Block a buyer from your eBay account in three steps

You can prevent a specific buyer from purchasing from you on eBay by adding them to your blocked buyers list. Once blocked, that person cannot bid on or buy your items, though they can still see your listings. Blocking takes about two minutes and requires you to be signed into your eBay account.

The blocked buyer will not receive a notification that you have blocked them. If they try to purchase one of your items, eBay will simply prevent the transaction from going through without explanation. You can unblock a buyer at any time using the same steps in reverse.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your blocked buyers list through Account settings, then Preferences, then Buyer blocking.
  • Enter the exact eBay username of the buyer you want to block — the system will not search for partial names.
  • A blocked buyer cannot purchase your items but can still view your listings and leave feedback.
  • You can block up to 5,000 buyers on a standard eBay account, though most sellers never need more than a handful.
  • Blocking takes effect immediately and does not cancel any purchases that buyer has already made from you.

Step-by-step: Finding the blocked buyers list

Start by signing into your eBay account. In the top right corner, click the account icon (it looks like a person's head and shoulders), then select Account from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, look for the left sidebar menu. Click Preferences, then scroll down until you see Buyer blocking. Click on it. This opens the page where you manage your entire blocked buyers list.

If you cannot find Buyer blocking in Preferences, your account may have a different layout. Try searching "buyer blocking" in the Account settings search bar at the top of the page instead.

Adding a buyer to your blocked list

On the Buyer blocking page, you will see a text box labeled Add a buyer to your blocked list. Type the exact eBay username of the buyer you want to block into this box. The username must be spelled exactly as it appears on their eBay profile — eBay usernames are case-sensitive in the system, though the search is usually forgiving.

After you type the username, click Add or Block (the button label varies slightly by account). The page will refresh, and the buyer's username will appear in your blocked list below. That buyer is now blocked and cannot purchase from you.

If you see an error message saying the username does not exist, double-check the spelling. Common mistakes include adding spaces, using hyphens instead of underscores, or confusing similar-looking letters. If you are still unsure of the exact username, visit the buyer's eBay profile page and copy the username directly from there.

What happens after you block a buyer

Once blocked, that buyer cannot place a bid on any of your auctions or buy any of your fixed-price items. If they attempt to purchase, eBay will reject the transaction automatically. They will see an error message but will not know it is because you blocked them specifically.

A blocked buyer can still view your listings, leave feedback on past purchases, and send you messages through eBay's messaging system. Blocking only prevents new purchases — it does not hide your items from them or erase their ability to interact with you in other ways.

If the blocked buyer has already won an auction or purchased an item from you before being blocked, that transaction remains valid. Blocking only stops future purchases, not past ones.

Removing a buyer from your blocked list

If you change your mind about blocking someone, return to the Buyer blocking page using the same steps above. Find the buyer's username in your blocked list and click Remove next to their name. The page will refresh, and they will no longer be blocked. They can now purchase from you again immediately.

Removing a buyer from your blocked list does not notify them or change any past feedback or messages. It simply restores their ability to bid on and purchase your items going forward.

When to block a buyer

Block a buyer if they have a pattern of problematic behavior, such as repeatedly canceling purchases, leaving unfair negative feedback, or sending harassing messages. You might also block someone if they have won an auction and then refused to pay, or if they have a history of disputes with other sellers.

You do not need to block a buyer after a single bad transaction. eBay's Resolution Center allows you to report unpaid items and open disputes, which may be more appropriate than blocking. Reserve blocking for buyers you genuinely do not want to do business with again.

Some sellers block buyers from certain countries or regions to avoid shipping complications, though this is a business decision separate from problem behavior. Whatever your reason, blocking is a tool you control entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blocked buyer see that I blocked them?

No. A blocked buyer will not receive any notification. If they try to purchase one of your items, they will see only a generic error message. They have no way to know whether you blocked them specifically or whether the transaction failed for another reason.

What if a blocked buyer tries to purchase from me?

eBay will automatically prevent the transaction from completing. The buyer will see an error message saying the purchase cannot be processed. The item will remain unsold and available for other buyers. You will not be notified that a blocked buyer attempted to purchase.

Can I block a buyer if they have not purchased from me yet?

Yes. You can block anyone with an eBay username, whether or not you have had any prior transactions with them. This is useful if you want to prevent a specific person from bidding on upcoming auctions or buying fixed-price items.

How many buyers can I block?

Most eBay accounts can block up to 5,000 buyers. Business accounts may have different limits. You can check how many buyers you have already blocked by viewing your Buyer blocking page — it usually displays the count at the top.

Will blocking a buyer remove their feedback about me?

No. Blocking a buyer does not change, hide, or remove any feedback they have left on your account. If you need to address unfair feedback, you can respond to it or contact eBay's Resolution Center to report it separately.