Blocking a potential buyer before they ever buy anything

[brandonsvsu]

I've been selling on here for over 20 years, and I've developed a 6th sense for being able to detect a trouble buyer just based on messages they send to me asking questions about what I'm selling.  I won't point to anything specific, but often I just know.   You can just tell buy what they're asking and how they're asking it that they're going to be trouble.  And more often than not, I end up being right.

I've gotten to the point of being tempted to just plain block these people before they ever make a purchase.  Is this an appropriate action, or does it have any potential downfalls (other than possibly losing a legitimate sale) ?

[clemowbooks]

The worst that can happen is that you don't make a sale.

And asking "too many" questions isn't a gut feeling, it's a clue based on long experience.

One of the few that most experienced sellers will agree with.

I also Block members whose ID is vulgar in any of the languages I know.

Oh-- when you Block also block communication.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@bgt_masters_of_tiki_d wrote:

I do this as well. However it doesn't always work. I've blocked a troublesome buyer on two occasions and they just keep purchasing on other ids. The buyer abused returns 2-3 times to earn the block in the first place, one of those times sending back something altogether if I recall correctly.  

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You should have reported them! That's a violation of policy and enough of those violations on their account(s) and they get suspended. 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/rules-policies-buyers/buying-practices-policy?id=4374

Pertinent part: 

Acceptable buying practices include adherence to the following policies.

• Unwelcome and malicious buying: We consider bidding on or buying an item when you have no intention of completing the transaction, or circumventing a seller's buyer requirements, to be unwelcome and malicious buying.
• Using multiple accounts: Registering new accounts or using other existing accounts to avoid buying restrictions or limits or other policy consequences is not allowed. See our Multiple accounts policy for more information.

[soh.maryl]

Thank you.  I was wondering how to identify a "hardo".

[bgt_masters_of_tiki_d]

I called and talked with a rep about it. Nothing came of it.