Reporting a member for sending harassing messages who is not a "buyer".

[chocolatedoxie]

About a week ago I received a message from a member in China with what appeared to be (broken English) a ridiculous offer plus free shipping on a item I had listed as Buy It Now with no Best Offer option. I immediately replied that the price was firm and that I do not ship outside USA anyway. After that, they sent 8 more harassing and bordering on threatening messages demanding that I reconsider and sell to him at a substantial discount. I replied once or twice then decided that ignoring him might work. It didn't. So I discovered that in Ebay Help, there is a description of a policy regarding excessive messages (it's against policy) but no link to report a member. So I called, they reviewed the 8 messages and said they would report it to the proper department for action which could mean suspension. I continued to receive messages from this person so I ended the listing. That didn't help, still kept messaging, demanding a lower price. I replied TWICE that the item was not even on Ebay, nor for sale any longer and to please stop messaging me. He's now up to 26 messages, completely ignoring that it's not for sale and is not on Ebay. I called Ebay again and they read all of his messages and apologized that such a good seller would be treated this way and that they would again report it to the other department. Still nothing.

What I see here is that the buyer, a member since 2010 with a lifetime feedback of 3, is more important than a Top Rated Plus Seller with a feedback score of over 3200 (100% pos and have NEVER received a neg) and ALL 5s on DSRs. It's true I can "simply" delete his messages without even reading them, but I shouldn't have to. I receive notifications in the middle of the night because of the time difference in China. I feel they are trying to pacify me by "saying" they will take care of it, but actually they will do nothing. Anyone else?

[montanatiki]

If it was me I would add them to my block bidder list now.

[takikawa4]

@chocolatedoxie

Sorry, but what you shouldn't have to do is irrelevant since ebay will do nothing about it. Put the person on your BBL and delete further messages. Don't respond.

[ittybitnot]

 but actually they will do nothing. 

That about sums it up.  ebay doesn't care, and does not want to hear about it.  That is likely why they removed the "report this message" button from your ebay messages.  They also removed  any report links in other areas unless you are a buyer or seller and the transaction has concuded. 

However, ebay's latest fetish is "taking sales off ebay" to avoid fees.  You as a seller may get the warning nastygram simply because you recieve or respond with a "no thanks" message.  If you are bored, you can call cutomer service and tell them you have a member that is continuously trying to get you to sell off ebay.   If you have never had the joy of talking to ebay CS in a different country, it might be interesting for you to see the run around/lies/misinformation you are given.   Sort of practice for the real thing. 

In the meantime ebay does not care.  They have plenty of 'rules for buyers' that are never enforced. 

[southern*sweet*tea]

Add to block list  http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?bidderblocklogin

Make sure that you block communications from those on the block list. (this will not work if someone has already been a transaction with you)   Since your "buyer' has never purchased from you, they will not be able to contact you or purchase any of your listings. (at least on that ID)     http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BuyerBlockPreferences

[chocolatedoxie]

Thanks! I did that at the same time I ended the listing. Wish that by blocking a bidder would also block communication but it doesn't.

[chocolatedoxie]

Thanks, I did already check "do not allow blocked buyers to contact me" but he still can. I think it's because he had already established communication before he was blocked and just keeps using the original message to send over and over.

[loveyourimagination49]

So is it the exact message ever time?
That sounds like a glitch. If they are different, then never mind.

[mr_lincoln · Accepted solution]

@chocolatedoxie  When and if you call again ask for Trust & Safety Depart., no other and not only complain about the Buyer but also the two previous CSRs that did not follow through and make the Buyer was blocked ...

[missjen831]

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@chocolatedoxie wrote:

Thanks, I did already check "do not allow blocked buyers to contact me" but he still can. I think it's because he had already established communication before he was blocked and just keeps using the original message to send over and over.

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He can still contact you by replying to messages and he can also use the contact link on your feedback profile--that link still allows blocked members to contact you. Its intentional, not a glitch.

[missjen831]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@chocolatedoxie  When and if you call again ask for Trust & Safety Depart., no other and not only complain about the Buyer but also the two previous CSRs that did not follow through and make the Buyer was blocked ...

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How is customer service to supposed to follow through? There are intentional loopholes that allow a blocked bidder to contact the seller. Customer service can't do anything about that.

[loveyourimagination49]

I know that, my glitch comment was if it was the SAME exact message.

[chocolatedoxie]

I agree

[forestthrutrees]

block him

[chocolatedoxie]

They can follow through. It states clearly in Ebay policy (and confirmed by customer service) that excessive use of messaging is against policy and can lead to suspension. That is what they tell me will likely happen because his messages are so abusive. He's demanding I lower the price for him and it's not even listed on eBay any more! Sends 4-6 per day