Send the first item or how long to wait for payment of second sale?

[ernie_buy_sell_online]

Hi,

we have sold one item and the buyer paid immediately through Paypal for this including postage. But within a minute the same buyer bought a different item but did not complete the checkout process.

I have sent an amended invoice through Ebay for the second item removing the postage costs as we can ship it all in one. Also emailed the buyer to advise them of this and asked to clarify if they wanted me to ship just the first item if they had made a mistake.

Today will be four days since the items have been sold and I have had no reply from buyer. Don't feel good about not sending the first item and wouldn't like to get negative feedback by disputing the second sale. However if I post and then they pay the amended invoice we'll be out of pocket. Stuck?

What to do next?

[digital*ghost]

In situations like this, I send the buyer one message giving them the options available (in this case, the items posted separately, or together if payment for the second item is received). Then I just say that to avoid delays to postage, I will post separately (or whatever) if I am not able to confirm a different choice by a specific time. 

Sometimes people respond to confirm a choice, sometimes they don't, but I figure giving the opportunity without delaying anything is the best I can do, since I consider that their original actions also indicate a choice, as it were. 

I would send the first item that has been paid for, send a payment reminder for the one that hasn't (don't forget to re-invoice with postage if there is no discount for posting them separately), then wait to see if there is any response. 

[gemsttonepette]

Your buyer is trying to scam you. He/she pays for one item, buys another then "forgets" to pay for it. 

They are counting on your goodwill to post both together. 

Post the first item with Signature on Delivery, otherwise it may not arrive.

The give-away here is their refusal to answer your message. They know what they've done. And they think if they keep quiet you'll do what so many good folks always do  -  give them the benefit of the doubt.

I am sorry if I sound cynical but I have had it tried on me several times. I do hope I am wrong on this occasion.

[ernie_buy_sell_online]

What I learned from this is to include a specific timeframe for an answer and mention that without a response we will post the first item, that still shows that you provide the option but also clears you once the timeframe has past to send the first purchase.

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@digital*ghost wrote:

"Then I just say that to avoid delays to postage, I will post separately (or whatever) if I am not able to confirm a different choice by a specific time. 

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[phorum_junkie*]

My listings clearly state that combined postage is available on items purchased within 7 days and paid for on a single invoice. If they pay for one items seperately they are treated as different transactions and posted separately. For a complete newbie I will perhaps email and offer to refund their multiple payments so they can pay on a single invoice to get a discount but no way would I post items paid for with different payments together, unless of course I wasn't using a method that had full aeller protection then it wouldn't really matter anyway.

[springyzone]

Quickly post the first item, with tracking.

The buyer hasn't asked you to wait, hasn't asked you to combine postage.

I know you were trying to be helpful, but it could backfire on you. They will give you a neutral or negative, citing slow postage or item not received.

So post item number 1.

Mark it as sent on the ebay icon thingy.

Immediately send an amended invoice for item 2, including the postage.

Email them to explain what you have done, because you hadn't heard from them.

If they don't pay for item 2, open a dispute.

[ernie_buy_sell_online]

Just to follow this through:

Yesterday I amended the invoice for the second item to include postage again and then posted the first item.  Updated ebay with tracking ID.

Later that morning I opened a case to cancel the second transaction. This morning the buyer has agreed to do so.

Curious to see what feedback we'll get next. 

[springyzone]

I find it totally weird that the buyer paid so promptly for the first item then bought something else and didn't even respond to your messages.

Surely to goodness it wouldn't have taken too much effort for them to maybe let you know they didn't want to go ahead or whatever.

Plain rude of them, I think.

I am glad you posted off item number 1 and if they dare, if they so much as dare, give you neutral feedback over posting time, you respond and explain why!! Don't take it.