I need Mumsnet Jury to tell me if I'm being mean

[MrsZoidberg]

I run an Ebay shop, I don't use the Must Pay immediately option as I like people to buy several items and wait for an invoice.

A newbie bought something on the 1st. I waited a day then sent an invoice. Tomorrow I would do an NPB case. Tonight I received an email asking if she could pay in 2 weeks.

I've checked her buying history and she's bought about 30 items over the 2 weeks she's been on Ebay. Received 6 feedback.

I think I should just send her a reply saying "No that is not how Ebay works". DS (runs ebay shop with me as part of his GCSE Business Studies) thinks I should let her - a sale is a sale.

So am I being mean cos I have a headache, or am I right as otherwise Newbies won't learn how ebay works?

I wouldn't, she wouldn't walk into a shop and do that. Cheeky tbh.

I guess a sale is a sale, depends on the value I reckon. If just a few quid I would prob wait, but if significant amount then I would NPB and block. Why didn't she just wait and buy when she could afford I wonder.

Exactly Fergoose, I wonder how many of the other of her purchases she's emailed and said she needs to wait until payday!

My biggest worry is if I wait and the others don't, how many strikes before she is banned?

Indeed - is a difficult call. And if you do a NPB and block her, she may buy on another ID and start the whole rigmarole again.

It's 3 strikes and you're out isn't it?

So, if you decide to wait but three others don't and all go down the NPB route she would end up blocked and you would be very unlikely to see your money anyway.

Your choice but I would not allow 2 weeks personally. An extra 2 days yes, but not an extra 2 weeks.

Do you have any reason to believe that she will pay in 2 weeks? Or ever?

And you've been charged fees.

Can you tell how many NPBs someone has?

no you can't tell at all

She's still buying stuff !

Last month I had an email from an overseas newbie. She desperately wanted something I was selling and asked if she could buy it now and pay 10 days later. As she asked first, I agreed, but then she emailed back to say it wasn't fair on me, and she would keep her fingers crossed that I didn't sell out. Bought and paid on the day she said she would. Left lovely feedback.

Now, if this buyer had emailed BEFORE buying not 4 days after I think I might have been more amenable. But I think that as she is still buying, and as Piglet says, I have no reason to believe she will pay in 2 weeks, I think I'm going to say No.

Thanks everyone for helping me decide.

2 weeks to pay is taking the mick mightily. Completely U. Not mean at all.