Ebay feedback question

[redrhodie]

The other day I ordered something on Ebay. It was a "buy it now" transaction. I paid right away. Yesterday, I got an email from the seller apologizing that he didn't have the item I wanted in the right color, and that I could have another color or a refund. I asked for a refund, which he said he'll do by tomorrow.

If I get the refund (which I'm not worried about) how many stars should I give him? Do I still give him 5*, or do I deduct for the mistake?

[kermit]

I have been fortunate to have good luck with ebay. In that situation I would decline feedback. The transaction was not completed so there's really nothing to rate. I would keep him in mind for future transactions, at least he let you know his inventory was out.

[abejita]

I agree with Kermit. As long as he let you know quickly and processes your refund on time, I would probably just not leave feedback.

[redrhodie]

Thanks! I didn't even think of that.

[Koronin]

I agree with the others as long as it's taken care of in a timely manner I wouldn't leave any feedback.

[PamNY]

I agree with simply not leaving feedback. That's what I've done in similar situations.

[laura*]

The other day I ordered something on Ebay. [...] how many stars should I give him? Do I still give him 5*, or do I deduct for the mistake?

I hope you're aware that leaving a star rating of less than 5* puts the seller on the way to being banned from eBay. It used to be that a seller with mosty 5* feedback with a smattering of 4* could be kicked off. The situation is a little better now, but a few impossible to please / psycho buyers can still get a seller banned.

As mentioned above, not leaving any feedback at all is a good option that doesn't actively hurt a seller. It is also possible to leave +/-/neutral and skip selecting any star ratings.

[redrhodie]

I hope you're aware that leaving a star rating of less than 5* puts the seller on the way to being banned from eBay. It used to be that a seller with mosty 5* feedback with a smattering of 4* could be kicked off. The situation is a little better now, but a few impossible to please / psycho buyers can still get a seller banned.

As mentioned above, not leaving any feedback at all is a good option that doesn't actively hurt a seller. It is also possible to leave +/-/neutral and skip selecting any star ratings.

I had heard something about that star rating rule, which is why I asked. I expect if those are the rules, he'll refund my money today, as he said he would. Does "-" feedback not have the same impact (not that I'm going to do that, I'm just curious)?

Does it work both ways, and a buyer can get banned by poor reviews?

[malkin]

Sellers can place a buyer on a banned bidder list which will prohibit the bidder from placing a bid on that sellers auctions. This is unlikely to happen to you for failing to leave feedback.

Since ebay adopted the silly star system, feedback has gotten kind of meaningless anyway. The bidder's identity protected thing with the asterisks has done even more to hide irregularities (fraud, shill bidding, etc). Ebay makes a ton of money and that's the way they like it.