What is a realistic time to wait for payment after bidding completed?

[jenxy09]

I'm relatively new to selling and didn't ask for a "pay by" time on my listings. What is a realistic time to wait after the invoice has been sent before a I send a friendly reminder? Thanks for your help

[ozbestbuyz]

I normally wait 5 days then send a remind on the 7th if not paid by the 7th its either relist or second chance offer unless they have contacted and stated to hold otherwise.

[kopenhagen5]

It's up to you.

ebay send an automatic reminder 2 days after puchase.

An unpaid item case can't be opened before 4 days, so at around 5 days I ask if there is a problem with making the payment and to kindly contact me if there is.

If no response after a day or so, I open an unpaid item case which often spurs a response or payment. If not, I close the case as soon as I can, 4 days after it's opened.

Buyer gets a strike, Final value fees are returned, and I can offer to underbidder or relist. Neither party can leave feedback.

I then add them to my blocked bidders list and a good idea to set blocks if you haven't. Hover over account tab, select site prefs and buyer requirements. Then show and edit to the right.

[*crikey*mate*]

eBay AU "technically" allows a buyer up to 8 days to make a payment.

How long to wait is subjective, however

Why did you send the invoice? was it for one item or did you send it to combine postage?

OK - eBay allows you to open up an UID after 4 days. If the buyer does not repond and either pay (thus automatically closing the case) or reach a mutually agreeable timeframe with you within the next 4 days (the minimum time the dispute can remain open) then you can manually close the case yourself and receive your FVF's back and the buyer will receive a strike.

With this in mind, On day 3, or the day before you choose to open the case, I would send a nice little friendly reminder, asking them if they could give you an indication of when they do intend to pay, or to contact you if they are experiencing difficulties. Then go on to explain (others have a better wording for this, so wait for their wording if you want) that should you not receive payment or contact by tomorrow that you will happily discharge them of their obligation to pay by opening up an UID in order to cancel the sale and for you to receive your fees back and you apologize in advance as this will unfortunately burden them with a strike being recorded against their account.

[digital*ghost]

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@jenxy09 wrote:

I'm relatively new to selling and didn't ask for a "pay by" time on my listings. What is a realistic time to wait after the invoice has been sent before a I send a friendly reminder? Thanks for your help

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Unless you switch them off, eBay will send the buyer an auto-reminder to pay 48 hours after purchase (or auction end). I wouldn't send any other reminders or messages for a couple of days after that. 

After 4 days have passed (since the date of sale), you are able to open an unpaid item dispute, which then needs to remain open for at least 4 full days before being closed (the buyer can still pay during the time the case is open, and it will either close automatically of they pay electronically, or you'll have to manually mark the item as paid and close the case).

Many buyers are aware of and used to the time frame, which a lot of sellers base their payment terms on, so I personally think anything from 4 days on is quite reasonable.

Edit: I'm moving in slo-mo tonight. 

[davewil1964]

You forgot a step - open a NPB case.

Without that the original bidder can pay and expect the item. if you've sold it to somebody else, you are going to have an unhappy buyer on your hands who WILL be able to leave negative feedback.

OP - the minimum time is 4 days, after which time you canopen a case. You then have to wait a minimum of 4 days to close the case. At which time you can relist or SCO. You also get your sale fees back AND the non-payer will get a strike and won't be able to leave feedback. You can set your blocks for members with two or more strikes in 12 months, which means serial non-payers won't be able to waste your time.

8 days minimum and 36 (?) maximum. If you don't close the case before the limit (which is shown when you open the case) you don't get your fees back and the buyer doesn't get a strike.

[phorum_junkie*]

The buyer gets an email straight away with a pay now link.

48 hours later unless you have turned them off the buyer gets a reminder with a pay now link.

End of day 3 if no contact I send the invoice with a polite 'reminder' and a pay now link.

End of day 4 I open an unpaid item dispute.

[jenxy09 · Accepted solution]

Thank you one and all!  I have learned heaps in the past few minutes. I sent invoices because on "All Selling" when sold it states - Send on Invoice - one payment has been received overnight and two payments are still outstanding (6 days since auction) so I will do the nice "remember me" email. The totals are very small so fees don't really matter but it is messy if transactions are not completed and they should abide by ebay rules or not shop here. The whole selling experience has been a learning curve and I now feel more confident to put my next 40 items on 1st Nov!! Appreciation again to you all for the generous tutoring!  Have a good weekend.

[phorum_junkie*]

It is important for all sellers that you open and finalise unpaid item disputes if buyers don't pay, I find most do after the dispute is opened which is why I open them on day 4 instead of waiting longer, as they are awarded a non payment strike and we have the ability to stop any member with more than one strike from purchasing from us. This only works if sellers go through the dispute process. Once a strike is awarded it also means the buyer cannot leave you neg feedback!

There really is no need to send an invoice at the time of sale unless there is to be a change in the quoted postage or you are combining items, as I said I keep mine back until day 3 and use that as a final reminder.