BAM eBay Blog

Could the Blocked Bidder List Become a Thing of the Past?

Recently Tamebay wrote wondering about if eBay had removed the Blocked Bidder list.  Apparently, for eBay UK people, "It appears that if you click a link to go to your Blocked Bidder list you’re being redirected to a lovely new eBay Seller Centre page which talks about how to manage your sales. That’s not what you wanted."  (In the UK, eBay has recently launched a new UK "Seller Centre" page).

While I do see a link to Blocked Bidder lists from my own US-based Seller Hub ("Block Bidders, near the bottom"); at least some UK people apparently see otherwise. Some people talked about saving their blocked bidder lists; it is never a bad idea to have a backup version of something.

Meantime, here are some of the comments people had about the eBay Blocked Bidder lists:

- "Blocked a problematic buyer which left me negative feedback because I never met his demands. Two months later he’s back leaving me negative feedback for the same reasons, despite me adding him to my blocked list, having gone to investigate my blocked bidder list, I see that the list is totally blank!"

- "eBay of course took no responsibility for the matter and had no explanation for the matter."

- "(Checked) my blocked buyer list and it has been altered by ebay with many blocked buyers no longer listed or with user ids that I don’t recognise."

"(B)ad enough the link error, though the shiney (sic) super wonderful seller hub fails to mention anything about blocking specific individual bidders."

The Tamebay post included a link to the existing blocked bidder list on eBay UK, so it is still there. It is not clear why a seller's blocked bidder list would have some blocked bidders no longer listed; however, this could be another reason for people to go to their blocked bidder list and check it out, just in case they see it has any housekeeping changes that need to be made.

When I checked my own blocked bidder list, it only had one eBay user on it. But despite being on eBay over 16 years, I had only added one bidder to the list. The "BBL" is not something I use much, as you can tell.

The reason the Tamebay post caught my eye is because eBay often tests things out in the UK before bringing them to the US. However, in this case, there is no reason I can see to think eBay will get rid of Blocked Bidder lists; this sounds more like a snafu on the UK site.

What do you think about blocked bidder lists, and are they very important to you? Have you ever been put on a blocked bidder list, to your knowledge, and did you think it was fair? Post a comment here!

Would You Sell Your Items with eBay Neighbourhood?

EBay has launched a peer-to-peer selling program in the U.K., eBay Neighbourhood, according to TameBay. With the program, people who want to unload items they no longer need would be able to use the services of trusted sellers in certain local areas in the U.K.  The selling fee is a flat 40% charged to the buyer, but the seller would also benefit from free insertion and 20% off final value fees, according to TameBay.

EBay will contact users in the areas where the program is being piloted that there are sellers in the area that can help them sell their unwanted stuff.

I find this program interesting because eBay often tests initiatives in the U.K. and other sites before bringing them to the U.S. It could be the latest incarnation of what was the eBay Trading Assistant Program, which was ended in 2013, according to this article in EcommerceBytes from that time.

My take on it is that some kind of program where experienced sellers can help eBay novices -- or just those folks who don't want to bother with creating their own eBay listings -- is a good idea. Apparently with this new pilot program, eBay is only inviting "trusted sellers" to do the consignment listing, so any unmet expectations by the former Trading Assistant program would not be a problem.

Personally, I have sold all kinds of items for others, mostly friends and neighbors, and found it to be a worthwhile endeavor for both sides, though you must be meticulous about recordkeeping. The only downside for me was that I felt a pressure to keep my commission fees low, because these were friends. With eBay Neighbourhood, the set 40% commission eliminates this problem.

What do you think about this pilot program, and would you want it to come to the U.S.? What do you think of the whole idea of having another eBay seller list your goods for you...do you have reservations about it, or does it just sound like a great way to unload your unneeded stuff?  Post a comment here!

What Might Be the Impact of the Brexit on eBay Buyers?

Both eBay buyers and sellers are likely wondering what any impact of the "Brexit," the British vote to leave the European Union, might have on commerce on the site.

EBay was cautious, stating in an announcement on the UK site simply that, "As a global business enabling cross-border trade for SMBs worldwide, eBay has been a consistent supporter of the EU Single Market and the creation of a true EU Digital Single Market.  We believe there are advantages for both sellers and buyers to be part of large open trade blocks. But our business is a global one and our sellers are successful within and outside the European Union. British voters have decided that their interests are best represented outside of the EU and so we will continue to put the best interests of British SMBs and customers at the heart of what we do.

"We will continue to work with the UK Government and at a European level to ensure we are close to any discussions/changes resulting from this vote, which may affect our customers.

"Regards,
"The eBay-Team"

Meanwhile, one eBayer on a US discussion board wrote on June 24, "GB Pound down: buy British antiques!"

"If the Pound stays down, now could be the best time for years for eBay $US buyers to buy £GB Antiques listings," they wrote.

Another responded, "Thanks for the heads up, I have a couple of items in my watch list from the UK."

But one eBayer wrote, "Note that the OP is from the UK. Self-promotion!? And now that the UK has voted to leave the EU who known what the Pound is going to do."

My take on it is it probably is too early to tell, but it couldn't hurt to look at eBay UK listings to see if there are bargains to be had.

What do you think the impact of the Brexit will be on eBay buying or selling? Let me know in the comments section!