How long is reasonable to wait for payment?

[MilaMae]

Auctions finished last night 10ish but last one still hasn't payed. Not happened before all others been instant so how long do I wait before sending a polite e-mail??

Most sellers ask for payment within 5 days I think. I would definitely allow at least 48 hrs before sending a reminder, it could easily be that the buyer didn't have a chance to check the auction last night and can't access ebay during working hours.

i wouldn't worry at all at this stage, give them a reminder after about 6 days

One of mine hasn't paid yet, for an auction that finsihed on Wednesday morning. if he doesn't pay by lunctime tomorrow he won't get his stuff for 2 weeks as I'm away!

One of mine still hasn't paid and the auction ended not Sunday night gone but the Sunday before!

I too have somebody who hasn't paid from the 15th July. My policy is to allow 7 days for payment so I can't do anything yet.

However, you can't send a reminder until 3 days after the auction ends and you can't file a non-paying bidder claim until 7 days after the auction has ended.

Particularly this time of year you might have somebody who bid before going on a weeks holiday and intend to pay when they get back - that has happened to me before. I have also had people not pay because of a death in the family or they have been hospitalised so it would make me feel horrible if I started having a go when they were incapcitated - my little auction was probably the least of their worries!