Blocking and ignoring are not equal. They solve different problems, and using the wrong one costs time or money.
Ignoring a buyer is passive. Blocking is preventive.
If a buyer is annoying but harmless, ignoring is usually enough. Endless questions, low-effort messages, vague interest, or time-wasting curiosity fall into this category. These buyers drain attention but do not reliably turn into disputes. Ignoring them costs nothing except a bit of mental bandwidth.
Blocking is for buyers who show risk signals.
Problem buyers reveal themselves through patterns, not single messages.
Block immediately if a buyer:
- Renegotiates after agreeing to a price
- Pushes for off-platform communication
- Threatens feedback or returns before buying
- Repeatedly asks for exceptions, favors, or special handling
- Has a history of disputes, refunds, or aggressive tone
These behaviors correlate strongly with post-sale problems. Ignoring them leaves the door open. Blocking closes it.
The mistake sellers make is blocking too emotionally or too late.
Blocking out of irritation reduces reach unnecessarily. Blocking after a transaction starts often comes after damage is already done. The correct use is early and intentional.
Ignoring has one hidden cost. The buyer can still purchase later. If they do, the behavior does not improve. It usually escalates once money is involved.
Blocking prevents that scenario entirely.
A simple rule keeps this clean:
Ignore annoyance. Block risk.
Your account does not grow by being accessible to everyone. It stays healthy by filtering out buyers who turn small transactions into long problems.
Silence is fine for noise. Blocking is for protection.