How long should I wait for contact from buyer?

1940sGal

A listing i had for a photographic enlarger ended today at just gone 1pm. Due to its size I stated that it was collection only. I offered paypal payment and after the end of the auction I sent an invoice and a message asking them to contact me telling me when they'd like to collect.

They have 100% feedback but I noticed that despite me being in Doncaster, their registered address is London. That's an awful long way to come for something they could get close to home and due to lack of contact on their part I'm slightly worried.

How long would you wait without contact before starting an unpaid item claim?

Obviously_the_best

I open unpaid item claims ASAP, so 4 days. Accepting PayPal for collect items is not very sensible, as dishonest buyers can claim to PayPal that they haven't received their item, when they collected it. Then yopu have no online proof of delivery and they get their money back, but you don't get your item back.

1940sGal

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

I open unpaid item claims ASAP, so 4 days. Accepting PayPal for collect items is not very sensible, as dishonest buyers can claim to PayPal that they haven't received their item, when they collected it. Then yopu have no online proof of delivery and they get their money back, but you don't get your item back.

When i listed it it said I had to offer paypal. In fact the past few listings i've made have said the same.

starrybee

1940sGal wrote: »

When i listed it it said I had to offer paypal. In fact the past few listings i've made have said the same.

The best way to get round this is ask for cash on collection, or paypal payment with a courier delivery fee added on.

bargainbunter2011

Did you complete this transaction ?

RHemmings

From a buyer's point of view, I always try to pay immediately. But, if something came up, I would feel it reasonable for a seller to NPB me after a week. Four days seems quite short. I would certainly feel it justified for a seller to be contacting me through the message system after four days to ask when I would be paying however.

charlesb

i usually drop them a message after four days telling them i have sent an invoice & if they have any queries to let me know (polite code for i have heard nothing from you please pay up)

if i get no response to that message i open an npb case 2-3 days later i.e. 6-7 days after the auction ends

if they do communicate but want longer to pay i would consider the request subject to some assurance as to how/when they were paying

Irn-Bru-Kid

You should never accept a paypal payment for a collection item.

If the buyer were to pay by paypal, collect in person and then claim item not received, you will lose your item and be forced to refund as you have no way to prove that it has been delivered.

Irn-Bru-Kid

Apologies, did not see that Obviously the best had mentioned the paypal and collection thing.