Improvments to the feedback system....

[Jim Kaiser]

Hey Jim,

I know the feedback system has always been one of your biggest gripes about eBay.

It looks like they are now launching a new system in a few markets to test it out.

You can see more details at http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200703070938342.html

Jim

[Jim Wilson]

But I am afraid that the changes being brought about won't solve all of the problems.

The only system that would truly "fix" the situation in my humble would have to involve one where the feedback cannot be used as a negotiations tool. It is meant to let others know how things in the transaction went, not to force the buyer/seller to do what you want them to or else.

In addition there are people out there who sadly target those with 100% positive just to hit them with their first negative.

In my book the whole feedback system is an absolute waste. I cannot count the number of times as a buyer and as a seller that I earned positive feedback but did not receive it. I would bet that fully 1/3 of the time I don't get the feedback I earned.

The bottom line is that there are so many flaws there is no one "quick fix" but at least they have now recognized that there is a problem and things need to be changed.

If you hear anything else please let me know, Jim. Thanks in advance...

Jim Wilson

[Jim Kaiser]

I like to use Rentacoder and I really like their "blind" feedback system.

Neither party can see the other's feedback until they have left their own.

If one party doesn't give feedback, the feedback from the other party will be left after 10 days and they can't reply to it or leave feedback after the 10 days.

[Jim Wilson]

Hey Jim,

It sounds like a decent idea but isn't it also ripe for abuse? Suppose I leave you bad feedback and you, for whatever reason, forgot to leave me any feedback at all. Then you come to your account after the 10 days have passed and find negative feedback that was not deserved and now you can't even reply to it.

Do they have some sort of an appeals process?

That is the one single area on eBay where I believe they are lacking the most; there is nothing the innocent can do if they get popped after they left positive for the other party. If there was some sort of an investigational process that allowed people to appeal any negative feedback AND if eBay issued some sort of punishment if someone leaves negative feedback that was not warranted, it would fix some problems.

Something else I have noted is that positive feedback becomes neutral if the person who left it leaves eBay as a member but negative still counts against your percentage.

Like you and I have discussed before eBay's feedback system leaves a lot to be desired. It was founded on a great principle of letting others know the good or the bad about fellow eBay members. It just doesn't seem to cover this very well any longer.

Jim Wilson