Buyer with 100% positive feedback hasn't paid. When to open unpaid item case?

[BeckyWithTheShitHair]

Hi. My auction ended last Thursday. In my listings, I say that payment is expected within 72 hours of auction ending due to previous experience of non payers. I also say that if this is not adhered to, an unpaid item case will be opened immediately.

Anyway, this item sold for 4 times the amount i was expecting. Had about 40 bids. The winner has over 2000 ratings next to their name and 100% positive feedback. Feedback on their profile all states that they are an excellent buyer who has paid immediately on other auctions they have won.

I sent payment details on Sunday and then again last night. This morning I sent a direct message reminding them that my listing stated payment should be made within 72 hours of auction ending. I asked them to respond to my message as soon as possible or to pay so I can dispatch their item immediately.

I am now wondering what next? I don't want to risk annoying the buyer and them giving me negative feedback for being 'pushy'. I'm wondering if perhaps they've gone on holiday or something and if I should wait til next week?

I'm also annoyed at myself for not following through with my 72 hour rule just because this buyer has tons of feedback, all positive.

[makingmiracles]

As a member of 12+ years, also 100% feedback, I'd be a bit lenient in this circumstance tbh, it sounds like something may have happened to the buyer- illness, holiday etc etc personally I'd email them, send a message through eBay messages and give them another week to contact you.
100% feedback ebayers usually don't suddenly not pay for things when they usually do immediately without good reason.

[VulcanWoman]

I've just had this myself, low value item though, I opened a case after the minimum 2 days, later today after another four days waiting, I can close the case, they'll get a bad mark and I can re list my item. Could you send a second chance offer to the other bidders once the case is finished. I know about giving people the benefit of the doubt and all, but the more I use Ebay, the more cynical I become unfortunately. My so called buyer has had six days now and not responded.

[VulcanWoman]

Ps these bad marks they get won't get viewed by many, so for this reason I think people aren't that bothered. Also I've heard that some people bid on multiple items in the hope they'll at least win one of them and stuff the other sellers.

[BeckyWithTheShitHair]

Thanks for the replies. Very inclined to open a non-payment dispute now. Just clicked on her profile and can see that yesterday she left feedback for two sellers on auctions she won. So she has been active on Ebay and is ignoring me.

Think you're right, Vulcan, that she has likely bid on several items and has now decided not to pay me as she's won a similar auction elsewhere.

[VulcanWoman]

Well, if she's been active on Ebay then definitely open a case, even if you do open a case, I don't think they get a bad mark straight away, Ebay still give them four days to cough up before the bad mark is entered. Wouldn't it be nice if people could just be upfront, honestly. You think with someone with that many stars they would know how crap it is when people do this, mind you some people just buy and don't sell.

[19lottie82]

100% feedback as a buyer means zilch, sellers can't leave negative feedback for a buyer.

I wait 3 days for payment and then send a friendly reminder. If nothing within another 24 hours, then I open a case.

[VulcanWoman]

lottie I have a case open at the minute with a non paying buyer, I'm able to leave negative feedback at the minute, not when the case is closed though.

[VulcanWoman]

Sorry to hijack OP, I closed my buyer non payment case and I've had a look at their profile, I can't see anywhere on their about lower scores etc, they don't seem to be a seller just a buyer, so no punishment by the looks of it.

[19lottie82]

Vulcan..... Sellers cannot leave negative feedback for a buyer. There will be an option for you to leave FB while a case is open, but it will only be positive.

[VulcanWoman]

Is that right. I didn't follow through you see, just went onto the page to see if it would let me, the choices were there though but I didn't click on either one.
What do you think about the fact that bad marks/reduced scores don't seem to show anywhere, that I can see anyway? My buyer doesn't do any selling just buying.

[19lottie82]

Sellers used to be able to leave negative FB for buyers but haven't been able to for years.

A 100% FB rating for a buyer means nothing.

There is nothing to openly show if a buyer has recieved any "marks" against them for non payments etc

All you can do is configure your settings so eBay blocks bidders who have had X strikes in X months. Y

[VulcanWoman]

Ah I see, so buyers messing sellers around by non payment means little really.

[19lottie82]

Well eBay claim too many "strikes" will have "consequences" for a buyers account, but they have never confirmed how many are required or what they implications actually are.

[VulcanWoman]

I'll brace myself for more non payers in the future
Gives me a boost when I deal with good buyers though.
Like another poster said on another thread, I'll have a break from Ebay for a while then go back again if it gets too much, well, that is if it's not your business.
Thanks for all the info lottie

[robin64]

Buyer has had a week and polite reminders. Open a non payment case today and block the buyer from buying from you again. Buyer could easily have messaged you to let you know she needed more time or whatever.

You will either not hear anything and wait for case to close - then try second chance offer or relist or they will pay up and be apologetic or mean or silent. Don't let it bother you - they are wrong not you. At least you will have been paid. Then double check everything is exactly as described, wrap very well (if fragile take pictures of your careful wrapping of item) and only send signed for.

[VulcanWoman]

Buyer has had a week and polite reminders. you only have to wait 48 hour to open a case don't you.

[Dizzybintess]

What happened with yours? I just had one now who has not paid in 8 days and has had the cheek to email me now saying that the item is no longer wanted grrrrr!