What's with people winning on bids but not paying?

[johninadelaide1967]

I have not been on Ebay in a while to sell stuff. I have in the past with much success so anyway on with my post.

I have never had issues or problems. However in the last week or two I listed an item for sale and someone made a winning bid but 4 days on they haven't paid for the bid or offered any kind of contact. I have sent one politely worded message to ask about payment but no response at all.

Are there many instances of this kind of thing on here? 

Have started a dispute process about this so will see where that leads, and if nothing happens will cancel and possibly relist the item.

How common is this kind of thing?

I've been told this is happening more and more on here.

[harley_babes_hoard]

You should open a unpaid item dispute, wait 4 days then close it. Buyer will get a strike and your fees will be refunded.

I don't know if it's really happening anymore than normal.

[*tippy*toes*]

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@johninadelaide1967 wrote:

I have not been on Ebay in a while to sell stuff. I have in the past with much success so anyway on with my post.

I have never had issues or problems. However in the last week or two I listed an item for sale and someone made a winning bid but 4 days on they haven't paid for the bid or offered any kind of contact. I have sent one politely worded message to ask about payment but no response at all.

Are there many instances of this kind of thing on here? 

Have started a dispute process about this so will see where that leads, and if nothing happens will cancel and possibly relist the item.

How common is this kind of thing?

I've been told this is happening more and more on here.

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How long is a piece of string? Some people have quite a few non payers, some have very few. I've had 2 in the last 6 months. Best thing to do is open an unpaid item dispute (NOT a cancellation) after 4 days and close it 4 days later. The buyer gets a strike against their account, you are then free to relist your item. Add that buyer to your blocked buyer list so they can't try and buy from you again.

Make sure you have buyer requirement blocks in place to stop the serial pests. Buyers with 2 or more strikes against their account won't be able to buy your items if you have blocks in place.

Blocked buyer list: http://offer.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BidderBlockLogin

Buyer requirements: http://offer.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BuyerBlockPreferences

Make sure you fill out the rest of the buyer requirements to suit your own preferences. Most people who have these active set the non payer one to 2 strikes in 12 months. Don't forget to tick the box down the bottom that says to apply to current and future listings and also the box to stop blocked buyers from contacting you.

If you want to see how many buyers your blocks are stopping, you can check that here: http://offer.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BuyerRequirementsActivityLog

That will only show blocked buyers after you set your blocks.

[johninadelaide1967]

Thanks for the info.

Just changed those settings and didn't actually realize those settings existed. So very handy.

[*tippy*toes*]

It's surprising how many sellers don't know about them, which is why these pests keep doing it and think they can get away with it. You will still get the odd non payer, some people just change their mind and think if they ignore it it will go away. For other people, life happens (in hospital, death in family, have to go away and don't have a internet connection). Having the blocks set should hopefully reduce the amount you get as often a non payer is a repeat offender.

[transport-posters]

It's definitely on the increase.

I routinely have about 1 to 3 people a month do it.  I can't switch on the "pay immediately" option because some people like to buy multiple posters from me to save on postage in a single mailing tube.  I just assume they need to organise funds in their PayPal account or something.  Most usually pay up once the automated unpaid case opens.

I don't worry about it anymore, it's expected as part of the experience when so many different people are now using the internet to do almost everything.

[the4masters2013]

I have someone who was really keen on an item, had questions and was happy with the answers. Put in for the item the following day and

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@johninadelaide1967 wrote:

I have not been on Ebay in a while to sell stuff. I have in the past with much success so anyway on with my post.

I have never had issues or problems. However in the last week or two I listed an item for sale and someone made a winning bid but 4 days on they haven't paid for the bid or offered any kind of contact. I have sent one politely worded message to ask about payment but no response at all.

Are there many instances of this kind of thing on here? 

Have started a dispute process about this so will see where that leads, and if nothing happens will cancel and possibly relist the item.

How common is this kind of thing?

I've been told this is happening more and more on here.

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now no payment and no communication despite a friendly reminder about payment. I'll open an unpaid case either today or tomorrow. Very disappointing! All from someone who should know better judging from their feedback.

[ardy01]

I have just had my first one since joining several years ago. Mind you I do not sell much stuff.

What happens to their feedback score? The guy who did not pay has a 100% record. Is it possible to have a 100% record and have non payment strikes against them?

[joethenuts]

nothing happens to there feedback score  you cant give a neg to a buyer ,but they will get a strike against them, and i think 2 strikes and they are penalised

[ardy01]

Joe - that is really letting the sellers know that non-payers are a risk. They could always hit them with a wet lettuce leaf....How do lousy buyers get their comeuppance?