What is Feedback for sellers and buyers? Why does the eBay community rely on feedback?  When do I leave negative? When do I leave positive? What words should I use?  In this review, we define feedback, look at positive, neutral, and negative feedback.  Then we explore common phrases used in feedback.

Feedback Defined

Feedback in the context of eBay is defined as the return of information about the result of a process or activity, namely selling or buying.  Ones positive feedback score represents a honest evaluation of the buyer's/seller's honesty, quick payment, responsive communication, and smooth transaction.

In 1996, the founder of eBay, Pierre Omidyar, posted a historic note about feedback.  “Most people are honest,” he stated, “But some are dishonest.  Or deceptive… But here, those people can’t hide.  We’ll drive them away…. Make your complaints in the open. Better yet, give your praise in the open.”  Feedback represents your experience with other individuals. Read the full text.

Positive Feedback left for Sellers

A buyer has the opportunity to leave positive feedback for a seller.  Positive feedback is earned when a seller completes their part of the sales process.  The item has been received by the buyer and the buyer is satisfied.  A seller should be given positive feedback if the listing was honest, the item arrived in a timely fashion, and if a problem was encountered, then the seller was willing to make things right.  Most sellers will work with buyers to earn a positive feedback – for high class sellers, your positive feedback is extremely important to their success.

Positive Feedback left for Buyers

A seller also has the opportunity to leave feedback for a Buyer.  At eBay Live 2005 in San Jose California, sellers were encouraged to not “hold positive feedback hostage.”  A buyer should be given positive feedback if payment is received in a timely fashion.  Buyers that make their payments quickly are a valuable part of the great eBay community.

Neutral Feedback left for Buyers and Sellers

Both sellers and buyers may leave neutral feedback.  Neutral feedback should be left when either payment or shipping was exceptionally delayed, or poor communication led to misunderstandings.  I am talking extreme cases here, if payment was finally received after 30 days, 5 email reminders, and 1 unpaid item reminder, then a neutral feedback would be appropriate.  For shipping delays, the USPS requires two weeks after the estimated delivery date before a claim can be filed (keep that in mind when leaving neutral feedback for extremely slow shipping).  Poor communication occurs when email responses take over 48 hours, if it takes two weeks to work out some details after an auction ends, you may want to consider leaving a neutral feedback.

Negative Feedback Left for Sellers

A buyer can express their displeasure with a seller and thereby alert the eBay community by leaving negative feedback.  Buyers should consider leaving negative feedback for non-receipt of the item purchased, for discourteous or rude sellers, for dishonest listings, and for a refusal by the seller to work things out.  Buyers should not leave negative feedback if they misunderstood an auction, nor should they leave negative feedback for buyers that are willing to quickly correct issues.  Good sellers will work with you to earn your positive feedback.  Remember, do all you can to contact the seller before leaving a negative feedback.

Negative Feedback Left for Buyers

Sellers can express their displeasure with a buyer and help other eBay community members ferret out fraud or dishonesty by leaving negative feedback.  I have always thought negative feedback should be left sparingly.  A seller should leave negative feedback for nonpayment (remember to leave your negative feedback before you complete the unpaid item strike, you will not be able to leave feedback once the unpaid item process is complete), and for dishonest buyers.  Remember, do all you can to contact the buyer before leaving a negative feedback.

Common Phrases Used in Feedback

You should develop your own unique feedback statements.  One word you will see often is eBayer.  My own user id BuySmart-DBA uses our trademark statement AWESOME EBAYIST in every positive feedback.  Nouns can be recognized by the ending –er or –ist.  eBayer and eBayist both mean almost the same thing.

eBayer - one who eBays
eBayist – one who uses eBay

The following represent positive phrases that sellers and buyers love to receive:

 * bid with confidence    * FAST shipping
 * quick payment    * excellent transaction
 * highly recommend    * wish all were this good
 * would do business again   * please come again
 * very trustworthy    * HONEST buyer or seller
 * awesome communication   * superior eBay skills
 * your satisfaction = our priority  * customer for life

The following represent neutral feedback that sellers and buyers receive:

 ~ Product is gr8 . However, left too many messages wanting feedback

~ Charged too much for shipping and handling
    (Buyer misunderstood eBay shipping and handling policy)

~ Shipping misleading. Offer said ship free if I bought three. Not true! $5.99 
    (Buyer misunderstood auction, free upgrade to Priority Mail with purchase of three.)

~ Took 35 days to make payment.

The following represent negative feedback sellers and buyers receive:

- Deadbeat bidder, never received payment
  (I hope to never receive this one)

- Battery FRIED my phone! Wow I got my $7 back- now have to spend $75 / new phone.
  (Buyer purchased incorrect battery. We refunded all her money.)

- NO Good 
  (This buyer sent me two emails full of profanities, the only time I have followed up my feedback stating I had placed a buyer on my block list)

 

My favorite positive comments

+ Arrrrr! These be the meanest lookin' ducks on th' high seas! Thank ye, matey!!!

+ Prompt, courteous service. Highly recommended. A++++++++++++

+ I ripped open my package and laughed. super!

+ Efficient + great item = A terrific ebay transaction!! Thank you.

+ quick ship hot deal good stuff bingha bangha boom bam hotstuffffffffffffff

+ Item did not work/returned it they were great in issuing a refund immediately

+ The best customer service ever experienced on E-Bay. Super A++++

+ Buysmart-dba rocks the ebay universe! Lightening payment + awesome seller!

+ They make me laugh. thanks so so many great ducks

+ ..·´¯)¸.·´¯) *A+ Ebayer*¸.·´¯)¸.·´¯) *Super Fast Shipping*¸.·´¯)¸.·´¯) THANK YOU

+ ºMANYº¤ø,¸¸,ø¤ºTHANKSº¤ø,¸¸,ø¤ºFIRST CLASSº¤ø,¸¸,ø¤ºEBAYERº¤ø,¸,*

+ Thanks for a positive EBAY JOURNEY down RUBBER DUCK LANE,,

+ THE DUCK QUACKED ME UP! SO CUTE,CAME FAST AND PACKED JUST RIGHT!!

 

Conclusion

The more specific and original you can be with your feedback the better.  The eBay community thrives on your honest and well thought out feedback comments. Only you can help weed out the dishonest members from the honest members of the great ebay community.

Links for more information:

What is a feedback score?
How do I leave feedback?
Can feedback scores be removed?
What is Mutual Feedback Withdrawal?
Can I respond to feedback from others and follow up with feedback I left?
When do I get the feedback stars?
Answers to all your feedback questions, eBay’s Feedback Forum.

By the way, if you don't have our trademark AWESOME EBAYIST feedback, then follow the links.  We want you to have a positive eBay experience. Visit our store.