Don't trust the feedback ratings as often as often the ability to leave negfeedback has disappeared.

[306bev]

By the time disputes are started  or settled the ability to leave feed back has disappeared. Therefore you can not leave negative feedback . The result is that sellers ratings are more positive than they should be. You can not trust the ratings for the sellers.

[esclyons]

let me guess, you bought something from overseas, and it either arrived late, didn't arrive at all, or wasn't as described..

did you check their feedback before you purchased for prior issues.

next time i recommend you shop local..

you have 60 days to leave feedback.. the time never runs out when you buy local, only when you buy overseas...

[mrdutch1001]

It has been said time & time again - Avoid purchasing from sellers whom you have not researched thoroughly & know your options before purchasing from out of country.

As to the statement "The result is that sellers ratings are more positive than they should be." can also be applied to buyers since sellers can not leave negative feedback for buyers... sellers cannot leave anything but positive feedback for buyers.  Buyer feedback cannot be trusted either. Therefore the eBay feedback system is useless and serves no meaningful purpose.

[momcqueen]

The only time(s) a buyer can’t leave feedback are:
(a) too much time has lapsed ie more than 60 days from purchase or estimated date of delivery
(b) the buyer lost a case against the seller or the seller was found to be not responsible the problem
(c) the seller is a power seller and the buyer is trying to leave neutral or negative feedback within seven days of purchase
(d) the item has been removed from eBay

Which of the scenarios apply?

[femmefan1946]

Feedback is meaningless.

Almost.

Feedback has no effect on the seller's account. In theory, a seller could have35% feedback and still be able to sell.

There are many perfectly sane buyers who will purchase from a seller with 90% feedback on the basis that in school that was an A.

Some buyers do use feedback to get a picture of the quality of a seller's transactions, including delivery time, quality of goods, and polite communication.  And sellers use buyer feedback to decide whether or not to complete a sale.

But eBay does not count feedback in measuring a seller.

You mention Disputes.

That is where your seller needs to worry.

If he lost a Dispute, that goes on record.

If he did not refund promptly, that goes on record.

There is (probably) even a record of aggressive use of language.

Those do have an effect on a seller's account.

Losing a Dispute can lead to higher fees, restrictions on value and number of listings, or even the closing of the selller's account.

If you can leave feedback, do. It will be appreciated.

But don't obsess about it.

BTW- if the seller left you feedback, and some of us do so on shipping, you can add a Response to his FB. The most effective Responses are calm and factual. Do not mention the Dispute, since that will get the Response removed.

[puritygems]

It's not just disappearing within 60 days, it disappears as soon as you open a case with ebay. I guess you can only leave negative feedback if you don't complain. Am I supposed to leave negative feedback before the seller even has a chance to respond ?

[momcqueen]

There are only specific instances where a buyer is disallowed from leaving feedback after a case. Such as losing one.

[pjcdn2005]

As mentioned you should be able to leave feedback after you open as case unless the case closes in the sellers favour.  If for some reason the feedback link isn’t showing, go to your own feedback page, scroll to the bottom and click on the leave feedback link.