eBay is going to make changes to its feedback system in May. The online auction site says it will no longer allow sellers to post negative feedback about their buyers. eBay claims lots of problems are occurring when buyers left negative comments about sellers who then retaliated with their own views.
From May, those selling on eBay will not be able to leave unfavourable or neutral messages about buyers.
The move, which will affect users worldwide, has angered many sellers.
Sellers say it will leave them unprotected.
The feedback forum was introduced by Ebay founder Pierre Omidyar in February 1996.
In a message then, he said: "By creating an open market that encourages honest dealings, I hope to make it easier to conduct business with strangers over the net.
"Now, we have an open forum. Use it. Make your complaints in the open.
"Better yet, give your praise in the open. Let everyone know what a joy it was to deal with someone. Above all, conduct yourself in a professional manner."
Critics of the changes argue that by taking away a seller's right to complain about a problem buyer they will have very little recourse for action when a sale goes wrong.
And they complain that by still allowing buyers to leave dissenting comments about sellers, eBay has skewed the whole trading process.
