How long to wait for payment?

[LindtSeventyPercent]

Hi,

My auction finished at 20:15 on Sunday (20th) but the buyer hasn't paid yet. I'd given the option of having it posted or local pick up so it's pretty irritating as I don't know whether I need to start packaging it up or not (although the buyer lives a long way from me so I guess they'll want it posted). I don't sell on eBay very often but people have always paid almost instantly in the past.

How long should I wait for them to pay? Would you send them a message to prompt them or would that be rude?

Any advice much appreciated.

48 hours and then open an unpaid case - this gives them another 4 days to pay. No point messaging endlessly - it just wastes time.

Ok. So, would you message them now to prompt them or just wait until the 48 hours is up and go straight for opening an unpaid case? It's very confusing, she put in the winning bid in the last 2 minutes of the auction and I don't think it was an automatic bid. I invoiced her immediately afterwards and would have sent it first thing the next day. Can't think why she'd wait to pay.

Thanks.

no I wouldn't message - open the case tonight at 20.16 - that is all the reminder they need.

I only started selling 6 months or so ago and naively believed that every buyer would be like me - someone who paid straightaway. How wrong I was!. Some of my buyers have been excellent, paying instantly and others have been just awful. Initially I was far to soft and gave them days to pay, now my listings state that if payment is not made within 48 hours I will open an unpaid item case, and I do.

My advice OP would be start as you mean to go on.

Thanks mindyourown1 and millymae. It all feels quite uncomfortable but I'll take your advice. I wish people were just straightforward!

When I first started selling I was unsure how long to wait for payments but have it sorted now,I invoice stating that once cleared funds received I will post on the next collection and have set my e-bay preferences to e-bay opening a case after 48 hours automatically for me,I do bear in mind some people do work shifts etc and may just be away on business but that is very rare but worth remembering.Don't message any buyers except for invoicing as too many messages can go against your DSR scores.

Okay, I've opened the case. I've also changed my settings so that eBay will open a case automatically after 48 hours for any other items that aren't paid for.

Wish I didn't feel nervous about it. I obviously need to toughen up!

Thanks so much for the reassuring help everyone.

So, my buyer still hasn't paid. I can close my case tomorrow night and get my fees back. I feel so irritated though. What a waste of time and effort!

Not heard a peep from the buyer who seems to have an exemplary eBay record and even received +ve feedback for her fast payment on the same day she decided not to pay me.

I sound obsessive don't I! Step away from eBay Lindt ...

make sure you add to your blocked bidder list then when you relist they can't bid. And as buyers don't receive negs her feedback will be exemplary - that tells you nothing really.

Don't worry Lindt I have just had another non-payer,bought a next top last Tuesday and has decided she thought it was a size 8 not 18 ?? she had to go through god knows how many times to bid and re-bid so surely she noticed the size. ggrrr

Hi again. I've added them to my blocked bidder list, thanks mindyourown1.

glammanana it's so frustrating isn't it. I haven't heard a thing from my buyer though. I wouldn't have been so bothered if she'd said she'd made a mistake but she just never paid and didn't say a word.

Anyway, I can now close my case. Should I do the 'Second Chance Offer' thing or just relist?

Thanks again for all the advice everyone.

My buyer has just paid! How weird to wait almost a week before paying.