Blocking Buyers when they ask questions - Common Advice or Bad Advice?
Summary: The discussion centers around the practice of blocking buyers on online marketplaces, particularly for asking questions. funfactorychannel shares frustration over a seller not responding to a query about combined shipping costs, sparking a debate. Participants have varied experiences, with some sellers advocating for blocking only when questions seem troublesome or signal potential issues. Others argue that legitimate questions should be welcomed, emphasizing that good communication is key to avoiding misunderstandings. Some sellers use questions to gauge buyer intentions, while there's consensus that blocking purely for inquiries is usually counterproductive.
I have never blocked a buyer from asking real questions.
But there are many sellers that tell other sellers to do so cause they are immediate bad buyers. But not all are.
I have 50 trading cards in cart and ask the seller if they do combine shipping because I do not feel it cost me 287.59 to ship 50 cards 3 states away.
I hear crickets.
I understand blocking people asking for items for free but there are legitimate questions that their listings lack.
babyers88
·3 weeks agoif the seller did not respond there's your sign to avoid that seller...... plain and simple
they either don't care or are not monitoring there sales, there loss
onefootflipper
·3 weeks agoYou should absolutely combine shipping on cards. In fact you should have your standard envelope business policy set up to do that automatically. If you actually get a whale that goes over the price or card number limit then you pat yourself on the back for having such a big order and eat the extra 5 to go to package shipping.
However, most card sellers know from experience that ANYONE who asks questions about card listings is likely to be trouble and the Timmy's that pester you about large orders never purchase anything. Sure, you might be the exception, but generally if Timmy is telling me he is going to buy 50 cards he instead never buys anything.
muchmerch
·3 weeks ago · EditedMost of the time, people asking questions never make a purchase, even if the answer is positive.
I am leery of buyers asking nitpicky questions, which usually happens with used media items. I feel like a lot of the time, they are hoping you will say something they can use against you in a dispute.
I block sellers with 0 feedback too...every last one I've sold to tried or succeeded in scamming me.
I block stupid questions for sure....had one buyer ask me if the new/sealed bluray I was selling was from a home with kids, smokers or pets...I replied, yes, lot's of pets, lots of kids and lots of smoke. Then I blocked.
albany_sellers
·3 weeks agoIt's not usually the 0 feedback buyers I worry about. It's the longtime buyers who have practiced how to game the system that cause the most grief.
msha3839
·3 weeks agoLearn one thing..there’s no stupid questions, only stupid answers…
fabrics24
·3 weeks agoNot to profess endless nuance, but it definitely depends on the nature of the question for me. I just had a (recurring) buyer ask if I would be willing to pull a single fabric from a lot so they could buy it individually. I agreed, and both made the customer happy and got some extra cash that I wouldn't have otherwise made.
If they ask questions covered in the description, item stats, and photos, I'll give them side-eye, but probably won't block. Being annoying does not a problem buyer make.
It takes doing something incredibly sketchy or frustrating to get me to block; someone coming in hot with an attitude, and then I find out they leave negative feedback 50% of the time, for instance.
far_186419
·3 weeks agoI think blocking buyers simply because they ask reasonable questions is generally counterproductive. Questions about combined shipping, item condition, compatibility, or order details are normal parts of buying online.
As a seller, I would rather clarify expectations before the sale than risk a misunderstanding afterward. Of course, repeated unreasonable demands or abusive messages are different, but a genuine question shouldn't automatically be treated as a red flag.
In the trading card example, asking whether shipping can be combined for multiple items seems completely reasonable. Clear communication can help both buyers and sellers avoid unnecessary problems.
keziak
·3 weeks agoOnce in a while I get a question that is answered in the description. I assume that maybe they are using the app and answer by repeating what's in the ad. Or I pull it and check. I am fallible and maybe they help me avoid them or someone else being dissatisfied.
I sometimes block NPBs but I guess that is another question.
jollyroger14
·3 weeks agoThis is why I built a support bot. It is designed to answer questions and flag me if it cant... Then I look at what it alerts me and decide to answer it or enable the bot to reply. My stress level as reduced to 0 and I dont worry about annoying questions. Thats the solution... Its designed by a classifier and prebuilt template to fill in the blanks by what the listing says. I been thinking about releasing it as a paid service... Its essentially AI powered and you can preset it to your style, your q and a.... etc etc
mam98031
·3 weeks ago@funfactorychannel Yes, you are correct. I would venture a guess that it is a minority of sellers that actually block buyers for simply asking a question of any kind. I think most sellers are experienced enough to know when a question is legit and when it isn't. I know for myself, sometimes the questions a buyer asks tells me that I need to do a little better with my description and/or title of the item. IMHO the vast majority of questions by buyers are harmless and they are just seeking a bit of info.
cityslickercreations2004
·3 weeks ago"I know for myself, sometimes the questions a buyer asks tells me that I need to do a little better with my description and/or title of the item."
I couldn't agree more!!
Occasionally, I have asked a seller to verify something that is written in the description before I make the purchase. I am only trying to verify I completely understand what they wrote. As a buyer/ seller, returns are disappointing.
shado-x
·3 weeks agoHere were examples of Q's I got:
1) Can you hold this video game for me?
2) What's the warranty on this video game (that is 15 years old and pre-owned)?
3) So what's wrong with it (when listed For Parts or Repair with a description more precise than most).
4) Does it work, let me know (with pictures showing it works).
5) Can you send me a picture showing a close-up of [this item].
6) Will you do $10 (when postage is $8.40)
6a) Hello? What about it?
7) Does this play VHS tapes (when the listing is for a VCR)
8) Can I buy just the one item out of a lot of 3 items as one sale.
Some deserve a block.
marnotom!
·3 weeks ago · EditedIf that's pretty much how you worded your question, that could lead to a seller blocking you out of an abundance of caution. It's not always what you ask, but the way that you ask it.
luckythewinner
·3 weeks ago · EditedThe bar to becoming a seller is pretty low - all you need is an email address, a checking account, and a pulse. And you don't even need the checking account to give advice to other sellers on this board.
albany_sellers
·3 weeks ago · EditedSometimes you just have to protect yourself if you can't trust that eBay will have your back. The biggest reason so many people have a hair trigger with blocks is because that's really the only way to keep yourself safe. If we knew that someone from eBay would look objectively at a situation and help us out when it's called for, I think more of us would be willing to take the chance with buyers who we otherwise block. Do some innocent people get caught in the cross fire? Absolutely, but that can't be helped.
When you ask me questions that are already answered in my listing, that tells me you didn't read my listing. That's a problem just waiting to happen when someone gets all bent out of shape that the mark that was described, or the part that was described as not being included is not included. Of course I am going to head that off before it gets to that point.
If I am selling something that takes a degree of technical knowledge to use and a buyer is asking me questions that indicate that they have no idea how to use it, they are getting blocked. I don't need more of those buyers who can't figure out how something works and then go ballistic because it's "not as described"
Heck, I just went through that with someone on an older $250 film scanner that requires some workarounds to function due to legacy software compatibility issues. It worked fine for me, and was perfectly functional if you understand how to use older equipment with modern systems. Buyer purchased, didn't understand how to use it, therefor it was broken.
A week later I got it back, and it surprise surprise, it was wrecked in shipping an really broken upon return just like half of every other return I get like that. In that case though, I will actually commend eBay. The rep I got on the phone was probably the best I have ever dealt with on eBay and took care of me with zero fuss.
Anyhow, long post short. There are things that are an instant block for me and many other sellers. The list would be very much shorter if we were protected better.
Complain about my price - blocked
Complain about shipping cost - blocked
Ask already answered questions - blocked
Question authenticity - blocked
Problems with other sellers - blocked
Ask for discounts on items without best offer - blocked
Don't understand how to use item - blocked
Ask leading questions about returns - blocked
Ask leading questions about condition - blocked
emuestate
·3 weeks agoI wish I had read this when I first joined ebay! This is important information. You would think if a seller has a number of positive sales, that ebay wouldn't even allow a negative comment to ruin their income source. It's a bad business practice. Now they have an unhappy buyer AND an unhappy seller. Lose-Lose. I was very much enjoying selling good quality items at an excellent price to buyers that seemed appreciate a good deal. Friendly buyers. It was fun! Until I got an email on an item that was already listed at an extremely reduced price, asking for a lower price (even though I didn't post or best offer), then the complaint about the shipping cost (I found a smaller box for the buyer), then the complaint that I don't take returns. Then asking what if the zippers are broken, on an item that was listed as new with tags, after I already said it was in perfect condition. Red flags, after I had already offered the buyer a small discount. Then the negative complaint about the item being the color that was listed! I don't know why ebay tolerates buyers that do this to sellers that are acting in good faith. Yes, they can make a quick buck off them, but they have to be losing sellers over this. My rating went from 100% for the past 2 years to 94% due to ONE negative comment, from a buyer who got an excellent deal on a new item and fast shipping. I'm blocking from now on. I didn't even know you could do that. On top of it all, ebay ridiculously claims the seller rating doesn't affect sales. It will if sellers move a lot of their inventory to other websites. They already lost money off of something I just moved and immediately sold. They need to do something, because another website is actively recruiting sellers, with no seller fees and free shipping. I don't have to wear my scarlet letter 94% over there.
authentic*vintage
·3 weeks agoSpeaking of blocking....
I ended my response to this with:
"I am sure you can find a deal that suits your budget somewhere on ebay - it is a large site with many sellers and items of all types to choose from. Thank you and have a great day."
I know I shouldn't bother even responding but this kind of entitlement deserves a smack down every now and then.
christworks
·3 weeks agoI would block them as well. I have seen posts here and other reports from sellers on other sites where buyers who complained about the shipping went through with the purchase, only to then leave the seller a negative feedback.
I wish we didn't have to send out offers blindly. That's why I generally keep mine at 5%. I figure if someone has a price issue, they won't buy or they will message like your buyer did. Then I know to end the listing to break the offer, block them, and relist.
authentic*vintage
·3 weeks ago5% is the magic number!
arraus
·3 weeks agoMaybe it's an infrequent, or new, seller. They can take forever to respond.
Hope they get back to you. Try messaging again, "Just following up..." Maybe they missed it.
christworks
·3 weeks ago · Edited@funfactorychannel I am a seller who strongly advises sellers to use questions as a way to do some recon on prospective buyers to see if you want to do business with them. We don't get much protection, and the last thing a seller wants is to have to deal with a problem a few weeks later. Problems can be expensive and can cause issues with your reputation if a nutcase buyer leaves crazy feedback you can't get removed. Sellers have to be the responsible party and protect themselves. We cannot depend on eBay to do it. This means thinking ahead and being a couple of steps ahead of the buyer. It's not rocket science nor is it difficult to do. Spending 30 seconds looking into a buyer can save a lot of time later on.
A message (or offer) from a buyer is a great opportunity to look at the feedback they've left other sellers, or even scan their positive feedback for a seller who may have slipped in a negative review.
The other factor is the actual question. If the question can be answered by looking at the listing, I shouldn't need to answer it. In fact, my concern is if you aren't looking at the listing, you are already a higher return risk. Why would I want to do business with you?
Then there is the crazy factor. Someone who is asking multiple questions sends up all types of red flags. Sellers know buyers will waste 30 minutes of your time on a $10 item, and still not buy. I have learned time and time again it is best to block those buyers. They are not ready to make a purchase, and me pulling the item to answer their 10 questions isn't going move the needle an inch.
I also watch for people who TYPE IN ALL CAPS, or who cannot use even remotely correct grammar and spelling.
Sending offers - especially low ball offers - in a message when I don't accept offers is another red flag. In my experience these buyers will be a problem.
Are there exceptions? Absolutely. I just dealt with one but the coast isn't clear yet. Like with everything business related I take a big picture approach. 3 out of 10 buyers who message me may be a-okay, even if they commit one of the sins I've outlined. But the other 7 will be a problem and I don't want the headache. The opportunity to block up to 5000 buyers means I don't have to go bareback when selling. I can do the right thing and protect myself, and have a good time flipping stuff. 😊
inhawaii
·3 weeks agoI don't block just for asking questions. even stupid questions.
But it's up to the seller.
sin-n-dex
·3 weeks agoI never block someone for asking a question unless they're "up to something" (like the guy who sent messages pretending I took the sale off site when I did no such thing). I get some stupid messages sometimes, a guy in sri Lanka wrote me "hi" yesterday (which I ignored), another buyer messaged me to show me a picture of an item I was selling and tell me he has one too. Sometimes I get people telling me they have something and say "how much are you going to give me for it" (the general reply is that I don't source things that need to be mailed to me).
If you messaged me to ask about combined shipping I would have been touting my store and trying to convince you that you should complete the sale. I never would have ignored you.
gurlcat
·3 weeks ago@funfactorychannel How long ago did you send that question?
funfactorychannel
OP3 weeks ago2 days now, at this point im just entertaining us all with topics.
gurlcat
·Aug 14, 2026 at 8:48 PMYeah some sellers be like: "There's nothing for YOU h'eah!" 😆
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F75d01l5AxM&t=65s
dbmm-media
·Aug 14, 2026 at 7:58 PMdepends on the question
gurlcat
·3 weeks agoAnd how many (for me, anyway).
dbmm-media
·3 weeks agodepends on how annoying the question. usually more than 1 unless the first question is really stupid.
grann-4629
·Aug 14, 2026 at 7:43 PMIf sellers blocked me for asking a question, my purchases would be about 2/3 what they are. For example, when a seller shows only the front of a DVD in their listing, I always ask to see a pic of the back where the information about region code, run time, etc. is shown ... if the seller decides to block me for asking s/he loses a sale.
fm2000
·3 weeks agoShowing the back cover should be mandatory, and few media sellers do it. The back cover contains critical information that may or may not be accurate in the eBay item specifics (and takes 2 seconds.)
adamcartwright
·Aug 14, 2026 at 7:35 PMRudeness is reason for blocking, as far as I'm concerned.
Even if the question is legit.
stainlessenginecovers
·Aug 14, 2026 at 5:51 PMNo seller EVER tells other sellers to 'block' JUST BECAUSE of a question.
They ONLY tell them when the question deserves a block
Like:
the answer they seek is right in the description so if a buyer won't read the description, they could be a detriment to a sale
Asking about condition when again, it states so in the description
Asking to lower price when offer is not offered
Asking to lower shipping
As both the above could lead to a problem sale if the answer is no and buyer purchases anyway
Numerous GOOD, OBVIOUS reasons to block- but to just give a 'blanket statement' that sellers tell other sellers to block because a question is asked is NOT what happens.
funfactorychannel
OPAug 14, 2026 at 5:55 PMcheck boards some do give that info. more prevalent on reddit.
mamacassidy
·Aug 14, 2026 at 6:59 PMA week or so ago I started getting tons of "ebay reseller" content on my algorithm on Facebook. And I was seriously surprised at what many of them said.
Some of them were absolutely wrong about policy and when others pointed it out, they were not willing to accept that they were wrong.
And many of them seemed genuinely resentful of buyers, including those who asked questions. I do think there are many people out there who see their reselling business as their own personal store where they do whatever is convenient for them. And to some extent that is true. I just don't know how long those stores will stay in business.
stainlessenginecovers
·Aug 14, 2026 at 6:59 PMYou would need to show me 'what' boards and posts that a seller just 'blanket' states that 'just because of a question'.
Reddit- this is not reddit and if posters there state that, they either also believe in Santa or are NOT sellers on ebay.
NO seller would just 'block' because of a question. It would depend ON the question.
marnotom!
·3 weeks ago. . . or how the question was asked.
funfactorychannel
OP3 weeks agomy question was simple, was asking if they do combine shipping since 50 cards is 287 dollars.
marnotom!
·3 weeks agoThe question was simple, but you loaded it with an observation about the price to have them shipped individually. That might turn some sellers off, particularly if they’re like the Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons and see observations like that as an argument or complaint.
I probably would have started my note to the seller by stating that I was interested in purchasing a lot of cards from them and indicating that I had read several item descriptions and they make no mention of combined shipping. Would they be able to combine shipping for a fifty card purchase?
Then, if I didn’t get an answer or I didn’t like the answer I received, I’d know that this seller really doesn’t want my business and just move on.
funfactorychannel
OP3 weeks agohow is that loaded? If sellers can't even handle a question they shouldn't even try to sell.
Now we need buyer etiquette class in asking questions? Question wasn't rude, insulting, or intimidating. That is enough for a regular buyer in asking a question..
chapeau-noir
·3 weeks agoUnfortunately, I've read that here as well as reddit. "If they ask a question, chances are they'll be trouble" - a lot of knee-jerk blockers. Honestly, I think it's kind of amateurish, but it's a hill they're willing to die on.
roccotacodad54
·Aug 14, 2026 at 5:45 PMAs a buyer if I ask a reasonable question and get blocked for doing so...GOOD...I don't want to do business with that seller if that's their attitude.................................
mamacassidy
·Aug 14, 2026 at 6:53 PMFor real. I mean, sellers are here to sell stuff. Why in the world would a seller block someone who is not problematic and is just asking a basic question?
I don't even get upset if they ask a question that's clearly answered in the listing, I just copy and paste from the listing.
So many people on all these platforms complaining of slow sales but not wanting to do the bare minimum of selling/ customer service...
bonanza125
·Aug 14, 2026 at 5:41 PM · EditedIt varies by seller and situation. If the seller doesn't reply back to you then do not buy the cards. No response means either they aren't on Ebay site right now due to whatever reason or they are not interested in combine shipping. That doesn't mean the seller blocked you but attitudes vary. I do not block buyers for asking questions and give them immediate responses unless it's during the night which will be in the morning. Not all sellers operate that way.
tobaccocardyahoo
·Aug 14, 2026 at 5:35 PMSome sellers treat shipping as a profit center, and will not combine shipping.
Some of those sellers lack any concern for customer service.
They may or may not answer. They may block you or not block you. The lower the unit price of the card, the greater the chance they have chosen the profit center path.