potential buyers unable to use buy it now in listing

[thorlaserpunch]

I have had this happen twice in the last week. A buyer goes to hit buy it now but it will not process. The first guy that contacted me said he got this message:

Transaction Blocked

We're sorry, but the seller of this item is unable to receive funds at this time.

The second instance happened today and the guy said he could not pay for the item because it is blocked. These are both international buyers, one from Canada and one from France. I have NO buyer requirements at all and do not have "Paypal preferred" shown in any listings. With the first buyer, I added him to my blocked buyers exclusion list just in case, but no dice. I was able to circumvent this with him by sending an offer directly when replying to his email. I have not heard back from the second buyer yet. I have had 7 other international sales since the first instance, including several to France, so it doesn't seem to be country specific. I have also checked the latest listing to make sure it is in good order, and it does appear to be so. http://www.ebay.com/itm/271710763139

My account is in good standing as far as I know unless I am on double secret probation or something. I did receive one MC999 warning yesterday that a buyer that is no longer registered had used someone else's account or payment info to make a purchase, but I have had sales since then and do not believe that would or should affect me anyway aside from that one transaction. The listing was removed, fees were refunded to me, yadda yadda.

So if two people have contacted me with this problem, guaranteed there are others who have had the same issue that just have moved on without bothering to say a word, which is kinda frustrating. Any ideas what is happening here? Could it be something about my listings/store/account? Could it be some kind of "rolling blackout" type deal? Just usual eBay semi-functionality? Has this happened to you?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[mkaczorsee]

It is a known issue with International GSP right now.  I have been told it will take weeks to fix.  Have lost thousands of dollars in international sales from my regular buyers. I get at least 3-4 e-mails a day for the past week now.  They will purchase w/ GSP (cheaper shipping for them) but they don't want to pay USPS Express (so we have tracking and protection) as it is too expensive.

HOWEVER....if you add "other international shipping" -- calculated shipping in addition to your GSP option -- they can purchase that way.  I have had one international buyer sale in the last 5 days -- normally have 3-4 a day.

[thorlaserpunch]

I've opted out of GSP (it is generally useless and an inflated cost to the buyer for the categories I sell in and at the prices I sell at). All my int'l shipping costs are calculated.

[mkaczorsee]

Actually, GSP is cheaper for my buyers.  For example, someone from Australia purchases from me under GSP, the shipping would be $22.  If I use calculated shipping, USPS Express flat rate is $47.  BIG savings for my buyers.

[thorlaserpunch]

But what you're selling is priced where it's worth insuring and at a price point that it is acceptable for what it is and for the buyer to receive it in a more timely manner. What I am selling is generally under $20 , under 3 ounce toys which in most countries do not have additional import fees or taxes, where I may be selling the same item at a lower cost than a competitor in the buyer's own country. It is not even worth me offering priority/sms in most cases because multiple options just seem to confuse buyers. :shrug:

[thevintagesilvershop]

Some Transformer toys appear to be banned in some countries. Perhaps this is your issue.

[thorlaserpunch]

I highly doubt that's the issue or that anyone has bothered to flag specific items of mine. Afaik, the only ones that are banned anywhere are ones not meeting toy gun requirements for having an orange plug in the barrel.

[normofthenorth]

I encountered this error hitting Buy It Now with two different eBay items, maybe a week apart. Instant error. The first one stymied me on several devices over several days, and including a discussion with the vendor, who said eBay and PayPal hadn't helped. Eventually I put the item in my Cart and successfully bought it from there. When the same error popped up a week later with a second unrelated item, I immediately put it in my Cart and bought it, no problem. Try it, it might just work!!

[thorlaserpunch]

I am still getting these errors fairly regularly. Some people have told me that with some fiddling around and waiting they were actually able to checkout, but most of the time I have to email an offer directly to the buyer and they have to use that.

[thorlaserpunch]

Oh, and it also includes some buyers in the US now, so it definitely is not an issue with GSP or anything like that.

[debora1012]

I am having the same issue and I'm not involved with international sales at all! and I don't even know how to get in touch with anyone for help on the matter, and usually I can't find my way back to these messages for followup info!!

I have been on for years, but not a lot of transactions so I am kind of inexperienced with all of this so if anyone can keep me in the loop on these issues that would be great!

I don't know what GSP stands for either??!!!!!!!

[funkyexpat-8]

I did not make $50 in purchases yesterday on eBay because I was not allowed to purchase. So I went to Amazon. I am trying to find out how to buy another item on eBay right now. I have no idea how to contact them and the process to contact the seller has been impossible as well.