Novice question about feedback and when to leave it

[yesbutnobut]

I've just sold a couple of things on ebay for the first time. Both my buyers paid almost immediately. My question is - should I leave feedback now, or when I know they've received the items? I sent the items by 'signed for' and I know one of them has been delivered. Or should I wait until they give me feedback (though conscious they may not as of course it's optional)? I suppose what I'm saying is I don't want to give positive feedback and get nothing in return. Am I being naive here (please just say so if I am!!!)?

There isn't a rule about this but between private buyers and sellers what normally seems to happen is the buyer receives the item and leaves feedback, usually mentioning they like it and it arrived quickly, that kind of thing, then the seller, knowing the item has reached the buyer and there will not be any problems, leaves the buyer positive feedback and everyone's happy. If as a seller you leave feedback first, then the item doesn't turn up/ the buyer returns it/has some cause for complaint, you cannot retract that feedback.

you don't have to leave any if you don't want to. And you can't neg a buyer so nothing to be gained waiting for them to leave it first. Don't ever ask a buyer for feedback btw. It is purely voluntary and is not an integral part of the transaction.

Lots of people never leave any at all.

Thanks NomDePrune - that makes sense. Wasn't sure if they were expecting immediate feedback to reflect their paying so promptly, rather than leaving me positive feedback to reflect that they're pleased with the item. I'm probably over-thinking this!!!

Ah Jacksonville14 that gives a different slant! What happens then, if the buyer gives unjustified negative feedback (e.g. says there's something wrong with the item or otherwise disagrees with your description?) I guess you just offer them their money back? Seems all the bargaining power is in the buyer's hands?

yes it is - in short!

If you leave a neg statement for a buyer on a pos rating it will be removed and you will have your knuckles rapped too.

As a seller I leave fb after I receive some. I just prefer to do this. If someone doesn't leave any I don't leave any but assume no news is good news.

I know it's not compulsory, but I'd love to know why it's mostly my 'better' labels that I've sold, that I haven't received feedback on, rather than run-of-the-mill M&S and Next that I have!

Ha, I was thinking something similar Nanny0gg. Buyers seem to be far happier leaving feedback on items costing a couple of quid than they are on those costing £100+.

Thanks all - very grateful for your views and experience. I'm going to wait and see if I get any feedback. It would be nice if the buyers feel they got a bargain (almost brand new Whistles stuff) and left me positive feedback, but we'll wait and see I suppose.

I don't leave feedback for buyers immediately. I will return feedback quickly if they leave some for me. If they haven't left anything for me after a couple of weeks I leave some then - I assume they would have already complained by that point if there was a problem. This often spurs buyers into reciprocating feedback next time they are on eBay.

Thank you PurpleFrog I'll wait a couple of weeks and see what happens.