Some buyers get touchy when you ask for feedback. Some are touchy if you wait to give feedback only if they leave it first. What is important to remember is that feedback is completely voluntary. (And no longer holds the importance it once did in the early days of the platform.)
Keep in mind that sellers cannot leave poor feedback for buyers. It must be positive, or nothing—not even a critical comment under the positive rating. So it really doesn't benefit the seller to withhold it. Some sellers don’t want to leave feedback first in case it is a deadbeat buyer, but honestly, it hardly matters given the lack of interest in it these days. The only real benefit is that of the buyer’s rating the seller. That still is meaningful.
PS—When leaving feedback for your buyers, be the most scrupulously professional in your comments as can be, especially if the buyer leaves a poor rating. Can’t tell you how self-damaging an angry, blaming or defensive comment can be to the seller who writes it. I have seen mild poor feedback set off a seller into leaving a torrent of ill-advised follow-up comments, making himself look worse than the negative rating itself. Just food for thought. Wish you much success!!
Simply-the-best-for-you Volunteer Community Mentor
