Unpaid Case

[chloesmumtoo]

Hi, just a quick question. I have a buyer who has not paid. I have sent invoices, messaged to ensure no error has occurred but no response. On day 11 now. Just wondered which way is best to deal with it now. Ebay states two options canceling the order or open unpaid case - which is best as never done this before? Whats the difference? Thanks

[404NotFound]

I always open an unpaid case at the earliest possible opportunity, which iirc is two days after the end of the auction. Often they pay up at that point, but if they don't you can close the case a couple of days later, at which point you get your fees refunded and they get an unpaid item strike, which will hopefully discourage them from making a habit of bidding on items they have no intention of paying for.

I thought cancelling a case was if you mutually decide not to proceed, because eg. they have bid on the wrong item, or they live too far away for pickup in person?

[chloesmumtoo]

O.k. thank you. I know what you mean, it just made me worry stating I had those two options as never done either before. Wasn't sure on the advantages or disadvantages of each option. But sounds better to do an unpaid case as that is the reason after all and atleast Ebay knows what they are up to!

[404NotFound]

IME unpaid auctions fall into two categories - people who are just a bit scatty and will pay when they get a reminder, and people who for whatever reasons are chancers or wind-up merchants. I have no idea what makes people bid on items they don't actually want, or bid on an item when they don't actually have the money to pay for it but swear blind they'll pay a week next Monday when the moon is in Pisces or whatever, but there's quite a lot of it about.

The chance of them paying gets lower the more time has elapsed, so that's why it makes sense to open a case at the earliest opportunity.

[nennyrainbow]

Unpaid case as it gets logged on the buyer's file and if they do it too again they get restricted.

[chloesmumtoo]

I know it is so annoying, they were the only bidder too so got it for the starting price. Really cheap. They only bid that night right at the end and then disappeared off the face of the earth

[chloesmumtoo]

I have just managed to open the case. My internet is playing up big time this morning typically. It gave me the option of turning on unpaid item assistant, I didn't this time but is it worth using? Helpful or not?

[404NotFound]

I've not used the unpaid item assistant-I expect it's useful if you're listing loads of items, but if you're only listing on a small scale it's not much work to do it manually.

Re the price, eBay is really quiet over the summer, so you might do better to wait till the school's go back. Depends what the item is ofc.

[nennyrainbow]

I have used the unpaid item assistant but beware, if you sell something and the buyer collects and pays in cash, you need to remember to update it as paid within 2 days or else eBay automatically opens a case against the buyer. Very embarrassing because I forgot

[chloesmumtoo]

Yes I am only selling on a small scale. I thought I was probably better off doing it manually, to know where I am.
I don't do collections nennyrainbow but did wonder if by having the assistant may lead to hiccups somewhere along the way There is still so much to learn on Ebay!!