Negative feedback: Problem when blocking the buyer, everything was blocked and I didn't know.

[cristian3_6]

Hello, I think I made a mistake. A few days ago, I sold a box of jewelry, and the buyer told me it was all junk, with only one item worth $15 and the rest broken. I responded asking how we could resolve this, and then I blocked him. I waited for a response, but I didn't receive one. What happened was that when I blocked him, I also blocked him from sending messages. I didn't know that blocking someone blocks everything, even messages. It wasn't like that in the old system. Now he's left me negative feedback, saying he sent a message to return the items, and I never responded. I called eBay customer service, and they said they didn't see the message because I blocked him, and that they'll send the report now. What can I do in this situation?

[adamcartwright]

Man, I'm tired of this issue. 
But I'm not holding my breath for eBay to fix it.

[cristian3_6]

That's really bad and eBay should fix it. Why is communication being cut off like that? I didn't know that. Now I know something new. Thanks.

[buyselljack2016]

It has been suggested that eBay went that route because of seller complaints about being contacted by blocked buyers even though the box was there to be checked for those not wishing communication.

Another case of eBay taking the easiest route to solve the problem presented by some sellers while at the same time creating bigger issues for many other sellers.

[cristian3_6]

I just found out today that if you block someone, they're blocked completely. That's why I'll be more careful now.

[cristian3_6]

Then it wasn't my fault if I had that option unchecked. eBay needs to remove that feedback because I didn't know that blocking a buyer also blocked the message.

[mr_lincoln]

Hi @cristian3_6 

I haven't read many replies but I read your OP.  Yes, years ago Sellers and Buyers could still message each other through eBay on a transaction for 60 days from the date of purchase (if memory serves on that time frame) even if the Buyer was added to the BBL.  

You can add them to your Exemption list (same page as the Blocked list) and get back in touch with them to apologize and resume a conversation that might let you two resolve the issue. Perhaps they would agree to a Feedback revision form to change the FB.

[cristian3_6]

I'll complain to eBay, telling them it was a technical problem; that option was unchecked, but they ignored it anyway. eBay didn't remove that option, so I don't think it's my fault.

[christworks]

@cristian3_6   eBay's goofy block feature notwithstanding, your trouble would be significantly reduced if you started allowing returns. You've indicated this is a problem, and so much so that you block buyers when they contact you about issues they have. If you accepted returns, buyers would know they could simply open a return. If a buyer is going to scam you, which seems to be your concern, they are going to scam you whether you accept returns or not. As it stands now your practices are still costing you money (which I assume the no return policy is designed to prevent), you are spending a considerable amount of time dealing with buyers and eBay, and you have a shiny red bullseye to boot. 

[albertabrightalberta]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

You can add them to your Exemption list (same page as the Blocked list) and get back in touch with them to apologize and resume a conversation that might let you two resolve the issue. Perhaps they would agree to a Feedback revision form to change the FB.

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Wouldn't adding them to your exemption list allow them to buy again, thus risking potential damage from an already unhappy buyer? 

And wouldn't adding them to your exemption listing be the same as removing them from your BBL? 

I'm not sure how it would work as far as exempting a blocked buyer. I've used the buyer exemption list to allow buyers in a country that I normally block to make a purchase. Not sure how it works with a domestic blocked buyer.

[cristian3_6]

No wonder I have other negative reviews for the same reason: I was blocking them without realizing that messages were also being blocked. It's a shame I didn't know that sooner.

It's also a shame that eBay didn't inform everyone via message that this would happen. I'm not a mind reader to know for sure.

[cristian3_6]

It's obvious the buyer wanted to scam me because he also sells and has experience in this. What's more, the buyers I've had the most problems with are the ones who sell the same thing as me. There's always a problem, and I always end up losing because I have to issue a partial refund.

[slippinjimmy]

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@bashort wrote:

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@cristian3_6 wrote:

It shouldn't work like this; if I block it, it's so they can't buy from me anymore. But I don't know why the email gets blocked too. There should be an option to block the email within the email app.

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how about this?

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It no longer works, hasn't for a year or so, been brought to the attention of eBay multiple times, they just stonewall. @wastingtime101 has been working on this issue for a long time, has been getting nowhere.

It's similar type of thing to the Request Total function which is NON-functional most of the time, no matter how many times it's reported it's never fixed, all you get are vague denials.

[mr_lincoln]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

You can add them to your Exemption list (same page as the Blocked list) and get back in touch with them to apologize and resume a conversation that might let you two resolve the issue. Perhaps they would agree to a Feedback revision form to change the FB.

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Wouldn't adding them to your exemption list allow them to buy again, thus risking potential damage from an already unhappy buyer? 

And wouldn't adding them to your exemption listing be the same as removing them from your BBL? 

I'm not sure how it would work as far as exempting a blocked buyer. I've used the buyer exemption list to allow buyers in a country that I normally block to make a purchase. Not sure how it works with a domestic blocked buyer.

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@albertabrightalberta 

Just thinking out loud ... 

Probably not one of my better suggestions although the first part I think I got right about how messaging was permitted in the past on an active transaction but the Buyer was otherwise blocked for Buying and Bidding.

Giving the Exemption list further thought and to your point about international Buyers I believe that list is intended to give a Buyer a pass on all of the other settings on the Buyer Management page that would otherwise block them from Buying AND that they are NOT on the Blocked list. 

[luckythewinner]

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@cristian3_6 wrote:

What happened was that when I blocked him, I also blocked him from sending messages. I didn't know that blocking someone blocks everything, even messages. 

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When I go the Blocked Buyer page, it says right on that page that messages will be blocked: 

Block buyers from your listings

If you don't wish to sell to certain eBay members, you can put them on your blocked list. Members on that list will be unable to bid, buy, make an offer, or send you messages

[gurlcat]

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@luckythewinner wrote:

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When I go the Blocked Buyer page, it says right on that page that messages will be blocked: 

Block buyers from your listings

If you don't wish to sell to certain eBay members, you can put them on your blocked list. Members on that list will be unable to bid, buy, make an offer, or send you messages

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It says that NOW but it didn't use to.   And this was another case of ebay making a change to a feature function without notifying sellers.  So all this time the OP has been going on the way the feature worked in the past.