eBay Query

[mrs.chappie]

Apologies if this is in the wrong category.

I sold a book on eBay on Sunday last, and emailed the buyer thanking him for his bid and telling him I would post it as soon as I received payment (all 99p of it - LOL).

So far I have not received the payment or a reply to my email. Is it too soon to think that he doesn't want the book? I know it's possible he's gone away on holiday, or there could be some other reason why he hasn't responded.

How long should I wait for a response before I deduce that he doesn't want it? And if he doesn't want it and doesn't reply to me, do I just write it off, or will I get a black mark against me from eBay? (I already have one, for making a wording mistake on my original listing).

I have tried to access the eBay Help Forum but for some reason I cannot sign in.

TIA for any replies folks. x

[ZXR]

Give it seven days or so before trying to contact the buyer. In many listings people put words to the effect of "payment within seven days of auction ending" to signify a time window which is acceptable. Some users of ebay just take the mick and keep you waiting weeks for the money then complain they didn't get the item quickly.
Unless you specified paypal only, some users still use cheques and postal orders which can take a few days to arrive then clear.
Many people are just a bit lax so give it a week and ask again.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks for that, ZXR. He has a lot of feedback, all good, some saying they received instant payment by paypal , so I know he uses paypal. He put the bid in, just three minutes before the auction ended.

Do you happen to know where I would stand if he doesn't want the book? Do I just forget about it? I will of course take your advice and leave it a few more days before trying him again.

Thanks very much.

[Ethel]

If he doesn't communicate with you after your email at 7 days, report him as a non-paying bidder to eBay. This means you will get your fees back at least.

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/bidders_cont act.html

[mrs.chappie]

Ethel, I don't know if it's worth the hassle for 10p. In fact, I'd probably only get 5p back, as it was a re-listing.

Thanks for reply.

[Ethel]

It's not a real hassle though, and npb strikes can flag a warning that something is amiss with the buyers account.

[pusspuss]

he /she may have problems with their computer

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks puss. Yes, that's a possibility, but I've looked at his feedback and he usually pays (by paypal) as soon as the auction ends. He bid on the book just three minutes before the end, so I guess his computer was okay at that time.

Ethel, I don't want to risk getting a retaliatory negative from him. Will spoil my 100% positive record.

[pusspuss]

mrs.chappie i have not sold on ebay for a long time but from what i have heard you can not leave a negative if you are a seller. only a buyer can leave a negative

[pusspuss]

http://pages.ebay.com/services/forum/new.html

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks puss. I wouldn't be able to leave a negative for him, but if I started a non-payer dispute against him (think that's the right title - I'm not very clued up on eBay) he might decide to 'get his own back' and leave me a negative. I don't know if eBay would allow him to do that - I would hope they wouldn't.

To be honest, I don't know much about problems with eBay, as I have mostly only bought stuff, and I have always paid on the day the auction finished.

As I mentioned before, I don't think it would be worth the hassle, taking into account the possible repercussions. Wish I'd never put the flippin' thing on eBay in the first place, to be honest. [:o)