Unfortunately, users have found plenty of ways to abuse feedback. Some feedback misuses are simply against the rules, while others push ethics to the limit. None of them will leave you in good stead with users who take feedback seriously--and that's most of us.

Reluctance
One irritation, though not technically a misuse, is the gaggle of users who simply refuse to leave feedback. Maybe they reserve feedback only for those who split the e-commerce atom. Regardless, nobody else hears from them again once the transaction completes.

What recourse do you have in such a situation? Well, there's no formal procedure or complaint process because feedback is not mandatory. You could try to send a polite email reminder. Including the link to the appropriate feedback-entry page might help, too, especially if the person isn't familiar with the process. (For more information, read our requesting feedback tip.) As one seller put it: "I'm sure that many will disagree with this, but to me, not using the feedback system is an abuse in and of itself."

You Go First
A close relative of the reluctant user is the "you go first" user. These folks will enter feedback on a "reciprocate only" basis. They tend to recoil from the possibility of posting feedback that won't be returned. But what if every user took that stand? We'd all have zero ratings.

Pump It Up
Because a feedback rating essentially is a user's reputation, some folks will try to falsely inflate that rating. For example, a user might ask friends to bid on an auction or post fake feedback just to increase his or her rating. No more ethical is running a thousand Dutch auctions for "nothing," in hopes of pumping up each other's ratings.

Cheap Plugs
Once in a while you'll see feedback containing an obvious plug. For example: "Thanks for buying from a top dealer! Check out my other auctions!" This behavior is usually that of online auction bottom-feeders.

Negative Feedback--Why Not?
If you frequently buy or sell at online auctions, participating in the feedback system is in your best interest. If you encounter a deadbeat bidder, unethical seller, or just some misanthrope who exists to create online auction nightmares, it's essential to warn other users. The best way is with negative feedback. However, many users shy away from it. This is a problem.

A frequent eBay user sums it up well. "To fail to leave deserved negative feedback is to subscribe to the same level of thinking that would allow criminals to rule our streets. It's the 'I don't want to get involved' attitude, which really translates to, 'I'd rather lose my rights than exercise them.'"

Yet some sellers, and buyers alike, think negative feedback is far too contentious for a number of reasons.

Fear of Retaliatory Negs
The buyer never contacts you, or promises a payment that never arrives. You've filed your complaint with the auction site and relisted the item. Wouldn't this be a good time to warn other sellers about a deadbeat bidder with a negative comment? However, since both parties can leave each other feedback for a successfully closed auction, the unscrupulous user can "neg" you in return--just to be a jerk. The solution for some users is not to enter a negative comment to avoid getting one back.

How do other users feel about those who won't leave honest feedback? Says one full-time seller: "It really bothers me when someone gets ripped off and then won't leave appropriate feedback for fear of getting a neg. Without any warning, I might be the next victim."

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