How long should I wait?

lyniced

I sold a printer on E-bay on Tuesday. The buyer is brand new - no other transactions. I sent my invoice straightaway and have heard nothing. I know that I shouldn't impatient, but I kind of feel I'm not going to get any money for this. How long should I wait? Should I send another email at the weekend? What happens if I don't get the money? Do I offer it to the previous highest offer (who had a big 100% feedback)? I'm still quite new to all this.

sleepy

I would send another email 5 days after the end of the auction (so Sunday), then if they don't reply - a final warning email 7 days after auction end explaining that if payment isn't recieved in the next 3 days you'll file a non paying bidder complaint against them (3 or 4 of these and they can be kicked off of ebay). Finally if they don't contact you after 10 days from the end of the auction, file a non paying bidder complaint and claim your fees back or send a 2nd chance offer to lower bidders (all this can be done through "my ebay").

Cat72

A lot of people dont respond to the invoice email. If they are sending cheque/ postal order it might be on the way. A polite email or another invoice can easily be sent and you could do that 3 -5 days later. As the previous OP said after 10 days you can file a non payers alert, which you will find info on in here. Dont worry too much most people pay and if they dont you can relist free and also by filing a strike you get your final fees back. The worst senario is you are delayed selling it- but sometimes this has happend to me and I have got more for the item the second time !

misty

It's only Thursday! If they are new they may not know the etiquette and have just sent off a cheque. I think with Paypal we get used to instancy of payment and start to stress too soon. If I pay by cheque I usually send an e-mail to say I'm doing this but the only person who sent me a cheque who bothered doing so was because she was having problems with paypal. At least give them a week.

Kimberley

I've been waiting 3 days for a couple of people to pay me, i'll wait until tomorrow evening and send them a reminder saying if not heard from them by the seventh day i'll be relisting the items.. It wouldn't hurt them to let you know if they are planning to pay by cheque.

lyniced

Thanks for all this - very helpful.

I agree with Kim - it wouldn't hurt to just let me know what payment method they are using. However, I still feel that no payment will be forthcoming, as the address looks slightly odd. Ah well, I'll I just have to wait and see.

soolin

kim03 wrote:

I've been waiting 3 days for a couple of people to pay me, i'll wait until tomorrow evening and send them a reminder saying if not heard from them by the seventh day i'll be relisting the items.. It wouldn't hurt them to let you know if they are planning to pay by cheque.

I never relist as quickly as 7 days, I like to get the NPB process well under way first otherwise if the cheque does arrive in a couple of weeks, as they often do, you are stuck with the original disgruntled buyer who can leave negative feedback.

If you accept cheque payments you do need to learn to be patient. I rarely get cheques until day 8-10, it is the downside of listing that as an option.

Soo

bridiej

Give them a chance to respond, maybe they're on holiday, away on business or have some family crisis to deal with that means sending you an email is way down on their priorities list.

Kimberley

Cool advice i guess..well it is my first sale

Cat72

Dont worry we still stress even although it can be or hundreth sale !

Mazy_2

I am in a similar position and after 4 days a 2 emails I finally got a response saying he doesn't want the item and isn't going to pay for it! Despite this I can't file a non paying bidder until Sun. People like this drive me crazy! Why bother bidding? It is a total waste of time and effort for him and me and not even an apology.