I don't see the feedback forum as a way to signal the completion of the transaction. I don't believe it was meant for that purpose. An email is a very simple way to handle that.

Feedback should be just a means of rating the transaction. I personally believe the seller should give feedback as soon as they are paid. At that point the buyer has completed their responsibility. The feedback should be based on that responsibility not if the person is pleasant and polite (although I believe ebayers should be both) or happy with the merchandise.

The only reason for a seller to not give feedback at that time is to have the option of holding a threat over the buyers head indicating "you will like what I've sent you or else".

I would love to see ebay change the feedback process to only allow the buyer to give it once the seller has done so. But as someone previouosly stated, ebay seems much more concerned about the seller than the buyer.

I don't know why since ebay would not make very much money without both.