Ebay novice - still haven't received item. How long to wait before contacting the seller?

[UpSinceCrapOClock]

I won a book on ebay on 6th June and paid via paypal on the 6th June and the book still hasn't arrived. Of course I am expecting it to take a little while because I live in Denmark and the seller is in the UK. But how long do you think is acceptable to wait for this book? And what would my next step be - I suppose contact the seller?

Any advice appreciated - have only bought 2 things previously and the first was sent to my sister in the UK and the second arrived after about a week and a half!

ok first question - was the money already in your account - or did it go out as an "e-cheque" - if it went straight through then I'd be chasing it up..........

My paypal is directly linked to my bank account in Denmark and have just checked my online banking and apparently it came out on the 9th - so I would say 2 or 3 days to reach the UK?! (Not entirely sure how paypal works )

so ahh - if the money wasn't actually in your paypal account it can take a while.

I sent a payment to someone (also an ebay purchase) on the 1st June, it cleared my bank account on the 4th June, but the payment hadn't cleared for the seller to be able to send the item until the 10th of June. It's these silly "e-cheques".

The seller should have had the money (by my reckoning working on those dates I experienced) around the 16th of June - so I would send a polite email checking that they've now got the payment and if they could give you an indication when you'll recieve the book.

Ok, thanks, will do just that! So nice to have MN to check stuff like this - am keen to get my book, but didn't want to charge in guns blazing without first understanding a bit about how it all works

My paypal is linked to a bank account and the payments are immediate.
When I click on pay, I get told how much will be taken from xxxx bank account and the seller has it straight away.
Even if there is some delay in it coming out of your bank account, paypal is instant, so the seller should have had the money on the 9th.
When I sell I often get money within minutes of a sale ending when buyers pay with paypal, so there can't be any delay, and that goes for overseas buyers too.
I would email to ask if the item has been despatched yet.

Flibberty - it only works that way if it's a credit card attached to it - I can assure you that a debit card attached to Paypal goes in the form of an e-cheque which takes approx 10 days to clear.

I have sent and recieved e-cheques in the past (obviously one very recent) they're a PITA.

Thanks - have just emailed the seller asking if they have received the payment made via paypal on 6th June and when I can expect to receive my book (please)! Will see what the reply is (and possibly come back for more advice if need be!) It is a bit confusing all of this.

(My status on ebay does specifically state that the book was "paid with paypal on 2009-06-06" but i suppose that doesn't really indicate when the seller received the money?)

My paypal is directly linked to my DEBIT account, and my money is taken and received instantly, so FAQ Im sure that cant be right.

My paypal is also linked to my debit card and payment is taken and received instantly as well.

How long does it take for post to get to Denmark?

actually thinking about it if your paypal says "completed" then they've got the money.

And I'm getting my knickers in knots with the e-cheque business. Have just discovered for some bizarre reason my bank account was no longer linked to my Paypal account which is why it was sent as an e-cheque . Have now (re)linked it.

The way the Danish banking system works (or my account anyway) is that I have a Visa card which works as a debit card - ie, it is a Visa payment, but the card is directly linked to my account and the money withdrawn from my account rather than me paying a monthly bill (they actually only introduced proper creditcards recently here and in fact I don't know anyone who has one !) Does that make a difference?

ok, cross-posted with lots of people (need to learn to type faster!)

It usually takes about 2 or 3 working days for post to reach Denmark from the UK.

just ignore most of what I said (apart frm the emailing and asking if they got the payment etc) -......in my defence I have stomach cramps -which I can't linke to TOTM as that's only just finished

Hope your stomach cramps ease up.

Thanks for all your replies though and helping me with what to write as a message. Am not really up on ebay protocol, so it was a big help!

Royal Mail say 3-5 days for airmail packet from UK to Europe.
e-cheques are a PITA some people don't realise they have sent one and then start hassling you wondering where their item is! I always email and say 'as you have paid with an e-cheque I will notify you when it has cleared and send your parcel ASAP after that. Paypal advise me it is expected to clear on X'

I don't even have a credit card! The paypal is linked to a bank account for which I only have a cash machine card - not even a debit card.
Money comes out straight away.

But now having heard here of this 'e-cheque' thing I will watch out for it next time I sell anything on ebay and wait for it to clear.