In the fall of 2019, I sold a perfectly functional, vintage Canon AE-1 camera to a buyer in Oregon. I packed it with an absurd amount of bubble wrap, taped the box like it was Fort Knox, and shipped it off. Three days later, I received a message that made my blood run cold: "Item arrived smashed. Refund now." The photos attached showed a camera that looked like it had been run over by a lawnmower—and, crucially, had a different serial number than the one I sent. That was the day I learned that selling on eBay isn't just about listing items; it's about defensive driving. I spent weeks fighting that case, and while I eventually won the appeal, the stress was debilitating. That specific incident was the catalyst that forced me to master the "Blocked Bidder List," transforming me from a passive seller into a gatekeeper of my own business.
Finding the Hidden Switch: How to Block a Buyer on eBay
If you are frantically clicking around a user's profile looking for a giant red "Block" button, stop. You won't find it there. eBay, in their infinite wisdom, has buried the blocking feature deep within the administrative settings, likely to prevent sellers from blocking people too casually.
The process of how to block a buyer on ebay actually starts in the "Help" menu.
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Navigate to "Help & Contact": This is usually at the top left of the screen.
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Search for "Block Buyer": Do not scroll; just type it.
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Click the Link: Look for the article titled "Block bidders or buyers from your listings." Inside that article is a hyperlink to the actual tool.
Here's where it gets interesting... the interface looks like it hasn't been updated since 2005. It is a simple text box. You paste the username (or email, though usernames are safer) into the box. You can add multiple names by separating them with a comma or a new line.
I currently have a "Do Not Fly" list of about 65 users. Some are scammers, some are abusive communicators, and some are just habitual non-payers.
Honest Failure: In 2020, I tried to block a buyer named "VintageLover_99" (not real name). I typed it from memory as "VintageLover99" (missing the underscore). A month later, the real VintageLover_99 bought another item and left me negative feedback. The lesson? Always copy and paste the username directly from the order details or message thread. Never trust your memory with exact spelling.
The Mobile Struggle: How to Block Buyer in eBay App
We live on our phones. Naturally, when a buyer sends you a nasty message at 8 PM while you are at dinner, you want to block them immediately from the app.
So, how to block buyer in ebay app? The answer is frustratingly limited.
You cannot access the master "Blocked Bidder List" from the standard settings menu in the eBay app (whether you use iOS or Android). You cannot simply go to "Settings" and type in a name.
The Workaround: However, if the buyer has messaged you, you have a shortcut.
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Open the message thread.
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Tap the menu icon (usually three dots in the corner).
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Select "Block User" or "Block this member."
This works for stopping communication and future purchases, but it is reactive. You can only do it after they have engaged with you. If you want to block a bidder who keeps retracting bids but hasn't messaged you, you have to open Chrome or Safari on your phone, log in to the desktop site, and use the method described in the previous section.
Beyond the Button: Configuring the "Block Bidder" Settings
Blocking a user stops them from buying, but does it stop them from harassing you? Not by default. This is the step most sellers miss.
When you learn how to block a ebay buyer, you are typically just stopping the transaction. To stop the noise, you need to adjust your "Buyer Requirements."
The Critical Toggle: In your Account Settings > Selling Preferences > Buyer Requirements, there is a small checkbox that says: "Don't allow blocked buyers to contact me."
Check this box.
If you don't, a blocked buyer can still click "Contact Seller" on your active listings and demand to know why they can't bid. I once blocked a low-baller who offered me $5 on a $100 jacket. because I didn't have this box checked, he proceeded to send me 15 messages over the next two hours asking "Why???" and "I'll pay $10." It was digital torture.
(I should note that if you have an active transaction with them—meaning they bought something and then you blocked them—they can still message you about that specific order regardless of this setting. You cannot block communication on an open order.)
Managing the Blocked Bidder List: A Living Document
Your blocked bidder list is not a permanent prison. It is a text file that you can edit at any time.
I review my list once a year. Sometimes, I unblock people. Anecdote: I had a buyer in 2021 who lived in a region I didn't ship to at the time (Italy, due to customs delays). I blocked him to prevent the sale. Two years later, eBay's Global Shipping Program (now eBay International Shipping) made shipping to Italy safe and easy. I went back, removed him from the list, and messaged him. He bought the item that week.
Opinion Statement: I believe that permanent blocks should be reserved for abuse and theft. If a buyer was just annoying or asked too many questions, I might unblock them after six months. Money is money, and people can mature (sometimes).
Advanced Defense: Blocking Buyers Before They Strike
You shouldn't have to manually block every bad actor. You can set up automated defenses that act as a preemptive block bidder system.
This is done through the "Buyer Requirements" section in the Seller Hub.
The "Two Strikes" Rule: You can configure your store to automatically block any buyer who has:
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2 or more unpaid item strikes in the last 12 months.
This is the single most effective setting on eBay. It filters out the flakes. Since I turned this on, my "non-paying bidder" rate dropped to almost zero. It effectively crowdsources the blocking process—if a buyer stiffed another seller, they can't buy from me.
I use Closo to automate my inventory management across platforms – saves me about 3 hours weekly – but I rely on eBay's internal automation for this specific "bad buyer" filtering because it accesses data (unpaid strikes) that third-party tools can't see.
When Blocking Isn't Enough: Reporting a Buyer
There is a difference between a difficult buyer and a dangerous one. Knowing how to block ebay buyer access is for the former; reporting is for the latter.
You should use the "Report Buyer" tool if:
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They threaten you: "I know where you live" or "I'm going to get you banned."
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They demand off-site sales: "Text me at this number to arrange payment." (This is a classic scam).
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They abuse returns: They admit in messages to damaging the item or using it for an event and then returning it.
Honest Failure: I once hesitated to report a buyer who was clearly fishing for a partial refund ("Give me $20 back or I leave negative feedback"). I just blocked him and moved on. He eventually left the negative feedback anyway. If I had reported him for "Feedback Extortion" immediately, eBay likely would have blocked the feedback from ever posting. I learned that passivity hurts your metrics.
Common Question I See About Notification
People always ask me if the buyer knows they have been blocked. The short answer is no, not until they try to spend money. eBay does not send a notification email saying "You have been blocked by [Seller Name]." However, the moment they try to place a bid or click "Buy It Now," they will see a red error message at the top of the screen. It usually says something like: "This seller is not accepting bids or offers from you." Smart buyers know exactly what this means. New buyers might be confused and try to message you (which is why you checked the "Don't allow contact" box, right?).
Common Question I See About Feedback
Common question I see is: Can a blocked buyer leave me negative feedback? This is the nightmare scenario. If a transaction never occurred (e.g., you blocked them before they bought anything), they cannot leave feedback. However, if they bought an item, paid for it, and then you blocked them? Yes, they can leave feedback. Blocking a user does not erase a past transaction. It only prevents future ones.
My Strategy: If I have a difficult transaction, I do not block the buyer immediately. I wait. I kill them with kindness. I wait for the return window to close or for them to leave feedback first. Once the dust settles, then I add them to the block ebayer list to ensure they never return. Blocking them mid-transaction often angers them and guarantees a negative review.
The Psychology of the "Block"
Now the tricky part... your own mindset. New sellers are often afraid to block. They think, "I can't turn away a customer! I need the sales!"
This is a fallacy. A bad customer costs you money.
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They cost you return shipping labels ($4 - $20).
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They cost you time answering 50 messages ($50+ of your labor).
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They cost you emotional energy.
Opinion Statement: I am absolutely certain that firing bad customers is the fastest way to grow a healthy eBay business. The top 1% of problem buyers cause 90% of your customer service workload. Cut them loose.
Tools That Help You Identify Who to Block
How do you know who to add to your blocked bidder list before they buy?
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Feedback Left for Others: This is my secret weapon. Before I accept a "Best Offer," I click on the buyer's profile and look at the "Feedback left for others" tab.
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If I see a wall of red (negative feedback) left for other sellers, or even "positive" feedback with passive-aggressive comments like "Took too long to ship but item ok," I block them immediately. They are impossible to please.
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The Question Tone: If a buyer's first message is aggressive ("Ship this today or I cancel"), that is a red flag. Block.
Conclusion
Mastering how to block a buyer on ebay is not about being petty; it is about protecting your storefront. eBay is a marketplace with millions of users. You do not need the business of the handful who make your life miserable.
My advice: Bookmark the "Block Bidders" page on your browser toolbar. Don't make yourself hunt for it every time. Use it liberally. Your peace of mind is worth more than the $15 profit on a used sweater.
If you are looking to further professionalize your selling to attract better buyers, check out the guide to optimizing listings. And if you are spending too much time dealing with non-paying bidders manually, look into how to automate your seller settings to let the platform do the heavy lifting for you.
Protect your time. Block the noise. Happy selling.
FAQ
Can I unblock a buyer later? Yes, the blocked bidder list is fully editable. You can navigate back to the same page where you added their username, delete the name from the text box, and click "Submit." They will immediately regain the ability to bid and buy from your store. I often do this for buyers who were blocked due to temporary shipping restrictions that have since been resolved.
Does blocking a buyer cancel their active bid? No. Adding a user to the block list prevents future bids, but it does not automatically remove bids they have already placed on an active auction. To remove a current bid, you must go to the "Cancel Bids" page in the Seller Hub and manually cancel their specific bid after you have added them to the block list.
Why can a blocked buyer still message me? By default, blocking only restricts buying privileges. To stop messages, you must go to Account Settings > Selling Preferences > Buyer Requirements and check the box that says "Don't allow blocked buyers to contact me." Note that this only applies to general inquiries; if you have an open transaction with them, they can always message you regarding that specific order.
