Selling on eBay connects you with millions of buyers worldwide. But occasionally, you may encounter buyers who harass you over pricing, refuse to pay, or otherwise cause headaches. Blocking these bothersome buyers on eBay can help avoid many issues.
This guide will walk you through:
- Deciding when blocking buyers is appropriate
- Step-by-step instructions for blocking buyers
- Proactively screening buyers with requirements
- Preventing contact from blocked buyers
- Reporting issues to eBay for additional help
After reading, you‘ll feel empowered to quickly block troublesome buyers and manage your eBay selling experience. Let‘s dive in!
When Should You Block an eBay Buyer?
Blocking buyers on eBay cuts off their ability to bid, buy, or contact you. Naturally you don‘t want to limit potential sales without reason.
Here are common situations where blocking a buyer makes sense:
| Reason to Block a Buyer | Potential Impact |
|---|---|
| Repeated harassment through messages | Mental stress, policy violations |
| Shill bidding to artificially increase price | Financial loss, policy violations |
| Circumventing fees by requesting off-site sale | Financial loss |
| Excessive haggling over item price | Wasted time and effort |
As this table shows, blocking curtails issues ranging from mental fatigue to financial risks from dishonest buyers. While no one wants to block buyers, identifying troublesome situations where it makes sense is key.
Step-By-Step: Blocking a Buyer on eBay
When you encounter a problematic buyer, you can block them in just four easy steps:
Step 1) Access Your Seller Hub
Hover over your username in the top bar and click Selling to access your [eBay Seller Hub](https:// BulkSell.ebay.com "eBay Seller Hub"):
Step 2) Locate the "Blocked Buyers" Shortcut
In your Seller Hub left sidebar, click the Blocked Buyers shortcut:
Step 3) Click "Manage Blocked Buyer List"
On this page click Manage Blocked Buyer list to access blocking tools:
Step 4) Enter Buyer Usernames & Submit
Type usernames of buyers to block separated by commas. Click Submit to block:
And you‘re done! That buyer can no longer contact you or buy your items.
For a visual guide, watch this quick video demonstrating the blocking process:
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some potential issues and solutions:
- Wrong username – Double check spelling, use their buyer ID number if needed
- Reverses the block – Blocked buyers stay blocked unless you manually remove them
Blocking individual buyers is useful when reactive issues arise. But preventing troublesome buyers in the first place is ideal…
Proactively Screen Buyers with Requirements
Beyond blocking individuals, you can set buyer requirements to filter potential problem buyers automatically.
Access Buyer Management in your Seller Hub to enable these useful restrictions:
Here are some recommended buyer requirements to enable:
| Requirement | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Feedback Score | Block buyers below a threshold | Avoid new users who may not understand eBay policies |
| Location | Block buyers from countries you don‘t ship to | Prevent international shipping issues |
| Cancellations | Block buyers who previously cancelled multiple sales | Avoid buyer remorse issues |
For example, if you enable blocking buyers with less than 5 feedback, eBay automatically prevents those new users from buying your items.
Savvy sellers enable requirements like these preemptively to mitigate problems down the line.
Stop Contact from Blocked Buyers
Even after blocking a buyer, they can still message you by default within eBay.
To disable messaging from blocked buyers:
- Check the box for Buyers added to Blocked Bidder/Buyer List can‘t contact me
- Click Save to apply
With messaging disabled, blocked buyers lose all contact abilities. This prevents harassment via messages after a block.
For a deeper dive, learn how to stop contact from blocked buyers on eBay.
When To Escalate Issues Further
In serious cases of harassment, threats, or confirmed scams, take additional steps:
- Report buyers formally using eBay‘s report functions
- Contact eBay for direct mediation in urgent cases
- File legal complaints for threats coming from off of eBay
This escalation ladder covers you when block functions aren‘t sufficient.
Handy eBay Contact Resources
Bookmark these eBay resources in case you need to report issues:
- eBay Buyer Protection handles scams and harassment complaints
- Ask eBay Customer Support manages account-level issues
- Community Help Forums provide peer seller advice
With this reference list, you can easily contact the appropriate eBay team based on the severity of your issue.
Let eBay Work For You
As an eBay seller, occasional problem buyers are inevitable. But tools like buyer blocking and requirements put control back in your hands.
Implement the recommendations in this guide at the first sign of trouble from a buyer. Doing so will help nurture the positive community that makes eBay a great sales platform.
Were these tips on blocking bothersome buyers helpful? Let me know in the comments!
