Block, or not?

[TelePlay]

Would you block a buyer, with a 100% positive feedback covering over 1,200 items (including selling 600 items) if they bought a $100 item from you, paid immediately and it was shipped via USPS with tracking the day purchased - if USPS sorting caused the item to take a detour (clearly shown in the item's tracking stating that it would arrive late) but the buyer filed a complaint with eBay saying the item was not received on the initial expected delivery date?

eBay froze my funds and even though it was delivered 2 days after the initial expected delivery date, my funds are still frozen.

Really! Just who the heck in this day and age with that much eBay experience would pull the formal trigger with eBay before waiting for tracking would show the item was returned to the proper post office and out for delivery.

And, is that quick action by the buyer dinging my account and payment for something over which I had no control worthy of being blocked?

[paul-f]

Personally, I wouldn't consider blocking until exhausting other avenues, such as:

• Making logical and respectful arguments to the buyer, such as those in your message, using the Messaging feature.
  (Creating an audit trail.)
• Talking with a real person at eBay: Review messages with the buyer and any actions taken; and clearly articulate the resolution desired.

After thousands of eBay transactions, I have found eBay's support staff very reasonable and supportive. So far, all (the relatively few) buyer-initiated disputes have been resolved in my favor with no loss of funds or lasting damage to my feedback record.

Some buyers apparently have short fuses, and/or are trying to work the system to scam sellers. Even though eBay often initially sides with buyers, my experience has been that they respond well to logical business arguments made by sellers. If you don't happen to get the result you want, call back and speak with a different specialist until you find someone that helps you. Be patient.

Good luck.

[paul-f]

Your note reminded me of one personal nightmare -- a USPS package that took over a week to arrive.

https://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=10800.msg115210#msg115210

The buyer completely lost it and demanded a refund. I held firm, emailing periodic screen shots of the USPS tracking info.

After it finally arrived, he decided he no longer wanted it, and tried to claim it was not as described to force a return. (I have a no returns policy.) We both made our cases to eBay, and they sided with me -- removing negative feedback. The buyer reluctantly kept the item and I was paid.

Several weeks later, I noted he relisted the item as an auction, and sold it for more than he paid for it. We later exchanged some positive messages including his apology for over-reacting to the shipment delay -- after the emotions dissipated.

[RDPipes]

I would "BLOCK" him in a heart beat, you can't treat people like that unless you have due cause
and even then it's not a good thing to do. Sounds like he wanted to have a reason to complain or
maybe even get out of the purchase. eBay's not going to do anything for you about it, it be too much work
so sellers have to do what ever is possible to teach others what is and isn't acceptable.

I had a seller complain to eBay that they didn't receive the phone they purchased and that I was a fraud.
I had to get on the phone to eBay and talk to them several times before this was taken care of and I didn't
have to refund them. In the end eBay kissed the fraudulent buyers rear end and refunded him out of their
pocket making me look like the bad guy and the buyer kept the phone. I've been with eBay for over 20 years and this is the way they treat me with 100% pos. feedback, I say "Bite Me!" eBay!

[HarrySmith]

I agree with talking to eBay. I have been a seller for a long time, I have 100% positive feedback. Almost all of the comments in my feedback mention packing. I always make sure things are securely packaged. I one sent some fragile figurines to Israel. Due to the long trip I packed them very well for shipping. The buyer wanted his money back because one item was broken on delivery. He sent pictures of the package and the item, I also had pictures of the wrapped items and the packing. The pictures did not match. The box was ripped open and the items were unwrapped. There was a customs stamp on the box. I told him it was obvious customs ripped it open to inspect the package and did not bother to wrap things back up. He still stated it was my fault and gave me negative feedback and requested a refund. I contacted eBay and they agreed with me, it was customs fault not mine. They told the seller to file a claim in his country. The negative feedback was removed and I was paid. The reps from eBay were easy to deal with and very helpful.

[MMikeJBenN27]

I would block them.

Mike

[TelePlay]

What got me was his decision to file a "not delivered" case with eBay without, apparently, reading the shipment tracking and/or sending me a message as to what was happening.

Per eBay, I sent a message to the buyer explaining how easily a box can get onto the wrong truck during sorting and routing on their camera based automated system.

Also sent the buyer a message each time tracking was updated including twice after it was delivered.

eBay could read all of the contact I had with the buyer including the message saying I have/had no control over USPS methods and procedures.

eBay requires I contact within 3 days and I think I contacted him 6 times in one day.

I never could find a number to call eBay but just know I checked and the buyer originated case was closed, and money released.

If he leaves a negative feedback, I will block him AND contact eBay to have that removed.

Something new to me to learn from.

[RDPipes]

Personally I would block him now to avoid another headache down the road.
The buyer is obviously some kind of scammer.

[Witty]

I had a problem with a sale a couple years ago. Similar thing where the item went through customs and routed back to the same location. I kept logs.
I wasn't able to call EBay directly, but through their online contact service you get to a section where you ask for a call back from Ebay. Can't remember exactly now where it's located but I used it twice and an Ebay representative called back within the same day twice when I used it.
I'll see if I can find that path again. Maybe Google Ebay call me?

[RDPipes]

I had a problem with a sale a couple years ago. Similar thing where the item went through customs and routed back to the same location. I kept logs.
I wasn't able to call EBay directly, but through their online contact service you get to a section where you ask for a call back from Ebay. Can't remember exactly now where it's located but I used it twice and an Ebay representative called back within the same day twice when I used it.
I'll see if I can find that path again. Maybe Google Ebay call me?

Yep, you have to go through hoops to get there and you end up on their chat, then when you ask the right question the right way it gives you the option for them to call you. It's a lot of BS to say the least to keep you from contacting them directly like you were able to do back in the beginning.

[5415551212]

Would you block a buyer, with a 100% positive feedback covering over 1,200 items (including selling 600 items) if they bought a $100 item from you, paid immediately and it was shipped via USPS with tracking the day purchased -

Thats crazy, if the seller provides a tracking number and I can see the tracking I know it can be worked out. What gets me to click item 'not received' quick after the due date is if I dont get a tracking number at all. and i'll message the seller asking for a tracking number first.

[Kellogg Kitt]

Yes, I would block.  That behavior was totally uncalled for; anyone who has sold 600 items ought to know better.  Have no further contact with this one.  Why take a chance on further trouble?

Reddit has some good advice from experienced sellers. They can be helpful when strange situations arise, or just to be aware of the current scams that are going around.  I have learned a lot just from browsing and reading.

The first one seem to be the best, but the other two are good, too.
https://www.reddit.com/r/eBaySellerAdvice/
https://www.reddit.com/r/eBaySellers/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ebay/