E-Bay forcing customers to review products before feedback can be left!

[mgirlm52009]

E-Bay has recently introduced a 'rate this item' five star scale in feedback.  If you don't 'rate' the item, the Leave Feedback button is disabled.  More often than not it's impossible to rate a product unless you have had or used it for some time.  This function first appeared on items from commercial sellers, now it's all sellers.  This is a dishonest way to get reviews and until E-Bay remove it or make it optional I will no longer provide feedback on items.

[mgirlm52009]

I agree completely.  E-Bay used to ask for reviews via E-Mail, and I left reviews when I honestly felt I could do so.  Seller feedback and product reviews are two entirely different things.  If a seller does a great job - fast postage, item is well packed so it arrives undamaged, etc, that's not down to me making a good choice (or otherwise) in selecting a particular product.  This is especially the case if buying products that can only be rated after owning them for a length of time, like the fridge you mentioned.  Tying seller feedback and product ratings together to effectively 'force' someone to write a review feels like E-Bay weren't happy to ask for reviews the way everyone else does - it simply smacks of leveraging product reviews to advance their platform rather than giving a sh*t about the actual product quality.

[marwane123]

I agree with the post. It's not stomping feet, it's making a stand.  What I think the poster and others have a gripe with is that we have no choice in the matter. Either rate the item or you can't leave feedback.  Ebay pesters us to leave feedback all the time, so if they really want feedback then make this 'Rate Item' an option.  No one is asking Ebay to remove it, just don't force it on us.  Someone said we are punishing the seller, but  Ebay is the one stopping feedback by greying out the button, so they are punishing the seller.
MAKE THE RATE ITEM OPTIONAL .

[sandypebbles]

Feedback in itself is optional

No use yelling about it to other members 

And it is punishing the seller

And eBay do not take requests