How long before you report a non-payer

[Tony_G]

Hi,
The winning bidder won my auction almost a week ago, the item ended on 25/10
Despite me sending the invoice twice and a polite reminder asking them to pay or a least contact me if there is a problem, I have heard nothing.

how long should I give them before I report them for non payment.

we only talking about a winning bid of £10.00

[AndrewGC]

Sorry if it sounds pushy, Tony, but I give customers three days. Then after Seven I used to start an Unpaid Item Dispute.

Most coughed up at the three day reminder but the ones that went over a week are generally messing you about.

Good news, eBay have changed the reporting time from Seven to Four days. And that now fits in very well.

In My eBay there is a drop down box by the item sold. Click on Resolve a Problem.

Next page, you have two choices:

I sold an item and haven't received my payment yet.
I sold an item and want to cancel the transaction.

Go for the top one. Next page click SUBMIT.

You will get instructions that basically tell you to check in Four Days when you can cancel, and in your shoes I would if they do not reply.

If they pay correctly by Paypal then the case closes, if not you can close it and get your selling fee back.

The buyer CANNOT leave feedback.

So the blunt answer to the question is now Four Days. Obviously if they are sending a cheque or Postal Order we can claim delays due to the strikes - but why then don't they reply to say that? In fact on eBay you can PAY NOW then complete the Checkout by saying you will be sending payment. They have not.

Simple routine. On the day of sale send an invoice. Send one again after 2 or 3 and follow this up with a polite email on the same day. Day Four - report.

At the end of the day you have paid a fee, you have not been paid and that is unacceptable.

[Tony_G]

Thanks for the reply. I am going to give them untl Monday to either pay or contact me, othewise I will report them

I will send a 2nd polite email reminder tonight followed by a third invoice.

I 'll let you know how I get on

[AndrewGC]

I think you are being incredibly patient but you need to go ahead the way you see fit.

This was the announcement of the recent change to Four Days:

Four Day Ruling

[Tony_G]

It worked! got a reply from the winning bidder Sunday evening.. sorry for the delay, paypal troubles, been working away... yeah, yeah. Anyway the upshot was I have been paid and the goods have been despatched.
Although I didnt need to use it thank you again for the advice which I have kept for future reference should I need it in the future.

[AndrewGC]

Nice one Tony. I actually had the same thing running at the same time as you and never got a word from them, so that was closed on Sunday. Fee refunded, item back on.

But you do get the odd one who seems to buy and then disappear and forget all about it.

It is worth adding to Additional Notes in listings that you would like payment within four days, or at least an email.

My favourite was a US buyer who bought an item, left it a week then emailed and said 'I'll pay in early September'. It was at that point March..........................

[KimberleyHowson]

Yeah FilthyRaider has the right idea - you can't be too cautious when it comes to ebay. I think a lot of people assume that every ebayer is honest and trustworthy, but unfortunately a lot of them are just out to take you for a ride!