Who should leave feedback first, the buyer or the seller?

This is a debate that will go on as long as there is feedback on eBay. Many buyers feel that sellers should leave them feedback once they've paid, as they have 'done their part' of the transaction. On the other hand, many sellers like buyers to leave feedback first so that they know the item has been received and they buyer is happy with it.

The fact is that feedback is entirely optional, eBay don't have a policy on who should leave it first and nobody is obliged to leave feedback at all. In some extreme cases, buyers have been known to leave negative feedback for sellers just because the seller wouldn't leave feedback first.

Remember, feedback is optional, you should never pressure others to leave it for you, nor should you give in to pressure to leave it for others.

eBay have started to send out feedback reminders to buyers after around 14 days. Sellers have no control of the wording of these reminders and can't opt out of them being sent on their behalf. If you receive a feedback reminder, please bear in mind it's quite likely not the seller that has sent it to you.