good Product?  Fast Shipping?  Courteous Service?  Feedback tells the whole story.  Look for feedback percentages that are as close to (or at) 100%.  Do consider that no one pleases everyone all the time though but the best sellers come awfully close.

6.  Always read the ad carefully.  Know what you are buying and what the seller expects in terms of payment type and time.  Understand the rules of the road with the seller before you bid.  Nothing can upset a buyer more then to find the treasure you just purchased will now cost you four times its purchase price to be shipped.  Another common problem is slow shipping -- it might not be acceptable to you that the item you just purchased in March will arrive in the mail just before Christmas!

7.  Ask questions before you bid, a super seller truly wants a well informed customer.  Give the seller time to answer your questions and concerns too -- many sell on Ebay as a hobby or second job.  48 hours is a reasonable time to wait for an answer, although replies from the best sellers will likely arrive much sooner. 

8.  Expecting a reply and nothing???  Check your "My Messages" folder in eBay AND your Spam blocker to be sure the Seller's reply didn't get sidelined.   It takes time to get back to you, but the best sellers always respond courteously AND as soon as possible. 

9.  Make a special effort to carefully read the payment and return policies (especially the return policy) -- this will be critical later if you are disappointed in any way with the product you receive.  Ideally, the seller guarantees your satisfaction -- it costs the seller little to stand behind the product and an honest seller will always do that..

10.  Most importantly, do understand that Feedback is designed to be a last resort for reporting dishonest or bad sellers.  It is never the first response to disappointment.  It is essential to remember that Feedback is not a place for "critiquing" the item you receive.  Feedback is designed to express your inability to come to mutual agreement with the seller over your purchase.  It exists to isolate and showcase the bad folks in order to be sure that fraudulent sellers and buyers don't continue to operate on eBay. 

11.  Want to be happy with your purchase?  Don't start with Negative feedback.  Negative Feedback  should never be the first time the seller learns you are disappointed with your purchase.  Sellers with a 97% (or above) positive feedback have obviously learned how to take care of customers the old fashioned, one customer at a time, way.  Please remember that opinions are subjective and differ as much as the people who have them.  So, disappointments do happen.  A positive outcome can happen if you work together as a buyer and seller toward that goal.  Don't start by assuming people are bad.  Even the best seller cannot work with you if they don't know you are unhappy.  Good sellers have clearly dedicated themselves to working with every customer to assure a happy transaction for the benefit of everyone in the community.  Patronize the auctions and stores of high positive feedback sellers and you simply can't loose! 

12.  If you are ever disappointed in your item(s), first -- remain calm.  Start with an email to the seller explaining how YOU FEEL.  Keep it factual and leave accusations and personal comments about the seller out of it.  You certainly may attempt negotiation even if the seller specifies an "all sales final policy."  Perhaps, in an effort to meet you half way, the seller will reduce the price or work with you anyway.  Remember, that there is always time for getting eBay or Paypal involved and to leave the negative feedback if the seller refuses to work with you. 

13. Your email to a seller should always avoid accusations and recrimminations.  Such personal attacks only make people defensive and far less likely to work with you to correct the problem.  Your email should clearly state what your issues are with the item and what you believe would be fair compensation for your disappointment (i.e., item replacement, partial refund, money refunded upon return of the item, etc.).  This first email opens communication, beginning the process of a negotiation in which the seller should meet you half way.  It is critically important Never to use the feedback forum as a place for personal attack or unfounded or unprovable accusations.  Regardless of  the validity of your comments or your transaction difficulties, other sellers and buyers will see your personal attacks and may well decide they want YOU blocked from their sales because of the way YOU handle things.  So, be professional and always stick to the facts.

14. Give the seller time to respond to your email and make sure you check your spam filter or junk email before complaining that you got no response.  Many sellers Ebay as a sideline and are not available to read and respond to questions or emails 24/7.  A fair wait for a response would be 48 hours, although in most cases, a response is likely to come much sooner.  If you get no response, always try to get in touch at least three times.  Email can and does fail and timing is everything.  Remember that the opportunity to leave feedback remains available for a number of weeks.  It is also important to note that you cannot withdraw poor feedback if you later realize you made a mistake.

15.  Still unhappy?  Don't forget that you can lodge a complaint with Paypal if you used it in your transaction.  Paypal often gets responses from reticent sellers more quickly and effectively because they can freeze funds in the sellers account and for repayment if you can prove your claim.  So, you have high level help when you need it with Paypal.

16.  As in all of life, the Ebay community is made up of many different kinds of people from all walks of life.  When you find sellers that are great to work with and who sell great products, make sure you can find them again (save 'em in your favorites).  Encourage and enjoy the source by visiting their sales often -- become a regular and enjoy the friendship that often develops over time.  There is absolutely nothing more rewarding for a customer than a trusted seller.  To a seller, reliable and regular customers are a gift to be cared for --meticulously.  You not only share transactions you can both trust, but you each provide and receive valued and trusted interactions in the form of old fashioned personalized service.  Who wouldn't cherish a seller who knows that something is about to be listed that is just perfect for YOU and gives you advanced notice?  

17.  As a buyer:  If you ever decide to sell on Ebay....good sellers often happily become your teacher and mentor.  They can help with the tough questions, give you the benefit of their own experiences and point you toward the right information resources on the website -- all just because you have an established, positive relationship.  I have been priviledged to meet people who did this for me early in my Ebaying.  Since that time, I have been pleased and honored to do the same for others who started as my own wonderful customers.

18.  Unlike other sites, eBay's feedback is taken very seriously. Negative feedback is never removed. So, if you leave negative feedback rather than trying to handle a tough situation, you could get a bad reputation for your trouble. If people see that you consistently leave nasty feedback for whatever reason, buyers will beware of buying from you for fear of getting negative feedback themselves.

19.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you -- that means leave feedback if you want it.  Many sellers will only leave feedback after you have left yours as a response to being burned.  Go ahead, take the higher ground and leave feedback -- some will appear for you in return!

20.  If you must leave negative feedback PLEASE abide by these suggestions and save yourself a lot of heartburn....  Use only facts in the negative feedback.  Using facts that can be proven, makes others aware that it was not your fault. If you are the one going to leave negative feedback, I suggest......

-  If the customer has fewer than ten feedbacks, don't bother. Many times the new sellers will take feedback as a joke and give you a negative in return and you have much more to loose (sales).  The bad eBayer will then just make a new account and start over after spoiling yours for a time.

-  If  you are going to leave a negative, it is best to leave it as close to the end of the 90 day open window as possible.  After the 90th day the buyer or seller cannot leave you any retaliatory negative feedback (unless they are very clever).

-  As mentioned above, stick to the facts and be professional and adult. No swearing or name calling!

In closing, since Feedback is so important, do leave it for each purchase or sale that you make.  Many sellers do not leave feedback until they receive yours because the feedback process is misused so often.  It doesn't take long (write a good line that sums up positive feelings about your purchase and just use the copy and paste function - (highlight, then control + C and then go to where you want to paste it and hit Control + V).  Sellers will promptly return the favor and you will be helping the community in a most important way.

As a buyer or a seller -- do your best for the community and the rewards are great -- you can find rare pieces for that important collection, the finest designer clothing with prices you really can afford, treasures you adore and as a bonus you can have a treasure chest full of great feedback that makes YOU an honored member of the Ebay community!!

Thanks for your interest in using Feedback well!  Happy Bidding and please visit my store "The Write Place" or search by seller at Pepper120851.

Please scroll below and leave a helpfulness vote?  I surely would appreciate it!  I sincerely thank you in advance for your time! THANKS for stopping by!

Happy Bidding!

Pepper