Upcoming Changes to Feedback.

eBay "sellers will no longer be able to leave negative or neutral Feedback for buyers.

Why can't sellers leave negative and neutral Feedback for buyers?

Since buyers take the primary risk in a transaction (sending money to a stranger), the goal of the Feedback system should be to enable them to accurately assess seller performance. This facilitates safe and satisfactory trading.

When buyers receive negative Feedback, they reduce their activity in the marketplace, which in-turn harms all sellers.

The threat of receiving retaliatory negative Feedback from sellers, prevents buyers from leaving honest feedback about sellers, undermining the accuracy and value of the Feedback system.

eBay's reputation system is so important to sellers that some will forfeit payment to make buyers happy; others apparently take the low road, and threaten negative feedback to a buyer even in the face of a broken or misrepresented item.

Buyers don't seem to have a way of tagging bad-apple buyers any more -- eBay may just suspend them quietly. Hit that link for other new changes. The change goes into effect Feb. 20.

Reaction: EBay's tweaks to feedback worry sellers. AP.