Ebay - How Long To Wait For Payment

[jessiedog]

Last Sunday (2nd) I sold a pair of shoes. As no payment was recieved by tuesday, I sent an invoice as a reminder (I have found that most buyers pay without an invoice, usually straight after listing ends).

I have still not had payment and am wondering how long I should wait before opening a dispute.

Also, I would rather send an email as a gentle reminder first, so any suggestions what to say would be appreciated.

First time I have not been paid within a couple of days, perhaps I have been lucky.

Many Thanks

[boxtops]

what I do is this:

as soon as the sale ends, I send an invoice - always. (In case of dispute, you can then demonstrate that you did this, promptly.)

Three days later, I send a message saying; Hi, I invoiced you on (date) for the xxx which you won, but you haven't yet advised me when or how you intend to pay. Please let me know, so I can arrange to send xxx to you.

Five days, I send another reminder saying that they still haven't been in touch, and although I don't like doing it, it's my policy to report items unpaid to eBay after seven days. Please get in touch.

Seven days - I report the transaction as unpaid.

It's rare that steps 2 & 3 don't elicit any response or payment, I've only had to report nonpayment a very few times.

I hope this helps!

[jessiedog]

Thanks boxtops, that is really useful. Bit too late to do the first bit now, but will def keep in mind for the future.

I am going to use your 3 days email and see what happens, give it a couple more days and then move to your 5 days etc.

The reason I don't usually send invoices is I am often paid before I even realise that an item has sold.

Many thanks

[boxtops]

I know what you mean, jessie - particularly if something sells when I'm out or at work! even so, eBay will tell you that you are awaiting payment if you've not been paid, so I always send an invoice a.s.a.p.

I also make use of the Note facility on the drop-down menu so I can add a note to myself when the thing sold, or when I posted it, or when I sent the reminder.

[jessiedog]

I have just emailed them with the gentle reminder and will see if that helps.

Never used the note function before - so guess what I am about to do...

You really are most helpful

[boxtops]

:-)

Don't forget you can always look in your sent message box on eBay, too - to remind yourself what you said, and when.

[grasscarp]

I would say it is not unusual. I have had people pay after a week later. I would probably contact buyer if a week had past after a reminder and ask if they will be paying soon. Dispute is last resort to my mind. I sold some things yesterday. 5 paid instantly. Sent an invoice to other 3. 2 have now paid and one remaining. Not going to chase as a complicated one to pack and I dont have a suitable box to hand.

[boxtops]

A week's my initial limit, grasscarp - if they want the thing, they can at least do me the courtesy of getting in touch during that period.

I don't list anything until I have a box or suitable packing for it, I might come unstuck otherwise!

[grasscarp]

Hi Boxy. I would expect you to be wise about boxes! Ebay never ceases to amaze me. A beautiful china figure went for 99p. A musical child's toy that I was thinking of giving to a charity shop had 13 watchers and went for £20!!!

[boxtops]

It staggers me too,... my crowning achievement was a gold plastic elephant - only 75p, but I sold it!