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Feedback Extortion

Buyers are not allowed to threaten sellers with negative Feedback, neutral Feedback, or low detailed seller ratings in order to receive goods or services not included in the original listing. 

Sellers may not require buyers to leave specific Feedback or detailed seller ratings. Sellers also can’t demand that buyers withdraw existing Feedback or detailed seller ratings. This applies to all Feedback activity, whether it happened before, during, or after delivery of goods or services described in the original listing.

Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

  • Listing cancellation

  • Limits on account privileges

  • Account suspension

  • Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings

  • Loss of PowerSeller status

  • Feedback rating and/or comment removal

Some Examples

Examples of Feedback extortion

  • A buyer purchases a vehicle, and along with payment, sends an email saying, "If you don’t include high performance tires and rims at no extra charge I'll leave you negative Feedback.”

  • A seller receives payment from a buyer and then tells the buyer, “Leave me positive Feedback or I won't ship your item.” 

  • A buyer purchases an item and demands that the seller ship it using a faster service than was specified in the listing in return for higher detailed seller ratings. 

Examples that aren’t Feedback extortion

  • A buyer pays for an item and waits several weeks for it to arrive. The buyer then emails the seller, “The item is already late, if it's not here by tomorrow I'll leave you negative Feedback.”

  • A buyer receives an item and decides the item is significantly not as it was described in the original listing. The buyer threatens to leave negative Feedback unless the seller allows it to be returned for a refund. 

Additional Information

If you think you have experienced Feedback extortion, contact us.

Why does eBay have this policy?

Feedback is the foundation of trust on eBay. Using eBay Feedback in an attempt to extort goods or services from another member undermines the integrity of the Feedback system.

Contact us

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