In the summer of 2022, I listed a vintage Nintendo GameCube bundle that I had meticulously cleaned and tested. Within an hour, I received an offer that was 20% over my asking price. My gut screamed "scam," but my wallet whispered "take it." I accepted. Immediately, the messages started: requests to text a phone number, demands for overnight shipping to a different address, and a weird story about a birthday in Nigeria. I canceled the order, but the buyer didn't stop. They bombarded my inbox at 3 AM with insults. That specific sleepless night taught me that on eBay, your "Blocked Bidder List" isn't just a tool; it is the moat that protects your castle. Learning to wield it effectively is the difference between a side hustle and a headache.
How to Block a Buyer on eBay (The Official Desktop Method)
If you are looking for a simple "Block" button on a user's profile page, you are going to be disappointed. eBay makes you work for it. The primary method for adding a generic block ebayer command is hidden within the Help pages.
When I first needed to do this, I spent twenty minutes clicking through my "Seller Hub" looking for a red button. It doesn't exist there.
The Step-by-Step Protocol:
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Go to the "Help & Contact" tab at the top of any eBay page.
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Type "block a buyer" in the search bar.
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Click the first link that says "Block a buyer."
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There will be a hyperlinked text that says "Block bidders or buyers from your listings." Click that.
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You will see a large text box. Paste the username of the person you want to exile.
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Click Submit.
Here's where it gets interesting... you can add up to 5,000 usernames to this list. I currently have about 45 names on mine after seven years of selling. It acts as a permanent firewall. Once they are on that list, they cannot bid, buy, or make offers.
Honest Failure: I once mistyped a username by one character (an underscore instead of a dash). Two weeks later, that same buyer purchased another item from me and left negative feedback. Always copy-paste the username; never type it from memory.
Can You Block a Buyer on eBay App? (The Mobile Workaround)
This is the most common frustration I hear. "I'm at dinner, I got a nasty message, and I want to block them now."
The bad news: You cannot access the master blocked bidder list from the eBay app settings. The app is designed primarily for buying and listing, not backend administrative security.
The good news: There is a backdoor, but only if they have messaged you.
If you are staring at a rude message in your inbox on the eBay app:
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Open the message thread.
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Tap the three vertical dots (menu) in the top right corner.
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Select "Block this member" or "Block user."
This shortcuts the process. However, if the buyer hasn't messaged you (say, they just keep bidding up your auctions and retracting), you have to open your phone's web browser (Chrome/Safari), log in to eBay classic site, and use the desktop method described above. It is clunky, but it is the only way.
How to Block a Buyer From Messaging You on eBay (The Hidden Toggle)
Here is a detail that trips up almost everyone. By default, putting someone on your block bidder buyer list only stops them from spending money. It does not stop them from sending messages.
I learned this the hard way when a blocked buyer continued to send me "???" messages for three days after I blocked them.
To truly silence them, you have to adjust your "Buyer Requirements."
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Go to Account Settings > Selling Preferences.
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Scroll down to "Your Buyers" and look for "Managing who can buy from you."
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Click "Edit" next to "Buyer Requirements."
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Check the box that says: "Don't allow blocked buyers to contact me."
Crucial Caveat: This setting only works if there is no active transaction. If you are currently in a transaction with them (e.g., you sold them an item and then blocked them), they can still message you about that specific order. You cannot block communication regarding an open financial transaction.
Stopping the Cycle: How to Block a Buyer From Bidding on eBay Automatically
You shouldn't have to manually block every bad actor. You can set up automated defenses. This is like setting a spam filter for your store.
When discussing how to block a buyer from bidding on ebay, the most powerful tool is the "Unpaid Item Strike" filter.In the same "Buyer Requirements" page mentioned above, you can tick a box that says:"Block buyers who caused: 2 cancellations of unpaid purchases within 12 months."
I use Closo to automate my unpaid item cancellations—it detects non-payment after 4 days and cancels the order automatically, which gives the buyer a "strike."
If every seller used this setting, non-paying bidders would effectively be banned from the entire platform. Since I turned this on in 2021, my non-payment rate dropped by about 90%.
The Feedback Loophole: How to Block a Buyer From Leaving Feedback on eBay
Now the tricky part... feedback. This is the seller's kryptonite. If you ask how to block a buyer from leaving feedback on ebay, the honest answer is: You usually can't.
If a transaction takes place, the buyer earns the right to review it. Even if you block them immediately after they pay, they can still leave a negative review.
The Exception: There is one specific scenario where you can block feedback. If a buyer does not pay, and the order is canceled for the reason "Buyer hasn't paid," any feedback they leave is automatically removed (or blocked from being posted).
My Strategy: If I have a nightmare buyer who has paid, I kill them with kindness. I ship instantly. I pack perfectly. I do everything to prevent the negative feedback. Once the transaction is over and feedback is left (or the 60-day window closes), then I block them to prevent a sequel. Blocking them prematurely often angers them into leaving a "revenge neg."
Managing Your Blocked Bidder List
Your blocked bidder list is not a black hole; it is a text file you can edit. Sometimes, you might want to unblock someone. I had a regular buyer who moved to a new address that my automated shipping settings flagged as "undeliverable." I accidentally blocked him. He emailed me (through his wife's account), explained the situation, and I restored him.
To edit the list:
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Go back to the "Block bidders or buyers" page.
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You will see the list of names in the text box.
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Simply delete the username you want to pardon.
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Click Submit.
Opinion Statement: I believe in "second chance" amnesty for low-ballers, but "life sentences" for rude communicators.A buyer who offers $5 on a $50 item is just annoying; a buyer who insults my packaging is a liability.
When to Use the "Report Buyer" Function
Blocking is defensive. Reporting is offensive. If a buyer is abusive, threatening, or clearly trying to scam you (e.g., "I'll pay you extra to include a gift card"), you need to report them to eBay Trust & Safety.
I reserve this for the truly unhinged.
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Anecdote: A buyer once threatened to come to my house because a shirt didn't fit. I didn't just block him; I reported him to eBay and filed a police report. eBay banned his IP address within 24 hours.
If you are just dealing with a picky customer, a block is sufficient. If you are dealing with a predator, use the Report tool found in the "Action" menu next to the order.
Common Scams That Require an Immediate Block
In 2025, the bots are smarter. You need to recognize the signals before the sale happens.
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The "Text Me" Request: "I have a question about the item condition, please text me at 555-0199." BLOCK. They are trying to take you off-platform to steal your info.
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The Address Change: "I just bought this but I moved, please ship to [Different Address]." CANCEL & BLOCK.You lose seller protection if you ship to any address other than the one on the order.
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The Partial Refund Fisher: "Item arrived. There is a tiny scratch you didn't mention. I'll keep it for a 50% refund." BLOCK (Future). Ask for a return. They usually won't return it because the scratch doesn't exist. They just want free money.
Conclusion
Knowing how to block a buyer on ebay is a fundamental skill for preserving your mental health. It is not rude; it is professional boundaries.
The eBay ecosystem is massive. There are millions of buyers. You do not need the business of the 0.1% who cause 99% of the problems. My rule is simple: If seeing a buyer's name in my inbox raises my blood pressure, they go on the list.
Don't be afraid to curate your clientele. A blocked buyer is a bullet dodged.
If you want to protect your store further, check out the guide to seller protection best practices to lock down your account settings. And if you are spending too much time manually filtering bad buyers, look into automation tools for eBay sellers to handle the screening process for you.
FAQ
Common question I see... Will the buyer know I blocked them?
No, eBay does not send a notification saying "You have been blocked." However, if they try to bid on your item or click "Buy It Now," they will see a generic error message stating: "This seller is not accepting bids or offers from you." Smart buyers will figure it out quickly, but there is no dramatic "You are banned" email.
People always ask me... Can a blocked buyer still see my listings?
Yes. Blocking a buyer does not make your store invisible to them. They can still search for your items, look at your photos, and read your descriptions. They just cannot interact with the listing (bid, buy, or make an offer). Think of it like a "Do Not Touch" sign in a museum; they can look,but they can't take it home.
Common question I see... How do I block a buyer with 0 feedback?
You cannot block all 0-feedback buyers specifically. eBay removed this option years ago because everyone has to start somewhere. However,
