eBay Feedback

The eBay feedback system is crucial to your success as a buyer and seller. Feedback allows eBay members you’ve sold to and bought from to comment on your reliability as a buyer or seller. The feedback you receive establishes your reputation on eBay, which affects other members’ willingness to buy from or sell to you. Sellers like to sell to buyers with high feedback ratings, and buyers prefer to buy from sellers with high feedback ratings.

How eBay Feedback Works

After each transaction, the buyer and seller have the opportunity to leave feedback about each other’s conduct, though starting in May 2008, sellers are only permitted to leave positive feedback for buyers. Here’s how eBay feedback works:

Giving feedback: After the auction ends, buyers and sellers have the option to leave feedback that consists of an overall rating (positive, negative, or neutral) and a brief comment. Sellers can only leave positive feedback for buyers.
Feedback scores: A positive rating adds 1 to your overall feedback score, while a negative rating subtracts 1. A neutral rating doesn’t change your score.
Feedback score display: Your feedback score appears in parentheses next to your user ID. The user ID appears whenever a user sells or bids on items. For example, a user with the ID orchidluvr65 (200) has received positive feedback from at least 200 other eBay members. Stars indicate eBay members who have achieved certain feedback milestones. For instance, users with feedback scores of 100–499 have turquoise stars next to their feedback scores.
Positive feedback percentage: A percentage displayed in the Meet the Seller Box at the upper right corner of all listings shows the positive feedback that an eBay seller has received (see How to Look at eBay Listings). A percentage over 98% is considered good—anything less is suspect.

How to Check Feedback

You can check your Feedback Profile page (click on Feedback under My Account) to review and respond to feedback left about you. You cannot change or delete any feedback you receive, though if both parties agree, negative feedback can be mutually withdrawn. Because feedback is permanent, it’s important to keep your comments fair and factual.

How to Get Positive Feedback

To ensure positive feedback, follow a few key guidelines:

When Selling

Describe your item as honestly as possible.
Use photos that accurately depict the item up for bid.
Pack the items you ship carefully, using cushioning materials such as Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap.

When Buying

Pay promptly.
Let the seller know exactly when to expect payment.
Leave positive feedback for sellers immediately upon receipt of your item in good condition.

Acknowledgments & Disclaimer