Updated October 2026. Our original “I Was a Star-Dinger” comic told a story that stuck with us. A buyer thought four stars meant “good”. The talking star explained that a well-meant four could still lower a seller’s higher rating. We used to include the comic in eBay parcels because it helped buyers understand why small businesses pay attention to feedback.

Why can three or four stars make a difference?

When a shop’s current average is higher, a three- or four-star review can bring that average down. For example, nine five-star reviews average 5.0; add one four-star review and the simple average becomes 4.9. A small change can affect how future customers see a business, especially when it has relatively few reviews. Each platform calculates and displays ratings differently, so the comic is an illustration of the idea, not a claim that every website uses the same formula.

Did four stars affect eBay Top Rated status?

Yes, when the original comic was written. In eBay UK’s 2009 announcement, Top Rated Sellers needed an average of at least 4.6 out of five across their Detailed Seller Ratings. If a seller was near that threshold, a well-meant four-star rating could move them towards losing eligibility. That is why the original cartoon’s star looked so alarmed.

Today’s UK Top Rated criteria are different: they cover unresolved cases, transaction defects, late delivery, sales history and policy compliance. A four-star Detailed Seller Rating alone is not listed as a reason to lose Top Rated status. Detailed ratings still matter: eBay lists them among the factors that may influence search placement.

Here is our new version of the Star-Dinger story. It keeps the surprised buyer and the talking star, but changes the ending: the customer should rate the experience honestly, even if that means three or four stars.

Open the full-size comic to download or print it.

What feedback helps us most?

Please describe what really happened. A four-star review may mean you were broadly pleased but noticed something we could improve. A three-star review may highlight a more serious gap. Both are useful when they reflect your experience. We would rather understand the reason than ask anyone to change, withhold or soften a genuine review.

• eBay order: use eBay’s feedback option for that transaction. eBay has an overall positive, neutral or negative rating and separate detailed star ratings.
• Order from our website: if you want to leave a public review, you can choose Google or Trustpilot.

If you have a question about an order, you can also contact our team. You do not need to contact us before leaving a review, and your rating is your choice.

The original 2009 comic was by Erik Andresen. Its old punchline recommended five stars or leaving the stars blank. We have kept the story that made it memorable and replaced that closing advice with a request for honest feedback.