The feedback profile is more informative than its reputation suggests, provided that one does not look merely at the number of positive ratings but works through the past auctions. It should arouse suspicion if a seller has so far sold nothing but cheap mass-produced goods such as CDs or videos, has even covered the shipping costs in doing so, and has never yet successfully sold a high-quality writing instrument. Because HTML code is permitted in the listing text, the genuine ratings can also be obscured by embedded program code; a click on the feedback profile usually exposes this. In doing so, the address bar of the browser must be checked to see whether one is still on the pages of the platform, since a redirection to an imitation page would otherwise go unnoticed.
For feedback of one's own the rule is: remain factual. Insults and untrue assertions are not permissible, and neither are accusations that cannot be proved, such as the imputation that someone deliberately sold a defective writing instrument. Anyone who leaves feedback of that kind risks a criminal complaint for insult (Beleidigung) or malicious gossip (üble Nachrede); if the person rated suffers demonstrable financial loss as a result, a claim for damages is added.