If you’ve been selling on the eBay website for a while, chances are you’ve run into a few difficult buyers. Maybe someone keeps canceling their eBay orders, leaves negative feedback, or simply doesn’t pay after committing to buy. These types of interactions can hurt your business and waste your time. That’s where learning how to block an eBay buyer comes in handy.

In this guide, we’ll explain why blocking certain eBay users can protect your store, how to do it step-by-step, and what happens once someone is on your blocked buyer list. Whether you manage a large eBay store or you’re just getting started, this article will help you stay in control of your sales.

Why Would You Want to Block an eBay Buyer?

Most potential buyers on eBay are easy to work with—but unfortunately, not all of them. Here are a few common reasons eBay sellers decide to block buyers based on their behavior:

• Non-payment: Some buyers place bids or click Buy It Now, but never follow through with payment.

• Unpaid items: Repeat offenders who leave unpaid orders can damage your seller reputation.

• Abusive behavior: Rude messages, false claims, or threats during past transactions.

• Negative feedback abuse: Some buyers leave unfair or retaliatory reviews that lower your feedback score.

• Scam or fraudulent activity: Attempts to manipulate or trick sellers, including asking for off-platform deals.

Blocking such buyers helps protect your eBay business, avoid disputes, and maintain a positive experience for your real customers.

How to Block a Buyer on eBay: Step-by-Step

eBay allows you to block a buyer using their user ID or buyer’s username. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Block Bidders or Buyers page
   Navigate to the Block Bidders or Buyers eBay page.

2. Enter the buyer’s username in the text box
   Add the specific buyer you want to block. To block multiple buyers, separate usernames with commas.

3. Select Submit
   Click “Submit” to save your changes. That buyer is now on your eBay blocked buyer list.

Things to Remember:

• You can block up to 5,000 eBay accounts.

• The blocked person won’t be notified—they simply won’t be able to place bids or make a purchase.

• You can easily unblock someone or restore your list at any time.

This tool gives sellers a quick and effective way to stop future problems with specific users.

Set eBay Buyer Requirements to Avoid Problems

Besides manually blocking someone, eBay lets you apply specific criteria to automatically prevent risky buyers from interacting with your listings.

Here’s what you can do when you set eBay buyer requirements:

• Block users with low feedback scores

• Prevent buyers with a history of unpaid items

• Restrict users outside your shipping region

• Avoid buyers with recent policy violations or fraudulent activity

How to Access It:

1. Open Seller Hub

2. Go to Account Settings

3. Find the Buyer Requirements section

4. Adjust the options and save

These settings work as a preventive filter, reducing the chance you’ll need to block eBay buyers later.

What Happens After You Block Someone?

Once a buyer is on your blocked list:

• They won’t be able to buy your items or bid on your auctions.

• They can’t contact the seller, unless you message them first.

• They won’t know they’ve been blocked—it’s a silent and professional solution.

You stay in control without starting unnecessary conflict with potential customers.

When NOT to Block an eBay Buyer

Blocking should be a thoughtful decision. Sometimes, giving someone a second chance makes more sense:

• If the issue was minor or accidental

• If the buyer didn’t violate any major rules

• If they reached out through the contact seller option and showed good intent

Also, consider using eBay’s Resolution Center for disputes before resorting to blocking.

Best Practices for Blocking Buyers on eBay

• Keep a record: Note why you blocked a buyer on eBay, especially if it was due to abusive behavior or scam attempts.

• Review your blocked buyers regularly to keep the list current and relevant.

• Use buyer requirements and block bidders together for maximum protection.

• Report buyers who seriously violate policies—not just block them.

If you also sell on other marketplaces, make sure your blocking or filtering rules match across platforms where possible.

Final Thoughts

The option to block eBay bidders or buyers is there for a reason—it helps you protect your store, your reputation, and your peace of mind.

Running a successful eBay business means dealing with many kinds of buyers, but you shouldn’t feel stuck with the bad ones. Whether you're dealing with non-payment, negative feedback, or just want to prevent future problems, use these tools to create a smoother selling experience.