I agree with your post Rick G. (Although as a practical matter it is convenient for me, as a seller, to email the buyer when I ship the item and leave positive feedback at the same time, and tell the buyer that the item is shipped and that I left positive feedback.)

But I agree with you that "I believe that the transaction is over when all is said and done."

Especially on an expensive or complicated transaction, it is reasonable for the seller to want to protect himself as best he can against negative feedback by waiting till the buyer leaves positive feedback. (This has to do with the fear of retailiatory neg. feedback. It is obvious but I'll spell it out: the buyer is less likely to leave negative feedback if the seller has not already left any feedback, because the buyer will fear a negative feedback in return for the negative feedback he gave.)

Also, many sellers are too busy -- it is much easier for them to simply return positive feedbacks.

Robert