New eBay sellers typically underrate the importance of quickly building a great feedback rating. I am amazed when I click on an auction description and see a seller with a feedback rating under “10.” How could this person know anything about selling on eBay.? Experienced eBay bidders are cautious of sellers with a feedback rating under 25 - 50. Admittedly, getting your first twenty-five feedback comments as a seller can be a long process. Don’t forget, feedback comments as a buyer count as well (although eBay does show the difference). Before you rush into selling on eBay, you need to get some experience buying. There is nothing better than putting yourself in your customer’s shoes.

I wouldn’t start to sell on eBay until you have completed a dozen or more purchases, paid for them promptly and received good feedback from your sellers. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller to post feedback in your payment email. Sellers like to be paid quickly. Sending payment by credit card or PayPal will build your feedback rating quickly as well.

When starting your eBay business, you should bend over backwards to provide exceptional service. Remember, you are fishing for compliments. When you have a positive feedback rating over “100″ bidders will look at your rating number and then make their decision on whether or not they like your product. If your feedback rating is less than a 100, people tend to actually look back through your comments and read them. There is a big difference between “Nice transaction — good seller” and “FIVE ***** SELLER, EXCELLENT PRODUCT- FAST SHIPPING” Whether you are a new seller, or a veteran eBayer, building excellent feedback comments should be a daily goal.

Poor communications between buyer and seller is the leading cause of negative feedback. Make sure your first email to the successful bidder is clear, and complete. You should not only be polite, but be effusive in your congratulations. Remember: Some people shop on eBay for bargains, but most people shop on eBay for fun. Make the transaction a fun experience. Be personal. Don’t sound like a bureaucrat or a big corporation. Make the buyer feel good and close the sale by complimenting them on the great deal they made.

Make sure your payment instructions are clear and your shipping methods and charges are clearly spelled out (this should have been in your auction, but many people can’t remember). If a buyer wants to pay by credit card, suggest PayPal, or explain how to access your secure credit card server. If they want to use a check, explain how they can speed up the payment and delivery by using PayPal’s electronic check service.

I am not trying to be a walking advertisement for PayPal, but the simple truth is: it works! Anything you can do to speed up payment, shortens the time it takes a customer to receive their purchase. Nothing will improve your feedback faster than getting purchases to your customers quickly. Also, now that eBay has purchased PayPal, there will be more integration and ease of use for everyone as soon as the merger goes through.

As the seller, you have the most to lose by negative feedback. It is only a question of time until you run into a difficult or
irrational buyer. He or she may be rude, or unresponsive, or both. Once your feedback rating is secure in the high hundreds, you can afford to take a tough line and weather the negative feedback that inevitably follows. But while you are building your feedback rating, sometimes you just have to swallow hard and be extra diplomatic. I always give people the benefit of the doubt and try and work something out. I would rather lose a sale than risk negative feedback from an irresponsible person. If a buyer won’t complete the transaction, its better to report them to eBay, than to get into a feedback war. Once eBay determines they are a non-paying bidder, they will not be able to leave feedback against you.

To summarize, make your communications fast, friendly and complete and your feedback rating will soar!