Retaliatory negative feedback -- we all know what it is. Why does it happen?

"Retaliatory negs" as they are known, are when someone leaves you negative feedback, because you left them negative feedback. You may have received a "neg" for many reasons:

1. You were honest and the seller or buyer truly deserves a negative comment to warn other buyers or sellers.
2. You clicked the "negative" or "neutral" on accident instead of clicking the "positive" button, even though you left positive feedback.
3. You left negative feedback as a message to the eBayer, instead of contacting the eBayer directly or through eBay's private messaging service.
4. In correlation to Number 3, you used negative feedback to get the attention of the eBayer, instead of messaging them privately.
5. The other ebayer left you a negative in order to "get you back" or to coherse you into mutual feedback removal .

You may be able to remedy the situation. A negative can only be removed under strick rules set by eBay policy. See feedback removal . Sometimes mutual feedback removal is your only option.

Sometimes, if the feedback violates eBay's policies, they will chose to remove all feedback and comments left for that particular auction. This does NOT affect ANY of your other feedback. See about withdrawal HERE. 

Unfortunately, the only way to almost guarantee that you never receive negative feedback, is to never leave any. If you are unhappy with an item, try contacting the seller. If that doesn't work, hopefully you have paid via paypal or your credit card, and can possibly get your money back. But your best bet is to not leave any feedback at all (if you want to keep your feedback record clean). No feedback is better than a false positive.

It is always best to try to work out any differences that you have with the other party, BEFORE feedback is exchanged. If steps are taken to make sure that every avenue is exhausted, then if you HAVE to leave negative feedback, you know that you tried all other alternatives available to you. Remember you have a minimum of 90 days to leave feedback for an auction, so try to work out any problems BEFORE you have left that negative. You just might be able to resolve the problem amicably, and have no need to even go the negative feedback route.

Of course, if you are willing to take the chance, it is best to warn others about problems that arise with certain eBayers. Most people appreciate honesty, but you have to make that decision for yourself.

It is a shame that we have this unfortunate circumstance out there, but it is and it is there to stay unless eBay can find a way (if they care enough) to stop it. Do your best to handle unpleasant experiences with class and your record may be a happier one for the trouble.

<font color=red>If you find this guide helpful, please let me know by clicking the "YES" button below.</font>