In addition to leaving an overall Feedback rating (positive, neutral, or negative) for a seller, buyers can also leave detailed seller ratings, and these are anonymous. Because members–-both buyers and sellers—see only detailed seller rating averages, sellers can't see which buyer gave them which rating. Buyers leave detailed seller ratings in four areas: item as described, communication, shipping time, and shipping and handling charges.

With detailed seller ratings, buyers can provide additional information about the transaction, and sellers can get a more complete picture of their performance.

The detailed seller rating system is based on a one- to five-star scale. Five stars is the highest rating, and one star is the lowest. Detailed seller ratings do not impact the overall Feedback Score.

Buyers

How to leave detailed seller ratings

You can leave detailed seller ratings on the Leave Feedback page after you leave your overall rating (positive, neutral or negative).

If you choose to leave detailed seller ratings, you must leave them at the same time you leave your overall Feedback rating and comment. When you’re rating the seller, please keep the following in mind:

• Be honest. Objective ratings help sellers improve performance and help future buyers accurately evaluate sellers.

• Review the item title and description before rating the seller on the item as described.

• Consider only business days when evaluating communication. Sellers don’t always check email on weekends and holidays.

• When rating sellers on shipping time, rate the seller on the time it took them to mail the item, not the time it took you to receive the item. You shouldn’t hold sellers responsible for delays in mail services, international custom delays or for the time it took for your payment to clear.

• When rating the seller on shipping and handling charges, remember that sellers may charge actual packaging materials costs and a reasonable handling fee to cover the seller’s time and direct costs associated with shipping. For international transactions, you may also be responsible for duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees as requested by country laws.

Where to find detailed seller ratings

Detailed seller ratings are located on the top of each member’s Feedback Profile. The table shows the seller’s average rating for each criteria, and the number of ratings they’ve received. Average ratings are computed on a rolling 12-month basis and will only appear when at least ten ratings have been received.

If a buyer has left multiple detailed seller ratings, the average of the buyer’s ratings for that seller will be used when calculating the seller’s detailed seller ratings.

Sellers

How DSR are calculated?

The DSR system is based on a 1- to 5-star scale. 5 stars is the highest rating, and 1 star is the lowest.

• DSRs don't affect a seller's overall feedback score, but eBay does consider these ratings when evaluating sellers to see if they're eligible for discounts and other benefits

• Average ratings are computed on a rolling 12-month basis and appear only when at least ten ratings have been received

• If a buyer has left multiple DSRs, the average of that buyer's ratings will be used when calculating the seller's DSR.

Automatic 5-Star DSR for Free Shipping

Sellers can now receive automatic, 5-star DSR’s for offering free postage on item listings.

To receive the automatic 5-star rating:  

• The item listing must offer a free postage option

• The buyer must choose the free postage option during payment

• You must offer verifiable payment methods (ie PayPal, Paymate, Merchant Credit Card) and use eBay checkout. Third-party checkouts will work, as long as they provide the full post back information to eBay, so that we can verify the buyer didn’t pay for postage

Tips to help improve your detailed seller ratings

• Accurately describe your item, and include whether it is new or used, and honor your selling terms.

• Don’t describe reconditioned or refurbished items as "new." When buyers see the word "new," they expect new, not "like new."

• Set clear expectations for shipping time up front in the Item Description. If you do not ship on weekends, state that in your description.

• Promptly and clearly communicate – respond to emails from your buyer and proactively provide order status updates as needed.

• When a problem arises, don’t assign blame. Work with your buyer to resolve the problem quickly and professionally.

See more tips to get great detailed seller ratings