When buyers leave an overall Feedback rating (positive, neutral, or negative) for a seller, they also have the option to leave Detailed Seller Ratings (DSRs) in four areas: item as described, communication, dispatch time, and postage and packaging charges.

These DSRs allow buyers to provide additional information about the transaction, and provide a more complete picture of the seller's customer service. The ratings can then be used by buyers to learn more about the sellers they're thinking of shopping with, as well as by eBay to differentiate good sellers from those who aren't meeting buyer expectations.

From February 2008, we are looking at DSRs over thirty-day periods, and using them to determine pricing discounts and search results visibility.

Business sellers can use the Seller Dashboard tool, which enables them to track their ratings over the thirty-day period, allowing them to easily see how well they’re doing and to identify areas for improvement.

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

How to leave Detailed Seller Ratings

You can leave DSRs from the Leave Feedback page. If you choose to leave DSRs, 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:

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

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

• Sellers are not responsible for delays in postal services, and should only be rated on aspects of delivery they can control, including handling time. Some sellers specify their handling time in the item description. Also, many sellers wait for the buyer's payment to clear before posting an item. For international transactions, please allow extra time for delivery.

• Postage & packaging charges may include charges beyond the postage price for the item. Sellers may charge actual packaging materials costs and a reasonable handling fee to cover the seller's time and direct costs associated with delivery. For international transactions, buyers may also be responsible for duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees as requested by country laws.

Sellers will not be able to see the Detailed Seller Ratings you've given them.

Where to find Detailed Seller Ratings

Detailed Seller Ratings can be found on the top of each member's Feedback Profile. The table shows the seller's average rating for each criterion, and the number of ratings they've received. Average ratings are calculated on a rolling 12-month basis, and will only appear when at least 10 ratings have been received.

Similar to how a buyer can only affect a seller's Feedback Score by one point, if a buyer has left multiple detailed seller ratings for a seller, the average of the buyer's ratings will be used when calculating the seller's Detailed Seller Ratings.