Thread: Is leaving feedback becoming passe?

I don't worry too much about it. I will give an additional reminder and then I walk away. As a buyer and seller I try to leave feedback irregardless of what the other person does. That's just me.

I think most see it as a waste of time. I always try to leave feedback, I figure if I received what I thought I was getting, and as described they deserve good feedback weather I'm happy or not with it. I consider it my duty as a buyer. I look at it this way, if you had a good experience you should let other potential buyers know that, and when you have a bad experience you should let them know that too. I base who I buy from on their feedback. As a seller I would think it would be very important information for my continued success.

As a buyer on ebay I've given 100% feedback, as a seller I'm lucky to get 50%. Same or less on Etsy or here

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

If the seller doesn't leave me feedback first even if the item arrives and everything is OK I will not leave them feedback, this should be one of Ebay policies to explain to sellers it's your duty to leave feedback first If they have received an instant payment.

We all come to our own conclusions on ebay etiquette. I have 1,754 positive feedbacks on ebay since 1999, no negative/neutrals and 327 as a seller. I have left 1,856 for others, so 102 buyers or sellers did not reciprocate. That became enough for me to wait for the feedback before I leave one. As many as I have, I no longer care if I receive any more. At least from the point of view of establishing credibility.

If a buyer pays for the item that is only the beginning of the transaction AFAIC. I have to fulfill the rest of my part by packing the item well, and by shipping it expeditiously. The buyer's remaining part to complete the transaction is to express satisfaction. They don't have to leave feedback but they do have to let me know they are okay with it. I'll not leave a positive only to receive a negative in return. I'd rather receive none at all.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I'll not leave a positive only to receive a negative in return. I'd rather receive none at all.

Wouldn't you receive a negative either way? If so why not leave a positive based on the others merits instead of waiting? I'm not trying to disagree here only understand. I leave positive for positive experience and negative for negative experience and if they want they can do the same. If someone was unhappy with me as a seller but I received promt payment and they were a good buyer wouldn't I expect to to receive negative feedback while giving them positive feedback? What am I missing here?

Another depressing aspect of eBay feedback is those who wait until they have a dozen-or-more feedbacks to leave, before leaving any -- and then do so all at once... and each one is always a duplicate of the others. If someone is going to use "canned feedback", at least have a variety from which to choose, and use all of 'em! (and be creative, too)

The way I see it feedback is a courtesy and not an absolute requirement.
I am mostly a buyer and I never check as to whether the seller has left feedback.
I go into Ebay about once a week or so and catch up on any feedback that I haven't left.
I choose to be courteous but I also understand that this isn't a perfect world and not everyone will return a courtesy.
I refuse to let the indifference of others be an excuse to be indifferent myself.

Originally Posted by Steel

Wouldn't you receive a negative either way? If so why not leave a positive based on the others merits instead of waiting? I'm not trying to disagree here only understand. I leave positive for positive experience and negative for negative experience and if they want they can do the same. If someone was unhappy with me as a seller but I received promt payment and they were a good buyer wouldn't I expect to to receive negative feedback while giving them positive feedback? What am I missing here?

Not necessarily. One reason I've never received a negative is that I've never left anyone 'holding the bag.' Once I sold a collectible Case XX knife and truly didn't notice the hairline crack at the center rivet. The buyer emailed as soon as he received it and I immediately told him to return it for full refund + shipping both ways.

I always pay for what I bought promptly and always stand behind what I sell. So no reason to receive a negative. However, someone new to ebay might have a hair trigger and leave one before they notify a seller of any dissatisfaction. Anyway, as I said before, paying for the item is supposed to be a given, AFAIC it ain't over until it is over, and that is when both parties are agreed that it was a satisfactory transaction. YMMV.

I tend to sell in spurts separated by years. I used to think once a buyer pays that's the end for them but I have learned to wait a bit if I'm selling because I've had instances where folks have claimed non receipt where they have received it and instances where weeks later some have complained about this or that. So I'll wait a "reasonable" amount of time before leaving feedback. Of course with a razor you know right away if it's acceptable. I also sell watches and it's gets complicated with them.

On the other side I've had plenty of instances where they buyer did not leave feedback. I'd be willing to bet there is a pretty consistent percentage. With me it's been around 15%.

Originally Posted by SS502MC

I will send them a message asking if there is a reason they had not left feedback. I also do not give feedback until they do so for me.
It seems to work well for me

Maybe why, if both of you are waiting for each other :<0)

I only buy (and pay within seconds) and I leave feedback when I get the item. I also send a note to the seller letting them know I got it and thank them. The sellers pay from e-bay can be delayed, from what I understand, due to too much negative. This may also cost more in percentage unless those were old comments I read about the good ole' Bay. I am buying and could care less about the feedback I receive and I also refuse to do business with sellers that hold feedback until they get it.

I have started to look for feedback from sellers before I leave mine. I never leave bad feedback. Wouldn't unless the item was misrepresented and the seller refused to take it back.

If I went into a store to buy something and the cashier said I had to leave positive feedback before he bagged my item, I would leave them holding the item.