Be careful

An American eBayer has been hit with a $15,000 (around £9,800) lawsuit by a fellow member of the auction site, after he posted a negative review on the seller's account.

Michael Steadman bought a clock on eBay from Elliot Miller in November 2008.

Steadman did not think that the clock matched the seller's description so returned the item and posted negative feedback on Miller's account.

Miller gave him a full refund. The feedback read: "Bad seller; he has the ethics of a used car salesman."

Miller, of Miami Beach, has since filed a $15,000 defamation lawsuit against Steadman claiming that the feedback had ruined his 100 per cent rating and "commercial reputation" on the site and was uncecessary considering the full refund.

As of May 2008, eBay stopped sellers from being able to leave negative comments on buyer accounts, which led to complaints about it being one-sided.

The lawsuit is still pending.