Feedback

[sandrhardest-0]

I'm venting because it seems that as a seller I am required to leave feedback for the buyer but the buyer is not required to leave feedback for me as the seller.  I have always given a truthful description of the items I sell and I always ship when I say I'm going to and almost always the buyer gets their item earlier than they expected.  My last two sales I left positive feedback on both buyers and never received  any feedback from either one of them.  I think this is unfair and I wish something could be done about it, but I understand that's just to bad on my part.

Thanks for letting me vent.

[*madison]

No-one has to leave feedback because it's voluntary.

@sandrhardest-0 

[fern*wood]

As a seller why do you feel it seems to be a requirement to leave feedback?

[byrd69er]

Who is telling you that you are required to leave feedback for buyers?

You do if you want to. If you don't, you don't.

[myboardid]

You are NOT required to leave feedback for buyers. I only leave feedback for buyers who have left it for me. These days neither buyers nor sellers feel that feedback is important. When you are new and don't have much, it seems like it should be important, but there is nothing you can do to get more of it except what you are already doing - give really good service! I find I get it from about 30% of my buyers. Just be patient, and don't expect it, it will come when it comes. Asking for it annoys buyers and could get you a negative, just for mentioning it.

[sg51]

Feedback has declined in importance. Don't take it so seriously.

[luckythewinner]

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@sandrhardest-0 wrote:

I'm venting because it seems that as a seller I am required to leave feedback for the buyer but the buyer is not required to leave feedback for me as the seller.

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"Required" is probably not the best word. 

Sellers have an incentive to leave feedback. 

Buyers have absolutely no incentive to leave feedback. 

[luckythewinner]

@sandrhardest-0 wrote:

I'm venting because it seems that as a seller I am required to leave feedback for the buyer but the buyer is not required to leave feedback for me as the seller.

---

"Required" is probably not the best word. 

Sellers have an incentive to leave feedback. 

Buyers have absolutely no incentive to leave feedback. 

[soh.maryl]

Where do you get your information about feedback?

No one, not buyer, not seller, is required to leave feedback.

Feedback is entirely voluntary/optional, not required/mandatory.  

[mam98031]

It is very frustrating, I know.  Especially for a new seller trying to build up their business.  Sometimes us seasoned sellers forget that.  For you right now FB is extremely important and it is unfortunate that in my experience less than 25% of buyers actually take the time to leave FB anymore.

I think that is mostly because Ebay is the only site that puts so much value on the FB process.  Most if not all other similar sites don't even have buyer FB anymore.  I wish Ebay would go that direction sooner rather than later.

But back to your problem.  You need to firmly resist the desire to send your buyer's emails asking them to leave FB.  I know it is really tempting, but it really is not in your best interest to do that.  At some point, no matter how well worded, it will annoy one of your buyers and they will take it out on the FB they leave you.

The only thing you can do is keep being an honest seller that gives excellent service.  The FB will eventually come.  I know it is hard to wait for it, but any other alternative will at some point bring a negative effect to your FB.

I wish you well and I hope you sell lots of stuff.  Welcome to Ebay.