As we know eBay have recently updated feedback so that buyers can give a more detailed assessment of the seller's performance in the transaction. What would have been more useful would have been a more fundamental rethink on how the feedback system works.
I have spoken to many ebay users in recent months, and it seems that many are now no longer leaving bad feedback, no matter how well deserved, as this now almost invariably results in a retaliatory bad feedback being given in return. Once users feel it is not worth leaving bad feedback because of a possible negative impact on their own rating, then the system is already breaking down.
The main problem is eBay's almost complete refusal to get involved in removing feedback once it has been given, no matter how unjustified. It should be quite obvious when a member has left negative feedback purely in retaliation for a negative comment they have received, and these entries should be removed by eBay. More seriously, one user of my acquaintance received feedback which contained libellous and defamatory remarks which would have certainly led to legal action had they appeared in print. Ebay's reaction was that it was open to the member to take his own legal action if he wished, but they were not going to remove the offending feedback Even after the other member had been removed from eBay for persistent abuses, feedback he had left was allowed to remain.This in spite of their own advice on not to use this type of language when leaving feedback. Imagine the editor of a newspaper or magazine taking this attitude.
I suspect that eBay is not content with the multi millions it is earning out of this site, and is reluctant to employ a few more people to police the feedback system and assist members in removing undeserved entries. What would be good would be a feedback system where members could rate eBay itself on its performance in various areas. I suspect that in the area of communicating with its own members, who afterall provide its profits, the feedback rating would struggle to reach a plus figure.
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