Messaging conduct

[tsukuyomi_studios]

Hello fellow sellers,

I have been selling on ebay since ‘98 back when you used your email for the user Id. Lost my first account to inactivity and opened this current one.

I have received and responded to thousands of messages and I was simply curious where you all stand on one issue in particular.

As sellers, we are expected to behave and conduct ourselves in a certain fashion that make us and eBay look good. This includes comprehensive listings and the use of professional communication skills in our messages. 
That being said, shouldn’t we expect the same in return from other members and potential buyers? People that threaten and use foul language in the messages most always end up being problem buyers when they win so is it too much to react by blocking them to avoid the inevitable back and forth? Finally, how do you handle threats from other members?

I’ve always been taught to treat people the way you what to be treated so I’ve never lost my cool within any other these messages and always remained respectful but I have to be honest, the changing of the times are resulting in some of the most problematic buyers I’ve ever seen and I’m kind of tired of being treated like garbage.

Without insulting anyone, where do you sellers stand on this particular matter?

For me, blocking someone looses a potential buyer but if I have a reason to block them, then are they the buyer I want?

Thank you all for your time in reading my ramble

[1786davycrockett]

I have no hesitation in using the blocked buyers list for potential buyers whom I feel have crossed the line.

As a matter of fact, I wish that I had had that identical capability when I worked at "brick & mortar" stores when I was younger.  

Of course, back then, "the customer is always right" was the standing rule.

Even when the customer wasn't right.

But times have changed, and I don't have to play by those silly rules any longer.

My store -- my rules.  Buyers who don't like it:  don't let the door hit your nethermost parts.

Use the BBL.

[joseh1445]

I will start by moving away from auctions, and best offers in your items (If you have best offers).  I stop doing auctions many years ago.  As far as best offers, I also remove this about 1 year and change.  By doing this 2 things, I stop getting jerk buyers.  But not all of the jerks.  Every now and again, I get people offering 50% on some thing that I am selling, even though I don't have a "Best Offer".  What I tell them, is that I am not taking any offers.  Or I just don't respond.  If the same person continues to send me a "Best Offer", I simply tell them that I am not taking any offers, and that he/she stop contacting me with an offer.  I add this amazing person for free into my BBL list.  

[inhawaii]

20+ years on ebay also.

My policy is to IGNORE the person. It works 100% of the time.

No need to report. No need to block.

I wouldn't even know how to block someone from messaging me. 

[albertabrightalberta]

I've been told I'm too quick to add to my BBL. But if a potential buyer raises my spidey sense, I know there are plenty of other buyers and the loss of a possible sale is a risk I'd take over having to deal with a difficult buyer. 

I absolutely love offering a best offer option. I can't even count the number of bullets I've dodged by being able to check a buyer's feedback left for others and blocking that person before they can do damage to me. 

I answer every question, politely, respectfully and promptly but before answering, I check the buyer's feedback (left for others) and if it appears to be a buyer who loves leaving red donuts, I block before answering the question. 

[chapeau-noir]

Times have not changed - in the 70s I was a young woman working in a customer-facing position and got krapped on regularly, and being female, I was supposed to just put up with it and *smile*.

You now have the opportunity to ask yourself if you want to do business with abusive idiots.  No?  Then block them without further thought.