My perfect feedback was ruined by retaliatory feedback from a crook and it's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  No longer can a seller use my feedback to exhort an unwarranted positive feedback.

My new policy.  Sellers should read carefully before accepting my payment.  Please also look at my feedback pages so you may make an informed decision before placing your trust in me.

Edited, thanks to some of the comments I've implemented some changes.

1. Once I've paid for an item, my part of the transaction is over.  The seller should leave appropriate feedback for me now.  If the seller sees a legitimate reason to withhold feedback, seller should contact me immediately and explain their concerns.

2. If the seller doesn't leave feedback in a timely manner I will send emails reminding him to and the consequences if they don't.

3. If the seller refuses to leave feedback first or there is no communication with the seller, then the feedback I leave will be lowered one rating.

4. If the seller leaves retaliatory feedback then everyone who reads it will be directed to this blog and see that the seller is the type who exhorts feedback from his customers.

5. As a buyer this is the only reason I would leave negative feedback without asking for a refund of the item.  All other circumstances I will contact the seller and try to work things out.  As long as there is communication with the seller, any negative feedback I leave will never come as a surprise.  I will always try to keep lines of communication open and reach an amicable solution.

Excerpts from my guide "Stop Retaliatory Feedback"

The fact is that when a buyer wins an item and pays for it his part of the transaction is over.  There is nothing more he can do to change the transaction unless there is a problem on the sellers end.  Therefor it only makes sense that A SELLER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE FEEDBACK FIRST.  If a seller has a legitimate reason to withhold feedback they should imediatly notify the bury as to why.

If a seller wishes to keep his feedback rating high they will have to leave feedback first and ACTUALLY EARN the feedback left for them.

The eBay feedback system is meant to let you relay your eBay experience with a seller to potential buyers so they can make informed decisions about who is safe to purchase from.  A sellers feedback policies affect that experience and should absolutely be considered when leaving yours.  Just because your part of the actual transaction is over your involvement with the seller is not, everything that happens with the seller through the entire processes should be taken into consideration when leaving feedback, not just “did you get your item?” and “did it work?”.

I welcome comments and suggestions on my new policy.