Figuring Out What Kind of Feedback to Leave

You should leave feedback at the end of every auctionwhether it was a positive or a negative experience for you. Don't miss your chance to inform other eBay users about the quality of the person you just got done dealing with.

Table 3.2 offers some guidelines on when you should leave positive or negative feedbackand the types of comments you might use to embellish your feedback.

Table 3.2. Recommended eBay Feedback Comments.

Transaction	Feedback	Comments
Transaction transpires in a timely fashion.	Positive	"Great transaction. Fast. payment/shipment. Recommended."
Transaction goes through, but buyer/seller is slow or you have to pester the other user to complete the transaction.	Positive	"Item received as described" or "Payment received," accompanied by "a little slow, but otherwise a good seller/buyer."
Transaction is very slow (over a month to completion).	Neutral	"Very slow payment/shipment;" if you're buying, follow by "item received as described."
Other user backs out of transaction, but with a good excuse.	Neutral	"Buyer/seller didn't follow through on sale but had a reasonable excuse."
Other user backs out of transaction without a good excuse, disappears off the face of the earth before paying/shipping, or bounces a check.	Negative	"Buyer/seller didn't complete transaction.".
Transaction goes through, but item isn't what you expected or was damaged in transit; seller refunds your money.	Positive	"Inaccurate description of item" or "Item was damaged in shipping," followed by "seller refunded money."
Transaction goes through, but item isn't what you expected; seller won't refund your money.	Negative	"Item not as described and seller ignored my complaint."

As you can see, there's a proper feedback and response for every situation. Just be sure to think twice before leaving any feedback (particularly negative feedback). After you submit your feedback, you can't retract it.

Tip

If you must leave negative feedback, avoid leaving personal comments. Keep to the facts as much as you canyou're only commenting on the transaction, not on the buyer/seller himself.