Ebay - how long does the buyer get to pay?

[nancy75]

Hi I have just sold a few bits on ebay, 3 of the 4 buyers paid straight away and their stuff has been sent, the 4th hasn't paid or contacted me.
The item only finished on Wednesday so no need to panic yet, just wondered how long do they get to pay and when do I start sending polite reminders to pay?

Some people will only pay after you invoice, invoicing is one of the drop down choices when you look at your "Sold" list. I would invoice at this point and then if no payment within 2 days I would start an Unpaid Item Dispute.

Thanks lljkk, the item finished Weds lunchtime and I sent the invoice Weds evening. I will send her a gentle email this evening I think. Such a pain, I wanted to get the post office over and done with in one go!

it is annoying. one person didn't pay me until a week later with no message etc.

you have to wait a few days' before you can open a dispute. hopefully they will pay up.

it is a pain when you want to get everything sent out at once and then one thing is hanging around isn't it.

I just don't understand it, if I buy something I want it straight away!

I would only send a reminder after 3 days especially during a holiday period. The buyer may be away and not near a computer. I would then only open a dispute of unpaid item after another polite reminder and after 7 days have passed.

I realise other people do this quicker but I think it better not to be impatient with buyers. It would probably make them more likely to mark you down on dsr comms or feedback and stop them from buying again.

After 7 days if there has been no contact then I would consider it fair to file as unpaid.

on ebay you can open non paying dispute after 48 hours and close it 4 days later if still no payment I think that is a bit hasty, personally I generally pay within 24 hours but if someone opened case without an invoice or email dead on 48 hours I would pay but would mark them down for communication even if everything satisfactory

someone may well have sniped something when they were away for a weekend etc

generally I send a reminder after 48 hours saying when I expect to be paid normally within 2-3 more days then i leave it about a day after i said then i open case, i do not want to upset buyers or get low stars

if offering BIN you can opt to get immediate payment

Just wondering if you think this is ok?
I have sent 2 invoices and just sent email along the lines of please could you pay by Monday lunchtime as I will struggle to get to the post office after Tuesday (this is true as I will be back at work)
If I don't get a response tomorrow I will do the non paying thing.
The cost of the item is almost £50, so it would be nice to get the money!

hi Nancy,

just curious do you work in a school.

it took me a week to get paid for one item and i never left fback as i was fed up and the buyer commented that the item was dispatched quickly?

Hi, not in a school but it is a term time only job, and nowhere near a post office.
Like I said I just don't get it, if I buy something I want it ASAP, I would never wait a week to pay!