ebay Blocking Buyers..

[SlowFrog]

Hi,

Before I found the silver forum, I purchased mostly from dealers (and still do on occasion). Prior to that, I made several purchases on ebay (I stuck to established sellers with top ratings) but found that even with perfect feedback, and always paying for items instantly, I was frequently blocked from buying. Contacting customer services and asking for an explanation resulted in them immediately unblocking me but not providing any reasoning. This evening, I spotted a coin from Dorset Coin Company Ltd that I quite fancied so I added it to basket and tried to checkout. Blocked once again (fifth time, I believe) with no explanation or reason. I got this message:

"To ensure that eBay remains a safe marketplace to accept payments, limits are being placed on accounts based on reviews.  These limits may change over time and are determined by your previous site activity and overall performance.  This action was taken by eBay, and not by your seller."

To confirm once again. I pay immediately, have perfect feedback and no 'strikes' or warnings or anything of the sort. Confused, I decided to Google the message and it's taken me down a rabbit hole. It seems they have recently put a policy in place that specifically targets those buying and selling precious metals. I have my own thoughts on why this is the case and but I'm sure you'll draw your own conclusions. The Dorset Coin Company lost a sale tonight and they'll have no idea unless I let them know. How many other ebay sellers are unknowingly being impacted by this? That's the main reason I've posted this as I know quite a few of you sell on there.

By the way, some of the so-called solutions out there have made no difference for me. For example, two-step verification (which I've had for a while). Only a representative or significant period of time will allow you to buy once again. There are plenty of links like this out there if interested:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Share-eBay-Technical-Issues/Why-is-my-account-being-blocked-from-PURCHASING-silver-coins/td-p/31649712

 

Edited September 25, 2022 by SlowFrog

[James32]

18 minutes ago, SlowFrog said:

Hi,

Before I found the silver forum, I purchased mostly from dealers (and still do on occasion). Prior to that, I made several purchases on ebay (I stuck to established sellers with top ratings) but found that even with perfect feedback, and always paying for items instantly, I was frequently blocked from buying. Contacting customer services and asking for an explanation resulted in them immediately unblocking me but not providing any reasoning. This evening, I spotted a coin from Dorset Coin Company Ltd that I quite fancied so I added it to basket and tried to checkout. Blocked once again (fifth time, I believe) with no explanation or reason. I got this message:

"To ensure that eBay remains a safe marketplace to accept payments, limits are being placed on accounts based on reviews.  These limits may change over time and are determined by your previous site activity and overall performance.  This action was taken by eBay, and not by your seller."

To confirm once again. I pay immediately, have perfect feedback and no 'strikes' or warnings or anything of the sort. Confused, I decided to Google the message and it's taken me down a rabbit hole. It seems they have recently put a policy in place that specifically targets those buying and selling precious metals. I have my own thoughts on why this is the case and but I'm sure you'll draw your own conclusions. The Dorset Coin Company lost a sale tonight and they'll have no idea unless I let them know. How many other ebay sellers are unknowingly being impacted by this? That's the main reason I've posted this as I know quite a few of you sell on there.

By the way, some of the so-called solutions out there have made no difference for me. For example, two-step verification (which I've had for a while). Only a representative or significant period of time will allow you to buy once again. There are plenty of links like this out there if interested:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Share-eBay-Technical-Issues/Why-is-my-account-being-blocked-from-PURCHASING-silver-coins/td-p/31649712

 

Has happened to me a few times and been going on over a year now unfortunately. 

[SlowFrog]

2 minutes ago, James32 said:

Has happened to me a few times and been going on over a year now unfortunately. 

Thanks for the reply! I suspect there'll be plenty of others on here that have experienced it too. The worst for me was that it happened to a last minute bid I made in an auction (over a year ago, and it put me off) in which I would have been the highest bidder and won the item. Absolutely no reason for the block (because they restored my buying ability 30 mins later after I complained) and the person selling will have made a significant loss without knowing. It would certainly put me of selling there knowing that this is happening.

[James32]

1 minute ago, SlowFrog said:

Thanks for the reply! I suspect there'll be plenty of others on here that have experienced it too. The worst for me was that it happened to a last minute bid I made in an auction (over a year ago, and it put me off) in which I would have been the highest bidder and won the item. Absolutely no reason for the block (because they restored my buying ability 30 mins later after I complained) and the person selling will have made a significant loss without knowing. It would certainly put me of selling there knowing that this is happening.

Same thing happened to me a couple of times, almost as if they can tell when I'm genuinely interested in something 🙃 half heartedly bid and its all fine, spot a must have about to end and I'm denied ffs.

[SlowFrog]

1 minute ago, James32 said:

Same thing happened to me a couple of times, almost as if they can tell when I'm genuinely interested in something 🙃 half heartedly bid and its all fine, spot a must have about to end and I'm denied ffs.

Massively frustrating from a buyer's perspective but imagine that you're selling, your livelihood depends on it, and unbeknownst to you, there have potentially been multiple buyers blocked from purchasing your item, resulting in a significant loss. I have absolutely no idea how they can get away with that. Seems to me like there should be some legal obligation for them to at least inform the seller that certain bids were rejected based on some arbitrary, obfuscated policies.

[James32]

8 minutes ago, SlowFrog said:

Massively frustrating from a buyer's perspective but imagine that you're selling, your livelihood depends on it, and unbeknownst to you, there have potentially been multiple buyers blocked from purchasing your item, resulting in a significant loss. I have absolutely no idea how they can get away with that. Seems to me like there should be some legal obligation for them to at least inform the seller that certain bids were rejected based on some arbitrary, obfuscated policies.

Exactly, then there's the higher price items (say a 1oz gold coin) and on certain auctions the bid increments are £50-£100 a time?? That's costing both the seller and themselves extra money. 

[SidS]

I bought loads off of Dorset Coin Company over the years, no issues with them at all.

A similar purchase from them for myself happened resulting in a block, the limit you describe.

It occurs as you say because eBay have put limits on how much you can spend on your account (not sure if this is for all accounts or just some). It started when eBay moved away from PayPal and onto their new system and its very annoying.

I got round it by contacting Dorset Coin Company directly and paying by phone (comfortable to do this as I've purchased tons of coins off them over the past decade without any issues).

eBay's became a real pain in the... As such I've been using it a lot less since.

[SlowFrog]

6 minutes ago, SidS said:

I bought loads off of Dorset Coin Company over the years, no issues with them at all.

A similar purchase from them for myself happened resulting in a block, the limit you describe.

It occurs as you say because eBay have put limits on how much you can spend on your account (not sure if this is for all accounts or just some). It started when eBay moved away from PayPal and onto their new system and its very annoying.

I got round it by contacting Dorset Coin Company directly and paying by phone (comfortable to do this as I've purchased tons of coins off them over the past decade without any issues).

eBay's became a real pain in the... As such I've been using it a lot less since.

Thanks for sharing your experience! The phone is a good idea - I did try to buy directly from their website but it isn't working properly for (not displaying images correctly).

[Orpster]

In those circumstances where they are a trade dealer and have contact details, I would contact them and buy directly - have done it multiple times with dealers on eBay - generally they will offer a discount for direct sales as well

[SidS]

10 minutes ago, SlowFrog said:

Thanks for sharing your experience! The phone is a good idea - I did try to buy directly from their website but it isn't working properly for (not displaying images correctly).

Yeah their website is hit and miss.

I wouldn't normally go round eBay and deal directly.

However, they've been great with me over the years, I've even asked them to source coins for me, which they did.

Like the good old fashioned dealers of earlier times. Sure their prices might be on the high side at times (covering eBay fees etc ), but trust and knowing you're getting genuine coins, as described, and with dealers willing to find and source coins for you, in the condition you want, and at times are even open to haggling and offering reductions, makes me go back.

[LawrenceChard]

12 hours ago, SlowFrog said:

Thanks for the reply! I suspect there'll be plenty of others on here that have experienced it too. The worst for me was that it happened to a last minute bid I made in an auction (over a year ago, and it put me off) in which I would have been the highest bidder and won the item. Absolutely no reason for the block (because they restored my buying ability 30 mins later after I complained) and the person selling will have made a significant loss without knowing. It would certainly put me of selling there knowing that this is happening.

Is it possible to ask the seller a question after the auction has ended? If so, you could ask him if he is / was aware of the situation!

😎

[SidS]

4 minutes ago, LawrenceChard said:

Is it possible to ask the seller a question after the auction has ended? If so, you could ask him if he is / was aware of the situation!

😎

Totally. That's what happened to me. I purchased a Buy it Now and then found it wouldn't let me pay. So I contacted the sellers and they informed me of the eBay block issues, which were new to me at that point. Bearing in mind I had the funds and had purchased more expensive items from the same seller in the past. Totally mystifying why eBay had done this.

[Bigmarc]

I wonder if it is the same thing as the banks and their recent fraud protection overkill. I only say this as I have had a few months away from eBay and recently sold a couple of bits. Not massive amounts of money but I noticed two really small payments in my account, no notification from eBay. It wasn't until I googled it and went into my payment settings that there was a notification that I had to verify my account using the two small payments. I have had hundreds of transactions going in and out of the same account for years so am wondering what these new rules are that companies have to adhere to. It has become that bad that I have returned to using cash on the parking machines as it now takes 3 times as long to achieve.

[SovereignBishop]

The only thing I use Ebay for now is to check completed listing prices.

 

I will never buy from it again when Amazon exists and this forum has a trade forum.

[Guest]

Thank you for pointing this out it was happening to me too and I was getting extremely frustrated by it. 

[SidS]

3 hours ago, SovereignBishop said:

The only thing I use Ebay for now is to check completed listing prices.

 

I will never buy from it again when Amazon exists and this forum has a trade forum.

Funny, I gave up on Amazon. They were always trying to push me onto Amazon prime constantly, always trying to make me join up for a trial - always had to have my wits about me when ordering to ensure I didn't accidentally subscribe to it. Never wanted prime, never ordered enough to make it worthwhile. So gave up with Amazon altogether.

[dicker]

How odd.  EBay is a bit schizophrenic in that:

It blocks honest people from buying genuine coins.  

But at the same time allows crooks to sell counterfeit coins.

On the face of it, it doesn’t make sense but I suspect there that control over some sales is related to a regularory or control function, whereas listing counterfeits is not.  

[Gordy]

8 hours ago, LawrenceChard said:

Is it possible to ask the seller a question after the auction has ended? If so, you could ask him if he is / was aware of the situation!

😎

its down to ebay issues with the buyers, they did it to me around 5 times and eventually after a lengthy convo on the phone they lifted it, they say they do it to stop buyers over committing themslves to sales, the sellers never even know it happens... its so f**king annoying

[GoldDiggerDave]

I can not understand why anyone would use ebay to purchase PM's , not bashing anyone I just don't see why anyone would even if the sovereign etc was a fraction cheaper I'd just buy from a fellow TSF member or a trusted dealer. 

I had a lovely 1oz silver bar from the Sunshine mint my mate got of ebay in hand today ......It was 80% copper🤣  

Edited September 26, 2022 by GoldDiggerDave

[James32]

Just now, GoldDiggerDave said:

..It was 80% copper🤣  

That's a win as copper is doing well lol.

[Darr3nG]

2 hours ago, GoldDiggerDave said:

I had a lovely 1oz silver bar from the Sunshine mint my mate got of ebay in hand today ......It was 80% copper🤣  

I was wondering why you were so eager to sell it on...  

[SidS]

11 hours ago, GoldDiggerDave said:

I can not understand why anyone would use ebay to purchase PM's , not bashing anyone I just don't see why anyone would even if the sovereign etc was a fraction cheaper I'd just buy from a fellow TSF member or a trusted dealer.

I do take the point, can't argue with it really.

That said - whilst I purchase a lot of higher quality hammered coins from dealers, there's many coins that I simply can't find from dealers.

One example, I was after an F grade 1829 half crown for about £50-£60.

Most dealers had VF, EF or top notch grade ones for hundreds of pounds. Can't afford those kind of prices - I'll only spend that on hammered coinage.

eBay had a selection of lower grade ones that were in my budget. Sure a little overpriced but getting decent, problem free, low grade (uncleaned, unmounted, unadulterated coins) most coin dealers just don't stock that kind of material.

So eBay had allowed me to build a nice date run of lower grade, issue free coins.

If I had to buy all from dealers, I'd never get anywhere. Don't want UNC coins.

Why don't I buy from the forum?

Well if any of you have got an 1826 George IV sixpence with the second laureate head/garter reverse in Fair to Fine grade, then let me know.

I'm not sure most members on here would have what I'm after. Unless any of you deal in coins from the reigns of Richard II or Stephen? 😁

Edited September 27, 2022 by SidS

[GoldDiggerDave]

12 minutes ago, SidS said:

I do take the point, can't argue with it really.

That said - whilst I purchase a lot of higher quality hammered coins from dealers, there's many coins that I simply can't find from dealers.

One example, I was after an F grade 1829 half crown for about £50-£60.

Most dealers had VF, EF or top notch grade ones for hundreds of pounds. Can't afford those kind of prices - I'll only spend that on hammered coinage.

eBay had a selection of lower grade ones that were in my budget. Sure a little overpriced but getting decent, problem free, low grade (uncleaned, unmounted, unadulterated coins) most coin dealers just don't stock that kind of material.

So eBay had allowed me to build a nice date run of lower grade, issue free coins.

If I had to buy all from dealers, I'd never get anywhere. Don't want UNC coins.

Why don't I buy from the forum?

Well if any of you have got an 1826 George IV sixpence with the second laureate head/garter reverse in Fair to Fine grade, then let me know.

I'm not sure most members on here would have what I'm after. Unless any of you deal in coins from the reigns of Richard II or Stephen? 😁

Leave this with me, I’m always happy to help a fellow TSF, and I do come across more than the odd coin a week. 
 

BTW I do know what you are looking for. 🤗

Edited September 27, 2022 by GoldDiggerDave

[SidS]

On 27/09/2022 at 08:58, GoldDiggerDave said:

Leave this with me, I’m always happy to help a fellow TSF, and I do come across more than the odd coin a week. 
 

BTW I do know what you are looking for. 🤗

I've finally managed to find one, a dealer I use, tipped me off! First one they've had as well.

[Paul]

On 25/09/2022 at 23:28, James32 said:

Has happened to me a few times and been going on over a year now unfortunately. 

. . . . . . . because ebay wanted you to leave some items for others due to your mega hoovers super suction & over-eagerness