How to handle an insulting comment from a user, not buyer or bidder, just a Joe Blow?

[dpb297]

Received a surprise message about an antique military item I listed. I'm not an expert on the item but there is nothing dishonest or misleading in the ad and the item is exactly as I received it and fully functional. Nothing dishonest in the comment either but who does he think he is to butt into my affairs and claim I ruined history because the item was reblued. Burned me up all day and I know I should ignore it. I've used eBay to buy and sell more than 20 years and never blocked someone. How is that done? I never wish to hear from this guy again.

[terrycece62]

You may want to consider making user ID your first Blocked buyer.

Afterall, you don't want to risk this eBay member becoming a buyer of one or more of your items and becoming a real problem.

i

[fab_finds4u]

Not knowing anything about what you're  selling is no excuse.

The 1873 Springfield is the Calvery Carbine of the Old West. Carbine parts are not allowed.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@dpb297 wrote: ...  I know I should ignore it. I've used eBay to buy and sell more than 20 years and never blocked someone. How is that done? I never wish to hear from this guy again.

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Block bidder: https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/BuyerBlock

Firearms policy:  https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/firearms-accessories-policy?id=4277 

[turnpiketreasures1]

Just ignore him. At least eBay lets you block them, on Etsy there is no way to do that and I get several messages a year from people who apparently don't have anything better to do with their lives than to sift through Etsy shops and then write rude remarks about something. I've been in the vintage and antique business for more than 50 years and pretty much know ages and other notable things about what I sell, so I usually just write back and say thanks for adding to my 50 years worth of knowledge, then I put them into spam, and the next time they write it will automatically go to spam without me seeing it. I have had a couple of them try to buy something, and I knew it was so they could then give me a bad review, which counts a whole lot on Etsy, so I just cancel and refund immediately. I keep a list above my computer with their buyer id, that comes in handy. But apparently with eBay you can actually block them, I'd figure out how to do that and do it immediately. Some people just don't have anything better to do with their days than to criticize others. Good luck.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Oops, I left out some key information in my earlier post. In addition to putting the member's ID on your BBL, you also have to go to your site preferences and turn on the option to block communication from members who are blocked (scroll down to "Don't allow blocked buyers to contact me").  

This might not block communication from every link and it might not take effect for 30 days, because you have already received a communication from this person, but it's the best option available.

https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/buyerrequirements
 

[soh.maryl]

Should we mention to the OP that this person can always open up a new ID and buy something from him, solely for the purpose of trashing his feedback?  

[tinsoldierunderground]

I'm not sure how you came to the determination that carbine parts are not allowed on this site - there are thousands of ebay listings for various historic military carbine parts and accoutrements.  Currently over 2,800 listings for the M1 carbine alone.   The Springfield model of 1873 "trapdoor" was produced in both full length rifle and carbine configurations.  I've bought countless collector grade carbine parts in the 13 years I've been on ebay, and I've never experienced any prohibition problems with the ebay police.