Shoutbox

Because tags (like (!BAN)) are interpreted as text, not as commands. Furthermore, you don't need to make a quicktext at all. Whatever you do in the quicktexts can also be done in the autoaway messages (except for the delays).

So, simply put this in your autoaway message:

This is the auto-block system. 5 messages and you're automatically blocked (5 messages left before blocking)...
#4 Messages left before blocking...
#3 Messages left before blocking...
#2 Messages left before blocking...
#1 Message left before blocking...
#/block (!M)

That's all you need to do, you don't need a quicktext at all...

But, if you really really want to use a quicktext, then use the alias command for that quicktext, not the alias tag.

Also note that all the lines in quicktexts are executed one after the other without the interaction of the contact. In away messages, each line is only executed after the contact has replied with a line!

Thus in your example, if the contact only sent 1 line he will not be blocked because the /ban command will only be executed after his second line!

   Away message: You have been blocked (but not quite yet)
                          #/ban
   Quicktext message: /block (!M)
   Quicktext alias: /ban or (!BAN)

To do what you want in your example:

   Away message: /ban
   Quicktext message: You have been blocked
                               #/block (!M)
   Quicktext alias: /ban or (!BAN)



Difference between a command and a tag:

Alias tags are used in text, they can't be used as commands. eg:
  Message: BOOOO
  Alias: /boo or (!BOO)

If you type "/boo" in a conversation the text "BOOOO" will appear because that is a command, and the command is: display the text "boooo".
If you type "(!BOO)" in a conversation the text "BOOOO" will appear, but this wasn't interpreted as a command, but as an alias tag. In other words, if you type "Hello, I say (!BOO) to you" then this will appear: "Hello, I say BOOOO to you". So tags function as replacers, not as commands...