unpaid item cases

[AngryMo]

If you are a regular Ebayer, how soon do you open one? I know you are meant to wait two days and I've already sent a reminder (as two days is already up) but not sure what to do next as I am going to be away for a few days, so what can I do? Should I contact them to say if they pay today, I can despatch it today, but if they don't they will have to wait a few days until I'm back? Should I let Ebay know? I don't want them paying and then be stuck not being able to send the item because they didn't pay on time and then get a complaint about slow delivery or something.

It's up to you how you proceed from here.

Personally if no payment after 2 days, I send a polite message asking them to make payment. If no response or payment within another 24 hours, then I open a case.

In your case is send them a message advising that you are going away for a few days and if they pay today then you can dispatch before you go on hols but if not then you won't be able to post until X date.

I leave it at least a week as people do have emergencies/ get ill.

Thanks, I've emailed them again to say I can't post until later in the week unless they pay by the morning. I won't bother opening a case until a bit later.
PITA though, all this! I think I'm just having bad luck lately with people who 'buy' but don't pay!