Would you block a repeat buyer for this?

[thefossildepot]

Have this repeat buyer who’s been buying from me for a couple years. Usually around 2 or sometimes 3 items a week most months. Higher priced items around $50-200. Yesterday he decided to open a return on pretty much half of the items he purchased within the last two months with the message “don’t want it” on every return. 9 returns all at once. Which is going to be a fairly large blow to my business. Some of these items were purchased nearly 60 days ago, some around a month ago, some just last week. Hard to believe he would wait 1 or 2 months to return items he didn’t like if that was really the case. Kinda seems like he probably found something else he wants to buy and figured out he could take advantage of free returns to get the funds. I have free returns enabled for better search placement. And I know getting rid of free returns would encourage false INAD. So nothing that can really be done there. I’ve made a lot selling to this guy. But not sure if the risk this buyer now poses is worth keeping this buyer. Would you block this guy? 

[fbusoni]

I’ve made a lot selling to this guy. But not sure if the risk this buyer now poses is worth keeping this buyer. Would you block this guy? 

In a heartbeat.

"Don't want it."  What sort of way is that to talk to someone with whom you've done business over a prolonged period of time?

Maybe he's gone off his rocker?  If so, there's more to come.

If you are top rated plus, you'll be fine in the long run. 

PS:  remember, he can -- depending on his credit card -- do chargebacks as far back as 180 days.

[slyders_finds]

Blocked! 🚫

[inhawaii]

I would communicate with the buyer and ask for an explanation before making a decision on blocking or not.

"Dear buyer, You've been a good customer and I appreciate your business  but I noticed you recently returned a bunch of items.  Just curious what happened?  I lose a lot of money on returns.  Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again?"

[hartungcards]

Are you really asking if you should block this guy?  A better question would be, "How fast can I block this guy?"

[golfingaddict]

Block, but watch out for "new ID's" that he might use to buy more items.

[doc-holmes]

I'd block. If not, this is the new business relationship you should expect from them. 

[jjddmwi]

I'm sorry OP.   That is an awful situation to be in.  

To answer your question, yes, I would block.   You are not a big box store and that is a lot of returns.

[tools*]

He may be a compulsive shopper who finally found a therapist. Blocking is advisable.

[vintagecraze50]

That would be a BIG BLOCK on my dealings with this person regardless of their past buying behavior.

[bennotbill]

Sounds like some compulsive buyer who's been found out by their better half, and put on the naughty step.

[vintagecraze50]

If I block in a situation like this with a repeat buyer, I message them telling them that they have excessive returns  and that we are blocking for a certain time period and then ask them to ask us more questions BEFORE they buy again. Then we can unblock.

[slippinjimmy]

Settle the current issue about returns, blocking them won't do anything to change the current claims.

You do appear to offer 60 day free returns, that means for ANY reason, if the request is for items purchased within the past 60 days you really have no choice but to accept and pay for the returns.

Once the return issue is cleared up you can think about blocking, obviously if there are any issues with the returns (not the right items, not in original condition) blocking makes total sense.

[vintagecraze50]

Right. I would be messaging this buyer and asking them what’s up with this.

[vintagecraze50]

Last year I had a AFTER Valentines Day huge return extravaganza. I will never forget it about 3 grand vanished from my sales. These were from all different buyers however. Never has happened again like that knock on wood since last year. Those returns when they come in bulk are killer.