I contacted ebay and this is how it went. Sorry it's hard to decipher but definitely looks like something shady is going on.
Escalation from eBay Helpbot
2022 - 12 - 13
09:47:34 UTC Jinky
Hello, welcome to eBay – my name is Jinky.
09:47:49 UTC
Hi Jinky
09:47:55 UTC Jinky
I see you opened this account 16 years ago, thank you for your loyalty.
09:47:58 UTC Jinky
Hi , I hope you're doing fine.
09:48:13 UTC
i tried to bid on an auction yesterday but was not allowed to bid
09:48:35 UTC Jinky
Oh, is there an error messages pop up when you try to bid?
09:49:32 UTC
Yes
09:49:41 UTC
How do I attach a file
09:50:43 UTC Jinky
Here in chat?
09:50:50 UTC
Yes
09:51:08 UTC Jinky
No options but, can you tell me what is the error messages?
09:52:48 UTC
Let me look at my screen shots.
09:54:15 UTC
Put that in your browser and it should take you to a post I made about the problem.
09:55:32 UTC Jinky
Sure let me check.
09:55:38 UTC
This is twice in a couple of weeks this has happened
09:57:24 UTC Jinky
I do apologize for inconvenience Anthony I did read the conversation but can't see the error message?
09:57:37 UTC Jinky
When you trying to bid is there an error messages?
09:57:47 UTC
Yes
09:57:56 UTC Jinky
What does it says?
09:58:13 UTC Jinky
Is this something unpaid canceled order?
09:58:20 UTC
Error 3008
09:58:41 UTC
you are unable to bid on this item because of seller restrictions
09:59:15 UTC
Then I tried to contact the seller but get a message the seller is not able to respond
09:59:56 UTC
I’m hoping you can tell me what is going on
10:00:27 UTC Jinky
Can I have the item number you want to bid?
10:00:46 UTC
Auction ended yesterday
10:01:13 UTC Jinky
How about the seller user name?
10:01:46 UTC
195505129280
10:01:54 UTC
That was the auction
10:02:44 UTC Jinky
Thank you for the information and I appreciate your prompt response. I'll be checking this one out, please stay on the line
10:03:04 UTC
I’ll be right here
10:03:21 UTC
I was going to bid with a max bid of $85
10:04:42 UTC Jinky
Thank you for patiently waiting, . I apologize for the wait, but I really appreciate it.
10:05:00 UTC Jinky
You're indeed correct Anthony seller's accounts under reviewed that's the reason you can't bid or purchase to his listing or sent a messages to them, once this restriction is done and lifted their account will back normal.
10:05:30 UTC
Really?
10:05:42 UTC
Huh that’s odd
10:06:22 UTC
So what happened to the bidding on that board?
10:06:40 UTC
It says winning bid is $31
10:07:22 UTC
Not anything that relates to auction being unwound for frivolous reasons
10:08:16 UTC Jinky
I see, as what I check here it was ended and someone won the auction.
10:09:00 UTC
Exactly why was bidding shut down early. Sounds like eBay shinanagains
10:09:25 UTC
It’s not adding up or making sense
10:09:54 UTC
Did someone at eBay bid time n that item?
10:10:10 UTC Jinky
I double check the seller's blocklisted Anthony and it shows your user id.
10:10:36 UTC Jinky
This is the reason why you no longer can bid or sent a message to them.
10:10:52 UTC
Bullshit
10:11:12 UTC
Your story is changing one minute to the next
10:12:15 UTC Jinky
Oh, sorry I just check the block list of this seller and you're one of them, as what I see here you've been able to send them a message last December 7, 2022 about a chip on the item.
10:12:19 UTC
Is sellers account under teview or did seller blocklist me. Pick one which is it?
10:12:44 UTC
Exactly
10:13:11 UTC
Nothing adds up or makes sense. Sounds more like eBay not the seller
10:13:36 UTC
I can get others to contact the seller to get to the truth
10:13:58 UTC
Shouldn’t have to though
10:14:45 UTC Jinky
At first when you says the error messages thats normally sent if the seller's account under restriction, but when I check you're able to send them a message then not anymore so I check their block list and you're one of them.
10:14:59 UTC
There is absolutely no reason for the seller to block me. Help me make sense of it. Send a message to the seller and let me know what the seller says
10:15:36 UTC
Who put the block? Seller or eBay?
10:16:06 UTC Jinky
I do have another way here to notify your seller, you can submit a complaint about this and explained what happen this will help you to have an explanation from them about being block.
10:16:07 UTC Jinky
www.ebay.com/help/action?topicId=485010:16:27 UTC Jinky
This is the link, to file a complaints.
10:17:25 UTC
That’s it? Good have to complain to the seller who I’m blocked from contacting?
10:18:40 UTC Jinky
By submitting this complaint your seller will be notify and also will ask to do something they might give an explanation why they did block you.
10:19:04 UTC Jinky
As you did not do something wrong, its just a question about the condition of the item.
10:19:34 UTC
Ok I pulled that page up. I will submit the complaint. That’s all it will do, the seller is not going to reply imo
10:20:18 UTC Jinky
I will also sent an alert to this seller that you're one of the best buyer here in eBay!
10:20:34 UTC
If you look at my account is there anything that would stop me from bidding on any auction?
10:21:16 UTC Jinky
As what I see here all strike for canceled unpaid order was remove so theres nothing wrong with your account.
10:22:22 UTC
Ok i’ll Follow up with that complaint link. Thank you
10:22:45 UTC Jinky
I'll leave a documentation here on our end for me to secure the information that we've discussed and I'll be sending a copy of this conversation as well to your email for your reference
10:22:47 UTC Jinky
I'm happy that I was able to help you. Again, my name is Jinky, take care of yourself ok?
10:22:59 UTC Jinky
Would there be anything else for the meantime?
10:23:31 UTC
No I’m good thank you.
10:23:43 UTC Jinky
Thank you so much for the patience and understanding that you have given us today.
10:23:46 UTC Jinky
Thank you as well for using eBay Live Chat! I will close our chat now. I hope you have a wonderful year ahead!
10:23:49 UTC
Chat ended by Jinky