Can I block a buyer on Amazon?

porto_bello

Hello Amazon Sellers,

I've encountered a buyer on Amazon who I would rather not encounter a second time - can I block them?

I sold a book on Amazon many weeks ago to a buyer in the Irish Republic and over the weekend, listed a second indentical one - my only other copy.

Yesterday, I was contacted by the buyer of the first copy, who says that it never arrived. I simply sent an apology notifying them that I would send a no quibble refund, then refunded and intend putting a claim in through Royal Mail.

Tonight, I received a second email, in which the buyer states that they noted the second book and (as well as a refund) had expected me to send it as a replacement: "I hoped as an apology you will not ask me to pay for the 2nd one, and will send it to my address, so I can give you a score of 5 out of 5".

If I was in their shoes, and genuinely hadn't received a book on Amazon and then saw a seller listing a second copy, I think my first thought would be to question whether it was my copy back on sale! However, they haven't questioned that this is genuinely a second copy, which makes me think they genuinely have the first!

Frankly, I suspect they're planning on getting not one, but both books for free! I'm not going to play along, so I'm under no illusion that I'm going to get a 1 out of 5 - which as a one-off I can live with, but I want to avoid them buying the other copy or other items and repeatedly leaving scores of 1 out of 5.

Can I prevent them from ever buying from me again?

soolin

Alas no. On Amazon we can't block, we can't filter and we can't stop these buyers even if we wanted to.

It makes ebay look like a walk in the park sometimes.

porto_bello

soolin wrote: »

Alas no. On Amazon we can't block, we can't filter and we can't stop these buyers even if we wanted to.

It makes ebay look like a walk in the park sometimes.

Fair enough, I can't block them.

Is there a plan B? Does anyone have any ideas as to how I should deal with this buyer and prevent them buying and repeatedly leaving negatives?

soolin

porto_bello wrote: »

Fair enough, I can't block them.

Is there a plan B? Does anyone have any ideas as to how I should deal with this buyer and prevent them buying and repeatedly leaving negatives?

There is nothing at all you can do to stop these buyers unless you can plead a special case with customer services that they are a malicious bidder. There was some anecdotal talk that a seller once successfully achieved this and the buyer was banned.

porto_bello

Thanks Soolin, I think I'll talk it over with Amazon, then go back to the buyer hopefully armed with Amazon's view that in providing a full refund and full apology, I have performed as they would expect.

I suspect the buyer may just 'neg' me and move on. If they buy the other copy, I will contact Amazon for advice. Hopefully Amazon will agree to cancel/invalidate the order ... we'll see.

F&L

You can block Ireland (though blocking Zone 1) on individual SKU's if it's one particular book that's the problem. I'm not sure all sellers can do do this but if you're able to amend postage rates on your account type then you can do so.

porto_bello

F&L wrote: »

You can block Ireland (though blocking Zone 1) on individual SKU's if it's one particular book that's the problem. I'm not sure all sellers can do do this but if you're able to amend postage rates on your account type then you can do so.

Thank you, I think you've got the answer! Even though I don't think I can block Ireland as such, I have made it domestic postage only, so it's now only available to UK buyers and not the buyer in the Irish Republic.

[Although this knocks out all other countries, I've only got the one left and mine is the only copy on offer at the moment, so I'm sure it will be sold to somebody else shortly and that will be the end of the saga!]

Well, hopefully!

jamgskn

Where you can't block specific buyers on Amazon there are ways to try to get feedback removed.
If the comment attached to the Negative is simply a product review then Amazon will remove it. If it contains abusive language Amazon will also remove it.
My experience on contacting Amazon has, so far been superb. Sadly a lot of buyers don't contact you before leaving bad feedback which is so unfair as most of us would sort any problems out.
There is also the option of contacting the buyer to resolve the issues and get them to remove the offending feedback by sorting out their problem.
I however would go to Amazon first if they have not bothered to contact you before leaving feedback.
Hope this helps anybody with problems.

hobbitfancier

I'm from the Republic and its such a pain having to email ebay sellers asking them to make it so I can bid. 90% of the items I sell on ebay are going to the UK and while the increased postage is a pain, a buyer is a buyer. I'm sorry you had this negative experience, we're not all this awkward I must emphasize! I once received a faulty item, messaged the seller who replied rudely that she knew this would turn out to be more bother than its worth, having to post to the republic in the first place, and now having to refund (for the fault!!) and that she was never, ever going to post to the republic again. Argh. Well be an honest seller then!!