eBay

lucky9092 · ‎01-02-2019

Can a blocked bidder still leave me a personal message on ebay ? In other words does blocking bidders only prevent them from buying from me ?

I ask this because I blocked my last buyer and since I haven't heard from him since (regarding the sale), I had a nagging thought that it might have blocked him from even writing to me through the ebay messaging system.

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎04-10-2019

tyler@ebay

Ok. I still haven't heard back on Twitter Message after 5.5 hours and I don't really use Facebook, and I'm not comfortable about doing nothing (not cancelling the order or not messaging my buyer about it). I can't phone CS either because I'm at work and I can't exactly stay on the phone.

tyler@ebay · ‎04-10-2019

Hi @zee-chan-jpn-books - they can take some time to reply depending on their volume, but they will get back to you!

I don't think there's anything wrong with messaging the buyer on this and letting them know you're looking into the transaction and will be in touch as you have more information.

If you would prefer to cancel the transaction and you don't want to wait for any further input from CS you could make that call too, they can review the situation after the fact, but I think it would be better to wait. Thanks!

Tyler,

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎04-11-2019

tyler@ebay

Thank you, that's a good idea. I messaged the buyer and told her that her order is on hold and pretty much paraphrased what you suggested.

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎04-12-2019

tyler@ebay

I'm sad to say that my contact with Twitter CS was disappointing. After waiting for a day to get a response, providing the necessary info on the item and the two suspected same-person users, I was told that they found them to be unrelated accounts, and I'm good to go to ship the item... well, if they are not the same person, they probably know each other at the very least.

How often do you get two buyers with:

1. same city & zip code
2. interested in the same book within 2 weeks time frame
3. accounts created within two weeks of each other
4. both accounts had a history of leaving 20+ negatives/neutral feedback to other users

Honestly, I rarely get buyers who have left so many negatives to others. I guess I must have been lucky.

I did end up messaging FB CS as well yesterday which also took a day for a response. FB CS didn't ask me for details on the buyers and suggested that I could cancel if I'm not willing to sell to this buyer. But they would need to see that the two buyers are truly the same buyers in order to review the negative feedback shall I receive one. So in other words, since the Twitter CS said they are "unrelated", the chances of me getting the negative removed is low.

I'm not risking a negative AND losing the book by shipping it, nor am I willing to foot the bill to add tracking. I'll let this sit for a bit, then decide on my next move tomorrow. As of now I'm definitely 90% certain that I'll cancel. I just need to think about how I'm gonna communicate with the buyer.

Compared to this, my real life work is less frustrating although a lot more tiring lol

a52split · ‎04-12-2019

Even if it's true that they aren't the same person, the fact that the second buyer also leaves lots of negs, is the reason you must cancel the sale.

Two buyers from the same zip code? You're not fooling me, ebay. It's the same person.

A friend of mine was running low on free listings, so he started to "borrow" his son's ebay acct. According to ebay, two different sellers.

There are plenty of abusive buyers on ebay and ebay won't do anything to clean up the site. You can do your part by blocking every one you encounter.

ypdc_dennis · ‎04-12-2019

@a52split wrote:
... Two buyers from the same zip code? You're not fooling me, ebay. It's the same person.

That is not true for a 5 digit USA zip codes -- the area covered by those codes can be quite large. 42000 zip codes divide up the USA and territories. An average of 7800 people per code.

Canadian postal codes are a different matter as they average about 14 households per code. Canada Post has around 850000 codes in use.

...

The important, troublesome part for the sale is the type of feedback the buyer(s) give out.

-..-

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎04-12-2019

Okay so I have sat on it since I woke up. I just cancelled the sale, messaged the buyer saying that after reviewing the transaction we had to regrettably cancel the sale and to check for refund, and added her to BBL too.

Gonna let this book sit for a few months before I relist again. Total wasted: 3 days of frustration and 30 cents PP fee. Let's see if this buyer'd message back... (I hope not).

tyler@ebay · ‎04-15-2019

Thanks for keeping me in the loop @zee-chan-jpn-books, and I'm sorry that it meant more time for you to wait to get their input.

If you do receive negative on this will you send me a PM with more details so I can take a look?

Thanks!

Tyler,

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎04-15-2019

tyler@ebay

Thanks. No feedback and no message so far! I hope it stays that way.

a52split · ‎04-16-2019

@ypdc_dennis wrote:
@a52split wrote:
... Two buyers from the same zip code? You're not fooling me, ebay. It's the same person.
42000 zip codes divide up the USA and territories.

Yes Dennis, it is possible, but not probable.

What are the odds of two independent people in the same zip hitting the BiN on his book? It's 42000:1. I don't know anyone who'd bet on that horse.

ypdc_dennis · ‎04-16-2019

@a52split wrote:
@ypdc_dennis wrote:
@a52split wrote:
... Two buyers from the same zip code? You're not fooling me, ebay. It's the same person.
42000 zip codes divide up the USA and territories.
Yes Dennis, it is possible, but not probable.
What are the odds of two independent people in the same zip hitting the BiN on his book? It's 42000:1. I don't know anyone who'd bet on that horse.

Odds based purely on 5 digit zip code are 3899 in 3900 they are separate people.

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎04-25-2019

Took them 10 days but I just got a message from the second buyer asking why I cancelled the sale and that they have been looking for the book forever...

I had this book listed for at least a year, and there are a couple other sellers selling it for a higher price *shrugs*

Will let this sit for a couple days and then reply since I'm on vacation right now lol

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎04-30-2019

I replied to the buyer saying because her address matched a previously blocked buyer's address, so for security reason I had to cancel the transaction.

She wrote back admitting that yes, she was trying to buy for her daughter. Then told me it's wrong to block her daughter because she used best offer (I never said this, they assumed they were blocked because of it), and said this needs to be reported lol.

So yeeeeeah, the two accounts are related by blood! 50% that is. Like daughter like mother lol. Both liked to neg people for little things.

Gonna let this sit for a few days again before I reply. Still having a lot of fun on my vacation 😎

ricarmic · ‎04-30-2019

My golden rule for blocked buyers, never respond*.

Personally I would not reply, you've already given her the reason, no more explanation is required.

*yet I can remember 2 times in the past 20 years that I broke this rule and in both cases it turned out ok. (ie they bought more stuff with no problems).

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎04-30-2019

I replied because I don't want to give them a reason to leave me a negative feedback saying "no communication" or similar. I highly doubt eBay CS would remove a neg like that because I didn't respond.

ricarmic · ‎04-30-2019

Yes it is always a balancing act..... golden rules sometimes have to be broken....

femmefan1946 · ‎04-30-2019

Much as I hate the term "proactive" you might want to take the time to call Customer Support, show that this is a case of "malicious buying" - buying for a Blocked bidder-- and ask that any attempt to leave feedback be blocked.

brettjet38 · ‎04-30-2019

Never reply to a blocked Member, it's pointless they will never agree with the person they are trying to purchase from.

And they do use other accounts on a regular basis to try and bypass a block, most are unaware that it is a policy violation to do so, they are doing it based solely on "emotions", logic plays no part in their actions...

It's the same "emotions" at play when they leave the usually nasty feedback.

Report them, Block them, and forget them.....but never ever reply to them again.

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎04-30-2019

I don't have a "phone" I can use to call right now as I'm in Asia... The SIM card I'm using is data only. And I certainly don't want to spend my vacation phoning CS lol.

Anyhow, I just woke up to a message from this lady that simply stated you have been reported to eBay.

So really since she already said that before I even replied, and it's only been about 10 hours after the previous message, there isn't really a reason for me to respond further lol. I even said in my previous message that we're on vacation so we can't respond timely lol. I guess 10 hours wait is too long for her 😂

I'm tempted to respond with a snarky response like: ok, hopefully eBay will make it right for you. But of course I won't LOL. Why add oil to fire lol 🔥

tyler@ebay

Now that the second buyer admitted that they were trying to buy for a blocked buyer (her daughter), and said that they already reported me (implicit threatening) because they think I blocked them for using best offer, do I have enough base to get a neutral or negative removed if they choose to leave one? They didn't leave any feedback yet.

As far as I'm concerned, a seller doesn't need a reason to block a buyer, and I already sent full refund so I don't have any actual reportable offense that's against eBay policy.

Do I have any bases to report this buyer for "threatening" to report me? lol 😏

tyler@ebay · ‎05-01-2019

Safe travels @zee-chan-jpn-books - hoping it's been a fun vacation (except for this hiccup)!

Glad to hear that they admitted to circumventing your blocked buyer list - definitely makes things a lot simpler in the event that a feedback is left.

I really can't speculate or make you promises about removal until a feedback is actually left, but everything you've indicated makes it seem like it would be something you could contact CS to appeal.

As to the reporting angle - a report does not mean sanction, account impact or action will be taken. It just means that our security teams would review the report. In this case, it seems a bit 'cut off my nose to spite my face' in that in order to make the report they'd have to admit to circumventing your blocked list.

In any case, you should be fine. 🙂 As always though, keep us updated and again have a safe trip! I'd love to get to Asia someday!

Tyler,