eBay's feedback system is a member-to-member evaluation system that greases the wheels of commerce at the giant online marketplace. To sellers, feedback is everything. When a seller has a high positive feedback rating, it signals to buyers that this seller can be trusted.
Additionally, eBay feedback is no longer just a +1 or -1 system. Every seller also has a Detailed Seller Rating (DSR) that consists of four criteria:
- Item as described
- Communication
- Shipping time
- Shipping cost
Sellers with high DSRs enjoy certain strategic advantages. The most important is getting higher rankings on eBay's search results.
New feedback system, new tactics
Previously, sellers could leave buyers negative ratings. This created a situation where both side were afraid of the black mark on their accounts, so more positive ratings were given than were probably deserved. This artificially inflated everyone's ratings.
Now, under the new system, sellers cannot leave negative feedback for buyers.
So now that sellers can't withhold positive feedback for hostage, sellers are forced to earn those positive ratings.
These 18 tips are grouped into 3 major strategies for getting high marks as a seller:
- Before the transaction: Create product listings, store policies, and buyer expectations that lead to positive feedback.
- During and after the transaction: Good communication throughout the process is key to getting a glowing review.
- I got negative feedback! What to do if you do get a negative feedback.