How Feedback Works

• The eBay feedback system allows users to rate their satisfaction with transactions on the site. Both buyers and sellers have the option to leave feedback once a transaction is complete. The feedback is recorded on the profile of the buyer or seller who receives it, allowing other eBay users to read the comments about the individual's past eBay transactions. Feedback often contains a link to the eBay listing that inspired it unless the listing is over 90 days old or the feedback was left privately.
  
  

Feedback Scores

• In addition to the comments left with feedback, eBay users can look at a buyer or seller's feedback score to get an impression of whether they are likely to have a good or bad experience with the specific user. Feedback is rated as positive, negative or neutral; positive feedback increases a user's feedback score by one, while negative feedback reduces the score by one. Neutral feedback has no effect on the score. A user's feedback score is listed beside his user ID on his profile and on any listings he puts up or is high bidder on.
  
  

Neutral And Negative Feedback

• EBay recommends that users contact bidders or sellers they have had problems with before leaving neutral or negative feedback. Feedback can't be removed under normal circumstances, so unjustified neutral or negative feedback ratings leave a permanent mark on a user's eBay profile. Even after a significant amount of time goes by, older neutral and negative feedback is still listed in the user's feedback statistics on his eBay profile page.
  
  

Detailed Feedback

• Buyers on eBay have the ability to leave detailed feedback on their purchases in addition to a comment and score. Buyers can rate sellers on a scale of 1 to 5 in regards to whether the item was described properly, how well the seller communicated or answered questions, how quickly the item was shipped and whether the shipping charges were reasonable. This detailed feedback is submitted anonymously and does not affect the seller's feedback score.
  
  

Limitations on Feedback

• To prevent cheating in the feedback system, an eBay user can only affect another specific user's feedback score once per week. The user can leave multiple feedback comments from different transactions, but only the first feedback entry will count toward the other user's score. Other limitations on feedback include having to be a registered eBay user to leave feedback, having to wait seven days before leaving negative or neutral feedback on an eBay PowerSeller's profile to allow time for discussion of transaction problems, and the adjustment or removal of neutral or negative feedback as a result of account suspension or fraudulent activity.