Feedback was hit and miss even before the new system. You were far more likely to never ever hear from the buyer again than you were to get feedback of any sort. I wouldn't take it personally.
The new feedback system is in place to stop people from leaving premature feedback. It's actually a logical and positive thing. If your products are defective then you and your customers need to know. Though it is far better to come to you first.
It gives people the chance to actually use the item before leaving any feedback. The product may look great initially but after a bit of use, or if a garment has its first wash it falls apart, then that's pretty awful and is a very suitable subject for feedback. It's also so that any problems can be resolved before any feedback can be left, so that disgruntled customers can't jump the gun and leave negative before the seller has had a chance to correct any mistakes.
Either way, consider this: no feedback is good news. And how often do you buy on Etsy based on feedback? I never look at it. I only bother if it's an expensive item, or a type of item I often have trouble with like garments, to find out things like fit or caring.
And if people are going to buy from a shop based on feedback then odds are that their products aren't unique. If a buyer finds the same thing in three shops then feedback, price and location come into the equation. Otherwise feedback has little to do with anything. At least that's how I see it. Don't get me wrong, we all want feedback - I'd love more feedback - but I don't like to ask for it.
But, there is no harm in asking for it.
