Should I block buyer during a return

[adamcartwright]

I accepted a remorse return.

It's been over 2 weeks, and there is no evidence of return shipment.

Can I block this buyer now or should I need to wait until the return is closed out?

Thanks.

[fbusoni]

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@robbie31415 wrote:

What communication would be required after a return is opened?

They return or they don't.

If they don't then the return will time out. If they return, the seller has 2 days to refund. 

There is no required communication once the return is opened.

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Why on earth would any seller foreclose the ability to communicate with a buyer to whom one has sent merchandise and from whom payment has been received?  

Its a question of allowing for flexibility should communication be desired by the buyer.  

Buyer might have changed circumstances after two weeks, and / or opt for something short of a full return, which could necessitate communication with the seller.

I have encountered that situation a few times in the distant past and the discussion -- initiated by the buyer -- proved to be mutually beneficial, notwithstanding the fact that a return request was opened.

I do not view return requests as a manifestation of hostility or a source of antagonism.

I am flexible in my relationships with eBay buyers and it has served me very well over many years.

[buyselljack2016]

When they changed it, they should have made it the default and given the seller the option to uncheck the "block communication" box when there is a situation that needs/may need discussion/resolution while temporarily limiting the buyer from additional purchases.

I don't know anything about coding, but it sure seems like that would be a simple fix to allow unchecking an auto checked box. I expect that I have not read all the threads concerning it, but it probably has been suggested. "Deaf ears syndrome" prevails.

[fbusoni]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

When they changed it, they should have made it the default and given the seller the option to uncheck the "block communication" box when there is a situation that needs/may need discussion/resolution while temporarily limiting the buyer from additional purchases.

I don't know anything about coding, but it sure seems like that would be a simple fix to allow unchecking an auto checked box. I expect that I have not read all the threads concerning it, but it probably has been suggested. "Deaf ears syndrome" prevails.

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From a coding perspective its extremely simple.

"Deaf ears syndrome" would be a charitable way of describing eBay's recalcitrance / ignorance.

[buyselljack2016]

Can't be too critical. 

There are those that subscribe to the theory that they will get "shadow banned" and or have their listings hidden is they speak ill of eBay, and if I said what I really mean the post would likely vanish or just appear as a series of bleeps 🤣

[robbie31415]

Now you are moving the goal post.

Before you said 'required', now you are saying 'flexibility should'.

Also, none of that addressed my question.

Your flexibility isn't a requirement.

[robbie31415]

I've been an advocate, and have discussed this very issue in previous threads.

My stance has been that blocking a buyer from BUYING, should have no impact on COMMUNICATION.

eBay should completely separate these two. A seller should be free to block future purchases while leaving communication open.

That should be the sellers right, and gives increased customer service.

As of now though, blocking the buyer from purchasing again from you, stops communication. 

@wastingtime101 has been pinging kyle@ebay  on multiple threads about this issue, 

Maybe a change will happen, who knows.

[fbusoni]

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@robbie31415 wrote:

Now you are moving the goal post.

Before you said 'required', now you are saying 'flexibility should'.

Also, none of that addressed my question.

Your flexibility isn't a requirement.

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My flexibility is indeed a requirement because of the nature of the items that I sell and because of the demographic to which I sell.

Making money is only part of the reason I sell on eBay.  

I am pretty sure that @adamcartwright  knows precisely what I am referring to.

[fbusoni]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

Can't be too critical. 

There are those that subscribe to the theory that they will get "shadow banned" and or have their listings hidden is they speak ill of eBay, and if I said what I really mean the post would likely vanish or just appear as a series of bleeps 🤣

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You are more likely to be chastised here by one of the board moderators for hurting someone's feelings than have your listings hidden because you call out eBay for its colossal ignorance and shortsightedness.   

[robbie31415]

That's a decision you have made, not a requirement.

You are free to feel the need to do that, but it isn't actually needed or required.

Every seller has the right to operate and provide customer service as they see fit, but calling your standards a 'requirement' is incorrect.

To eBay's standards, which is the platform we are on, we base requirements on their requirements, and eBay does not require anything you've stated.

[fbusoni]

For those new to eBay who are reading this thread:

You can do the bare minimum on eBay and be a "top rated" seller -- a designation which means absolutely nothing and will do nothing to enhance the visibility of your listings.   You will have to pay out the wazoo for promoted listings for your items to be seen.   And even then there is no guarantee that you will make sales.  And you will come to these forums and complain about how awful selling on eBay is.

Conversely, you can exceed eBay's minimum requirements with top tier customer service, have your listings promoted aggressively by eBay at no expense to you, and get eBay to cut you all sorts of slack in the event of dings or defects.  You will have consistent sales week after week, and you will come here to engage in polemic with others who are expert in the arcane minutiae of policy and procedure which while technically important, in the final analysis are a very small part of selling here successfully.

[robbie31415]

Can you please show evidence of that.

You are making a ton of assumptions on how eBay's algorithm work, based purely on your feelings.

But the way you present it is factual information, so please evidence?

[meme6253]

If you block them now they won't be able to communicate with you, I would wisely wait until it's closed out to your satisfaction & then i would block them immediately.

[asset_liquidators]

That is incorrect. You have the option of letting blocked bidders contact you or not contact you.

[buyselljack2016]

Last we checked the option was there as it has always been, but has not been functional for over a year since eBay changed the policy.

[asset_liquidators]

Incorrect. You have the choice to allow contact or not.