Look past the percentage
Don't just look at 99% — read the recent negatives and neutrals. Repeated complaints about postage damage or item not as described are red flags.
Buying Guide · How To
How to Check Seller Feedback Before Buying Antiques on eBay
Feedback is the single best signal on eBay UK. Here is how to read it like a regular antiques buyer.
We focus on timeless vintage-style finds and practical buying checks for UK eBay shoppers.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for UK buyers who want to use seller feedback properly before bidding on antiques and vintage decor, rather than glancing at a percentage and hoping for the best.
Example searches to practise checking sellers
These searches are useful examples for practising how to compare seller feedback, postage terms, returns and listing descriptions before buying.
Vintage brass lamp
- Best for
- Checking electrical safety notes, seller feedback and condition descriptions
- Typical price range
- £35 – £150
- What to check before buying
- Look for PAT-test mentions, clear photos of wear and detailed seller feedback on similar items.
Opens a live eBay UK search. Listings and prices change daily.
Antique wooden box
- Best for
- Checking condition, damage, woodworm mentions and delivery costs
- Typical price range
- £20 – £120
- What to check before buying
- Read descriptions for woodworm history, check measurements and compare postage quotes.
Opens a live eBay UK search. Listings and prices change daily.
Vintage wall decor
- Best for
- Comparing seller descriptions, photos and return terms
- Typical price range
- £15 – £100
- What to check before buying
- Compare how sellers describe age, materials and condition; note which offer returns.
Opens a live eBay UK search. Listings and prices change daily.
These are standard eBay UK search links for now. If affiliate tracking links are added later, this will be disclosed clearly.
Buying checklist
Run through these before you bid or click Buy It Now.
- Condition — read the description and zoom into every photo for cracks, chips, repairs and woodworm.
- Measurements — confirm height, width and depth in the listing before bidding.
- Delivery cost — heavy items often cost more to post than to buy; consider local collection.
- Seller feedback — look for 99%+ positive feedback and recent reviews from antiques buyers.
- Returns — check whether the seller accepts returns; many vintage sellers do not.
- Authenticity — be wary of reproductions described loosely as 'vintage style'.
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to expand the answer.
How many recent reviews should I read?
Skim the last 20–30 reviews and read the most recent negatives and neutrals in full. Patterns matter more than one bad day.
Is a 99% feedback seller safe for expensive items?
Usually, but read what the 1% negatives say. A 99% seller with repeated complaints about postage damage on fragile items is riskier for a mirror than a 99% seller with one unrelated negative from three years ago.
What about sellers with very few reviews?
Not automatically a problem, especially for one-off house clearances. Keep the order value modest, pay via eBay and confirm condition by message before bidding.
Does 'Top Rated Seller' mean better antiques?
Not necessarily. The badge measures dispatch speed, tracking and returns — useful for new goods, less meaningful for one-off antiques. Read recent feedback regardless of badge.
Can sellers remove negative feedback?
Only in narrow cases (clear policy violations or mutual withdrawal). If a seller has a long, clean history with detailed positive reviews mentioning packaging and accuracy, that is a strong signal.
Keep exploring
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