Did I do the right thing? (Ebay auction-blocking bidder)

[poohandwendy]

Just going over my current auctions, I happened to check out the feedback of the high bidders. I noticed on one auction, the only bidder has a FB rating of 96.4%. That would not be a big deal if they had a few thousand feedbacks, but this guy only has a few hundred with 14 of them being negative. He also has 9 bid retractions in the last 6 months.

On the one hand, none of the bad feedbacks are in the last few months, BUT...when going back to read the feedbacks, this person leaves extremely negative feedback and nasty, nasty responses to negative feedback. A few examples of the feedback he has left for others: "This person is an idiot", "Moron", "Vindictive liars","Incredibly Challenged Person" "BITTER/ VILE/VISCIOUS/VENGEFUL"...and on and on. (some are surprising that Ebay allowed them to be left, I guess they dont have filters)

I mean, his good feedback is good...but it appears that he makes it very personal and retaliates when there is any problem at all. A few people mention that he send nasty emails cussing them out and he just responds that they are an idiot and admits he has a 'potty mouth, big deal'.

After talking it over with my DH, I decided to cancel his bid and block him from future bids. I don't take this sort of thing lightly and I feel guilty blocking a bidder...I mean, he could be the only bid I get on the item and it's quite possible he would pay on time and the transaction would be smooth. But when looking at the people he has had problems with, he seems to be the common denominator because they all have much better feedback than he does. (in most of the cases, he is their only negative feedback received)

Honestly, if he would have been at least professional/respectful in leaving negative feedback and responses to negative feedback, I think I would have given him a chance. But holy cow, this dude seems to have anger issues.

I dunno, I guess what is done is done. But, I guess I just feel apprehensive cancelling a bid. I have only ever done that because the bidder has kindly asked me to (change of heart or made a mistake when bidding). And I have only blocked two other bidders because they never paid for the items they won, after repeated attempts to contact them with no response.

Ok, so what would you have done? Did I do the right thing, LOL? Anyone else have any experience with this?

I am sure I will be getting a nasty email from him when he realizes I cancelled his bid citing "Excessive negative feedback and bid retraction history' as my reason...I'll let you know what he has to say.

 

[epcotfan]

I've NEVER hesitated to block buyers or cancel bids with multiple negative feedbacks. I've also blocked buyers who leave tastless/rude comments to sellers. Don't sweat it. You did the right thing.

 

[epcotfan]

I am sure I will be getting a nasty email from him when he realizes I cancelled his bid citing "Excessive negative feedback and bid retraction history' as my reason...I'll let you know what he has to say.

Honestly, I would ignore him. If you've blocked him he shouldn't be able to message you through Ebay unless he already has your email address. If he does block his email through your email filters or block his email address from your server. Communication with this guy will probably add fuel to his fire.

 

[JunieJay]

Yikes. I can't blame you for blocking this guy, in fact I think its excellent you took the time to research who was bidding on your item. I never really do that, I guess I should. I'm learning about ebay as I go along, mostly from DIS people.

I definately think you did the right thing. Who needs that sort of hassle?

 

[poohandwendy]

*UPDATE*
LOL, well...I guess you can still ask the seller a question via Ebay after being blocked, cause he responded with this:

that's cool ! evidently you are either narrow-minded & missed the 400+ positive feedbacks or are just dishonest & leary of receiving the appropriate negative FB for being deceitful. either way, i am happy to keep my money & not do business with you. have a great day!

Hey, at least he didn't swear at me. I guess I should be happy about that. No, I will not respond to him, no need to fuel the flames like epcotfan pointed out. Yeah, my 100 percent positive feedback (almost 1000) reflects my narrowmindedness and dishonesty. What a loon.

 

[poohandwendy]

I've NEVER hesitated to block buyers or cancel bids with multiple negative feedbacks. I've also blocked buyers who leave tastless/rude comments to sellers. Don't sweat it. You did the right thing.

I do feel much better about it after thinking about it and especially after he responded the way he did.

 

[Chicago526]

What an idiot! He totally deserves a

Sounds like you made the right call!

*UPDATE*
LOL, well...I guess you can still ask the seller a question via Ebay after being blocked, cause he responded with this:



Hey, at least he didn't swear at me. I guess I should be happy about that. No, I will not respond to him, no need to fuel the flames like epcotfan pointed out. Yeah, my 100 percent positive feedback (almost 1000) reflects my narrowmindedness and dishonesty. What a loon.

 

[cardaway]

Looks like you nailed that guy. As you discovered, never hesitate when you feel you found a buyer like that guy. Likely one of the many scammers I was posting about here not too long ago.

Good luck with the rest of the auction.

 

[poohandwendy]

Yikes. I can't blame you for blocking this guy, in fact I think its excellent you took the time to research who was bidding on your item. I never really do that, I guess I should. I'm learning about ebay as I go along, mostly from DIS people.

I definately think you did the right thing. Who needs that sort of hassle?

You know, I hardly ever use to look at the feedback of bidders until recently. Mainly because of reading some horror stories about people who scam and use feedback as a weapon.

It's really not so much having negative feedback that gave me pause, it was how much of it and his inappropriate responses. Especially the amount of people he said pulled a 'bait and switch', ie sold one thing and sent him it in bad condition. a) these people all had great feedback and b) they all said that even after issuing refunds, he refused to return the items. Big red flags when someone wants their money back stating that the item is significantly not as described and then refuses to return the item.

After checking out the pattern with him, he buys many of the exact same item, in varying degrees of condition. What he may be doing is telling Paypal that he wants his money back because the item is in bad condition and sends pictures of the worst conditioned items he has won...he gets his money back from Paypal and keeps the item.

I dunno, whatever it is...this guy is trouble and I don't even want him to have my stuff at this point.

LOL, we are all learning as we go...

 

[inaminute]

Ok, so what would you have done? Did I do the right thing, LOL?

What a jerk! Based on the information provided and his email, you did exactly the right thing. I would have done the same. Actually, I'd like to block him. Any chance of letting me know his user i.d?

 

[Missy1961]

Wow, he's a jerk. You obviously did the right thing by blocking him!

 

[poohandwendy]

Looks like you nailed that guy. As you discovered, never hesitate when you feel you found a buyer like that guy. Likely one of the many scammers I was posting about here not too long ago.

Good luck with the rest of the auction.

LOL, your posts and others are exactly what caused me to start looking at the feedback...so thanks Mike, you may have saved me a ton of grief!

I have a few watchers on the item, and it has a few days left...so hopefully it will go!

 

[poohandwendy]

What a jerk! Based on the information provided and his email, you did exactly the right thing. I would have done the same. Actually, I'd like to block him. Any chance of letting me know his user i.d?

pm sent

 

[Wishes2you]

See it pays to listen to that little voice inside of you.
Never question it. It was right as it usually is.
In the past I have question that little voice because I feel bad
and that's when it usually came back to bite me.
You did the right thing.

 

[C.Ann]

I have blocked bidders in the past for various reasons - and based on the response you got from him, I would say you definitely did the right thing!