Quote:

Last week, eBay announced the first significant changes to its feedback policy since the site launched over a decade ago. In order to clamp down on the practice of tit-for-tat feedback, eBay will begin preventing sellers from leaving negative feedback on buyers. The change is scheduled to take place in May, and, as you might expect, sellers are not happy.

Well, I'm glad that I got to nail that guy who flaked on my charity auction before they did this.

Yeah, been reading about this. It is technically unfair, but I agree with their stated reasons for doing it. Too many sellers withhold feedback pending what the buyer says. There are some who will leave dishonest negative feedback for a buyer if the buyer leaves honest negative feedback regarding their experience. As I understand the only resolution for the smeared buyer is mutual agreement to have both ratings removed, restoring the illusionary 100% positive rating to the dishonest seller.

The problem with the new policy is that there are bad buyers, too. As I'm more of a buyer than a seller, I almost appreciate the policy, but again, it really is unfair to honest sellers who don't leave false negatives.

Yep, knew about this weeks ago from a notice they sent out. Just when I thought it was impossible to HATE Ebay any more than I already do, they somehow break new barriers in stupidity.

this is ridiculous. I have had buyers who are INSANE, who leave negative feedback if the item doesn't go out the moment the paypal payment is sent...

what about that? how is ebay dealing with this situation? if there's no checks and balance situation, when sellers are just going to get screwed by loose cannon buyers.

i love tit

for tat.

I don't know...I mean..a lot of stuff that I buy will depend on the seller's feedback. It's pretty easy to see who is rational and who isn't when it comes to negative feedback.

It kind of bugs me that they are doing it. But oh well.

I'm assuming detailed comments on each transaction can still be left, only without actually selecting "Positive, Negative, Neutral", thus still adding to the buyer/sellers total feedback score? That would make for a helluva lot of reading when trying to determine ones integrity as a buyer/seller.

You need at least some type of feedback even if it doesn't go against there buyers feedback rating. Feedback is the sellers only way to pointing out any wrong doings of a transaction.

My girlfriend just sold a DVD set the other day. The buyer bid and won. (No pay bidder). Then she checked his feedback days later and the day after he won her item, he bid on the same item from another seller that was $2 cheaper and won that. (Paid them though). She made a lodgement to Ebay but nothing was done. Now she lost the sale and has to pay to re-list the item. She went home on him with negative feedback and i bet he will on her.

The problem goes both ways. I have dealt with some terrible sellers in the past. Must say though, buyers are the worst by far. Sometimes it feels like you're dealing with 8yr olds.

ebay & paypal are always in favor of the buyer. Even if they knock out a seller or two, consumer is always king

I welcome the change. I cannot count how many times I have felt like I should leave negative feedback to a seller, but couldn't because they would retaliate by leaving me negative feedback even though I exceeded my role as a buyer. That situation just sucks for the entire eBay community. I have always made my buyers happy, and I think this will encourage, for better or worse, the selling community to take a step up. We just need to be really, really clear in the auction listings to cover your ass if you get a crazy, unstable buyer.