Feedback system flawed?

They could go with the eBay model, where only those who are either the buyer or seller can leave feedback. Before eBay went to this system, you could not tell if good comments were made up by associates of seller/buyer or whether bad ones were just a crank causing trouble.

Ya; nothing is perfect. Here only buyers and sellers can exchange feedback. On a case by case basis you will find maybe 90 percent accuracy. I still am glad for what we have; and realize how hard it must be for AudogoN to be the referee for millions of transactions. We all have different eyes---.

The feedback system definately has some value. I've been fortunate so far because almost every one of my transactions here have gone quite smoothly. Being in retail sales myself, you can't always make everybody 100% happy, but I think that the intent should always be there. My understanding for feedback to be valid is that there has to be a completed transaction. I'm sure that all of us have been "jacked around" by buyers and sellers at one time or another. Negative feedback on one deal out of many could simply imply a disgruntled buyer or seller. I would definately stay away from a member who has multiple negatives in a small number of transactions. I don't think any system would be perfect, but if you only let one party in the deal leave feedback, who's to say what the other side of the story is, particularily if the feedback is negative. Without a feedback system, it would just be like shooting craps...just plain gambling!

I generally don't trust anyone with less then eight feedbacks (just kidding). People with a long string of feedback are usually great to do business with. Having said that, I have had a lot of successful transactions with people possessing little or no feedback. I handle these cases a little differently. I personally wouldn't worry about a person with one lone negative. Usually it is left by a disgruntled newbie or possibly just a hard person to please. I like this site ten times better than e-bay. That doesn’t mean it's perfect so always do your homework and trust your instincts.

One way to get a handle on the validity of the feedback is to check the feedback on those who have left feedback. And also check if the same people show up as the only ones leaving feedback for each other. I would also recommend a phone contact for anyone without impeccable credentials. I should also point out that in about 25 transactions over the last 2 or 3 years, I have only had good experiences so far.