Apparently I'm in the minority here, in that I DO consider the feedback process on eBay important. The 60-second investment, coupled with a short e-mail letting the buyer know their money has arrived, has paid dividends for me many times over. And one reason is because so few people do it, and the little extra effort gets noticed.

Conversely, I sent an e-mail this week to a respected member of the chip community from whom I purchased an old chip from Pahrump, inquiring if he had received my payment. There had been no e-mail notification, no feedback, nothing. I received no response (and still haven't). The chip arrived in good shape yesterday, which of course is the important thing, but the communication (or lack of same) from this guy was both surprising and disappointing.

My feedback rating is high enough that I don't worry about it if someone doesn't leave a positive comment for me. But I'll continue to leave it for those who pay on time or for those who sold me good merchandise.