Buyer wants me to issue an invoice and she hasn't bid yet?

[closet.diva]

Not sure how to handle this one. Buyer wants me to issue an invoice for an item which is still live. I didn't set up a Buy It Now option. There are currently no bids on this item and I am happy to sell the item to her. But how do I issue an invoice if she hasn't bid yet and the auction hasn't ended yet?

Thanks!

[daydreams_12 · Accepted solution]

JMO but I cannot see how you can issue an invoice for something they have not won/bought yet.  The system is not set up to just invoice whoever and whenever.  I would just suggest she just bid and if successful bidder you would happily send her an invoice.  Dont know what else you could do.  Someone will probably be along shortly with a better suggestion.  Have never heard of it before.

[clarry100]

Sounds like they are trying to invite you to enter an off-ebay transaction.

That is against ebay policy and could get you a slap from ebay.

Also be careful of scam attempts this way.

Just tell them to bid in the normal way, then if they win you will be able to send an invoice.

[lyndal1838]

If she is offering to buy it at the current price tell her to place a bid on the item and then you can end the listing with the reason that you are seling to the current high bidder.

Then you can send the invoice.

[curraone]

Also check the buyer's location in case it is a scam.

[lane-ends]

By definition an invoice is post contractural agreement to purchase, and a quote is a pre contractural agreement.

I think it is the wording of the request that is causing confusing.

If you have agreed a price then you can add a buy now option and they can then click that, and you then send invoice. That keeps it all legit within the system.

The non legit way is to end the listing and use a send money request via paypal.

[lyndal1838]

There is nothing wrong with ending a listing to sell to the current high bidder.   If there was anything wrong ebay would not have it as a reason for ending a listing.

[performance_parts_clearance_centre]

I've the same request several times on "Buy It Now" items - member requests a postage-combined invoice, I gently point out that they actually need to purchase the items first! Lots of people who just don't understand who things work, so not automatically an attempt at an off-eBay transaction, possibly just someone who is inexperienced.

[davidc4430]

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@closet.diva wrote:

Not sure how to handle this one. Buyer wants me to issue an invoice for an item which is still live. I didn't set up a Buy It Now option. There are currently no bids on this item and I am happy to sell the item to her. But how do I issue an invoice if she hasn't bid yet and the auction hasn't ended yet?

Thanks!

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i think its part of EBAYs new IOU promotion, buyers promise to pay you after they recieve items without actually buying them!

another brilliant one from the ideas dept.

[closet.diva]

I suggested politely to bid, and that I would happily send the invoice. Surprisinglythey have. They are not a newbie (693 transactions), so no idea what the caper was...