Huge Ebay mistake! Sent item before buyer paid!

[ThisIsTheYear]

If it is a bidding auction then the buyer may not know they won it until they look at their email, I wouldn't worry about payment until it has been a few days.

But I would escalate recalling the package with the PO until you know whether you even posted it to the right address.

There was a bidding war at the last minute. :/

I'm going to have to drive down there (25 minute drive) on Monday.

 

[Robinrs]

There was a bidding war at the last minute. :/

I'm going to have to drive down there (25 minute drive) on Monday.

I am sure that the buyer will pay you in the allotted (3 days) time and get the package AFTER they've paid. Let's hope....

USPS does offer "Package Intercept" but it costs a fee. https://www.usps.com/manage/intercept-package.htm Did you charge for shipping? Adding a fee will dig deeper into your profits than it already has.

If there is an issue and they do not pay you can open a case with Ebay.

Next time print shipping labels thru Paypal only. This way you will have the current address and proof of payment. Only use the money sent for shipping, not your own funds.

Good luck!

 

[richmond282]

Honestly, I'd go get that package unless the buyer pays before morning. I have had more than 1 buyer not pay. I don't know what recourse you would have through either ebay or paypal if there was never any payment made. It's not like they can force the guy to give your package back and they can't refund $ you haven't received.

 

[scottmel]

I have been selling on ebay for over 13 years and rarely wait for payment to ship. I think I got burnt one time and that was way back when we accepted checks as sellers! I am sure she will pay.

 

[JB2K]

As a long-time seller...

...hopefully, your buyer has a good reputation with eBay. If they do...

...send them an invoice, every day, until they pay. If the buyer is not a "shady character", they should pay you, and this should be quickly resolved.

 

[lauti]

I have been selling on ebay for over 13 years and rarely wait for payment to ship. I think I got burnt one time and that was way back when we accepted checks as sellers! I am sure she will pay.

Why would you do this? Just asking for trouble IMO

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Why would you do this? Just asking for trouble IMO

Very dangerous! I have had several people to buy and never pay. Its a pain in the butt! I would never risk it.

OP, I hope you were able to intercept the package and get it back.

 

[Robinrs]

I have been selling on ebay for over 13 years and rarely wait for payment to ship. I think I got burnt one time and that was way back when we accepted checks as sellers! I am sure she will pay.

Why would you do this? Just asking for trouble IMO

My sentiments exactly. That's like gambling. You've been lucky so far but even eBay tells you NEVER to ship before being paid.

 

[tkitty]

I agree that most buyers are on the up and up, and you can open a claim on them if they don't respond.
My DD and I sell a lot on EBay and I wouldn't ship without payment. Right now we have a buyer that won something like 12 auctions- we let them know that we could combine shipping, sent an invoice, and haven't heard from them in 2 weeks. We often have to open cases for non payment.
Good luck!

 

[ThisIsTheYear]

I woke up this morning and checked the status of the package and it is gone from the main post office that I was going to go to. It's now about 60 miles away. . I sent the buyer another invoice this morning.

The good thing is, the package is not expected to arrive until Dec. 16th.

 

[timmac]

Just one more (hopefully positive) thought... if in fact the eBay address is a fake, there's a decent chance the package may end up being returned, so you wouldn't be out the item.

 

[pocomom]

Just one more (hopefully positive) thought... if in fact the eBay address is a fake, there's a decent chance the package may end up being returned, so you wouldn't be out the item.

True, and the person could just be a good person too. But I like the idea of offering some sort of quick payment bonus- $5-$10 off if they pay in the next 24 hours or so. Been a long time since I ebayed so I'm not sure how that would work, but I would rather be out a few dollars than 150.00 .

 

[TnTWalter]

update when resolved.

Good luck.

 

[scottmel]

True, and the person could just be a good person too. But I like the idea of offering some sort of quick payment bonus- $5-$10 off if they pay in the next 24 hours or so. Been a long time since I ebayed so I'm not sure how that would work, but I would rather be out a few dollars than 150.00 .

I think that is sort of desperate sounding...If they don't pay within the specified time you can turn them into ebay. If they are a common thief there isn't too much you can do about it. They need the item more than you can imagine then I guess. sad to think that way but true. And you can let ebay know and then hopefully paypal gets involved and can see WHEN you shipped vs. not getting paid and perhaps they can freeze the persons account. I cannot think this is the first or last time it happened in the ebay community.

 

[ThisIsTheYear]

THEY PAID! Woo hoo! Thanks everyone!!!

Bonus: The address I sent it to is correct! Lol

 

[HM]

So happy for you!!!

 

[ThisIsTheYear]

So happy for you!!!

Thanks!

 

[elgerber]

THEY PAID! Woo hoo! Thanks everyone!!!

Bonus: The address I sent it to is correct! Lol

Just think how impressed they will be with your shipping speed!

 

[ThisIsTheYear]

Just think how impressed they will be with your shipping speed!

Lol! Even shipping it on Saturday, the arrival date isn't until 12/16. We are currently getting a snow storm. If I didn't ship it already, it would probably be shipped out tomorrow or Thursday.
So they are lucky!!

 

[ktate82]

That is great!