Lesson learned the hard way: a buyer can accept an offer but not pay!

[curatedclosetclearout]

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?

[brickworksmarket]

Can you tick the instant payment required box in the listing. I would think it works for offers but have never used it.

[sugar249]

How 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.

[davewil1964]

I was going to offer some, probably irrelevant, advice, but you've been a member longer than me, and by definition know more.

[brickworksmarket]

Do you do both, send offers and have offers enabled in your listings. Have you used the immediate payment option with any success.

[curatedclosetclearout]

Yeah, 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.

[curatedclosetclearout]

Thanks 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]

I 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]

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@brickworksmarket wrote:

I just looked and only works for buy it now.

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The time to have done that was BEFORE your first post on this thread.....................

[brickworksmarket]

Why, 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.