Sellers don't post until payment is initiated????????

You insist on payment - you don't care if it is held by eBay.

Has the buyer paid - if so ............................

Should you post the item - most definitely.

eBay sees you as a "new seller" and as such you funds will be on hold.

BUT you must still post the item within your handling time, or risk a neg in your feedback from the buyer.

If the buyer has paid, you have to post (even if the payment is held by eBay).

If the buyer hasn't paid for the item at all, then definitely don't post anything at all.

Given - all these replies - has the buyer  - paid ??

A very expensive item.

Make sure ebay says they've paid - don't take the buyer's word for it.

It's an item ripe for scammers.

It is good you don’t care if the payment is held by eBay, because it WILL be held, you agreed to that when you listed

But

Has the buyer REALLY paid? or has they buyer told you they paid and it’s held in escrow or something similar?

Can you let us know exactly what is happening?

"Been trying to find out if I can insist on payment before posting item to purchaser"

Sounds like the  "buyer" has asked you to post before paying.

They may also "pretend" to pay and tell you that your payment's being held and will be released when you give them a tracking number.

It will definately be a  SCAM