Hi Don, I'll be the first one to agree that the feedback system isn't perfect. We all have our strategies on how to navigate the eBay waters and avoid the sharks. But this is where you lose me:
The feedback mechanism is actually designed to maximize ebay's profits. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CREATING HONEST TRANSACTIONS. For example, the NUMBER OF DAYS BEFORE BUYER FEEDBACK WAS LEFT is probably a much higher statistical predicter of seller responsibility and chance of a successful transaction than the actual feedback rating.
If you mean that when the eBay designers set up the auction model, they were looking for a way to make buyers and sellers comfortable with each other, do more business and increase eBay profits, I agree. That's a good long range business model...win-win. If you think of it in a more cynical way, I guess we just look at life differently and respectfully disagree.
I've bought cars, motorcycles, motor scooters, clothes, coach bags, electronics, you name it short of real estate (so far), and of course, bikes. I am constantly amazed at how much I've gotten for some of the junk I had in my closets...which the buyers were ecstatic to get! But I've been burned on eBay, too. I think the rare (made very rare if I bother to do my homework!) bad transaction doesn't offset all the benefits. Greg gives some great advice in his related post...also, don't forget to check bidder lists for evidence of shill bidding on large ticket, no reserve sales. Back to vintage lightweights (and Dale reminiscing about his days back in the Navy with government-issue Vaseline...which can also be used to selectively etch metals with acid.)
Ed Kasper
Detroit