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Blocking buyers with zero feedback from bidding on high value auctions
Summary: tewest93 expressed frustration with eBay's system after a new buyer with no feedback history purchased a high-value collectible. They are concerned about the risks of selling such expensive items to new accounts, citing potential fraud risks like receiving a different item in return if the buyer claims a discrepancy. They argue that eBay should allow sellers to block new or low-feedback buyers, pointing out that sellers are at a disadvantage as eBay tends to side with buyers in disputes. eastlaneave provided some existing settings options for blocking problematic buyers and suggested sending feedback to eBay to address these concerns.
I put an auction up for a high-value collectible (Pokemon Base Set Booster Pack) at $1695. Shortly after I had a buyer buy it with an account they created the same day I created the listing (today) with zero feedback. There is no way I am selling a $1700 item to a brand new account with no feedback history. That is just asking for trouble. Sure, eBay may side with me since I insure all orders and require a signature for delivery, but selling to them risks a return request with a different item than I sold them and all the hassles in me having to prove it. Maybe he was legit, but it would be insanity to go forward with the sale. No thank you! eBay needs a way to block buyers with low or no feedback or new accounts for high dollar auctions. eBay can’t expect us to take so much risk when they more often side with the buyer than the seller. I cancelled the order and blocked the buyer, but we should have a way to prevent this from happening in the first place.
inceptions
Mentor3 weeks agoHi @tewest93
What you fear could happen with a buyer who has feedback as well. The bottom line is...don't list an item with a value greater than you can afford to lose if things go wrong.
When you list an item for sale, you agree to ship to the buyer. You are not allowed to pick and choose who to sell to after the buyer has made the purchase.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259
eastlaneave
Mentor3 weeks ago@tewest93
You can't block a buyer with 0 feedback, although I understand your concern.
These are the settings you can use:
Block settings
Block buyers who caused <x> cancellations of unpaid order within <x> month(s)
Block buyers whose primary shipping address is in a location to which I don’t ship
Block buyers who are currently winning or have bought <x> items in the last 10 days
Only apply this limit to buyers with a feedback score up to: < x>
https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/buyerrequirements
tewest93
OP3 weeks agoI already use those settings, but they are insufficient. I won’t sell an expensive collectible to someone with little or no feedback, especially a brand new account. I will cancel the sale if that is my only recourse. eBay has encouraged an environment that is too easy for sellers to get ripped off. All a buyer has to say is “not what I ordered” and ship back an empty box and we are screwed. At least a feedback history and account age gives us some indication of the trustworthiness of the buyer. If eBay wants to force us to sell to zero feedback customers then they need to pay up when sellers get defrauded by buyers. A buyer can at least choose not to buy from a zero feedback seller. I should be able to choose who I sell to as well. You already took away the option to leave negative feedback for buyers so how do we notify anyone of a scammer? How do we protect ourselves in these situations? You can do better if you start remembering that without sellers there is NO eBay.
eastlaneave
Mentor3 weeks ago@tewest93
You can send that feedback to eBay.
I can't change eBay's policies, I am a seller, just like you.
I understand the issue.
Cancelling an order for out of stock is a defect, eBay really doesn't want you to do that.
Be sure to add the buyer to your blocked bidder list to prevent future purchases.
To Block that buyer from your account, add the username here:
https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/BuyerBlock
tewest93
OP3 weeks agoWell I will take a “defect” versus losing $1700 any day. eBay makes it pretty difficult to get information to them. That was how this started and I was sent here by their automated system.
eastlaneave
Mentor3 weeks ago@tewest93
On this page, there is a "Send Feedback" link to the right, and ALSO a ? in the lower right
https://www.ebay.com/uas/selling-pref
Send your suggestions by both of those forms.
This feedback does get read and considered.