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Can I cancel a sale before the buyer has paid? (eBay)

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  • kasqueak
    kasqueak Posts: 326 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Just an update - buyer didn’t pay (surprise surprise) and today was day 4 so I cancelled the sale as no payment received. 

    So frustrating when you have to relist and start all over again! 
    Thanks for the advice about blocking buyers who have a certain number of non payment strikes. 

    I still maintain there should be at least a neutral feedback to leave for buyers who don’t pay or regularly pull the usual “I didn’t receive it” line. 
  • JJC1956
    JJC1956 Posts: 328 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    kasqueak said:
    Just an update - buyer didn’t pay (surprise surprise) and today was day 4 so I cancelled the sale as no payment received. 

    So frustrating when you have to relist and start all over again! 
    Thanks for the advice about blocking buyers who have a certain number of non payment strikes. 

    I still maintain there should be at least a neutral feedback to leave for buyers who don’t pay or regularly pull the usual “I didn’t receive it” line. 
    I have had a couple of problems but not many. I suggest when posting any items that you (or anybody else) use eBay Packlink, it is cheaper than the Post Office, there is tracking plus you now have eBay on your side as the parcel will be tracked from Pillar to Post
  • Archergirl
    Archergirl Posts: 1,846 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    JJC1956 said:
    kasqueak said:
    Just an update - buyer didn’t pay (surprise surprise) and today was day 4 so I cancelled the sale as no payment received. 

    So frustrating when you have to relist and start all over again! 
    Thanks for the advice about blocking buyers who have a certain number of non payment strikes. 

    I still maintain there should be at least a neutral feedback to leave for buyers who don’t pay or regularly pull the usual “I didn’t receive it” line. 
    I have had a couple of problems but not many. I suggest when posting any items that you (or anybody else) use eBay Packlink, it is cheaper than the Post Office, there is tracking plus you now have eBay on your side as the parcel will be tracked from Pillar to Post
    All my sales are just in an envelope with a 2nd class stamp. would Packlink work for that?


  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,153 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    JJC1956 said:
    kasqueak said:
    Just an update - buyer didn’t pay (surprise surprise) and today was day 4 so I cancelled the sale as no payment received. 

    So frustrating when you have to relist and start all over again! 
    Thanks for the advice about blocking buyers who have a certain number of non payment strikes. 

    I still maintain there should be at least a neutral feedback to leave for buyers who don’t pay or regularly pull the usual “I didn’t receive it” line. 
    I have had a couple of problems but not many. I suggest when posting any items that you (or anybody else) use eBay Packlink, it is cheaper than the Post Office, there is tracking plus you now have eBay on your side as the parcel will be tracked from Pillar to Post
    All my sales are just in an envelope with a 2nd class stamp. would Packlink work for that?



    Ebay postage use Royal Mail- so a single 2nd class letter would be 66p and you can print the label out from ebay. However  JJC1956 is incorrect in that all ebay labels have tracking- it might well do but nothing shows when you print the labels for anything other than RM parcels - or via courier / packlink.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • JJC1956
    JJC1956 Posts: 328 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    soolin said:
    JJC1956 said:
    kasqueak said:
    Just an update - buyer didn’t pay (surprise surprise) and today was day 4 so I cancelled the sale as no payment received. 

    So frustrating when you have to relist and start all over again! 
    Thanks for the advice about blocking buyers who have a certain number of non payment strikes. 

    I still maintain there should be at least a neutral feedback to leave for buyers who don’t pay or regularly pull the usual “I didn’t receive it” line. 
    I have had a couple of problems but not many. I suggest when posting any items that you (or anybody else) use eBay Packlink, it is cheaper than the Post Office, there is tracking plus you now have eBay on your side as the parcel will be tracked from Pillar to Post
    All my sales are just in an envelope with a 2nd class stamp. would Packlink work for that?



    Ebay postage use Royal Mail- so a single 2nd class letter would be 66p and you can print the label out from ebay. However  JJC1956 is incorrect in that all ebay labels have tracking- it might well do but nothing shows when you print the labels for anything other than RM parcels - or via courier / packlink.
    I have posted a couple of Dozen parcels though eBay Packlink, I personally use Hermes, as soon as I attach printed label from Hermes pick up point the shop owner downloads the Barcode, which immediately shows up on my phone plus the tracking code is automatically entered on the buyers site. When Hermes pick up the parcel they also download the barcode which informs me what time they picked up the parcel and from then onwards tracking kicks in, is it perfect? probably not but I haven’t lost anything yet.
    I have also posted a number of smaller items with Royal Mail 1st Class signed for, each time I do that the counter assistant circles the tracking number which I enter onto my buyers info for them to check tracking er and then that is it, no tracking whatsoever, a message comes up telling me that I will be informed when the package is delivered. So what is the point?
    I am still waiting for a parcel I ordered before Xmas, sent 1st Class signed for, the seller has already refunded me my money but she was told she had to make a missing item claim. 

    Archer girl, next time you post something I would make sure you send with tracking, whether you use RM or anyone else, as you will be able to claim if something goes missing

  • JJC1956
    JJC1956 Posts: 328 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    PS I didn’t say ALL eBay labels have tracking, I said eBay Packlink has tracking, as I have just sold something on eBay I double checked on Packlink and ALL couriers are showing up as having tracking
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,153 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 12 February 2022 at 12:47PM
    JJC1956 said:
    soolin said:
    JJC1956 said:
    kasqueak said:
    Just an update - buyer didn’t pay (surprise surprise) and today was day 4 so I cancelled the sale as no payment received. 

    So frustrating when you have to relist and start all over again! 
    Thanks for the advice about blocking buyers who have a certain number of non payment strikes. 

    I still maintain there should be at least a neutral feedback to leave for buyers who don’t pay or regularly pull the usual “I didn’t receive it” line. 
    I have had a couple of problems but not many. I suggest when posting any items that you (or anybody else) use eBay Packlink, it is cheaper than the Post Office, there is tracking plus you now have eBay on your side as the parcel will be tracked from Pillar to Post
    All my sales are just in an envelope with a 2nd class stamp. would Packlink work for that?



    Ebay postage use Royal Mail- so a single 2nd class letter would be 66p and you can print the label out from ebay. However  JJC1956 is incorrect in that all ebay labels have tracking- it might well do but nothing shows when you print the labels for anything other than RM parcels - or via courier / packlink.
    I have posted a couple of Dozen parcels though eBay Packlink, I personally use Hermes, as soon as I attach printed label from Hermes pick up point the shop owner downloads the Barcode, which immediately shows up on my phone plus the tracking code is automatically entered on the buyers site. When Hermes pick up the parcel they also download the barcode which informs me what time they picked up the parcel and from then onwards tracking kicks in, is it perfect? probably not but I haven’t lost anything yet.
    I have also posted a number of smaller items with Royal Mail 1st Class signed for, each time I do that the counter assistant circles the tracking number which I enter onto my buyers info for them to check tracking er and then that is it, no tracking whatsoever, a message comes up telling me that I will be informed when the package is delivered. So what is the point?
    I am still waiting for a parcel I ordered before Xmas, sent 1st Class signed for, the seller has already refunded me my money but she was told she had to make a missing item claim. 

    Archer girl, next time you post something I would make sure you send with tracking, whether you use RM or anyone else, as you will be able to claim if something goes missing


    Any courier you use has tracking, not just packlink - the only difference is if you buy outside of packlink then you have to add the tracking yourself. Also be aware that packlink is not necessarily cheaper than going direct to the couriers, mainly it is the same but for instance if sending packages with Hermes that need extra insurance then it is considerably cheaper to buy direct from Hermes.

    Basically I don't think there is a 'one size fits all' model, personally I use a mix of RM via ebay labels, couriers and even stamps.I work out which is cheaper- I rarely bother using tracked for anything less than around £22 as it does not pay me to do so.

    As for signed for, the service is not tracked, RM do not claim it is. The only reason to use signed for is to increase the insured value from a standard £20 to £50. For a standard parcel RM is cheaper than packlink and has delivery confirmation which prevents a claim for INR, so why pay more (unless you need to enhance the insured value). For instance I have a range of items that have a packed weight of 1.1 kg and worth less than £20. RM standard 2nd class costs me £2.90 why pay over £4 to send it via Hermes? My actual biggest package size is large letter up to 100g which costs 96p and there is nothing at all comparable with that via courier.

    Also you don't need tracking to make a claim for loss, you just need proof of posting, and even my 96p large letters have that and on the very rare occasions I have to claim (and I did one just after Christmas) I have submitted a scan of my handwritten by PO stamped POP online and been paid out roughly a week later.




    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • JJC1956
    JJC1956 Posts: 328 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    The point of using tracking is that you are given a timeframe online when your parcel is due to be delivered, RM doesn’t bother to give you that info, they just turn up when they like and hope someone is in.
    Yes you are right the (useless) RM is probably cheaper than other couriers but when i sell something on ebay I weigh it beforehand and add it it to the cost of the item I am selling, if people don’t want to pay the cost of postage they won’t buy the item, no extra costs are incurred by me. 
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,153 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    JJC1956 said:
    The point of using tracking is that you are given a timeframe online when your parcel is due to be delivered, RM doesn’t bother to give you that info, they just turn up when they like and hope someone is in.
    Yes you are right the (useless) RM is probably cheaper than other couriers but when i sell something on ebay I weigh it beforehand and add it it to the cost of the item I am selling, if people don’t want to pay the cost of postage they won’t buy the item, no extra costs are incurred by me. 
    I will not price myself out of the market though by using un necessarily expensive postage, I am on eBay to sell, not just have people admire my things.

    For a while I switched virtually all my packages to Hermes as RM was getting slow but then Hermes started giving wrong delivery days, or leaving parcels in random places. Luckily I didn’t end up losing anything but I did have a couple of irritated buyers that I had to spend time apologising to. Just look at threads on here, a lot of,people won’t touch Hermes with a barge pole, so I suspect it depends what the service is like in your own area.

    I do think a lot depends on what you sell and what your buyer demographic is, during lock down couriers worked very well as my buyers were always home, now that many have started working outside the home RM works better as if they get a red card they can just have it redelivered at a time to suit them, or collect direct. 

    Luckily for me as the majority of my items are currently large letter they are all letter box size .I am working through a stock of old stamps preparing for the change to stamps next year on my large letters, I take them all to a PO or direct to the mail centre, get my POP stamped and that’s it. I do tend though to react to problems and watch complaints on here and switch my parcels once I see any pattern of issues developing with any service - as long as my stated postage method on eBay can be changed to reflect that before I sell. 
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • kalsha
    kalsha Posts: 1,116 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    soolin said:





    Luckily for me as the majority of my items are currently large letter they are all letter box size .I am working through a stock of old stamps preparing for the change to stamps next year on my large letters, I take them all to a PO or direct to the mail centre, get my POP stamped and that’s it. I do tend though to react to problems and watch complaints on here and switch my parcels once I see any pattern of issues developing with any service - as long as my stated postage method on eBay can be changed to reflect that before I sell. 
    Soolin, what do you mean "get my POP stamped".  Where do you get the POP from?  I thought post office gives you a printed one only if you ask for it.  They don't like to print one out for every large letter - lot of frowning if I ask.  So I only ask for it if it expensive.  Otherwise I just put them in the post box - so no POP.
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