E-bay, LONG, how long to wait before filing non paying bidder?

[elgerber]

I had a bunch of auctions end on Sunday, the 25th. They all stated payment to be made within 4 days by paypal, or contact me if you wanted to pay by cashiers check. I got payment on all of them, by Monday afternoon, except one. I had someone win 2 auctions, totalling $46 plus shipping. She e-mailed me as soon as they ended for an invoice, so I sent her one. On Monday, she e-mailed me back asking if she could do standard shipping instead of priority (I had priority listed in my auction, with a shipping calculator so they would know the costs up front). I didn't want to do that, but I e-mailed her back and said I would, but it might be a couple days before I could get to the post office. Tuesday she e-mails me back and says "standard would be great, at your convenience is fine". That was the last I heard from her.

I e-mailed her back right after she sent that one, asking her how she would be paying (she does not have my address so a check can not be on its way) and I sent her a new invoice with standard shipping. I sent her another invoice on Wed. Last night I asked her again how she would be paying, since I have not heard from her in 2 days, and my auction stated payment in 4 days. Again, I have heard nothing. Her feedback is 1 (4 transactions, all with the same person).

How long do I have to wait for non bidding filing? There were other bidders behind her I would like to offer the stuff too, if she's not gonna pay me.

Erika

 

[Cindy B]

You have to wait 10 days from auction end to file a NpB. After I file a NPB, I then offer it up as a second chance auction to the second highest bidder.

Rememeber, if you file the NPB, they can still pay. I've had that happen with me as well. After I filed the first NPB, money has come in.

 

[Cinders]

I e-mailed her back right after she sent that one, asking her how she would be paying (she does not have my address so a check can not be on its way)

Possibly she looked up your address through Ebay. I know I had a buyer do that once and I never knew she did it until afterward because the Email from Ebay informing me she did so went into my Junk mail.

 

[elgerber]

Thanks for your responses. I suppose I could have read on e-bay and figured out the 10 days for myself, duh!

I have checked my spam folders, and nothing there. It's just so odd, she only sends one e-mail per day at first, and then nothing at all now. I guess all I can do is sit and wait.

I just hope the other bidders will still want it that much later, if she doesn't pay.

Erika

 

[Talargain]

I had a bidder do that once. What I did was get their address. You can do that. Sometimes, you get their phone number also. If you do, call and leave a message. Also, save all emails you send her.

 

[JoyG]

How long would you wait to leave negative feedback for someone who hasn't contacted you at all either way? I had auctions that ended last weekend, one on Saturday and one on Sunday and the winners haven't contacted me at all. I've sent numerous emails with no response. The winning bids were very low, I'd rather relist the items this weekend so they can end next weekend. Is it too soon to leave negative feedback and move on? I'm not too worried about the actual non paying bidder report to ebay.

Joy

 

[maggiew]

Personally I think it is way too early to be concerned at this point. I understand you say 4 days in your TOS, but I think it is too soon. Some people do not check their email every 5 minutes like some of us (me included!!). At least you have heard from her since the auction.

I also had auctions end on the 25th and I am happy that I already had 2 pay by paypal and 3 email me that they are paying by check! But I say payment within 10 days. And since I take checks, as long as they contact me and let me know that they are sending a check I even would wait a couple more days. I have not yet had someone not end up paying.

You say that they do not have your address, but when you win an auction doesn't it automatically show the seller's address in the "Congratulations, you are the winning bidder of ..." email???? I know I have won a few auctions and the sellers address was always listed. Maybe because they accepted Money orders??? I am not sure if the address is not listed if you only accept Paypal.

Maggie

 

[DianeV]

I agree that your time limit for payment is a bit strict..you may want to allow a little longer on that part..

 

[elgerber]

I do not strictly enforce the time limit (lot's of people have 3 day paypal only limits), it's there to assure communication. She finally e-mailed me late last night, saying sorry for the delay, I'll pay by paypal when I get your invoice. I've sent her 3 invoices already. So, I sent her another one last night.

I can understand that she doesn't check her e-mail every five minutes, but I think if you owe someone $55 you should at least check it and respond once a day.

 

[Cindy B]

Some people dont have internet at home, and work strange schedules. Maybe they use a library computer or a school computer.

I've had people pay within 10 days. We have the people notify us within 3 days, and payment within 10.

 

[maggiew]

Originally posted by Cindy B
Some people dont have internet at home, and work strange schedules. Maybe they use a library computer or a school computer.

I've had people pay within 10 days. We have the people notify us within 3 days, and payment within 10.

This is what we do. Contact within 3 days saying how they are going to pay and then payment within 10 days. I also hold the items for several days if they pay by check to allow it to clear.

Maggie