so, the buyer to the item we are selling for a friend has not contacted us after they "won" the auction

[oops]

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The buyer has 7 days to make payment, it's only be a couple!

i wouldnt bother with small claims, highly unlikely to amount to much
I would file a non paying biddder, and then relist

lots of people don't pay immediately and they have seven days

don't worry yet

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Tell her they have 7 days to pay - to stop her worrying - then file a non-paying bidder alert as soon as you can and relist.

When you relist you can specify buyer requirements - such as no bids from people with less than a certsin % feedback or with less 25 feedbacks etc. That will help it go more smoothly next time.

It's a PITA but ebay is seriously going downhill. I have had this happen to me several times and on one occassion they did pay up in the end (they had lost their internet connection) so there is hope.

You can give second chance offers to losing bidders to speed things up if you wish (saves relisting and you can choose who you offer the item to)

If you relist and it is BIN you can add the wotzit that insists on immediate payment. Until it is paid for it is still listed for others to see.

I doubt the small claims court would do anything. I assume you have the item still and haven't actually lost anything?

It's only been 3 days!

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Are they paying by paypal?
make sure you get some proof of them picking the item up so they don't do a chargeback and you end up with nothing.

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