Michael,
There are of course exceptions to just about everything. Your feedback rating might be one of them as far as my thinking eBay feedback is a joke. The fact as I have pointed out (along with others) is that people won't leave negative feedback because they are scared they will get it in return. You DO leave negative feedback which HAS to be done.

You also wrote........

"I have left about a dozen negatives, (basically one for EVERY unsatisfactory transaction I've had) and have NEVER received a retaliatory neg in return, which I owe to a simple communication technique that I'd be happy to pass on."

PLEASE do pass it on here. I am sure others besides myself would like to hear it. Andy - Las Vegas