When do you decide to block someone from bidding/Buying from you?

[weatherloach]

Hi

I am starting to sell more stuff. I wonder when to block someone?

I was thinking about doing a strike 2.

Like buyer returns something that was as advertised by me. Then 1 month later same buyer requests a partial refund as they found a microscopic ding on something.

Assuming that this buyer didn't buy anything from me in between, I would block. Now if that buyer bought 10 things in between that would be different. Also if I missed a defect on my end that would not count as a strike (But I inspect everything very well and am conservative in my grading).

I have started a file on my PC and have a strike on one buyer in it.

Just wondering what you all do

Thxs a lot

Pat

[estatesalequeen]

Please explain why you block buyers who ask questions about things that are clearly in the listing.

I get these types of questions often. They really bug me, but I usually answer the question. 

Is there something more to it? Or are you blocking because of the irritating questions?

[aldente28]

I block people who by their actions demonstrate that they are too great a risk to sell to in the future. I judge this on a case-by-case basis.

I block very few people, but I know it when I see it.

[slippinjimmy]

On my primary selling id that I've been using for 8 years I have two names on my list. Both were buyers who attempted feedback extortion (left a pile of negs which eBay removed for me).

Years ago eBay used to offer a direct link to block when you closed a non-paying buyer dispute. It was easy to use so I used it. When that went away (in exchange for the 2 strikes block) I stopped adding anyone other than the above noted extortionists.

Over all my id's over 20 years of eBay selling and over 40,000 individual buyers I have added perhaps 50 user names, removing the non-payers I would be left with a single handful.

[reallynicestamps]

 Well, there's prevention, then there is reaction.

First, I have an automatic Block against any bidder/buyer with two or more Strikes for Unpaid Items.

You can set this through Seller Preferences/Buyer Requirments.

You never see the attempt to buy. Much less stress.

Second, I don't (often) use Auctions.

Most of the complaints we see about Unpaid Items are from Auctions that the high bidder does not complete.
There is a reason some 85% of listings are Fixed Price.

Third, although I will accept Best Offers, I set the parameters to automatically refuse Offers that are too low, and automatically accept Offers that are ... acceptable.

Fourth, I accept Returns, even international returns.

Most of my sales are international, to the USA, and over the decades most of my problem customers have been in the USA.

But I believe that refusing Returns, which is NOT refusing Refunds, makes the unhappy buyer believe that the only way she can solve a problem is by opening a Not As Described or Not Received Dispute. Without  a Dispute, I can sometimes solve the problem and soothe the customer quickly. Not always, but usually.

I do Block members who ask "too many" questions, which is a personal call. I believe my Descriptions are probably too long, and I have added more scans on request. But some questions make me think someone skipped her dose.

I also Block customers who file Item Not Delivered disputes.  Not only because I do not track (which is very very expensive from Canada Post) which opens me to false claims, but even though the customer may well be right, there is a problem with delivery to that address and I can't solve that problem. Better to miss the sale,

[toysaver]

I block buyers that ask redundant questions because if they missed the answer that was already provided they may have missed something else integral like the size or perhaps the fact it was used and not new.  

[dhbookds]

I don't block many and it's on a case by case basis......no firm rules.

The one thing I am/would be cautious about is reacting instantly to almost anything.....  Gut reactions are one thing, emotional reactions are another.  Whatever you do, waiting a couple of hours to mull things over generally isn't going to hurt anything.........a smart/critical remark left in feedback may "feel" good........I told him off,  he didn't get away with it......but many times makes a seller look worse than the buyer.........

[uncseniorsportsfan]

I've been on eBay for over 20 years and have not blocked anyone.   Why bother - they can always just create a new account?

[this*old*attic]

I think after twice you wouldn't need to block them - they'd probably decide you have a different way of rating items than they do. You wouldn't meet THEIR standards.

[mementomoria]

I block buyers or bidders who try or have cheated me. I share my list with my friend and she does the same with me. 

[backroomnoir]

Buyers that file false INAD claims.

Buyers that I have to file unpaid claims against.

Buyers that ask multiple questions that I can't answer.  Like "will an XL shirt fit me ." 

Buyers that return my item used\ damaged or obviously rented.

Buyers that make lowball offers then counter with the exact same lowball offer.

Buyers that ask questions that will devalue the item.  Like "could you take pictures of pages 1 through 25 and send them to me ." 

Buyers that message me any sob story about their problems and why they need a discount.

Buyers that complain about price before purchase.

Buyers that complain about shipping price before purchase.

Buyers that make an offer on my item and I check their feedback left and it's full of red and gray donuts.

That's about it.... I'm sure I'll think of more!

[myboardid]

I block anyone who I think may give me a hard time about anything involved in a transaction.  I am definitely trigger happy.  I also wish I'd started a log book because occasionally a buyer will ask me why they are blocked and I can't answer them because I don't remember. 

[powell-memorabilia]

There are easy ones - they don't pay, they lie about a condition, etc..  The hard choices are when you get a feeling, from pre-buy or post-receipt messages, that tell you that a buyer is going to be way too much trouble.  If making a buyer happy takes two hours of my time, I'd rather find another buyer.  

[moldy5]

I agree with you. Also get questions that have the answer in the title & description as well. Irritating & a tiny bit time consuming but hey! They clicked on my listing & are showing interest in it!  I always answer without using sarcasm. Believe me, that's almost impossible for me to do. Quite often those questioners become happy buyers!

[soh.maryl]

Regarding #2, if I discover that I've received an item from you that's not as described, and I open an item not as described case, I will be on your BBL (after I am refunded)? That's okay with me because you see, I have a mental BSL.  And what "Cheerleading Squad"?