There are a few factors to consider.

* First off, I suspect many ebay buyers still think their star rating is confidential because it used to be and ebay used to say that.

* Second, I doubt most casual buyers would have much clue that their star rating has much impact on sellers. They would probably be aware that a negative matters, but I am betting most think the star rating is just a guide.

* Third, even if they think of the stars as a guide, I bet my bottom dollar most wouldn't see 3 stars as a bad rating. It isn't the nature of people to give top or bottom ratings for things, unless they are really, really motivated. I have to admit I rarely gave 5 stars as a matter of course and even now, if someone took 3-4 days to post something to me, they wouldn't be getting 5 stars for speed. I would lay odds most people would say 5 is fantastic, 4 stars is very good, 3 is average, quite okay, 2 is poor show and 1 means I am really angry about this aspect, they were pretty poor.

I know ebay may not judge it that way, but casual buyers probably do. You aren't going to change human nature so ebay needs to change.

But if buyers aren't really aware that their star rating has much impact or is seen by sellers and could result in them being blocked buyers, then it isn't going to influence their behaviour.