Ebay is violating California law. I can choose to whom I sell!!
Summary: hofl expressed frustration with a buyer on eBay who made lowball offers, feeling unable to block them and criticizing eBay for losing sellers. Others responded with suggestions and clarifications, explaining that sellers can block buyers and use features like Auto-Decline to manage offers. Some participants questioned hofl's understanding of eBay's terms and provided guidance on how to handle lowball offers without leaving the platform. The discussion included personal anecdotes and a mix of support and critique for hofl's stance.
Under California law, as a Seller I can choose whether to sell to a particular buyer, or not. Now, I cannot refuse to sell to someone who is insulting with a lowball offer. Today, when I countered an offer and the potential buyer withdrew his unacceptable offer with another lowball offer (which is just another insult as my counteroffer took his offer off the table), I can't even block this jerk. Ebay, no wonder sellers are running away from your company, I've been selling since 1998 and I am history.
stuff4divas
·1 month agoin case u don't realize, u still have 280 active listings to end in order for u to become 'history'
then, here is the link for info on closing your account> https://www.ebay.com/help/account/changing-account-settings/closing-account?id=4199
bonanza125
·1 month agoWhy not just click minimum offer and type in the amount that you are willing to accept? Anything below that offer gets decline. You aren't going to stop buyers from submitting lowball offers. California can't police the laws you are describing cause this is an online platform and seller is just submitting offers which they are not violating Ebay policy. I wouldn't worry too much about this.
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month ago@hofl why are you saying you 'can't block' when you can??
pickapaper
·1 month agoYou are not required to make offers.
You are not required to accept offers.
You are not required to communicate with buyers.
If, after 28 years as a seller, you are getting this upset about lowball offers, then perhaps it is time for you to give it up. It really shouldn't bother you that badly. Are you sure it isn't something else that is really bothering you?
kensgiftshop
·1 month agoWhy can't you block the buyer?
albertabrightalberta
·1 month ago · Edited@hofl
Please explain how ebay is violating California law.
You are absolutely correct about one thing; you CAN choose whether you want to do business with a buyer.
You can block any buyer for any reason or for no reason. Add their ID here:
https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/BuyerBlock?&hm=vo.rp73%28%3F310%60%3Eb&hc=1&guest=1
annadryl
·1 month agoLowball offers are part of selling, not some huge personal insult. Maybe mildly annoying. Just set your auto-accept and you'll never even know they were there.
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 month ago · EditedThey come with some ways and places in which some people do business. They are not universal.
Some years ago, I visited Morocco. Traveled from Casablanca, though other cities until we reached Marrakesh. In Marrakesh bargain reached the point where we rarely paid half of what the original asking price for any item was.
Pleased with the way we had assimilated the culture of commerce, we proceeded to Rabat, the capital city,
Using our fine Marrakesh-honed skills we were unable to buy anything.
A kindly gallery owner took us aside and told us, "Stupid tourist, where do you think you are - Marrakesh? This is Rabat, we do not behave that way.
Lowball offers were then and often are, taken as a personal insult. They often are intended to be a personal insult or an announcement of the buyer's insensitivity to the feelings of others.
And setting your auto-accept does not prevent you from seeing the insult, because many buyers are messaging their lowball offers on listings which do not have Make An Offer enabled.
Blocking buyers who make lowball offers has no downsize for many sellers, and feels really good. It is one of the times a seller feels in control of something.
inhawaii
·1 month ago"Ebay is violation California law."
No, they're not.
christworks
·1 month ago@hofl I think given your poor attitude and lack of understanding about eBay and other reselling platforms, your decision to leave is probably a good idea.
Do you truly not understand how to accomplish what you want? You boast you've been here since 1998. I was begging Jennifer Parisse to go to the prom with me in 1998. She wouldn't. Something about me being too firm with how I speak. I don't know. Anyway, my point is I've been doing this for far less time than you, and even I know how to block someone. When you have a pending offer, however, the block may not take effect until either a) the buyer declines your offer, b) the buyer accepts your offer, c) the offer expires, or d) you end the listing. Now, looking at these four options, which one do you have control over?
There was less drama when Jennifer turned me down than it is with you dealing with an every day rude buyer. This isn't an airport. No need to announce you are leaving. Leave, if you want. Or, get your head back in the game, end the listing, relist it, and move on.
There needs to be a new board on this forum called Witch and Moan. Methinks it would be the most popular board here.
pickapaper
·1 month ago@christworks "There needs to be a new board on this forum called Witch and Moan."
We refer to that as "BMW" (Bit, Moan, and Whine).
adamcartwright
·1 month agoIf you've mistakenly made an offer to someone you don't want to do business with, just end the listing.
ryry-jj
·1 month agoWell you can block them, but I think you still have offers in play that don't get blocked until time expires. You aren't clear on how these offers were made or declined, or at least I'm not clear. But you can block them, but they can still buy if an official offer is in play with them
ten_o_nine
·1 month agoAre you here to sell or fight?
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 month agoI blocked a potential buyer earlier today without any problem.
Perhaps your finger slipped when you attempted to block this buyer.
luckythewinner
·1 month ago · EditedYou can block them, and if they order you can cancel it and take the hit to your seller metrics. No law is being broken.
According to Google, the number of listings on eBay has grown steadily since 2017, from 1.1 billion to 2.3 billion. So while sellers may be "running away" as you claim, there are apparently plenty of new ones taking their place.
Your 280 active listings don't support that claim.
gurlcat
·1 month agoWhat do you mean you can't block them? Just add their name to your Blocked Buyer List.
slippinjimmy
·1 month agoEver heard of Auto-Decline for offers?
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/selling-buy-now/adding-best-offer-listing?id=4144#section5
muddylas
·1 month agoGood by. Best to you and your future endeavors.
lakefor94
·1 month ago"I've been selling since 1998 and I am history."
That is what they all say.
So you gonna just flush all 281 listings over a buyer you don't like?