blocking buyers

[sandbagger_one]

I've just sent a message to a seller over something they didn't mention in the listing...basically expressing my opinion. I've also discovered that sellers can block buyers for any reason at all...even expressing their opinions. Personally, I think this is wrong; wrong, wrong, wrong. There is such a thing as free speech and that should apply on eBay...unless of course you go out of your way to insult a seller or (as I have had done to me) a buyer.

I've always thought that eBay is an online retail dictatorship and here's the proof...sellers having complete discretion to block who they like for, on some occasions, the silliest of reasons. The only reason a seller should have cause to block a buyer is like backing out of a potential transaction when they've seen an item go for a better price elsewhere. I know this because, in my early days as a buyer, I found a German away shirt from USA 94 at a better price for sale by another seller  - let's just say he wasn't very happy.

Don't some sellers realise that, once they block a buyer, then that person could very easily leave what I call honest f/b (which may not be positive) to that effect? That could result in the seller's reputation being damaged and all because the seller didn't like what was said, which may well be constructive criticism. So, my advice to sellers is; only block a buyer if they've been really abusive or threatening. If they're just expressing their opinion, then don't. By the same token, any aggrieved buyers should think carefully about what they say...especially if they've been on eBay for a very long time.

[jonatjonatjonat]

I fail to see how giving sellers autonomy to choose to block other ebay users or not makes ebay a dictatorship. if anything a dicatator would force no blocking of users at all.

Did the user who you messaged about something not mentioned block you?

[papso22]

Blocking potential buyers is one if the very few seller protection  tools available to sellers.

You can't leave feedback if you haven't bought anything.

[ruby*ryan]

As a seller the BBL is pretty much the only tool with have to protect our accounts.

There are many legitimate reasons to block a buyer: too many claims of non-receipt or damage, questions asked in a way that rings bells, rudeness, wanting something for nothing I have even blocked some because of comments they make on the boards, or whose feedback left for others rings alarm bells - if they are going to be trouble, then I don't want to deal with them.

[alas-70]

To be honest I blocked you many moths ago based on your previous forum posts, I expect a lot of other people did to.

[jonatjonatjonat]

A great case study of cause and effect.

[kidmore_kats]

Anybody who leaves negative feedback for a seller because they wouldn't accept a cheque as payment deserves whatever they get.

[missdollydaydream]

Just had a look at the feedback you leave for others.....................expect a few more sellers blocking you.

[alas-70]

I can't see his feedback left any more. I do remember it was full of profanities and then his posts all claimed he would never speak to anyone poorly.

[kidmore_kats]

Click on page 2 of the feedback left for others and you should be able to see it.

[aj_swift]

Not as bad as I remember. 

[moonlight-rhapsody]

I've seen the feedback for others now that I've clicked page 2, but why is there nothing on page 1? 

Is this another case of ebay hiding feedback that it thinks might affect transactions?  I've already discovered that ebay pushes historic positive feedback to the top and hides current negative feedback either lower down or a few clicks away.

[jonatjonatjonat]

Good grief.

[missdollydaydream]

When you look at feedback left, click on 200 you should then see it all. I can see why a seller would block him rather risk feedback like that being left for them.

[alas-70]

Yes I see them now. We sell a couple of replacement keyboard keys on eBay, I was a little worried he would need the asterisk one in future. 

[sandbagger_one]

If a seller blocks a buyer then there has to be a very, very good reason. It's a bit like going into a shop and the owner turns you away for no good reason. As for eBay being a dictatorship, well, I stand by what I said because I think it was fourteen years ago that they landed in  Down Under for not allowing buyers to pay by means other than Paypal...all because they owned it at the time. Plus, they won't allow sellers to leave negative f/b which is just plain wrong.

Plus, when it comes to bidding, eBay allow the very sharp practice of bid-sniping. How many auction houses do you know that allow that kind of thing? Not many. Well, if sellers can do what like then so can buyers. Through word-of-mouth, (if you know the buyer that is) then you can damage a seller's reputation by telling others about him or her. I said in my original message that eBay were a dictatorship, well, here's a prime example. My support worker (and very good friend) was been banned on eBay for selling too many of the same thing. If you don't think that's dictatorial, then you are seriously deluded.

This is my advice to buyers who have been blocked for no good reason; there's always a side entrance...

[plpmr]

"So, my advice to sellers is; only block a buyer if they've been really abusive or threatening."

Really?

[sandbagger_one]

What f/b? I haven't left any feedback because I know what I'd like to say in some cases, so that's your argument blown right out of the water.

[jonatjonatjonat]

It's a bit like going into a shop and the owner turns you away for no good reason

No - it would be a bit like going into a shop and continually pointing out perceived errors in what they sell, asking to pay in methods they didn't accept, continually swearing and generally taking up the time of the staff in the shop away from paying customers. Eventually, sooner or later - you'll be asked to leave.

[ruby*ryan]

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@sandbagger_one wrote:

What f/b? I haven't left any feedback because I know what I'd like to say in some cases, so that's your argument blown right out of the water.

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You haven't left feedback for others in the last 12 months - but you left plenty more than a year ago.