Rant Why did they block me as a seller? Now I am taking it personally
I have been on eBay for nearly 10 years and have spent tens of thousands of dollars. I am a watch collector and occasionally find good deals on precious metal (interesting) items. Recently one of my favorite sellers has had some very good deals on precious metal items and a couple of watches that I liked. In the past 3 months I purchased seven items totaling over $3400 from them (6 auctions and 1 buy it now). Recently, I went to bid on several more items only to learn that I have been blocked. Now there may be a good reason for this but I can't think of one. I have written to them five times with no reply. Hence my frustration...and rant. Even if the seller thinks I paid less than what the items are worth, I won the item because I would always bid on the (assumed) precious metal content value and subsequently there are many more items I didn't win and they should be thankful that I bid at-least what the items precious metal content is worth. Right? In some cases, I paid quite a bit more than the precious metal value simply because I liked the items. I don't like being ignored and think it is highly unprofessional to treat a good customer this way!
Update: After posting this, one person suggested that I call the seller. It just so happens that this seller's phone number was easy to find. They said that I had retracted a bid and I agreed but I rebid immediately with the extra digit removed (I was bidding on a money clip and I intended a 3 digit number not 4). In any case, they could see that I was a good customer and reinstated my bidding privileges. I thought leaving this rant may be helpful to someone else in the future.
tenbigdogs
·2 years agoHi @rusty_osgood You've resolved your issued, but FYI even if blocked and they set no messages, you can message a seller through their feedback page, Contact Seller. Many times a seller doesn't even know a buyer has hit a block. Often it's a block the seller doesn't even realize they have set. Yours did it intentionally, but not all do. No matter how a buyer ended up on a block list, any seller can give permission to any eBay member to access their listings by adding them to their Blocked Bidder Exemption List. Good luck!
eBay Help Page - Buyer Exemption: https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/creating-managing-listings/setting-buyer-requirements?id=4152&st=3&pos=1&query=Setting%20buyer%20requirements&intent=bidder%20exception&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1060
ittybitnot
·2 years agoyou can message a seller through their feedback page, Contact Seller.
@tenbigdogs
There has been a recent update to this procedure, and even if you use the path you suggest, the seller may still not receive messages from a blocked member. Of course, the buyer is not notified, and thinks the seller is simply ignoring.
tenbigdogs
·2 years agoHi @ittybitnot Do you have a link to a Help page or a staff announcement or something with this recent update? Something definitive? Thanks! Ten
ittybitnot
·2 years ago@tenbigdogs
Here is one of them:
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Changes-to-Buyer-Blocks/td-p/33977166
Not a new policy, just another unannounced change. If I recall correctly there are a few more on this topic, I am sure you can find on your own.
tenbigdogs
·2 years agoHi @ittybitnot Thanks for the link. That's the way the system has always claimed to work. The problem with this feature is that most responders never have an opportunity to check it out for themselves. But we have reports from OPs and they say it doesn't block Contact Seller from their feedback page, only from listings. Good luck!
ed8108
·2 years agoYou are entitled to your opinion however, Ebay's policy appears not to support your position, so not replying to a communication should not be considered on ebay, as unprofessional
Perhaps you may be suggesting sellers should be penalized when failing to reply to buyer communications ?
Since this is ebay's domain it is ebay's decision as to what constitues unprofessional conduct.
rusty_osgood
OP2 years agoI never suggested a penalty right? If I spend lots of money with anyone on anything, I expect a reply to my messages if they expect my continued business. Apparently they weren't getting them so said conduct was not "unprofessional"....eBay notwithstanding.
ed8108
·2 years agoWhen a seller places you on their BBL, they do not expect to receive your contInued business.
Ebay does not consider the action of blocking a buyer for any reason whatever as being unprofessional
stainlessenginecovers
·2 years agoAlthough this worked out- you (and anyone else seeing this thread)
Apparently when a buyer is BLOCKED by a Seller; so is ALL communication....
So the Seller will NEVER see your messages
rusty_osgood
OP2 years agoThat would certainly explain why my five messages went unanswered! Thanks so much.
simba6
·2 years agoWonder if they could have blocked the wrong seller? You could send a snail mail message to them. seems strange they would block you. Buyers are not so easy to come by.
ittybitnot
·2 years ago@rusty_osgood
Unless you have 2 or more unpaid item cancellations in the last year, the only other thing I can think of is this buyer requirement may be in effect on the seller's account:
Block buyers who are currently winning or have bought XX of my items in the last 10 days.
Typically, it never comes into play (depending on the number selected in place of the XX) but that may be the problem, and the seller may be unaware. Basically, the block was designed to prevent multiple purchases from "bad actors" who then make fraudulent claims, but good repeat buyers can be affected as well.
In this instance, the seller can add you to their "exemption" list based on you being a good customer.
You can see the list here, but unfortunately if you contact the seller eBay will remove the link even it is to an eBay page.
https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/buyerrequirements
rusty_osgood
OP2 years agoThank you. That may be it. I hope so because I love this seller! I have written to them 5x now...maybe they are too busy...?
kensgiftshop
·2 years agoWhat message are you getting when you try to bid?
rusty_osgood
OP2 years agoVerbatim: "You are unable to purchase this item due to restrictions from the seller. Please contact the seller for more information. (3008)"
Thanks in advance for any insight.
ittybitnot
·2 years ago@rusty_osgood
This seller has a reputable B&M business and an online presence. When you are finished being angry, you may wish to give them a (very friendly) call. With changes made to with regards to blocked buyers and communication made of late, there is also the possibility that the seller is not receiving your messages. eBay doesn't tell you that, of course.
rusty_osgood
OP2 years agoI appreciate your measured response. I will edit the subject to remove their name...giving them the benefit of a doubt... I found their number and will give them a call on my way to work. Cheers!
gosimus
·2 years ago@rusty_osgood
< I will edit the subject to remove their name >
We're still able to read the "Sold by" name in the screen shots you posted.
rusty_osgood
OP2 years agoYes I thought about that. But I was positive overall...people may not see that. I will fix it so it reads positive. Thanks!
rusty_osgood
OP2 years agoOk I am off the blocked list now. Apparently they said I retracted a bid. This is correct but I placed another bid with the extra digit removed within a minute...I didn't win the item but I remembered it well and they unblocked me, thank goodness! Now I can give them thousands of more dollars for stuff!
ittybitnot
·2 years ago@rusty_osgood
Good news. Thanks for letting us know how it turned out!
rusty_osgood
OP2 years agoThanks to everyone for the feedback and wise advice. Cheers!
asset_liquidators
·2 years agoOften, when a buyer is blocked, there communication is also blocked so this seller may not be getting any of your messages and may be totally unaware that you are blocked.