eBay buyer gripe - “blocked”, what gives?

[Shawn Paul]

Like all good wrx’ers I like to buy my wares on eBay. Yesterday I reached out to a guy from OH who refinishes clubs, let’s call him Cougar Tom. I asked him if he would take $X.Xx for an item that was listed but did not sell and was reposted. Curtly, Cougar Tom declined. I totally understand, no hurt feelings I’m sure a lot of hard work went into refinishing those clubs and they look great.

 

However, today I get to thinking and I decide that I do want those wedges. I come to find out I’m a blocked buyer.

 

What gives? Why would a seller block me from buying their stuff just for asking if they’d take a lesser amount? It seems petty to me. You think I’m going to reach out and beg to be unblocked? Think again.

 

Your thoughts?

[premazipp]

I was blocked by a seller once. It was all based on a misunderstanding. I sent the seller a message, misunderstanding was cleared up and block was removed.

 

Maybe the seller you're talking about just doesn't want to deal with negotiating. Probably a super simple, quick fix.

[disco111]

I suggest that you contact ebay CS and inform them of what transpired. If you are a frequent buyer on ebay, something like this could affect another buy down the road. Why and how I don't really know, but it could be a sticking point some how.............

[VNutz]

All depends on how much lower than asking you offered. Some guys get offended by offers, especially if they’re considered lowballs, and simply don’t want to deal with potential headaches.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Like all good wrx’ers I like to buy my wares on eBay. Yesterday I reached out to a guy from OH who refinishes clubs, let’s call him Cougar Tom. I asked him if he would take $X.Xx for an item that was listed but did not sell and was reposted. Curtly, Cougar Tom declined. I totally understand, no hurt feelings I’m sure a lot of hard work went into refinishing those clubs and they look great.

 

However, today I get to thinking and I decide that I do want those wedges. I come to find out I’m a blocked buyer.

 

What gives? Why would a seller block me from buying their stuff just for asking if they’d take a lesser amount? It seems petty to me. You think I’m going to reach out and beg to be unblocked? Think again.

 

Your thoughts?

 

How much lower than the original list price did you go? He made have felt it was far too low.

Besides the explanation mentioned by premazipp that perhaps he just didn't want to negotiate, that's the only other thing I can think of.

[Krt22]

What was his listing price and what was your offer? He may have considered your offer a low ball and decided it best to not deal with you any further.

[Shawn Paul]

My offer was $199 vs $299 asking price. I figured perhaps a counter offer would come. I know it was a low offer but you don’t know unless you ask! I meant no offense. I get low offers all the time on stuff but I’ve never blocked anyone.

[Literacola]

That offer will be good enough to land you on a few ignore lists here as well

[Krt22]

Yeah that is a legit low ball. This guy probably values his time and effort and and was likely insulted by your offer and simply didn't want to deal with you any further.

[Medic]

My offer was $199 vs $299 asking price. I figured perhaps a counter offer would come. I know it was a low offer but you don’t know unless you ask! I meant no offense. I get low offers all the time on stuff but I’ve never blocked anyone.

 

PM him and tell him the truth.

 

"I offered you $199 hoping for a counter. Those wedges are beautiful and I'd like to work something out. What's the lowest you might take for them? Sorry if my first offer insulted - just hoping to open up some back and forth to work out a deal.

Thanks in advance for a reply,

Shawn"

 

Guaranteed to close this out. The truth is an amazing tool that should be used freely and at will whenever dealing with others. : )

 

Hope this reply helps. Let me/us know if you use it and it does.

[sandtrap]

I don’t think There was anything wrong with your offer, as a seller on ebay I’m more miffed by “what’s the lowest you will take� That’s like What’s the most you will pay? You are both hedging your number.

An item is listed for what the seller wants and it’s up to the buyer to make an offer and go from there. If the seller doesn’t want to play he should list as a firm price. My .02

[Llortamaisey]

What was the offer for? Just because the seller asks $299, and the buyer offers $199, doesn’t make it a low ball offer if the product is worth $150.

[Shawn Paul]

Great advice fellas, I’ll try it. Thank you.

[GoIrish17]

Wait, he didn't even offer a "Or Best Offer" option, but you decided to offer him 2/3 ($100 less) of his list price? Is he the one that does the work? I.e., he's not just a seller but a craftsman who has time in it? He might have $200 into the clubs, and maybe he values his work at $100. I'm assuming he's using this skill to help put food on his table, and you're offering him an amount that is insulting to the time and craftsmanship he puts in. I can't blame him for being offended, I might block you too.

[halliedog]

Wait, he didn't even offer a "Or Best Offer" option, but you decided to offer him 2/3 ($100 less) of his list price? Is he the one that does the work? I.e., he's not just a seller but a craftsman who has time in it? He might have $200 into the clubs, and maybe he values his work at $100. I'm assuming he's using this skill to help put food on his table, and you're offering him an amount that is insulting to the time and craftsmanship he puts in. I can't blame him for being offended, I might block you too.

 

OP, do some research. This guy does excellent work, and doesn't "dicker" on his pricing. You made a ridiculously low offer on an ended auction that Tiger will relist 2-3 times and WILL get his asking price eventually. I can't blame him one bit for blocking you. He's most likely gone down this rabbit hole before, only to have the buyer come back and file a complaint for not as described or so forth. I've recently started using the "Best Offer" option, but in this case wouldn't even give you a response and would consider blocking you just in case you decided to bid and actually won. You would fall into my "2 categories" to block a buyer - 1. Ask more than 2 questions about a perfectly well described item. 2. Contact me about buying an ended item for 2/3 of asking price, while I have a current auction going for same item.

[toophewbirdies]

low ballers= time wasters

[Shawn Paul]

Halliedog, I do not disagree. His work is exemplary. But I try not pay full asking price for anything. I like to haggle. In some cultures it is expected. eBay in itself is based on haggling, is it not? It should be expected.

 

Also, when I went back to buy them item today I discovered I was blocked. Granted, it made me a bit salty. As a seller he went an extra step to dissuade me from making a purchase. Like, my money is no good here. I pity the fool who pays full price for everything.

 

Now, it’s a given that I’m still a bit salty.

 

 

[SubaruWRX]

Who is the seller? I’d like to see his work.

 

Is it the guy that sells refinished Vokey wedges in matching sets with cool paint schemes?

[Bigjim1022]

Wait, he didn't even offer a "Or Best Offer" option, but you decided to offer him 2/3 ($100 less) of his list price? Is he the one that does the work? I.e., he's not just a seller but a craftsman who has time in it? He might have $200 into the clubs, and maybe he values his work at $100. I'm assuming he's using this skill to help put food on his table, and you're offering him an amount that is insulting to the time and craftsmanship he puts in. I can't blame him for being offended, I might block you too.

 

OP, do some research. This guy does excellent work, and doesn't "dicker" on his pricing. You made a ridiculously low offer on an ended auction that Tiger will relist 2-3 times and WILL get his asking price eventually. I can't blame him one bit for blocking you. He's most likely gone down this rabbit hole before, only to have the buyer come back and file a complaint for not as described or so forth. I've recently started using the "Best Offer" option, but in this case wouldn't even give you a response and would consider blocking you just in case you decided to bid and actually won. You would fall into my "2 categories" to block a buyer - 1. Ask more than 2 questions about a perfectly well described item. 2. Contact me about buying an ended item for 2/3 of asking price, while I have a current auction going for same item.

 

Couldn’t agree more with the above statement.

 

Went thru a similar eBay situation over the weekend, buyer finally buzzed off but I was close to blocking.

[Bigjim1022]

Halliedog, I do not disagree. His work is exemplary. But I try not pay full asking price for anything. I like to haggle. In some cultures it is expected. eBay in itself is based on haggling, is it not? It should be expected.

 

Also, when I went back to buy them item today I discovered I was blocked. Granted, it made me a bit salty. As a seller he went an extra step to dissuade me from making a purchase. Like, my money is no good here. I pity the fool who pays full price for everything.

 

Now, it’s a given that I’m still a bit salty.

 

I would say eBay is based on haggling when it’s an auction or “best offer” is utilized. If it’s a BIN listing then the price is what it is.

[GoIrish17]

Halliedog, I do not disagree. His work is exemplary. But I try not pay full asking price for anything. I like to haggle. In some cultures it is expected. eBay in itself is based on haggling, is it not? It should be expected.

 

Also, when I went back to buy them item today I discovered I was blocked. Granted, it made me a bit salty. As a seller he went an extra step to dissuade me from making a purchase. Like, my money is no good here. I pity the fool who pays full price for everything.

 

Now, it’s a given that I’m still a bit salty.

 

I would say eBay is based on haggling when it’s an auction or “best offer” is utilized. If it’s a BIN listing then the price is what it is.

 

Sorry, I edited your post to reflect my feelings on the matter. Auctions are auctions, the seller has no input on the final sale price (unless they're shill bidding), and there is no negotiation. The market dictates the price. Buy it Now is obvious- here's the price, take it or leave it. If someone selling BIN wanted to deal with bartering, dickering, negotiating, or whatever, they'd have checked the "accept offers" box. Especially an experienced seller. Clearly, he didn't want to deal with negotiating. The OP can make whatever offers he wants to, but the seller is free to tell him to go take a hike, and not care one little bit if the guy likes it or not. It is way off base to demand how he thinks the seller should or should not conduct his sale. And, absolutely, if I block someone on eBay, their money's no good with me- that's exactly what "blocking" means. They aren't going to dictate their terms to me. I pity the fool who thinks he can tell me how I should sell my crap.

[kmcelhaney]

I currently have a set of irons up for $380 OBO hoping to get around 330-350... I have had 7 offers less than $200!! Some people on the bay are jokes... I just ignore them, as I would you. If you can't afford the set price he is asking just move on. Custom golf equipment is not for everyone.

[ProphetLogic]

He did you a favor, those wedges are hideous.

[Lord Helmet]

Beg, steal, and thieve I see. You wanted a 33% discount. Block city. I even put in my BST ads lowballs will get a nasty PM from me and blocked. Take the lowball elsewhere. Shop at Play it again Sports.

[Shawn Paul]

What I think we have here are cultural differences. I can see from the response of many here that you’ve never been outside the United States. In the rest of the world, people bargain, haggle and “dicker”. This is true of my heritage.

 

The item I was inquiring about was posted and re-posted upwards of 10 times. I thought, hey maybe he’d like to actually move this product. I guess not. A simple response from the seller saying, “Thanks for looking and I appreciate the compliment. Unfortunately I do not negotiate the price of my items and remain firm on price.”

 

Blocking me for simply asking for price negotiation is going to win this fella $0.00 in purchases from me in the future and zero recommendations to any of my golf buddies. Is that block worth it fella? Like I said, I came back the next day to purchase the item to find I was blocked. How you like me now? Brilliant business model you have, to effectively refuse service to customers who literally ask one question. I realize you have the right to refuse service and be petty if you like.

 

I can’t believe anyone would be so thin skinned, arrogant and delicate that they can’t address a request for negotiation like an adult.

[Lord Helmet]

Block list updated. Lowballer + whining = waste of time.

[D0ch0l1d4y]

What I think we have here are cultural differences. I can see from the response of many here that you’ve never been outside the United States. In the rest of the world, people bargain, haggle and “dicker”. This is true of my heritage.

 

The item I was inquiring about was posted and re-posted upwards of 10 times. I thought, hey maybe he’d like to actually move this product. I guess not. A simple response from the seller saying, “Thanks for looking and I appreciate the compliment. Unfortunately I do not negotiate the price of my items and remain firm on price.”

 

Blocking me for simply asking for price negotiation is going to win this fella $0.00 in purchases from me in the future and zero recommendations to any of my golf buddies. Is that block worth it fella? Like I said, I came back the next day to purchase the item to find I was blocked. How you like me now? Brilliant business model you have, to effectively refuse service to customers who literally ask one question. I realize you have the right to refuse service and be petty if you like.

 

I can’t believe anyone would be so thin skinned, arrogant and delicate that they can’t address a request for negotiation like an adult.

 

You infer it 3 times above...but did you state "I would like to open a channel for negotiation, my opening offer is 67% of your asking price?"

 

I assume not. I would guess you typed in your offer and clicked send.

 

That's not negotiation.

 

That's an insult.

[D0ch0l1d4y]

Block list updated. Lowballer + whining + 0 feedback = waste of time.

 

Fixed that for you.

[Krt22]

 

 

I can’t believe anyone would be so thin skinned, arrogant and delicate that they can’t address a request for negotiation like an adult.

 

Wow. I can't believe anyone would be so thin skinned, arrogant, and delicate that they can't understand why someone who values their time and effort wouldn't want to deal with a cheapskate lowballer, even going so far as to rant and rave on a public forum about it,

 

Negotiating and lowballing are two very different things. You lowballed and someone chose to no longer do business with you because of it, perhaps you should reevaluate what you think is normal/acceptable when it comes to negotiating.

[jaw2k9]

Ok, I'll play. On second thought, no I won't. I was blocked for asking questions in 2 emails about a car or a leather recliner - I forget which. In the end the best thing that ever happened to me (with that seller). If they don't want to work on a deal that's fair to both sides (or answer questions) F them. Simple (in my case anyway).

 

I don't block, I used to, but ignoring (vice blocking) is much more enjoyable.