eBay Question on Non-Paying Bidder

RedHerring

I sold a coin on eBay that closed last Sunday night and have not received payment or any communication from the buyer. I'm new to selling on eBay and this is the first time I've had this happen.

Last night, after 3 days, I sent a follow-up invoice with no response. It's been over 4 days now and I can open a case. Should I do it now or wait a couple more days?

mrpotatoheadd

What are your auction terms? What is the buyer's feedback like? Personally, I'd wait a bit before starting to worry.

Pokermandude

I think the minimum amount of time before being able to open an unpaid item case is 7 days.

I routinely have people wait for 3-4 days before paying, not sure why. I typically resend a "reminder" invoice after 3 days. Just had a guy tonight pay for an item he won on Sunday. Too bad there's now a mail strike/lockout (I'm in Canada), and the only shipping method I have for this is a Canadapost Ebay flat rate box. Had he paid on time he may have been able to receive his coins before this happened, so really he's just hurting himself *shrug*

Chump4Change

Unless you stated a deadline for receiving payment; then you should allow the buyer 7-10 days to pay.

JamesMurray

The minimum time to open an unpaid item dispute is four days , it used to be a week but it's 4 days now.Theres even an auto switch for sellers that opens and closes unpaid items automatic.
Usually at least a week is good form though , as mentioned previous.

derryb

If it was bullion, buyer may be waiting for a decisive spot price move before paying up. I have experienced bullion buyers who think they can lock in on a price with the listing and decide later whether or not to make payment. This type buyer needs to be motivated with a dispute if the item is bullion related.

airplanenut

I don't bother buyers for 10-14 days after the auction ends. It's rare for one to not pay, so I'd rather them be happy and on their time table than to feel like I'm being pushy.

RedHerring

Thanks guys. I sent a friendly reminder after 3 days and will wait until next week and see what happens.

I do not specifiy a time-frame for payment in the auction.

Bochiman

If I were the buyer, I would be upset by getting a "friendly" reminder after only 3 days.

There have been a lot of threads over the last few years of ebay sellers wanting immediate payment.....
I look at it this way...if you want immediate payment on ebay, then do a BIN and specify the immediate paypal payment.
Else, at least 7 days before a "friendly" reminder. In my book.

mrpotatoheadd

My experience selling is that, aside from a PayPal generated "payment received" email, about 70% of the buyers I have never communicate at all. Odds are good it's not a big deal.

RedHerring

<< <i>If I were the buyer, I would be upset by getting a "friendly" reminder after only 3 days >>



You would be upset getting an e-mail stating you won an auction and that your coin ship as soon as payment arrives?

I get e-mails from sellers all the time after winning their auctions. Some thanking me for the purchase and others requesting payment. I usually have already paid and have never been upset about it.

Bochiman

<< <i>

<< <i>If I were the buyer, I would be upset by getting a "friendly" reminder after only 3 days >>



You would be upset getting an e-mail stating you won an auction and that your coin ship as soon as payment arrives?

I get e-mails from sellers all the time after winning their auctions. Some thanking me for the purchase and others requesting payment. I usually have already paid and have never been upset about it. >>



Immediately (24 hours or so) after the auction, no.
3 days later, depending on the "friendly" wording, yes. There have been more than a few with threads like this and they always stated how nice and friendly they were in their "friendly reminders".....yet, for the ones that I recall that actually posted their actual wording, they usually weren't that "friendly" at all.
Not saying yours is that case, but I retain the right to change my mind or have my own opinion in the absence of the actual words used.

USMoneylover

Why would someone need to be reminded at all? You know when you bid that if you win you have to pay. Man up and pay or message the seller and tell them when you're gonna pay. Getting mad because someone wants you to pay for an item you bid on seems crazy at best. When I bid and win on ebay I can afford it, and I want my item asap so I pay asap...pretty simple concept if you ask me.

Pokermandude

To be clear, I typically send an invoice on the night of the auction ending. If the buyer hasn't paid after 3-4 days, I just resend the invoice. They may have missed it or forgotten about it. I don't think I've ever had to send an actual message, but after a full week I certainly would send a short, polite note.

smirkingchamp

I think a buyer's feedback score and activity should also be considered. I sold an item and after 5 days of the purchaser not responding, I opened a non-payer case. The feedback score was under 15 and that person had racked up over 20 winning auctions recently. I even sent a fellow seller of this person a note and they had not received payment on an older auction. At this point, I'd rather keep the item and get my final value fees refunded.

al410

Most people who sell on Ebay know most of the time payment is made within the first 24 hours, Yes there are exceptions. I see nothing wrong with a follow-up invoice after 3 days and open non payers case after 7 days.
JMO
AL

ibex66

After four days I open the non-paying bidder case. I think you get 4 days after that and then you can close the case, get your FVF back and ding the buyer with a NPB strike - not that I think that makes much difference. I have zero patience for non paying bidders and in my experience after a few days more then likely they will never pay, especially on bullion purchases.

drwstr123

Patience grasshopper...you still have the item, so don't worry.
I once waited two weeks.
The buyer then informed me, with apology, he had an unexpected death in his immediate family.