I currently have a satisfactory star rating and as a private seller that is as far as I can go, however if I were a business seller, my current marks would put me in the "top rated seller" category, but as ebay had different rules for private and business sellers, I have to be on my toes all the time to maintain this standard. If you buy from me and feel that in any way I have not given a 5 star service, please tell me, don't just mark me down on the star rating; anything less than 5 stars can now have serious consequences for a seller, with reduced profiles in search listings, so buyers might miss something and I lose the chance to sell an item if my star rating falls.
Under the new ebay feedback system, targets are imposed where a seller receives less than 5 stars in each of the four rating categories, and in my case I must not receive more than 1.7% of poor ratings which equates to just three sales per year.
So please when giving me feedback, be sure to also give 5 stars in the detailed seller ratings.

The biggest bone of contention with star ratings is postage charges, I never list anything for sale without clearly stating the various postage options and costs. I have no control over the postage rates I have to pay to Royal Mail, for UK sales I use 1st class post for a faster service in order to avoid poor star ratings for delivery times and I always post within one day of receiving cleared payment, sometimes the same day. Because what you have bought has a value, I make sure it is packed properly to ensure safe delivery, and have an excellent feedback record for packing.I have to buy all packaging materials: boxes, bubble wrap, board envelopes and padded mailers, and, in accordance with ebay rules I am entitled to add the appropriate cost to the postage, however, I do not have any handling charges and charge buyers only what it has cost me. Please remember that postage rates increase annually on average 10% for most services and the postage cost is now a very significant part of the total transaction cost.

UK buyers are offered 1st class postage or Special Delivery, but if the final cost exceeds £39 Special Delivery is required in order to fully insure against loss in transit. Buyers of small items of low value will not be offered Special Delivery.
Overseas buyers are offered the choice of Airmail Small Packet or International Signed For service which includes tracking, insurance against loss and a signature on delivery. Occasionally overseas items might be sent by Airsure service if appropriate.

Ebay have now shortened the timescale for reporting non-payment, so I now require payment within 4 days of the end of the auction in line with the new proceedure introduced on 21st October 2009.

I trust that you will appreciate the problems of selling on ebay and help me preserve my good feedback ranking by awarding 5 stars in each of the 4 detailed seller rating categories once you have received your purchase from me.
Thank you for buying and I hope you found it a smooth and easy experience.