Ebay ?: When do you gently remind a buyer to pay?

Raufus Posts: 6,784 ✭✭✭✭✭

I sold a set of Perth Mint commems. to a U.S. buyer on Sun. The sale was a BIN. The buyer has not yet paid. The buyer has stellar feedback w/a feedback # > 1000 so I have no doubt that she will pay. In fact, I would wait a week before sending a reminder to this buyer given her strong creds.

While this buyer I'm sure won't be a problem, this has happened to me before - days w/o payment nor any communiation. While I don't and won't "demand" immediate payment in my listings, I find this annoying nonetheless. I always pay instantly. If it's an auction, I keep in mind when it will end so that I can see if I'm the winner and pay as quickly as possible. If for some reason I could not pay instantly, I would let the seller know.

Just curious, when you sell, how long do you wait before you gently remind the buyer to please pay?

Comments

I don't send a customer anything except the invoice with complete total after discounts where applicable.Ebay send reminders so it's not like the buyer isnt aware.If it isnt paid within two weeks it's safe to assume its not going to be paid and just open the dispute and be done with it.I don't get into messaging defaulting buyers.

Folks get too wrapped up in what 'they' always do. ie, "I always pay right away", "I always wait for an invoice", etc etc etc.

People are different and it shows on this board. this thread will likely have responses from "I send invoices immediately and want paid right now" to "I wait a week or two then send a reminder" to "I wait the minimum time, file an unpaid item against the buyer, then want to relist".

Personally, I don't sell much on ebay anymore. too busy with other things. but here is what I have done, and would do:

* If I wanted paid immediately, and used a BIN, then I would have set it up so that it required immediate payment. That's an option. Use it if you want paid right away
* If an auction ends on the weekend, I wait until at least a weekday before I send an invoice. With today's ways of electronics, there can be times someone is ok with using ebay (smartphone/someone else's house/etc) but they don't want to do the paypal bit right then. There will be those that attack that thought, and that is fine, but that is trying to put THEIR way of thinking and forcing it upon someone else.
* If, after a few more days, no communication, then I would send a polite email through the ebay system. Something akin to: "Hello. Thanks again for purchasing the item. I do have it all packaged up and ready to go out to you once I have received payment. Best regards"
* If after a week, nothing, then I might re-ping with a "just wanting to make sure everything is ok as I know sometimes that email systems can mistakenly mark emails as "junk mail". As I mentioned before, the item you won, item#xxxxxxx blah blah blah, is already packaged up and just waiting for the address and payment. Happy to get it out to you asap once everything goes through and I will then send you the information from the post office once it is mailed"

But, that's just me.

I've been told I tolerate fools poorly. that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

cmerlo1 Posts: 7,909 ✭✭✭✭✭

I wait a week. If the buyer hasn't contacted me about the payment, I send one message as a friendly reminder, then file the NPB 3 days from then, if payment or a response isn't received.

My auctions all have PayPal as the payment method, so I really don't see any reason why payment can't be made within a few days of the ending of an auction, besides emergencies and other unforseeable events. I have had buyers contact me during the auction to say that they may be out of town when the auction ends, and they may pay late, and I'm perfectly fine with that.

You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.

It's very much a two way street as well , i won a coin on friday and thought..ok..by monday i'll have my tracking number and probably feedback.Here it is tuesday and there has been no indication from the seller whatsoever what is happening.A $390 coin isnt everybodies priority but it shouldnt matter if its a 3 dollar coin or a 3k coin.
I agree with Ron , people can't assume a buyer or seller is going to treat you as you might them,every transaction is different and needs to be treated as such.

LanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭

also you may set it up so that unpaid item assistant opens a case after XX amount of days

i am patient with those that communicate with me but very hard on those that can't be bothered to at least take 2 min to send a message asking for a little extra time which i am MORE than happy to give as 99.5% of transactions are problem-free so i figure a few along the way is juts part of business with other humans lol.

if you do go down the road of resolution center, it is much better to do it via unpaid item vs cancel transaction - with unpaid item the buyer cannot leave feedback if the item is not paid for and/or if the buyer agrees to end the transaction. if you just do cancel transaction then the buyer may leave nasty feedback. that was the direct advice from the Trust and Safety Dept. at ebay.
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I don't know how true it was but i've had a few buyers state that they were out of town, in the hospital yadda yadda, but normally those that even communicate those exceptions tend to pay inside of 10 business days and those are very rare
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