Idea to Protect Sellers on eBay

I have an idea to protect sellers on eBay from bad buyers. Nothing too spectacular though...

A universal buyer block list. eBay could allow sellers to subscribe to such lists by category or altogether. So, if a bad buyer screws over one seller, the buyer is screwing over all sellers (I'll call it the Seller Beware, or "All for one and one for all." List). This would theoretically regulate and keep accountable the strong buyer protection program, and limit access to goods to fraudulent buyers.

Instead of waiting for eBay to implement such a list (unless one exists already, which I'm unaware of), this can be done now with an ad hoc universal, shared list here on CoinTalk.

The potential downside would be legitimate or "reformed" buyers who are blocked from buying coins and other goods due to a "bad" experience by one seller, who would otherwise be great buyers. So, individual sellers would have to adhere to a set criteria to even add buyers to such a list (e.g. repeat offenses, time of last offense, degree of offense, substantiated proof, etc.). This would be much more streamlined if eBay were to pull data on this and do it themselves to permit users from entering a seller beware list, and I will probably ask them to do it via suggestion. Of course, such a program can be worked around by bad buyers, but I think it would make business easier for sellers.

OR

eBay could just label a buyer as restricted if they meet the same internal criteria as in the aforementioned universal block list, and sellers could deny bidding permission to restricted buyers, instead of having a universal list. They already have that platform in place, so this would just increase its limitation, so this may be easier.

EDIT: eBay's buyer requirements platform added.


Thoughts?

 

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IMO the #1 downside would be people who just don't like other people, particularly competition.
They could be put on the list for reasons that have nothing to do with a transaction.
Now what?

 

Individual sellers would have to adhere to a set criteria to even add buyers to such a list (e.g. repeat offenses, time of last offense, degree of offense, substantiated proof, etc.).

Aside from individuals abiding by such a criteria via an ad hoc list, if eBay implemented it, they could simply pull data into a set criteria showing a pattern of "bad behavior" to even allow buyers to be added to that list in the first place. So, "good" buyers can't physically be allowed to be added by sellers.

eBay already "sort of" does this by suspending buyer accounts who have 2 unpaid item claims in a year. This would be similar but would apply to more shady buyers with, say, a multitude of SNAD cases, yet allows the buyer to continue to buying as if (s)he were on parole/review, like a restricted buyer. eBay could actually just label a buyer as restricted, and sellers could deny access to restricted buyers instead of having a universal list.

 

Don't forget, eBay keeps "throwing up its hands" by adding new categories to "it's not our responsibility" list.
Look at how difficult it is anymore to report listing infractions and other coin-related problems.
IMO eBay says caveat emptor.
To the best of my knowledge eBay does not keep records (and award black marks) of buyers who are NPB's. They say they do but ....

Frankly I don't trust eBay.

 

eBay won`t do it.
I use
BadBuyerList.org

You can either check the buyer in the site or Google their ID and it will show up.
Its not just for eBay though its all internet buyers.

 

I agree kanga, it seems like eBay just either doesn't want to deal with the issue, or doesn't know what to do (or both).

Unfortunately, I think that site goes back to what kanga and I have been saying, that sellers can just add any buyer for any reason.

 

When i look at my block list, alot of them arent even regustered users any more. I assume most of them open new accounts.

I remember i blocked a buyer and he opened a new accout and purchased from me. So there is no way to truly block someone.

 

But couldn't we also block any new users from bidding at all when listing, unless they have a certain score? Thereby, only relatively established buyers can purchase from the seller.

 

If eBay isn't even willing to let sellers leave negative or neutral feedback for buyers, how on Earth would you convince them to implement something like this, which is even more ripe for abuse?

I agree that eBay doesn't do enough to protect sellers. I used to be a PowerSeller. Now, list something once every few years. I keep talking about selling more... but I'm just not convinced that it's safe.

But, as I said, I don't think an idea like you propose stands a chance. And if you start a third-party service to do the same thing, and it becomes large and successful enough to come to eBay's attention, I think you can expect eBay Legal to come down on you like a ton of bricks. I'm sure they could interpret their Terms of Service in such a way as to prohibit redistributing that kind of information.

 

eBay does seem to be slow and unwilling to change. Though eBay's earnings have dropped and my take on that is because sellers are not being taken care of, so now may be the time for them to look for alternatives from the status quo.

If eBay's still stubborn about changing, perhaps reporting buyers would be the way to go. In the Buyer Requirements section when listing, sellers could make the number of reports to "4" (the minimum) and so buyers with 4 or more reports on them will be restricted. This has its failings as mentioned, but it's a platform already in play. However, I'm unsure if policy violation reports mean that eBay reviewed and substantiated the report, or if it's simply the initial report sent by the seller.

 

Yes but its better than what is offered by eBay.
One person I put on has had dozens of entries by other sellers and he hasn`t had the brains to change his ID.

 

Yeah, eBay should step it up.

How about an internal, universal CoinTalk buyer block list?

 

Also, if eBay continues to perform financially worse than expected, the powers at be at eBay may be more open to change from their status quo position. Money persuades well!

 

That list is far better than nothing.

 

It sounds like a list in general is a good idea.

Too bad for me I didn't think of that years ago. Whenever I think I have a stroke of genius, it's already been made.

I guess a CoinTalk version would be redundant.

 

What is needed much more than a Blocked Buyers list is a Blocked Sellers list so that their (damaged, overgraded, counterfeit, etc.)crap doesn't even show up on a search.

 

If someone did create a seller block list, that would work given eBay's current platform. A universal seller block list on Coin Talk may be a first of its kind. Unless, of course, one already exists somewhere else.

Though, good sellers can end up on this list for unreasonable reasons. And then, the issue of removal comes to question...

 

Ebay is a great, but here are 2 things to make it better:

1) Automatic payment. You won an auction, the next second your Paypal account is debited. No more waiting for days or weeks to receive payment.
2) Buyers can't leave negative, neutral or less than 3 star DSR, unless they first contact the seller to solve the problem.

 

1. I dont like as a seller, cause i like when people buy multiple coins i can combine shipping.
2. I like

 

1) So long as the PP account holder approves, and the method of payment order is set (e.g. some people may prefer CC to get cash back points; some people especially those who are dual buyer/sellers may prefer it not go through automatic payment, since they want CC points/miles - as it is now, if they have a PP balance, it would automatically go through that first instead). Combined shipping mentioned above is another great point.

2) I'm playing devil's advocate here... there may be time frame issues with response time... buyers can give up prematurely and not even leave feedback due to this wait time. eBay may not like how that doesn't appeal to buyers, and so it may be more unlikely. I'd personally want this though, but I'm biased...