Ebayers-I need advice!!

[ChristyJ]

I'm very new at this whole Ebay thing (just listed & sold 3 items). For the first two items, I wrote that payment must be received within 3 days of the auction's end-BUT I forgot to write that one the one that closed yesterday. I sent an invoice out after the item closed, and again, DID NOT SPECIFY WHEN she needed to send payment by. So what should I do??
Should I wait a few more days, then send an oops Email-or should I send something out now? I just started this and I don't want bad feedback, but I'm not sure what I should do! I would greatly appreciate advice from the seasoned Ebayers out there!
Thanks!!

 

[imsayin]

I always wait a few days, and re-invoice, asking them the status of their payment. Also, I don't hesitate to file a dispute after 7 days if I don't get any response.

 

[disneychrista]

I think you have to wait 10 days (or at least you used to) before you can file any unpaid items disputes, so I would wait that long before panicing. If you want you can send a second "remember" invoice but I would wait at least 5 days.

 

[ChristyJ]

Okay-I'll wait until atleast Tuesday before I panic . The person who was the highest bidder has a great rating, so hopefully I have nothing to worry about!

It's all a learning process...

 

[IStoleMyKidsPins]

You need to give buyers some time. Things happen that can delay payment{and shipment for that matter on the seller's end}. You can always send a payment reminder after a week or so. And remember, if someone's mailing you a check or mo, say they wait 2 days to send it, the mail may take 3 days or longer. Just relax, I'm sure you'll get your money. On this note, I sure hope you plan on sending everything out within 3 days of receiving payment. If sellers demand a deadline on payment, they should do the same on their end for shipping turn-around.

 

[ChristyJ]

I'm only accepting PayPal at this point-no checks. I guess I felt worried (again, I JUST started this) because the other 2 people paid within 24 hrs. (one paid an hour after the close of the auction). And I promptly sent items out the following day. I have 2 kids, a pt. time job, etc., so I realize how hectic life can be. I'm actually not in a state of panic (notice the wink ), just being a drama queen

My primary worry was that I made a mistake and didn't put in a note about "payment is expected within __ days." So I wasn't sure how to handle it. I'm going to sit back and wait...and enjoy the long weekend with friends and family!
Thanks for the advice.

 

[CajunDixie]

I wrote that payment must be received within 3 days of the auction's end

Only 3 days?!!?? I assume you only take PayPal? If you truely want advise about selling on Ebay I'd change that 3 day rule ASAP. It'll just cause you undue worry about receiving payments. Who needs unnecessary stress about something so minor?

And to make it easier for you on future auctions you should typed and save into Word (or whatever you use) your standard info on payments and shipping then copy and paste into your auctions so that you never forget something again.

 

[ChristyJ]

Is 7 days more common? I looked at a few auctions and saw 3 days, that's why I put in that number. (still learning... ) The copy & paste thing is a great idea-thanks!

 

[Colinsmom]

I think that 3 days is fine for Paypal-only auctions. 7-10 days is more reasonable if you are taking money orders and checks.

Though with the holiday weekend, you might see delays in payment, even if you put the 3 day requirement in there.

 

[disneymom3]

You know, I really feel that people are getting a little too paranoid about ebay payments. We finished an auction in mid May and just received the payment last week. The buyer was totally appalled that we hadn't gotten the payment when we contacted her and very nicely pointed out that we hadn't received it. She looked in her car and it had fallen down between the seats. (Wasn't sure I believed her but figured what the heck. Then got the money order and the date on it was the date she said she had gotten it.) I know it is naive, but I choose to believe that most people are not out to get you or to intentionally be irresponsible. Life happens, you know?

I would get rid of that 3 day rule. We dont say anything about a deadline in our listings and we have never been burned.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

I use a ten day rule. I put in my auctions that "communication from the buyer is expected within three days and payment expected within ten days." Unless a buyer is bidding in the last minutes of an auction, often they are busy and off the computer when the auction ends. So I always try to make sure they have plenty of time. I send an invoice within 24 hours, then if I don't hear anything I send a reminder invoice on the third day after the auction ends. Most people always respond within the three days and rarely does it take someone more than the ten days to pay. Usually if it takes more than ten days for me to receive payment the buyer has been in contact and I know what's going on and why payment is late.

Relax!!

 

[floridagirrl2]

I've been selling on Ebay since 1998 (more on Amazon now though) and I say something to the effect of "payment appreciated within 10 days." I don't like unreasonable rules and I think 3 days is unreasonable. I don't file for fees unless I haven't been paid within a month. I don't send nasty emails, either--I send an invoice right away and after 2 weeks I will send an email that says something like,"I haven't received your auction payment. Are you still planning to purchase this item?"

You can't FORCE people to pay, and I think too-strict rules make people get their backs up. I know I don't like to buy from Ebayers who expect payment withing 3 days (even though I almost always pay instantly)--I just think that's an unreasonable time frame and it makes me wonder if the seller is an unreasonable person.

 

[wendyl]

I have found that buyers don't always pay attention to your payment requirements anyway. I ask for contact within 3 days and payment within 7. I make my living on Ebay--and waiting 10 days is just too long. NOW, if a person contacts me after a couple of days and tells me they can't pay within the 7 days, but gives me a day they WILL be able to pay--I'm OK with that. But with NO contact or payment--I file a non-paying bidder claim on that 7th day (because then you STILL have to wait 8 days before your can close the dispute and get your fees credited back and can relist).

Here's my routine. I email after 3 days if I haven't heard from them --and I ask that they take just a moment to respond to that email and let me know when they will be making payment. Then after 5 days, I send another invoice--then I send another email at day 6 --and if still no contact--I file on that 7th day!! When I file--I always send an email that explains that they have only received a payment reminder--and that if they pay--they will NOT receive a strike and will get a positive feedback from me. That seems to help with people that freak out when they get that dispute message from Ebay.

The other thing to realize is that timing has alot to do with it. Summer is hard because people bid, then go on vacation, and forget they had a bid in. I have also noticed--that there is an Ebay boom at the end of each month--so if the item sold at the end of the month--they are likely waiting until the beginning of the next month when Pay Day comes.

The key is to be polite--but to remain in contact.

 

[Jaybrad]

PayPal is the way to go. I wait a week for payment and email the buyer for the status of the payment.

 

[ceecee]

3 days isn't that long. I don't specify a time, but will send another invoice in 3 days and then file with Ebay after the waiting period they have (I have gotten 2 payments last week after Ebay sent a reminder). Most people pay within a few days, but some wait for some reason (pay day?). I think 7 days is a reasonable time to expect a payment.

 

[ChristyJ]

I really appreciate the advice being given, especially because, as I previously mentioned, I am new to this and want to do this well. I also truly appreciate the advice that does not seem as though it's critisizm or a judgement on my character-I'm certainly not an unreasonable person, I just asked a question, and by posting, did put myself out there for all to respond.

As a PS to all of this, the buyer paid yesterday and I promptly shipped her item out within 2 hours of payment.

 

[floridagirrl2]

I really appreciate the advice being given, especially because, as I previously mentioned, I am new to this and want to do this well. I also truly appreciate the advice that does not seem as though it's critisizm or a judgement on my character-I'm certainly not an unreasonable person, I just asked a question, and by posting, did put myself out there for all to respond.

As a PS to all of this, the buyer paid yesterday and I promptly shipped her item out within 2 hours of payment.

I actually didn't mean to imply YOU are unreasonable. I'm saying that as an Ebay BUYER, when I see terms that seem harsh or unreasonable, I wonder if the seller is an unreasonable person, and it makes me hesitant to bid. Things like "payment expected within 3 days," "All non-paying bidders will receive negative feedback," "No bids from people with less than 10 feedback unless you email me first" etc. are a turnoff.

On Ebay, very few people know you personally , and they may tend to shy away from auctions with such strict terms. I know I do.

 

[ChristyJ]

floridagirrl2-thanks -you're right though about people on Ebay not knowing me and possibly judging statements like you had mentioned (esp. since I only have a grand feedback total of 2 so far... ). The next batch of items I put on will not have a 3 day pay by time limit-again, this is all so new, and I just want it to be fun, but also make (a little bit) of money selling things I'd like to get rid of anyway... -but, I also think it's important to be smart about things, so I really do appreciate the input! Thanks again!!

 

[epcotfan]

Even if you only accept Paypal I would give my buyers a longer time frame to pay by. If you want to accept money orders or personal cheques, then you should allow at least 10 days for delivery. Your buyers will appeciate it. I actually give my buyers 21 days. I figure it can take 2 weeks for a mailed payment to arrive from the US or abroad, so they deserve a realistic time frame to get to the bank, and mail their payment.

 

[floridagirrl2]

You're welcome, ChristyJ! Sorry my first post was unclear.

One other thing about stretching out your payment time a little--for some reason, some buyers think instant payment should equal instant delivery! Even Priority Mail can take up to a week to be delivered (and I sell mostly books so I use Media Mail a lot, which is slower), so I think stretching out the allowable payment period helps buyers be more understanding about the length of time shipping can take.

Ebay can be really exciting--many times I've had DH looking over my shoulder toward the end of an auction, while I keep reloading the page and watching the snipers bid an item up, up, up in the last couple of minutes of the auction! Have a great time and I hope you earn the extra $$$ you're looking for!