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Cant receive messages from Blocked Buyers Anymore??
It's *really* important that I can receive messages from buyers on my blocked list.
This is so I can work out issues with them, while at the same time keeping them from bidding on new items until all is resolved.
This used to be an option you could set- now it seems something has changed, I cant get messages from blocked buyers, and cant figure out how to re-enable it.
Anyone know about this?
It is SUPER annoying that Ebay changes these things without notifying us- I almost got stuck with a negative feedback for a whole year, thinking a buyer was ghosting my messages, but turned out they were replying the whole time- I just never got them!
I tested this with a friend, and sure enough- the second I put them on my block list- their messages wouldnt come through ðŸ˜
Any help on this greatly appreciated 🙂
sstcq
·2 years agoI posted this thread on eBay UK forums and someone in my thread linked me here. Here's mine:
Re: When blocking a buyer, messages are also block... - UK eBay Community
Your problem is almost word for word, our problem. I want to block someone to prevent additional purchases or retaliatory buys but still keep communication open. This is an appalling change and one that could easily be fixed with a simple toggle not another 'helpful eBay change they didn't bother to explain', so let people choose whether buyers on the BBL can send messages or not.
And even if they are blocking messages, for goodness sake, TELL the buyer their message didn't get through, don't pretend it's been sent then throw it away... what kind of buyer experience is that meant to portray?
data9503
·2 years agoYes I understand how it is to try to handle the different things but how about from the buyer's side and I've bought things from eBay here they have me marked since 20 since 20 I've had one longer than that but I have an injury to the head which has me with some memory difficulties and so I had to reopen accounts but during all this this time I've never returned a single item or have I ever left a bad report And granted I don't leave hardly any feedback But I always carry a 100% good feedback rating on my accounts Now saying that I did leave one bad report about 2 weeks ago this was a person out of India and I ordered some Untreated turquoise from him untreated it any form was a definition and excellent cut quality however upon receiving it I received howlite dyed blue to fake turquoise that's it out right fraud I did not leave a bad report at that time I got a hold Of the seller and ask him how's he planning on handling this Because you sent me not turquoise but howlite that has been died blue and is heavily stabilized stabilization of turquoise is used when the stone is so full of cracks and flaws that if you don't glue it together with basically epoxy glue it will come apart walking down the street I don't buy that kind of crap And I specifically ordered a high grade turquoise according to His ad He refused to answer me back so after 4 days I left A very bad report on him in the past 10 to 15 years I've bought from eBay I have never had fraud outright done To me and to warn others not to buy from this guy because he is perpetrating fraud The only reason I tried to contact him to begin with after he committed fraud was to give him a chance and scare him enough to straighten his stuff up and stop it and treat everybody right Now I've been blocked from making a bid because I stopped the person from committing fraud when I could not get any assistance from eBay or anyone else and handled it myself now eBay needs to straighten this mess up and at least do some kind of work for once instead of hiding behind billboards and computer answers so now you see the sellers say of this thing I understand the Sellers side now you see the buyers eBay needs to really work on this one
exoticatropicals
OP2 years agoEbay Support-
Any word on this?
** We need to be able to receive messages from people on our blocked list. **
ramblesrecords74
·2 years agoI have had the same issue. Before you had the choice by selecting the option 'don't allow blocked buyers to contact me' which I never selected and it would remove the 'contact buyer' option from their end. Now it allows the blocked buyer to still select 'contact buyer' but I never receive the message. This is not a good idea as it removes the communication to resolve any issues.
robbie31415
·2 years agoI think this is good. ðŸ‘
Blocked should be blocked. 🚫
stainlessenginecovers
·2 years ago@kyle@ebay
Just to reiterate and maybe 'ask' this question a bit differently (comparing how things 'were' recently)
When a 'buyer' is put on the BBL and then the toggle is switched over to 'block messages'; the block simply meant that there was no 'ask a question' on any listings of yours that the buyer sees.
1.) Is this still True?
Current 'back and forth' with seller/buyer would not have been blocked future messages if buyer 'replies' to previous messages, nor if buyer has purchased from said seller, if they 'ask a question' from their 'Purchase History'.
2.) Is this still True
I know the fairly new 'report buyer' on 'messages' gives the option to also 'block future'.
3.) Is that where the issue lies only, or doesn't matter now- if buyer is blocked (on bbl) so is all communication?
exoticatropicals
OP2 years agoSounds like the new update broke the way the blocked buyer list is supposed to work re: messaging
Please fix.
exoticatropicals
OP2 years agoIncoming Messages from blocked buyers should only be blocked if :
"Don't allow Blocked Buyers to Contact Me" is CHECKED.
I have it UNchecked.
Please fix 🙂
soh.maryl
·2 years agoOnce someone has been blocked, why would there need to be further contact?
Can you offer an example?
Wouldn't any issues have been "worked out" prior to the block; therefore, maybe making the block unnecessary?
exoticatropicals
OP2 years agoread my posts above.
ten_o_nine
·2 years agoWhen I block a buyer, I don't want to hear from them again. Period.
ten_o_nine
·2 years agoI will do all the necessary communications before blocking.
exoticatropicals
OP2 years agoI'm blocking them from bidding or buying anything new WHILE I'm communicating with them.
that way they can't cause more problems if it doesn't work out.
At least that's how I've done it for years until now.
Now I can't get any message from a user on the blocked list, even though I have it set to let them communicate with me regardless of being blocked.
My question is does anyone know how to fix this? and/or why is it happening.
I don't want to have to unblock them. I need them blocked until I decide otherwise.
mam98031
·2 years agoThat appears to be your only option right now until we hear from the Community team to find out what is going on. They aren't back until Tuesday.
How long ago was the last actual transaction you had with this specific buyer?
mam98031
·2 years ago@exoticatropicals
I'm a little confused. If you have a current transaction with a buyer that you put on your Block list, you can't block them from communicating with you. The act of having a current transaction will override the block as it would be unfair to the buyer not to be able to communicate with you if there was an issue. Or at least that is how it has worked in the past, but with things that change so quickly on Ebay without notice, anything is possible.
As others have showed you there is an option you can set in your Site preferences to block your blocked buyers from communicating with you.
Has this changed? Does blocking a buyer and marking that you don't want blocked buyer to communicate with you, now prevent buyers with a current transaction with you from communicating with you? If so when did this change?
@devon@ebay
@kyle@ebay
@elizabeth@ebay
wastingtime101
·2 years agoActually you can do exactly that, but only if you use the option to block through an eBay message.
Blocking through the BBL works the same as always.
Blocking through an eBay message blocks messages only (does not add member to your BBL), but the block is instant, regardless of any current transaction taking place.
mam98031
·2 years agoThank you, I understand all that except I thought that buyers with current transaction can't be blocked from communicating? That would not be in a seller's best interest to do that IMHO.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoRead more at the link below @mam98031 . It's a fairly new feature. Both buyers and sellers can utilize the "message block". Members do not have visibility to a "message block list" so if you block through a message it appears to be permanent with no way to remove the block (unless perhaps CS can manually assist?). Use it with caution.
https://community.ebay.com/t5/2023-Summer-Seller-Update/Reporting-inappropriate-messages/m-p/33838828#M28
mam98031
·2 years agoI get that. I'm not, nor have I questioning that. But Ebay use to not allow blocking buyers with a current transaction from communicating with the seller. That is all I've said all along.
So if they now allow it, that is something new to me. I would think it is unfair to the buyer, but then Ebay doesn't need my permission to make any kind of change. So then if the buyer leaves the seller a negative FB and the seller gets upset because they didn't know there was a problem, then who is at fault really, since the seller didn't allow the buyer to contact them. I'm simply not at all sure this was any kind of good change for buyers or sellers for that matter. When there is a current transaction, trading partners should be able to communicate.
kyle@ebay
Hey @mam98031 thanks for the tag. Blocking a buyer will certainly prevent them from buying an item from the seller who blocked them.
Edit: This information I provided initially is outdated. Previously, a blocked bidder was still able to continue replying to messages if you had an existing message thread. However, this is not currently the case.
Currently, adding a member to your blocked bidder list (whether done through your settings page or using the "block member" feature from your Messages page) will halt their ability to send further messages.
soh.maryl
·2 years agoSorry -- but it sounded like the OP actually wanted to have a conversation with a buyer who had been blocked "to work out issues". Not sure what issues there would be to need worked out.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoYou are referring to the blocked buyer list specifically, correct @kyle@ebay ?
You are not taking into account the newer block feature through messages as described in post 12 and post 17 with a supporting link to info from eBay on the Seller Update discussion thread.
kyle@ebay
Hey @wastingtime101 you are totally right! Thank you so much for bringing this up! I guess I was living in the past this morning when I answered that. Sorry about that everyone!
@mam98031 I do believe that the BBL is much better at preventing messages (even from buyers with a recent transaction) than it was prior to the summer update, but blocking a member as wastingtime outlined in their screenshots is definitely the best route since it is so much quicker and easier to access, and should block any further messages entirely.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoI'm living in the past right now @kyle@ebay with an 80s playlist.
The message block is still new and it was not clearly explained on the Seller Update or the help page that it operates different from the BBL so it's really easy to forget there's a new block in town.
If I hadn't asked about it when the update boards were open I probably wouldn't know the difference between the two and it wouldn't be at the forefront of my mind. I think the different ways the message block and the BBL function are not yet widely known amongst sellers.
mam98031
·2 years ago@kyle@ebay
We missed an important part of my question. When you put a buyer on your BBL and you have the box checked that you don't want emails from a buyer on the BBL, does that block buyers that have a current transaction with the seller from communicating with them?
exoticatropicals
OP2 years ago@kyle@ebay
The problem is this:
Now when I put a buyer on my blocked list, it blocks their messages from getting to me.
This is not the way it used to work, and not the way we need it to work.
Blocking messages from getting to the seller should be a *seperate option* like it always has been.
The blocked buyer can recieve my messages, but when he replies, I never see them.
I tested this with a friend. I could message back and forth w them all day long, but when I put them on the blocked buyer list, I could not see the messages they sent anymore.
I will try the "reset" mentioned above, but I did a bit of that already- will try again though.
This definitely appears to be a bug. You should be able to receive messages from blocked buyers if you opt for that.
Test it yourself.
My reasons for still wanting this are mine, it doesn't matter why anyone else wouldn't want it.. I need it working like it is supposed to and always has - I'm sure plenty of other people want it to work correctly as well 🙂
It would be great if this bug could be fixed 🙂
kyle@ebay
Hey @exoticatropicals thanks for testing this out! I do see at this time the option to allow blocked bidders to still send messages has been removed, as it was an unnecessary extra step involved in the blocking process. Going forward, you'll want make sure you are only blocking those buyers who you do not wish to allow to buy, bid, or message you.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoWow, that's new. If that's the case then why is the setting still on the buyer management page @kyle@ebay , giving sellers the impression they have control over that? I've never turned off messages from blocked buyers.
When the last seller update was released and I asked about this, eBay said the BBL functions weren't changing.
Since the BBL blocks did change, by automatically blocking messages from people on the BBL, that brings up new questions:
- Can buyers blocked through the BBL still message you if they're in a recent transaction with you or has that changed?
- Is info previously provided about blocking through eBay messages (the new block) still accurate: it blocks all messages, regardless of recent transactions, but it does not add the person to your BBL and block transactions?
kyle@ebay
Hey @wastingtime101 those are some great questions!
The buyer management page still gives the option to block communication from buyers who were blocked by the buyer requirements a seller has set up. For example, maybe you have a customer who buys from you regularly, but due to some mixup they received too many UPI strikes recently, and now they are blocked by your buyer requirements you have set up. The buyer could then contact you and you would have the opportunity to allow them to buy from you anyway, since they are a trusted customer.
This type of block is not to be confused with blocking buyers using the blocked bidder list. Buyer requirements will block any buyer who meets the criteria you've set up. The blocked bidder list is purely where a seller has added a specific buyer to the list to be blocked.
On the blocked bidder list (BBL) there is no longer the option to allow those blocked buyers to contact the seller. This was changed due to overwhelming feedback over the years that blocking a buyer and then needing an extra step to block their messages was redundant.
I hope that helps clear up this situation. Now, back to your specific questions:
"- Can buyers blocked through the BBL still message you if they're in a recent transaction with you or has that changed?" - No, not anymore.
"- Is info previously provided about blocking through eBay messages (the new block) still accurate: it blocks all messages, regardless of recent transactions, but it does not add the person to your BBL and block transactions?" - It does block all messages, regardless of the recent transaction. It will ALSO add the member to your BBL automatically.
mam98031
·2 years ago@kyle@ebay
Just as a tidbit, I have never seen on the community where a seller said this ever " This was changed due to overwhelming feedback over the years that blocking a buyer and then needing an extra step to block their messages was redundant. " Not that I read every thread, but I have not seen this as some major concern for a bunch of sellers.
As in my previous post to you I explain why this change actually hurts some sellers in regards to communicating with some buyers while having them blocked from further purchases. But they have a current transaction to work through and that buyer has the right to ask me question as long as they are civil in doing so.
I'm sure it has been what you were told that so many of us were asking for this change. I personally don't buy it.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoThanks @kyle@ebay , that does clear things up.
Final questions on this change which I expect @exoticatropicals could answer for us. My apologies if you mentioned this already, but it's a long discussion thread and I don't want to go back and re-read the whole thing.
As a seller, what did you see when attempting to message the blocked buyer? Did you get an error or did it look like your message went through?
As a buyer, what did your friend see when attempting to message you? I'm assuming they saw the standard message saying they're blocked and can't contact you?
buyselljack2016
·2 years agoBad move on the part of eBay.
While blocking communication is often desired there needs to be an avenue of communication left open in some instances where there has been a transaction.
There could have been miscommunication that can be resolved, but the seller need to be protected short term from additional issues via the "block"..
exoticatropicals
OP2 years ago"- Can buyers blocked through the BBL still message you if they're in a recent transaction with you or has that changed?" - No, not anymore.
THAT IS HORRIBLE.
YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF EBAY BREAKING THINGS THAT DIDN'T NEED TO BE FIXED.
YET ANOTHER THING MADE **WORSE** TO ADD TO THE LIST.
mam98031
·2 years ago@kyle@ebay
I'm all for Ebay helping sellers stay safer, but this doesn't accomplish that ESPECIALLY when Ebay doesn't properly explain it to sellers.
IMHO cutting off communication between buyer and seller that have a current transaction should not happen unless the buyer is being abusive in the emails they send. But a seller may want to block them from not purchasing any more items for a variety of reasons. But that still should not prevent them from communicating on a current transaction.
We had a separate setting we could set to stop communication completely and even that setting did not cut off communication between buyer and seller when there was a current transaction.
Now we still have the separate setting but they aren't needed if you add a buyer to the BBL.
IMHO I do not see this change as a help to sellers but a problem. Knowing this now, I would not want to put a buyer of a current transaction on my BBL leaving me at risk for them to purchase something else which could be a problem. Before I did not have to take this risk. Now I would. Nope, don't like it.
exoticatropicals
OP2 years ago"IMHO I do not see this change as a help to sellers but a problem. Knowing this now, I would not want to put a buyer of a current transaction on my BBL leaving me at risk for them to purchase something else which could be a problem. Before I did not have to take this risk. Now I would. Nope, don't like it."
EXACTLY.
YOU BLEW IT ON THIS ONE, EBAY.
exoticatropicals
OP2 years ago"as it was an unnecessary extra step involved in the blocking process."
UH.. WE NEED THAT!
WE NEED THE OPTION TO RECEIVE MESSAGES FROM BUYERS ON OUR BLOCKED LIST.
PLEASE FIX THIS SCREW UP 😉
stainlessenginecovers
·2 years agoObviously, this is NOT a "screw up" and therefore will NEVER be changed.
This simply means you need to CHANGE how you do business.... going forward.
exoticatropicals
OP2 years agoNOPE.
THEY BROKE IT. WORKED FINE FOR YEARS.
mam98031
·2 years agoWell that is not completely true. While it is by design not a "screw up" doesn't mean Ebay won't listen to us. There are many things over the years that Ebay has changed because of sellers speaking up. But there are also many things they haven't, so it could go either way.
Our voice are important either way. Everyone's for or against.
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoAre you on the app or on a desktop? The two don't always act or work the same.
kabilab
·2 years agoSee chimodog's response. It is logical, concise and candid.
exoticatropicals
OP2 years agounder "buyer management" I have
"don't allow blocked buyers to contact me" UNchecked. See screenshot.
I have not changed this and in the past blocked buyer's messages came through no problem.
But now they are definitely NOT coming through, and I need them to.
dirk12955
·2 years agoDeleted my post since the question I had is answered by the OP.
ckimodog
·2 years ago@exoticatropicals
Hi-
I've always thought you can just go into your BB list and erase the ones you need to correspond and work things out with. Just curious why you blocked them in the first place? I only block people who are difficult to deal with or non payers & I don't have many. I have no desire to deal with them again. Just my thoughts. Hope this is helpful.
Happy Selling
mtgraves7984
·2 years ago@exoticatropicals
Just a guess... could you leave the top toggle off, but enable the 'Apply above settings to active and future listings'?
wastingtime101
·2 years agoI echo this advice @exoticatropicals .
Go to that page, toggle the option to apply settings to active and future listings. Publish.
After giving it a little while (15 min or so) have your blocked friend send another test message.
If it doesn't go through, go back to your settings page, toggle the first option to block messages and toggle the second option to apply changes to all listings. Save.
Then go back to the page and turn off the first toggle, while turning on the second toggle and save again.
Basically: force a reset. Turn it off and on again.
exoticatropicals
OP2 years agoJust tried this.
toggled it back and forth a few times, saved a few times, etc etc.
Tested the messaging with a friend.
His messages still don't come through.
This is 100% because I put him on the blocked buyer list.. I *did not* block him through messaging or some other new way.
So it's Broken.
If I take him off the blocked buyer list, messages come through again.
Please fix 🙂
asset_liquidators
·2 years agoGolden rule. Once on the BBL, never take them off. After all, there is a reason they were put there and no good can come from taking them off.
mam98031
·2 years agoThis conversation has nothing to do with that @asset_liquidators . It is all about changes in how the BBL reacts.
asset_liquidators
·2 years agoIt has everything to do with it. Only put those on your BBL who you no longer wish to do business with. And if you do decide to add someone to your list there must be a good reason to so no good can come from removing them.
mam98031
·2 years agoYou may want to revisit my post you are responding to. I never suggested you take someone off your BBL. Why would I do that? That is something the seller decides. ??????????
exoticatropicals
OP2 years agoYOU NOW HAVE TO DO IT (UNBLOCK THEM) IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM.
OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT GET ANGRY, LEAVE A BAD FEEDBACK, ETC.
THERE ARE A MILLION REASONS WHERE YOU MAY NEED TO RECEIVE COMMUNICATION FROM THEM- THEY HAD DONE A TRANSACTION WITH YOU AFTER ALL, AND THAT ONE LIKELY HAD ISSUES THAT NEED TO GET WORKED OUT.
house*of*paws
·2 years agoHi @exoticatropicals
The toggle option to block messages (from members who are blocked from bidding/ buying from you) has always been located at the bottom of the Buyer Requirements screen. Is it not there now?
[I’m on my phone now and am unable to check in my account.]