Buyer blocks, do you have them set as high as possible?

[coast_golf]

Just in the past month or two I've had a large number of bids rejected by my blocks, primarily low feedback buyers who don't meet the phone verification requirement.

I have all my blocks set as strong/high as they can go and obviously this includes those with FB of 5 or less that aren't phone verified. I've never much of a problem with low FB non payers and I was just wondering if it would be worth relaxing/removing this block? Or would this just be tempting fate! I'd be interested to hear the experiences of those who don't have this block in place and whether it results in higher numbers of NPB's.

Thanks 🙂

[shepherdsrule]

My only setting is 2 strikes within 6 months and I have not had many NPB's at all.

[digital*ghost]

My only setting is 2 strikes within 6 months and I have not had many NPB's at all.

Ditto.

I used to have the phone verification block, but my items are far from high risk and I think it prevented genuine sales, as I know some people have joined eBay specifically to buy one of my items - the verification block is rendered void if the buyer puts a credit card on file or connects a PayPal account anyway, so I would only consider it again if I was selling high value items prone to scammers. 

I've always had the NPB one set to 2 in six months, and the activity log averages less the 10 buyers blocked every 90-odd days, and lately I might get 1 NPB every 6-8 weeks. 

[coast_golf]

Thanks guys, I set my blocks at the maximum on the advice of a family member who is the resident eBay expert but I have a feeling it's costing me. Will give it a run for a few months with it removed and see how it goes 🙂

[digital*ghost]

One thing to be aware of, even though it says removing blocks applies to current and future listings... it doesn't actually work that way. The changes will apply to future listings, but not the current ones. (When I lifted the verification block, I still had to go in and manually change all of my listings - I didn't think at the time to check if it's possible to do it in bulk via Selling Manager, but most things are).

[shepherdsrule]

BIA - if you do find it increases the number of NPB you can always change back. Personally I am of the opinion that we all started somewhere with 0 feedback, so I tend to give everyone a fair go.

And to be honest the 3 NPB I have had, were all over 100 feedback, so you just can't judge a book so to speak 😉

[davewil1964]

I use 2 in six months and locations I don't post to.

I have had a fair few low FB buyers and they are no more likely, in my experience, to be a NPB than more experienced members.

[judyfidella]

Where do you look to monitor the effect of the buyer blocks?

[thesoulyearns]

Where do you look to monitor the effect of the buyer blocks?

I'm wondering that also.

My blocks are set to the most leniant. Having had two or three non-payers in the past, I made sure to put blocks in but just enough to allow people a second chance. I'm a small seller so maybe that's why I don't want to put them as high as possible.

[***super_nova***]

I have all the blocks, but relaxed the NPBs to 2 per 6months.  I do get some low FB non verified people blocked, but they often bid later, obviously got their verification.  If they did not get verified after being blocked, why not?  Either they did not want the item so much, and could have possibly decided not to pay or do SNAD claim later; or they were not to be trusted to start with.  Either way, I was glad they did not get the option to bid.  🙂