It seems this topic has touched a sensitive nerve as I have received a pile of offlist messages. A rather unscientific survey would point to the following being considered 'proper' ebay etiquette:
1) It would appear that the lack of feedback is considered by almost all to be acceptable whenever dealing with ebayers with very high feedback records. It is also acceptable when dealing with 'professional' ebayers. When dealing with newbies or those with low overall feedback history, it is however commonly recognised as something akin to an obligation. Some point to 25 feedbacks, others 50, others 100 as the minimum before which feedback becomes less important. 2) There is a sufficiently large number of irrational and unstable ebayers, including a number of CR listmembers apparently, that it is seemingly often advisable and perhaps appropriate to await the buyer's feedback before leaving feedback as a seller. While the horror stories described make me take ample notice, I am still not sure if I can possibly ascribe to this personally. 3) It would be preferable to avoid unilaterally blocking bidders as I had done. One of the more appealing remedies proposed, was supposedly used by one of our Italian CR listmembers, whereby the seller would send a note gently reminding the bidders that anybody not leaving feedback (without defining whether positive or negative) would be blocked from future auctions.
I have now removed all CR listmembers from my blocked list and apologize to any that may have wanted to bid on my last auctions.
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ