Starting May 2008 eBay changes its feedback policy.  New policy will prevent sellers from leaving negative or neautral feedback to their buyers.  A measure sometimes called retaliatory feedback, which is implemented by many sellers to keep negative and neutral feedback in check.

What happens when a seller receives negative or neutral feedback?  Well, the seller does not sell as good as with 100% positive feedback.  Thus bad feedback rating is a slow chock hold that eventually drives a seller out of business.

How does eBay make money?  EBay makes money through sellers.  We list, we pay listing fees, we sell, we pay final value fees.  EBay's sellers are eBay's sole source of income, we help catapult eBay's profits.  However, now some of us are going to stop selling.  This will lead to collapse of eBay, company's market value will drop.  It is a logical change, it is inevitable, have no doubt about it, it's going to happen.  Thus if you own eBay stock, you have through May to sell.

This new policy was designed with buyers in mind.  However, no matter how good is the seller, they will still receive negative feedback.  Buyers are none essential to eBay, buyers don't bring income, it is sellers who make eBay successful.  Protecting buyers is useful, it is done through PayPal.  Currently if buyer is not satisfied he could file claims with PayPal and get his/her money refunded.  Seller's feedback has nothing to do with buyers being protected.

Think about this.  If you were a buyer and you are not satisfied.  What is more important, a quick ego boost via leaving nasty negative feedback, or getting your money back?

Well, that quick ego boost could have disastrous effects on sellers, and eventually eBay.  I personally find this new eBay feedback policy to be the beggining of the end of my presence on eBay.  EBay is getting way too over confident with themselves, it appears time has come to eBay to disappear and make way for other online auction sites.  Time has come.

If you love eBay market place the way it used to be, then find this Guide/Review helpful, and write to eBay your dissatisfaction with them.