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.
