Why can buyers still leave feedback after cancelling a purchase?

[ntomntom]

Recently sold an item on ebay and issued an invoice.  I had no contact from the buyer after 3 days so sent a message (politely) asking if they intended to pay.  They replied saying circumstances had changed and they didnt want it any more -it was just before Christmas so I guess they found an alternate present!!  So I cancelled the transaction to get my seller fee refunded.

I then had negative feedback from the buyer saying I was "unhelpful" in the comment.  

Now I have successfully appealed this, so full marks to ebay for that, but why should buyers be able to leave feedback if they request a cancellation?

It would appear I can bid on anything I like.  Change my mind and not pay.  Then leave negative feedback for the seller.  I can see no valid reason to allow feedback to be left in these circumstances.  If I refuse to pay, why should I be able to leave feedback?

EDIT:

To be clear, I have just checked & actually I did open an Unpaid item case (rather than cancellation).  And it has been settled.

My issue is the fact that the buyer was then able to leave negative feedback.

Why would the system be designed in this way?  Credit to ebay the negative feedback was removed when I raised it, but why should I have to spend time chasing this when the system should not have enabled the buyer to leave feedback under these circumstances.

[fargvs]

When not been paid  > unless you open an Unpaid case/s within 32 days from item end and return to the Resolution Centre to close it as still unpaid 5 days later to recover your selling fees, eBay will expect those fees to be paid ... neither party can leave damaging Feedback and any already left can be removed on request  ... you can then safely relist >

Cancelling the sale is risky, only lets them away with non payment and still leaves the timewasting 'buyer'  with the option to leave damaging Neutral/Negative Feedback for you >

Resolution Centre - eBay

[fargvs]

Resolution Centre - eBay

[ntomntom]

Apologies I was unclear in my original post. I did raise an unpaid item case which was settled in my favour, but the buyer was still able to post negative feedback.

I have updated my original question.

[fargvs]

Timewasters are able to leave Feedback during and until any Unpaid case/s are completed and closed in your favour ... only then will Negative Feedback be removed on request.

[69exray69]

if you liaise with ebay representative, they should be able to remove the negative comment

[**peaseblossom**]

Complete an Unpaid Item case instead of cancelling and the buyer is blocked from leaving f/b.   They also get a non-payment strke on their account which could eventually lead to their suspension.

[rusticrye]

Just to add that while you're adding their Ebay ID to your Blocked Bidders List, tighten up your Buyer Requirements while you're there, to lower the risk of getting non-payers and other rogue buyers in the first place. Pay particular attention to the one which blocks those with 2+ Unpaid Item strikes in 12 months.

@ntomntom 

[john1297576]

Completing an unpaid case only prevents Feedback being Left after the case is closed. Your buyer must have left a negative before you closed the case, so you had to ask for removal.

At least I have learnt something, as the impression is given that removal would be automatic, but using the Seller Help a request for removal is fairly simple.

[m25jet]

In cases such as this if the buyer doesn't contact you first of all within an acceptable timeframe and politely request a cancellation of the transaction then the best option is to open an Unpaid Item Dispute against the buyer.  If the buyer has still not paid for the item after four days then close the case down, making sure that when the question "Did this buyer pay for the item?" appears on the screen you tick the "No" box.  That way your eBay Final Value Fees will be refunded, although you won't receive a refund of PayPal's cut of the sale, and the buyer's account will be hit with an Unpaid Item Strike.  If the buyer picks up two or more Unpaid Item Strikes within a twelve month period then he or she will find it almost impossible to purchase anything on eBay, in which case it should also prevent the buyer from wasting any other sellers' time.

If you have not already done so add the buyer's User ID to your Blocked Bidders List.  To access your Blocked Bidders List click on this link https://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?bidderblocklogin and a big white box will appear on the screen.  Add the buyer's User ID to that white box, click on the Submit button beneath it and once you have done that the buyer in question will not be able to purchase anything else that you list for sale on eBay in the future, in which case he or she will not be able to cause you any further aggravation.