You can block buyers or sellers on eBay through your account settings in under a minute

eBay lets you prevent specific people from bidding on your items, buying from you, or contacting you. The block happens in your account settings, not during a transaction, and takes effect immediately. You can block as many people as you want, and eBay keeps a list you can view or edit anytime.

The process is the same whether you're a buyer blocking a seller or a seller blocking a buyer. You'll need the person's eBay username, and the block prevents them from seeing your listings, placing bids, or sending you messages.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your blocked-user list through Account settings, then Preferences, then Blocked Buyers and Sellers.
  • Enter the exact eBay username of the person you want to block — the username must be spelled correctly or the block won't work.
  • A block takes effect immediately and prevents that person from bidding on your auctions or buying your fixed-price items.
  • You can remove someone from your blocked list at any time using the same settings page.
  • Blocking someone does not cancel an active transaction or refund money already paid.

How to block someone through Account settings

Log into your eBay account and go to Account in the top right corner. Select Preferences from the dropdown menu. Look for the section labeled Blocked Buyers and Sellers — this is where you manage your entire block list.

Click Add to blocked list. A text box will appear asking for the eBay username of the person you want to block. Type their username exactly as it appears on eBay — usernames are case-sensitive in the system, though eBay's search will usually find it even if you use different capitalization. Click Confirm, and the block is active immediately.

The person will not receive a notification that you've blocked them. They simply won't be able to bid on your auctions, purchase your fixed-price items, or send you messages through eBay's messaging system.

What happens when you block someone

Once blocked, that person cannot place a bid on any of your auction-style listings. If you're a seller and they try to bid, eBay will reject the bid automatically. For fixed-price listings, they won't be able to click Buy It Now.

A blocked person also cannot send you messages through eBay's message center. If they try to contact you, the message won't go through. However, blocking does not prevent them from leaving feedback about a past transaction — feedback that was already left before the block stays on your record.

If you block someone after a transaction has already started, the block does not cancel the sale or refund any money paid. The block only affects future interactions. If you need to cancel an active transaction, you'll do that through the transaction details page, not through the block list.

Blocking a seller as a buyer

The process is identical whether you're blocking a buyer or a seller. Go to Account, then Preferences, then Blocked Buyers and Sellers, and enter the seller's username. Once blocked, you won't see that seller's listings in search results, and you won't be able to bid on or purchase any of their items.

Blocking a seller is useful if you've had a bad experience with them — poor communication, damaged items, or slow shipping — and don't want to do business with them again. You can block as many sellers as you want, and each block is independent.

Removing someone from your blocked list

Go back to Account, Preferences, Blocked Buyers and Sellers. You'll see a list of everyone you've blocked. Find the person you want to unblock and click Remove next to their name. The block is lifted immediately, and they can bid on your items or buy from you again.

There's no waiting period or confirmation step — removing someone from the list happens right away. If you change your mind, you can block them again by following the same process.

When blocking doesn't work or isn't enough

Blocking prevents someone from bidding or buying, but it doesn't stop them from viewing your listings or leaving feedback. If someone is harassing you through feedback or off-platform contact, blocking won't solve that problem. In those cases, report the behavior to eBay through the Resolution Center or by contacting eBay's customer service directly.

If you're a seller dealing with a buyer who won't pay after winning an auction, blocking them won't recover the money — you'll need to open an unpaid item case through the Resolution Center instead. Blocking is preventive, not corrective.

If you block someone by mistake or enter a username incorrectly, the block simply won't work because eBay can't find that username. Go back to your blocked list and remove the incorrect entry, then add the correct username.

How many people can you block

eBay does not publish a limit on the number of people you can block. In practice, most buyers and sellers block only a handful of people — usually fewer than 20. If you find yourself blocking dozens of people, it may be worth examining whether there's a pattern in your transactions that needs addressing.

Your blocked list is private. Other eBay users cannot see who you've blocked, and you cannot see who has blocked you. If someone has blocked you, you'll simply find that you can't bid on their items or see their listings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block someone if I don't know their exact username?

You need the exact eBay username to block someone. If you're not sure of their username, you can find it by looking at their feedback profile or a past transaction. Once you have the correct username, enter it in the blocked list. If you enter it incorrectly, the block won't work.

Will the person know I blocked them?

No. eBay does not notify users when they've been blocked. They'll only realize it when they try to bid on your item or send you a message and find they can't. There's no message explaining that they've been blocked.

Can I block someone who already won an auction from me?

Yes, but blocking them after the auction ends won't cancel the transaction or refund their payment. You can block them to prevent future transactions, but to cancel an active sale, you'll need to use the Resolution Center instead.

What if I block someone by accident?

Go to Account, Preferences, Blocked Buyers and Sellers, find their name in the list, and click Remove. The block is lifted immediately and you can do business with them again.

Can I see a list of everyone who has blocked me?

No. eBay doesn't show you who has blocked you. You'll only know someone has blocked you if you try to bid on their item or contact them and find you can't.