So the question is why must the buyer who’s put themselves out there first and handed over their hard earned cash be subjected to “gorilla” tactics so perceived dishonest sellers (their mere actions create this perception) can try look good.

-_-

How is not leaving feedback equal to "gorilla" tactics. You said you read the first page of comments - did you read my post? The one where I mentioned there are a lot of buyers out there who think the exact opposite you do (i.e. that a seller who leaves feedback on payment lack confidence in their product etc). Perhaps, every time I sell an item, I should message the buyer and ask a list of questions "do you want feedback with that? As part of the main course or should I save it for afters - anything special you'd like me to add? "Perfect buyer" is currently in season and goes perfectly with your winter greens". That way I won't have to wonder how my buyer would like these inconsequential things done - I'll waste a whole bunch of time finding out each individual preference....instead of getting on with my actual job - packing and posting their item.

An open piece of advice to all buyers, since it would make everyone's time on eBay so much more pleasant:

STOP thinking that the way you think things should be done can become expectations you can foist on to other people. If a seller isn't breaking any rules and is providing good service, they don't have to change a thing on account of the odd buyer who wants everything done their way.

ACCEPT that diversity is a wonderful thing - it makes the world turn round (and not around any one person in particular, I'll just point out), and where others have a choice and a different opinion about things, they have a right to exercise it in any way they choose.

Seriously, I would really like to know why there's so much emphasis on feedback as though it's part of the transaction ?:| - a small dot accompanied by an up to 80 character comment is NOT part of a transaction, it's an evaluation of a transaction. If a seller does not want to evaluate the transaction until they deem it fully complete, then for crying out loud just accept that as it's their choice.

There is no need to analyse a seller's motivations nor their trustworthiness etc over something that is not even a part of the transaction or the service they provide.

Consider me wound up, then unwound. :^O