What makes you block buyers / potential buyers?

RFW

rollingmoon said:

Three things:

- TXT SPK

- insulting lowball offers

- asking questions that would be answered by reading the listing

They're annoying but not something I'd consider blocking for. On 20+ years on Ebay I never expect buyers to read the description. Now it's often harder to find, especially on mobile. I'm happy to take money from stupid people and I'd actually rather they ask before they buy.

PocketWatchMan

JWM said:

MattMattMattUK said:

Asking questions where the answer is obviously in the description. 
People who want tech support/advice. 
Asking for an unreasonable discount (e.g. I will engage with 10-20% off, not 50% off).
Sob stories (I need this item cheaply as my child is dying and they really want it).

I sell less than £10 Lego and have also had the 'My child is in hospital but really wants this item but I can only afford half of what you're asking' scam on numerous occasions. Immediately blocked.
You'd really lie about your child being ill to get a couple of quid off on eBay? Shocking.

Agree with all of the above.

Occasionally as a seller I will give a tiny bit more latitude with the questions if there's a possibility that there was a photograph not displaying properly, something that I have noticed happens semi-regularly when I'm browsing as a buyer, certainly on desktop.  But generally speaking, asking silly questions that I have addressed usually once in the title and then made the same point twice (or more) in the listing indicates trouble. 

I have no doubt at all about your ill child story, a couple of years ago I noticed the same thing, at one point on the same item I saw two messages from separate accounts in the space of about a week, claiming that if only they could get [item] for [virtually nothing] they could be a hero to a poor disadvantaged orphan...hmmm..

One other category of buyers that spell trouble - are those who think they are entitled to buy something, simply because it may have been up for sale for a little while. Fact is that as a seller, if I am not happy with the price then I don't have to just let something go, but for some reason many buyers don't seem to understand that concept. Some buyers seem to think they are entitled to get the item at a discount for no other reason than 'it hasn't sold at [my price] yet'. 
I really can't be dealing with such self-entitled folk.

red_boots2

RFW said:

red_boots2 said:

Adding another to the list;

Buyers who purchase something then message straight away asking for same day dispatch and a quicker service.

I offer free P&P on everything. £12.50 item sold and I ship with Yodel (item isn't on SD) buyer purchased and has messaged asking if I can ship today using Royal Mail tracked 24 

Wow. You block customers for that?

I will ask them if they want to pay for quicker postage first, if they say "no" I will send it (same day if I can) then once the sale is complete block them

rollingmoon

RFW said:

 I'm happy to take money from stupid people...

I've no objection to that either, but unfortunately it's been my experience that they are the ones that invariably waste the most of my time and rarely come up with any money. I'd rather forgo the odd one that actually comes good for an easy life!

Momogeew

I always read these, sellers, threads, and have to wonder .....

Are you selling cheap and low quality items ?
Are these seller scenario's linked to cheap prices or does it happen with more expensive quality items ?

I buy quality fabric garments, priced anywhere between £50 and £200 for such preloved items, i ask pertinent questions, like the garments measurements - why ?
Because 7 out of 10 sellers don't even bother to mention them !
So you would block me because i'm asking something that you, the seller, should have stated in your listing ?
If i don't ask, and i have to return and be refunded, it's a pain in the neck - when you photograph the item and upload, why not simply include an image showing it next to a tape measure ?

caprikid1

My list
Lots of questions on low value items.
Rudeness, especially combined with stupidity
Feedback Extortion
Abusing the returns process (Found it for a couple of quid less).
Countless questions about how to fit a part post sale
Spider senses
Wanting large discounts.. normally ends up finding it cheaper / returning as they play sellers off against each other.
Constantly messaging about items but never buying.
Leaving Neutral or Negative feedback , we will always resolve to buyers satisfaction.

red_boots2

Momogeew said:

I always read these, sellers, threads, and have to wonder .....

Are you selling cheap and low quality items ?
Are these seller scenario's linked to cheap prices or does it happen with more expensive quality items ?

I buy quality fabric garments, priced anywhere between £50 and £200 for such preloved items, i ask pertinent questions, like the garments measurements - why ?
Because 7 out of 10 sellers don't even bother to mention them !
So you would block me because i'm asking something that you, the seller, should have stated in your listing ?
If i don't ask, and i have to return and be refunded, it's a pain in the neck - when you photograph the item and upload, why not simply include an image showing it next to a tape measure ?

Some great questions here;

No, I tend to find it happens on a lot more of expensive items I am selling rather than cheaper ones.

If someone asks me for a measurement that isn't provided in the description and/or photo's I will happily provide it if I can - However I often get asked if I can open a sealed item and measure something and am often then given abuse after I state that I cannot because it's brand new and sealed.

What concerns me is the number of questions I get where the information is provided in both the photo and description - I have moved to just block these buyers as they tend to cause problems in the long-term.

You're dead on from a buyers point of view though, I don't understand why information that is important especially in your field is not included. Recently I purchased a mattress topper and had to send it back as the seller had got inches and CM round the wrong way. When I contacted them before opening a case they tried to fob me off with excuses.

Unfortunately there are bad buyers and bad sellers. As a seller it is easier to 'weed out' the potential bad buyers than it is the other way around.

rollingmoon

Momogeew said:

So you would block me because i'm asking something that you, the seller, should have stated in your listing ?

Erm, no. I didn't say that, and I don't believe anyone else did either...

Momogeew

rollingmoon said:

Momogeew said:

So you would block me because i'm asking something that you, the seller, should have stated in your listing ?

Erm, no. I didn't say that, and I don't believe anyone else did either...

I was replying to the thread, i hadn't tagged you.

Murphybear

red_boots2 said:

Momogeew said:

I always read these, sellers, threads, and have to wonder .....

Are you selling cheap and low quality items ?
Are these seller scenario's linked to cheap prices or does it happen with more expensive quality items ?

I buy quality fabric garments, priced anywhere between £50 and £200 for such preloved items, i ask pertinent questions, like the garments measurements - why ?
Because 7 out of 10 sellers don't even bother to mention them !
So you would block me because i'm asking something that you, the seller, should have stated in your listing ?
If i don't ask, and i have to return and be refunded, it's a pain in the neck - when you photograph the item and upload, why not simply include an image showing it next to a tape measure ?

Some great questions here;

No, I tend to find it happens on a lot more of expensive items I am selling rather than cheaper ones.

If someone asks me for a measurement that isn't provided in the description and/or photo's I will happily provide it if I can - However I often get asked if I can open a sealed item and measure something and am often then given abuse after I state that I cannot because it's brand new and sealed.

What concerns me is the number of questions I get where the information is provided in both the photo and description - I have moved to just block these buyers as they tend to cause problems in the long-term.

You're dead on from a buyers point of view though, I don't understand why information that is important especially in your field is not included. Recently I purchased a mattress topper and had to send it back as the seller had got inches and CM round the wrong way. When I contacted them before opening a case they tried to fob me off with excuses.

Unfortunately there are bad buyers and bad sellers. As a seller it is easier to 'weed out' the potential bad buyers than it is the other way around.

I bought a jacket on eBay.  It was lovely and didn’t cost a lot.  Unfortunately the advert said it was large but the jacket was labelled small 😿. I contacted the seller who ignored he.  I gave it our local Air Ambulance charity shop.  

I’ve bought many many items on eBay but this was the only time I’ve had a problem