This guide was written BEFORE ebay dissallowed sellers to give bad feedback to buyers.  So portions of it are no longer applicable.

That policy is wrong...how are sellers supposed to know about nightmare buyers??? Oh well...

Here is what I wrote way back then..

This guide discusses Ebay's feedback system. How to use most effectively. And why a Seller may not want to leave feedback first.

I have written a safe buying guide to cover whom you should buy from, how to pay and why.  Please read it.  I am a Certified fraud Examiner.

http://reviews.ebay.com/Smart-amp-Safe-Buying_W0QQugidZ10000000000060728

I also have a return guide. The top part is geared toward sellers, and bottom to buyers. Read it because it sounds nice and offers nothing more than is legally required. I think that is hysterical. It is well done. If you have a PhD, like me,..it is fun to interpret. 

http://reviews.ebay.com/Seller-and-Buyer-Tips-Return-Policy_W0QQugidZ10000000000688259

I am a POWER BUYER (I need a star for that!!!!) and I hope a nice fair trade seller.

I generally do not leave feedback first, unless it is a new buyer. Why?

1. First reason is simply to easily without much work have a system whereby if feedback is not left by buyer, if I have time, I might follow-up to check if it is shipped via PayPal shipping link. Or I can get back with the buyer. I do this to make administration simple, I do. If you can have a tool that automates feedback after it is left, that is wonderful. I also have a tool that tells me when buyers leave negative feedback. I hope this tool is unused!!!
2. The transaction is not concluded with payment. A buyer that is not happy that does not even give me an opportunity to make things right..is not dealing in a forthright manner. It is a sad fact there is no trust on Ebay.  If you read my feedback, you will see I do make things right. I have intregrity. I also like to know what went wrong so I can fix it. It is a two way street.
3. To have leverage.  I separate my unhappy buyers (in 1400 dealings I have had only a couple). a) If we agree to back out of the transaction & exchange feedback they get the best deal. I agree to give him free product, full immediate return of all costs including shipping and handling -& they agree to cooperate & get my seller fees returned, we reciprocate positive feedback. I have made the buyer "whole".  I recoop seller fee and save my reputation. b) Otherwise, they can return the item (if in this item policy) and get a refund if the item is resellable. They can leave whatever feedback they want. That seems fair to me.

This reason came well after the first when I had to deal with simply unreasonable illogical people.

Unfortunately their are buyers TOO unsophisticated TO cooperate. If they get their money back and to keep the product --what more can I do?   If the product was not as expected for whatever reason (yet as advertised) they have been made whole. 

Unfortunately I have had buyers unwilling to return as  well. They wanted an immediate full refund,  for seller to pay for the return shipping if seller wants product back.  Understand. the product was "as described" and has had a hundred successful sales &  less than a five dollar item. How much time did seller spent with this NIGHTMARE sale. I'd love to block bidders with three negatives. Ebay does nto allow. THAT is a hostage. I got to sell to anyone.

This is what another seller..said about one of my nightmare buyers. Basically the buyer bought two and ONLY paid for one, and then left negative feedback for seller. Seller said:

Seller: U should be BANNED from ebay 4 trying to SCAM sellers causing them to loose $$$.
Buyer purchased 2, paid for 1 and leaves us NEGATIVE FEEDBACK. How fair is that?
Buyer responds: You thought you could rip me off, enjoy your feedback-you deserve it !!!

Hello???? this nightmare buyer refuses to pay for item as agreed and leaves negative feedback because seller asked for payment. How dare that seller ask for payment. Bad seller.

Hey..this buyer felt they got ripped off.  I offered them a full immediate refund (in my transaction) and they did not have to return product, all they needed was to send positive feedback and agree that sale was not completed so I could recoop ebay sales fees. THEY did not agree. I blocked this blithering idiot buyer from future transactions. What I want to do, as a seller, is block anyone with four negatives like them ..but Ebay won't let me. That is not right.

This particular buyer, was my first negative. I gave negative feedback to this nightmare buyer first, after I gave them a full refund because:

• they did not return the product
• nor did they give me positive feedback.

Reply by drlspears: Gave Immediate Full Refund &shipping. Nonresponsive. Not return product.Blocked.

They were uncooperative. So paying first, means nothing. You need to have the transaction completed. In my opinion. There are nightmare buyers. Sellers got to protect themselves.

This buyer has 4 negatives on 251 transactions-Ebay does not allow sellers to ban these turkeys until after you deal with them. Too late.

In this transaction,  the buyer bought the same item twice an ebook, and only paid for one. As a seller I would have offered my "give me good feedback and I will void the sale" routine if they agree to say sale not completed. That is the best solution for both parties..not this tirade of negatives. But buyers that are so whatever that they cannot see that a seller needs to get fees reversed, they are not deserving of a positive. Not in my book.   

As a seller - block anyone before the sale, that sounds like trouble!!!!

Other sellers get buyers that after the sale want to renegotiate shipping and hold seller hostage. See my funny cheesy buyers nasty feedbacks guide:

http://reviews.ebay.com/Dealing-With-Cheesy-Buyers-Nasty-Feedbacks-4-Fun_W0QQugidZ10000000001494335

            <<<<<<<   <<<<<<>>>>>>>   <<<<<<<<>>>>>>>   >>>>>

This offers another side to "Buyer's guide to feedback. Don't be held hostage."

That guide felt that sellers that do not immediately rate a buyer transaction based on payment received are doing a disservice and holding buyers hostage. That is an unenlightened view.

The For The Buyers Guide to feedback hostage, takes offense at these policies I provided as an example:

http://reviews.ebay.com/Return-Policy-Example-2_W0QQugidZ10000000001626848

I like what the writer -Buyers Guide to feedback hostage-says about the feedback.

• It is TRUE.  If you have a bad seller, and they do not leave feedback first, then you can be held "hostage" or have negative feedback reciprocated.
• It is also true you can learn about things by looking at dates. I look at the feedback dates to discern how long a seller might take to ship.

 

The bottom line...be a savvy shopper. The guide I am rebutting is good. This just expounds on it and tries to provider another side.

There are other guides that discuss sellers overcharging for shipping when they can go out and find a re-use shipping materials. That is not a reasonable expectation.  Come on!

QUID PRO QUO. CAVEAT EMPTOR. You get what you pay for. We need a fair trade. We need to recognize the seller's time and cost.  Sellers need to respect buyers and be upfront and not put tiny caveats.

All that being said, I think EBAY is the safest medium.

I do not think it offers any fraud protection but I have tried to tell buyers how to be savvy and have fun.

http://reviews.ebay.com/Leaving-Fun-Feedback_W0QQugidZ10000000000718877

One more thing. As a seller, if they buyer pays via PayPal, you MUST ship the product. If you cannot provide a cofnim you have to refund or they will get their money. If you want them to buy insurance then YOU must make it manditory. I pay for shipping signatures on my own dime If I get worried. it is my reputation.  

The rest of this is just about me..you can stop reading here.

            <<<<<<<   <<<<<<>>>>>>>   <<<<<<<<>>>>>>>   >>>>>

So what kind of seller am I? Well I did write buyers guides. And yes, I have had a couple of tussles..and yes they were all as a seller. You know why?? Because I AM a savvy buyer. I shop smart. I worked with the seller even those that sold me fake gold mnore than once. I kicked several sellers off Ebay too. Did I mention I'm a Certified Fraud Examiner..I thought so. I am so good.

I think we need to also rate bad buyers..and I am willing to take lumps to do so. And bad buyers occur after the payment. That's my story. And that's why I say wait until after the transaction to leave feedback.

If you abuse the leverage on either side BUYER OR SELLER , shame on you.

Look at my feedback and you will find after the sale service quotes..Not to pat myself on the back..but here are some of them:  (look for similar feedbacks to discern service, communication, etc.).

Not sure what I did but they liked it..

• Bend-over-backwards fantastic! Best possible seller! Can't do any better!
• Above & beyond the expected! Excellent sale! Thank you!!!!!
• Excellent products and outstanding customer service! Highly recommend!!!!
• BEST seller EVER! BID w/CONFIDENCE here! GOES BEYOND the call of DUTY! GREAT   [This was right after a neutral that said they did not get product after 30 days..and why I prefer Paypal..not cash. I had communicated ten times. Shipped replacement three times].
• Platinum sales service and products A++ just what makes ebay fun
• Great seller! Went far and beyond on service. Highly recommend. A++++
• Great Seller, highly recommended.....friendliest on ebay
• Linda has been fantastic and incredibly helpful. I'll definitely do this again!
• Great transaction. Very helpful. Thanks!
• A pleasure to buy from-generous-creative-more than accomodating-excellent-thanks
• She was wonderful to deal with and sent the product promptly
  

Delusional repeat Buyers..must have responded to a nice seller -hijacked my account!:

• Incredibly nice person! She is great to do business with- Highly recomend! [Here she is again -repeat] Selling our home - getting so many compliments on honey pear! Thank you!
• Seller is pleasant, and helpful  products as described and fast shipment. [and again] Super experience - quick responses to emails, fast shipment and so nice!
• Item is exactly what I wanted! Thank you! I would love to do biz again!
• GREATseller! ONE OF THE BEST!Very friendly+Nice!i tem was PERFECTLY as described
• One of the best sellers on eBay I have encountered! Super nice, fast shipping!
• What a great seller!!! Very helpful and accomodating!! Thanks a million for everything....the "forest" is a perfect blend!!
• Great seller!! Very helpful and a pleasure to work with. Recommend any day!!!!!!Arrived QUICK!! Oils are simply heavenly! Definitely buying from again! Thanks!!

Who ARE THESE lovely PEOPLE?? Thank goodness for them!!! Compensates for the turkeys. I'm glad I read this..need to go back to my old days when Ebay was fun.

Answered Q's  & responded: 
 

• the items are as described...Thanks for the information too !
• fast shipping and full of info!! great items thanks!!!!!!
• great store, she answered my email and i got my products fast
• EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE !! I LOVE THE PRODUCTS I RECEIVED.SMELL WONDERFUL
• (¯`'·.¸ GR8 Communication-Fast Shipping - Highly Recommend Seller ¸.·'´¯)
• Very very nice and informative! Thanks for everything!
• Wonderful support and great speed. She has the customer in mind. Congrats!
• Outstanding ebayer!!! Very helpful with great email response and rapid shipping
• Great seller, lightning fast shipment, Superb Communications, highly recommended
  

Added something: (we offer free gift tags, velvet hangs, sometimes do cards & wrap, too).

• Great looking product. Thanks for the extra touch. Highly recommend.
• Fast shipping, friendly emails, custom labels are terrific, A+++Seller (think I made instruction holiday labels for their gifts with their name ..no charge)
• Super seller and excellent communication. Even sent extra items!! Outstanding!
• great items! love the spanish vase! Thank you for putting extra effort! :)
• thank you agian very fast service n thnk you for the gift bag i will tell all my.....the best service i have ever gotton from ebay thank you very much you went above
• seller really seems to care about her buyers, and she gives great extras ~peace~
  

Love Honor & Ebay

Linda

Please rate this guide as helpful..THANKS