I WANT them to know they're blocked...

I believe in this situation the text is actually delivered but your phone blocks the message from showing up on your screen. If this situation ever showed up in a court case I don't know if you would be held liable simply because their phone shows "delivered." You could make a feature request to Apple for the rare case that people want the other party to know they are blocked. In this case you may just want to send a message to them stating that they are blocked on your phone and any emails, calls, or texts will not come through and they will receive no response.

or if there was a mail rule that could be set to alleviate his issue that maybe someone knew about

The OP was about Messages. Not Mail.

The reality is that providing notice that you have been blocked by a party may lead to unwanted and aggressive behaviour towards the blocker.

If the OP is looking for a mission-critical form of communication with acknowledgements for both sending and receiving, Messages is not it.

See, that is a problem for people who are being bullied or stalked. They don't want the sender to know anything about what they are or are not doing. That is the primary reason for the Blocking option. If you want to send a suggestion to Apple, do so here: Apple - Feedback

Cheers,

GB

start a new thread, this one is two years old. Otherwise This is a volunteer forum. To speak with an Apple Representitive use the Contact Apple link at the bottom of this page otherwise you may leave feedback at www.apple.com/feedback. with apple.

There is a world of difference between "delivered" and "received"

Using a postal analogy... the post service drops your "letter" in the recipient's mailbox. They have delivered the letter. That the receiving party is not checking their mailbox for mail does not change that.

The post office can rightly claim they have delivered the message, but shouldn't claim it has been received.

Isn't the "hole" in your logic? You blocked them, so you're not going to get that critical information are you?

Good for you. Apparently you are not being stalked by someone you are afraid of. Or someone who is bullying you. If you want an option, let Apple know: Apple - Feedback

GB

If you don't want to listen to advice then don't post. This is a technical assistance site, not a sounding board for how you 'think' the software should work. If you are big on protocol then follow it yourself. Apple Support Communities Use Agreement

Has this problem been eradicated? I have the same issue, I need the people I blocked to know I am not receiving their messages. At least an "unable to be sent" message, because even if I do unblock them even seconds after they send me a message that says delivered, I still NEVER get their message. It's not like the messages get stored somewhere like voicemail in "blocked voice messages." This should be implemented for text messages as well.

Thank you gail from maine, that is very good advice. Never thought of that one. I was merely commenting on a comment. You should direct your response to the OP, albeit ancient history now, who was asking for advice on this, or if there was a mail rule that could be set to alleviate his issue that maybe someone knew about. Unfortunately no one ever responded with anything substantial. Until you came along.