Updated Guide: How to Leave Feedback on eBay | Marsha Collier's Cool eBay Tools

Step By Step Guide to Leaving Feedback on eBay

Leaving Feedback on eBay [UPDATED] 2013

There are several ways to leave feedback for a seller:

If you’re on the transaction page, click the Leave Feedback link; the Leave Feedback page appears.
In the Purchase History area of your My eBay page, click the Leave Feedback link next to the transaction.
In the Feedback Forum, click the Leave Feedback link to see a list of all your completed auctions from the last 60 days for which you haven’t left feedback.
On your My eBay page, scroll down and on the left side you will see your purchase history. Click there to find the item that’s just arrived. Under Actions to the right of the item, you will see a Leave Feedback link, which will take you to the Feedback page.
Click the Community–>Announcements link, in the main navigation bar, and then click eBay Feedback Forum. On the next page that appears, click the Leave Feedback link.

To leave feedback for a seller, follow these steps:

Enter the required information.
Note that your item number is usually filled in, but if you’re placing feedback from the user’s feedback page, you need to have the number at hand.
Choose whether you want your feedback to be positive, negative, or neutral.
Type your feedback comment.
Fill in your star ratings by clicking the stars next to the questions (see below, “Giving Detailed Star Ratings Properly “).
If you decide that the seller’s description was inaccurate, you will have to explain why by clicking next to the explanations that appear
Click the Leave Feedback button

In addition to a feedback comment and rating (positive, negative, or neutral), buyers should leave detailed seller ratings, too. After the buyer types a comment, he or she is prompted to rate the seller with one to five stars on four different factors of the transaction. The table below shows the specific rating factors, and a translation of what the stars mean.

Giving Detailed Star Ratings

In some cases, detailed star ratings are grayed out when you attempt to leave feedback. This situation occurs under three circumstances:

Communication: If you haven’t sent any messages to the seller via eBay’s message system, the seller specifies 1-day handling time and uploads tracking information by the end of the next business day there will be no option to rate the seller.
Shipping quickly: When the seller posts tracking numbers to eBay for your shipment within the time frame promised in the listing and the package arrives within four days, eBay automatically gives the seller a five-star rating.
Shipping charges: If the seller provided free shipping, he or she automatically receives a 5-star rating.

What the DSR Stars Mean

Rating Question	# of Stars = Meaning	In the Real World
How accurate was the item description?	1 = Very inaccurate 2 = Inaccurate 3 = Neither inaccurate or accurate 4 = Accurate 5 = Very accurate	In my world, the item was either described right or wrong – to me, there is no in-between. So when I rate a seller, the item is either is as advertised, or it isn’t.
How satisfied were you with the seller’s communication?	1 = Very unsatisfied 2 = Unsatisfied 3 = Neither unsatisfied or satisfied 4 = Satisfied 5 = Very satisfied	As I buyer, I lean toward being very satisfied that I got enough communication from the seller if I get a question answered, and at least get a tracking number notification, I’m satisfied. But if I haven’t heard from a seller until the item reaches my door, I’m definitely rating in the 2-star range.
How quickly did the seller ship the item?	1 = Very slowly 2 = Slowly 3 = Neither slowly or quickly 4 = Quickly 5 = Very quickly	As a buyer, you need to check the postmark on the package you receive. If the seller ships the next day or the next day after that, it’s fair to click 5 (Very Quickly), no matter how long the postal service took to get it to you.
How reasonable were the shipping and handling charges?	1 = Very unreasonable 2 = Unreasonable 3 = Neither unreasonable or reasonable 4 = Reasonable 5 = Very reasonable	When I purchase an item, I know what the shipping cost will be. The only surprise here is when you get an item in a small envelope and you’ve paid $9.00 for shipping – or if you paid for Priority Mail and it comes in another class of service. This is, to me, pretty black-and-white. It’s either going to be reasonable or not.

Here are some other items to keep in mind when you’re deciding on the Detailed Star Ratings for sellers:

Shipping takes time: In most cases, as a buyer. it is your choice whether an item is to be shipped via Ground or Priority Mail. You’ve got to realize that Ground shipping can take up to 10 days. This isn’t the seller’s fault. So before leaving this rating, make sure that you always check the postmark or the date on the shipping label.
Shipping costs money: Sellers have to add a little charge to cover the costs of tape, boxes, and packing materials. As a buyer, you’ve got to keep that in mind. If you are unfamiliar with postage rates, you should also know that a package costs a lot more to ship across the country than to ship to the next state. So do a little homework and evaluate shipping costs before you buy. If the shipping is too high, go to another seller.
Ratings affect the seller’s costs: If your seller is a Top-Rated Seller, you should also know that your star ratings affect the fees he or she pays to eBay. Being a good seller (with high DSRs) can save 20% on Final Values Fees, so your rating is a very serious matter. Visit Book VIII, Chapter 5 for the lowdown on how these ratings affect the Top-Rated Seller’s pocketbook.

Feedback Stuff you Need To Know

Before you bid on an item on eBay, be sure to check the seller’s feedback rating by clicking on the number next to their name. Even if you see a large amount of positive feedback, check to be sure there are not a growing number of negatives in recent history. On eBay, you’re only as good as your last few transactions. If you see a lot of wonderful feedback, but a growing negatives, beware.

Take a breather before you leave negative feedback. EBay won’t remove feedback if you change your mind or over react to a situation.

If someone gives you positive feedback, respond. If you receive negative feedback and feel your side of the transaction is worth telling, give your reply in a neutral tone.

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Posted on Monday, May 13, 2013 | No Comments

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