Experts warn against blithe belief in the veracity of eBay feedback ratings

[mandy]

One key to the company's success is its ratings system. Users post positive or negative feedback, which results in a score that helps members determine whether they'd like to do business with each other. User feedback shortens the leap of faith required when buying from faraway strangers.

It also means an eBayer's reputation is worth its weight in gold. Many buyers refuse to purchase from any seller whose feedback score drops below 97 percent.

But experts warn against blithe belief in the veracity of eBay ratings. There are ways to artificially inflate and deflate those all important numbers and even an eBay underground whose members trade positive feedback for an investment of less than a dollar.

"There are definitely ways of manipulating the system," says David Fairley, owner of scams.flipshark.com, a watchdog site for scams on eBay and other sites. "Never assume that someone is trustworthy because they have good feedback."...

full article: http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/3587651

[dimucci]

some disgruntled buyers and sellers may opt not to leave negative feedback, fearing feedback retaliation,

Most not some.