Why Did the Seller Block Me After My Purchase on Poshmark?

As a buyer navigating the complex world of online marketplaces, I encountered a situation that puzzled me. I purchased something expensive from a seller's closet but, immediately after the transaction, the seller blocked me. This experience prompted me to reflect on the expectations and experiences shared by both sellers and buyers on such platforms.

The Expectation Gap Between Buyers and Sellers

Most of the items I purchase on marketplaces like Poshmark are clothing or everyday essentials, items that don't require immediate delivery. Therefore, I expect buyers a reasonable amount of time to process their orders. It is my belief that if a seller can ship their goods the same day, they should be commended, but it should not be expected as a standard practice.

However, the platform guidelines provide a 3-7 day window for sellers to ship their orders, and a 3-day window for buyers to leave a rating. This mismatch creates a tension between the expectations of sellers and buyers. Buyers, with busy schedules, may not be able to constantly monitor their orders and leave immediate feedback. Tender commitments and travel arrangements further complicate real-time social media responsiveness.

The Realities of Seller Workload and Personal Time Constraints

Sellers often run small businesses, balancing multiple responsibilities such as sourcing products, managing orders, and fulfilling transactions. It is not uncommon for sellers to have other day-to-day tasks and social media commitments that can distract them from immediate platform engagement.

Moreover, the nature of my purchases is sporadic; I typically order items every 2-3 months. This infrequent nature of transactions means that I do not need real-time updates from the seller. This slow-paced behavior, however, isn't always appreciated by the platform, particularly when it comes to remaining active and responsive.

The Frustrations of Mobile App Notifications and Profile Followers

The mobile app for Poshmark sends frequent notifications, which can be overwhelming. Many users, like myself, opt to manage these notifications by either uninstalling the app or marking them all as read at once. These notifications can be disruptive, particularly for users with time-limited daily activities such as attending a show or party.

Additionally, new members are required to follow around 100 profiles in their initial setup, which seems like an unnecessary burden, especially when these followers are not necessarily related to the user's interest or needs.

Payment Processing and Seller Blockage

Another aspect that often goes unnoticed is the payment processing timeline. Poshmark retains payments for 3 days before transferring them to the seller. This delay, while explained in the platform's policies, is not always transparent to new buyers. For many, this 3-day hold can be seen as an inconvenience, but considering that buyers may only be paid monthly, this delay is proportionate to the larger financial transaction cycle.

The incident in question involved a Poshmark Ambassador blocking me after I had written a personal thank you note expressing appreciation for her performance. I picked up the item from my apartment's mailbox 2 days after it was delivered and opened it the next day. When I tried to leave a thank you note on the 4th day, I was blocked. Additionally, I couldn't leave a rating for the transaction.

Conclusion

The experiences of both sellers and buyers on online marketplaces like Poshmark are often governed by a combination of platform policies, seller workloads, and user behavior. These systems can create friction and misalignment, as both parties face different time constraints and expectations.

For true symbiosis and mutual success, there needs to be realistic communication and understanding between buyers and sellers. Transparency in payment policies, user-friendly notifications, and a balance in the timeline expectations can help foster a more harmonious and enjoyable experience on e-commerce platforms.

Keywords: Poshmark, seller behavior, e-commerce expectations, platform policies, buyer behavior