Feedback Protocol : eBay Guides

ebay feedback  

I assume that I am not the only ebayer that finds the feedback system a little bit frustrating.  Not to say there is anything wrong with the system itself but more the use or misuse of it.  My wife and I thorougly enjoy the ebay community.  We are closing in on 200 transactions.  Mainly buying but a little dabbling in the selling forum too.  When we have sold an item we always make a point of leaving the buyer their feedback as soon as we have been paid.  This does not seem to be the practice used by all sellers.  It really seems to be coming more the norm that you don't received your feedback as a buyer until you have received the item and left the seller a positive feedback.  Of course if you make a purchase and are not happy with the item you should make every effort to resolve the issue with the seller before leaving a negative feedback.  However once you have paid for an item you have fullfilled your part of the transaction and really should receive your feedback at that point.  It is a mild form of blackmail when the seller has your positive feedback hanging in the wind waiting to see what you do first.  We both love antique china and unfortunately there is a signifigant amount of counterfiet or forged product out there.  Some of the sellers of this "fake" product seem to still have fairly good feedback numbers.  Their sales are in the thousands so they can afford to take the odd negative with out any real ramifications.  However,  what about the person starting out that accidentaly picks up one of these "fake" items, leaves a negative feedback only to have seller recipricate with a negative as well.  Obviously someone with 10 purchases has now gone from a glowing 100% feedback to a not so flattering 90%.  I don't have any suggestions for improving the current setup other than the honest ebayers (the majority) making the effort to leave their feedback once they have received their payment and not having the buyer feel like he is being held over a barrel.