Option to simply pick a rating without a feedback message?

They did a trial with a Star Rating system a while ago, but it was a bit meaningless, even more meaningless than the current system.

Some of the ones we see are AAA, or A+, this is fine if you didn't want to type anything out. We also just have a generic feedback saved in a word document, that we can just copy and paste, this is handy too, no need to type everytime.

Not sure what you mean by "meaningless". To me a rating is all I need to decide if I can trust a trader. I only ever read the feedbacks if the rating is poor. Maybe feedback should be mandatory for negative and neutral ratings, but optional for positive rating.

Yes a sensible idea.

The whole feedback system was devised over 20 years ago. Smart phones and tablets didn't exist so everything was done on a keyboard. It was a fairly novel concept at the time. You didn't have huge traders either to begin with so all those robotic cut 'n' pastes weren't there.

There have been some trials around the feedback system, including leaving ratings for things like communication, delivery speed,  item quality,  without the need to leave a comment. So it is something Trade Me are thinking about. It's due an overhaul but maybe not really near the top of the "to do" list.

I think the message still serves a purpose. Even though it might be meaningless when placing positive feedback, it is important other buyers understand the issue when negative feedback is placed - in addition, as a seller, I would much rather have a little message so I can understand the issue, rather than just being left with a meaningless sad face.

Yes, as I mentioned in my last comment, make it mandatory for negative or neutral feedbacks only. 99.9% of positive feedbacks are meaningless.

Something else I would like in regards to feedback is the opportunity to filter out all positive feedback, so you can view the negative feedback on traders more easily - this would make it far more meaningful.

The feedback dispute process also sucks - I've had feedbacks placed (somehow) after the cut-off; worst one yet though is a feedback placed complaining the product arrived broken, despite the buyer admitting he broke the product by rough handling when unboxing it - that feedback still is up.

Kia Ora All,

With a Buyers hat on - Positive Feedback is not meaningless at all - Often extra items are purchased after reading positive reviews about a product as well as the Seller - these products may not have been in ones watchlist / cart Or radar before reading a positive review - Product Reviews are an essential marketing tool. - Cheers.

Good on you S. Nice comment. I made a purchase recently. Quite a few of this item with different sellers. It came down to comments made by other buyers. Good packaging, friendly communication  and items being as described. So I was very pleased with what I got and had a seller to add to my faves. :)