Lesson learned the hard way: a buyer can accept an offer but not pay!
I have stopped auctioning items due to having some buyers not pay for four days, or not pay at all. Similarly, I don’t have ‘allow offers’. I just do buy it now listings. But today I learned the hard way that when eBay prompts you to send offers to interested buyers, it’s possible for a buyer to accept but not pay. Exactly like an auction. So now I have to wait a minimum four days before I can cancel due to non payment and relist the item. So I will never be making offers again either. Have you ever had a buyer accept an offer (when eBay prompts you to make offers to interested buyers), and then not pay? How can a buy it now item be sold if they haven’t paid?
21 comments
springyzone
·2 years agoIt's a complete mystery to me why any buyer would accept an offer if they don't actually want the item.
But then, there are none so queer as folk, I guess, and you get all sorts using ebay.
Whether that should stop you from ever making offers, I don't know. I hope not. Perhaps continue to have your Buy it now listings, but if you do get the occasional prompt to send offers, give it another go. Not all of us are non payers & if someone is watching your item, then an offer might be just the thing to prompt them to buy.
It worked on me this week, anyway. Not that I accepted the offer but I made an offer on an identical item with another seller & I probably would not have done that except the original offer made me think-yes, I was going to buy one of those. It had been in my watch list for a while. But I quite often do buy from offers, they are always a little bit exciting to get. (I live a dull life.😁)
sweeteclectic
OP2 years agoThanks, appreciate everyone’s understanding. In summary, I think the solution is:
1. When I see a prompt from eBay suggesting I make offer to interested buyers, be aware that it’s possible for a buyer to accept an offer but not pay for it. The item may be off the market for minimum four days.
2. Many sellers find that most buyers do pay, and offers can help drive up sales on eBay overall as well as your own items
sugar249
·2 years agoDefinitely use the offer option, I tend to send them every couple of weeks, this thread reminded me to send some off (14 in total 23 interested buyers), did it last night before going to sleep land. Already today I have had 2 additional sales on these offers. Thats money in my pocket.
springyzone
·2 years agoI'm not surprised at the additional sales.
Everyone (or most of us) love a bit of a bargain. For buyers who are genuinely interested, that discount of 5-10% might be just the extra incentive needed to make a decision and buy.
sugar249
·2 years agoAgree with the bargain, and I am guessing that for some it is a reminder ''oh I looked at that a few weeks ago, I do want it after all.""
I dont care why, I just want their money.
domino-710
·2 years agoJust also be aware - if the item is just BIN - the buyer may or may not pay - unless of course - immediate payment is ticked.
Not limited to offers.
davewil1964
·2 years agoI was going to offer some, probably irrelevant, advice, but you've been a member longer than me, and by definition know more.
sugar249
·2 years agoHow do you know they arent going to pay?
I use offers all the time and it is a great way to bring in a sale or 2.
brickworksmarket
·2 years agoDo you do both, send offers and have offers enabled in your listings. Have you used the immediate payment option with any success.
sweeteclectic
OP2 years agoYeah, I haven’t had a problem with offers before. But this is also the first time I discovered that a buyer can accept an offer without paying for it. This particular buyer just seems odd too. They have only one rating but have been on eBay for 6 months. I guess it’s just been a rough week as I had three non payers on auctions, one who waited four days to pay then bought another item and did the same thing (I’ve now blocked that buyer). And then today is the first time I’ve realised that a buy it now listing can still have a delayed payment.
brickworksmarket
·2 years agoCan you tick the instant payment required box in the listing. I would think it works for offers but have never used it.
sweeteclectic
OP2 years agoThanks for your tip. I can’t see that option on the listing form. (I list using mobile). I can have a look via seller dashboard.
brickworksmarket
·2 years agoI just looked and only works for buy it now. I am sure I have heard of talk about this issue but it may be from US boards and something that was looked into but not yet implemented. Hopefully its something they change in the future.
padi*0409
·2 years agoThe time to have done that was BEFORE your first post on this thread.....................
brickworksmarket
·2 years agoWhy, I have found most new features start on US ebay and slowly filter down to other sites. As I don't use it I have not kept on what was happening with regards to buyers needing to complete checkout on offers. At least the OP will be aware to keep an eye out for when it does as it has been an issue for many sellers.
padi*0409
·2 years agoPerhaps to preserve any credibility you may have.........................
You seem to post a lot on things you have very little idea about.
brickworksmarket
·2 years agoWhy would I care what credibility I have when if you go through who has the most kudos it is the same posters giving each them to each other.
brickworksmarket
·2 years agoI just checked the latest seller update but it was the US version and they are making buyers go through checkout to secure the offer otherwise the item remains for sale. Maybe next quarters seller update for Australia may include it.