I have always left feedback as soon as a buyer pays, but recently had a buyer purchase a very expensive vintage item, and I left her positive feedback. A few days later I received a blistering and mildly threatening email - she's not happy obviously. No problems, send it back, full and unequivocal refund given, even though she paid by bank deposit and was not entitled at all to a refund. As a good seller, that's what I would do.   And for that, she leaves me a big fat neg.   Do I wish I had left her a positive first? No of course I don't. Post sale she was revolting. Not even polite! She got the refund irrespective of her rudeness - but don't think paying is the be all and end all - it's ONE step in a purchase between buyer and seller.   I would still leave a positive upon payment, it seems to mean a lot to buyers, it's no skin off my nose, but geez it certainly wasn't the positive experience from my point of view. Luckily eBay removed her neg as they could see that I had done everything right but maybe others who are not so persistent (pig headed) might just have to suck it up.

Agree fully!!!

My first neg came yesterday, not my fault, buyer won't respond, buyer never contacted me... I've been on the phone to eBay for over a couple of hours in the last couple of days and "no can do"!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I wish I had not left feedback. No, I won't stop leaving feedback to buyers straight after they pay. 

Tried everything: pleading, shouting, asking for a supervisor etc etc. I'm sucking it up now :_|