As a buyer and a seller on eBay I have enjoyed the opportunity to both give feedback and receive feedback on both sides of the transaction.  I have spent enough time around the eBay Blogs and Forums to know this is a hotly debated topic.  In the end, feedback is always voluntary, so the best rule of thumb I can offer is to use the feedback system the way it is most comfortable for you.

The feedback debate -- decide for yourself

Seller Choices:

A. Leave feedback first: Typically, this will be done immediately upon receiving payment, printing shipping labels or dropping the package at the Post Office.  However, there is another method which can be used to ensure the seller leaves the first feedback.  He can include a note in his shipment asking the customer to drop him an email upon receipt and satisfaction of the item.  Once that EMAIL has been received, the seller can leave the feedback for his customer.

1. Pros:
   i. Sellers who leave feedback first, can generally never be accused of leaving retaliatory feedback.
   ii. Customers are often more inclined to leave their seller feedback, if their seller has “gone first”
2. Cons:
   i. Customers may never leave feedback, making the seller feel he has “given something for nothing”
   ii. Customers may leave warranted or unwarranted neutral or negative feedback without taking the time to work out any problems with their seller

B. Leave feedback last: Typically, this will be done after the customer has left feedback upon receipt of his purchase.  Sellers use this tactic to “ensure the transaction is complete and the customer satisfied” before leaving feedback.

1. Pros:
   i. Sellers who leave feedback last, ensure they ONLY leave feedback for those willing to do the same for them
   ii. Can follow up and correct any situations BEFORE leaving the feedback
   iii. Customers are often more inclined to communicate with their seller before leaving feedback,  should there be a problem
2.  Cons:
   i. Customers may feel intimidated into leaving positive feedback in order to receive the same, even where the item and/or transaction warranted a neutral or negative
   

Buyer Choices:

A: Leave feedback first: Typically, this will be done immediately upon receiving the item and ensuring it meets your expectations. 

1. Pros:
   i. Buyers who leave feedback first, can generally never be accused of leaving retaliatory feedback.
2. Cons:
   i. Sellers may never leave feedback making the seller feel he has “given something for nothing”

B. Leave feedback last: Typically, this will be done after the customer has received his item and his seller has left feedback.

1. Pros:
   i. Customers who leave feedback last, ensure they ONLY leave feedback for those willing to do the same for them
2. Cons:
   i. Unless the seller is willing to leave feedback first, no feedback will be left on either side of the transaction

I use the following approaches:

As a seller:

• Upon payment, print shipping label, leave positive feedback (since my customer paid, thereby fulfilling his contractual end of the transaction
• Follow-up to any non-positive feedback left by my customer with honest, factual responses.

As a buyer:

• Leave honest feedback upon receipt of item as described
• Contact my seller for assistance in the event the item is never received, or is received in a condition other than “as described”
• Leave honest feedback after transaction has been resolved.

You must choose for yourself, but take time to consider the pros and cons of each method. Above all, be honest and factual with your feedback.