Buyer Sending Me Messages Multiple Times a Day to Just Chat

[discodecadencetoys]

I have a buyer who purchased a DVD from me on Christmas day. They have only been an eBay member since April and have only 4 feedbacks, all positive. They sent me a message Christmas night asking why they didn't have their tracking number yet. I wasn't at home at the time so I politely explained my 1 day handling and said that eBay would send it to them tomorrow when I purchase the shipping and will then take it to the post office. They then sent another message the morning of 12/26 asking for their tracking numbers again. I explained again that I was just about to purchase their shipping and it should be sent right after. They then asked if I had a specific DVD. I explained I unfortunately didn't but am always getting new stock so there's a chance it may show up at some point. He then sent a list of his DVD collection and said once he received the one he ordered from me and another one he ordered, what the new total of his collection would be. It was written a little oddly as if it might have been a kid but not sure. I didn't respond to this one as I didn't see a need since no question was asked. An hour later another message asking if I'm ok. Another one an hour after that one telling me they have to tell me something. Another one an hour later saying they're worried about me and want to make sure I'm ok and that they're sad. Then on the 27th, another message asking when their package would be in transit. I answered this one and explained about the current post office delays. Then the same types of messages are sent all throughout the day. Are you ok? I'm worried about you. I get 10-15 a day from this person, hardly any about their shipment, just bizarre messages. One was cussing at me because I didn't respond in 15 minutes from the last one. I don't mind being friendly but this just seems excessive. I've gotten 4 from them already today. Is ignoring the best thing to do at this point? I know eBay gives you the ability to block a buyer but not sure how that would work since they have a purchase they've already made and it hasn't arrived yet. Any suggestions?

[coffeebean832 · Accepted solution]

I would block even though it will take a few months to go into effect regarding communications as there's a recent transaction. At least they won't be able to purchase anything else and start this all over again.

If they're cursing you out for not replying to all the nonsense- it wouldn't hurt to report them- and it might even help if you have to fight neg FB later because they're angry you won't be their BFF.

I'd ignore their messages. If they escalate further come back and let us know.

[18704d]

I agree.

10-15 messages a day, including messages containing profanity

is definitely a violation of eBay's member-to-member contact policy.

I would eagerly and quickly block them from all further purchases from you

and report them to eBay.

Now, I'm not exactly sure how one would do that exactly? I'm having trouble finding a 'report' in eBay's policy.

But in your case, the vast number of messages you're receiving, especially with the unsettling tone and profanity...

I wonder if you should flag a 'blue' here?   Or if someone else here can advise you how to contact someone through eBay's social  media accounts?

thanks

Lynn

[discodecadencetoys]

Thanks for the info. I went ahead and chatted with eBay support to report them for abusive language. She showed me how to add them to my blocked buyer list so they can't purchase anything else but I can't fully block them yet since I have an active transaction with them. She has reported them to their policy group and will take action. Thanks again for your help!

[sin-n-dex]

@discodecadencetoys 

I get similar buyers (but not quite as bad, they don't generally get personal, it is just a lot of chatter about the transaction and items I sell).

I block them when they annoy me. The last time this happened I ignored him all day. When I finally responded, I told him I work during the day and don't reply to messages. I check messages once a day when I get home. He replied more times that night and I ignored him until the following day. That seems to work. I also address all relevant issues in one message, and I don't reply to each one. (Anyway this one was blocked after I shipped his item).

You have someone who is mentally unstable and thinks that your talking to him is because "you're friends". I have a family member that thinks bank tellers, waiters and hair salon people are her friends. She goes to do things just so she can chat with them because she's lonely. She doesn't understand that they are friendly because it's their job, not because they want to talk with her.

My family member is a very extreme case, but all the while I'm in line waiting for service and someone is chatting up at the counter wasting time on things that are not related to the actual transaction. Unfortunately some clerks are just as bad and keep them going on and on about whatever. (I waited 10 minutes to mail a letter today because the clerk had to chat with everyone, for a long time, all two people that were in front of me... I should have been in and out in a few minutes).

Anyway ship their DVD, give them their tracking, block them, and limit your replies to them to once a day. Inform them you have a life outside the computer. It's a bit blunt but it seems to work for me, without upsetting the customer too much. (I recall informing one buyer who messaged me many times at night that I was asleep when he wrote me and I answer messages only when I get up and start working on things).

C.

[powell-collectibles]

Let him down easy (but still block, of course).  If I had such a situation, I'd explain that I'm so often busy taking care of a child/elderly parent/in situations where I can't access eBay messages, etc..