Hi

I have recently sold a few bits and pieces on ebay and things were going swimmingly until this last week so I have a couple of questions for all you seasoned ebayers out there...

Firstly, an item I had listed ended last Wednesday.  The winning bidder has not yet paid for the item and has made no contact with me at all despite me sending an invoice, followed by a polite e-mail yesterday (5 days after the end of the auction) reminding them that payment is due.  I realise people have PC problems, fall ill, go on holiday etc so I don't want to be too hasty, but how long is it reasonable to wait before lodging a dispute??

Secondly, I have just been contacted by someone to say the item that I posted to them has not yet arrived.  I have a certificate of posting and the item was sent almost a week ago by first class mail.  What can I do to assist the buyer in tracing the item??

Thanks in advance :)

1. Personally I would leave it a fortnight before lodging a dispute. In fact I've never had to take it further but have had some people that take almost a fortnight to pay :rolleyes:

2. Ask the buyer to contact their local sorting office as occasionally the postie will not have left a card but taken the parcel back, or the card gets lost. 1st class mail only actually guarantees delivery within 7 days so hopefully it will be there tomorrow. If it still hasn't arrived in a few days then contact the sellers sorting office yourself to ask about it :)

unless it is something really small I am selling that I wouldn't mind refunding I always send recorded delivery as it is your word against the other persons and some people are dishonest enough to say they didn't receive an item even if they did.  I always feel with ebay that you take a chance and sometimes just have to write somethings off. 

With regard to your questions I would tell the person that if you don't hear from them within 2 days you will be filing a non paying bidder report.  if this doesn't motivate them (might not if they have low feedback) all you can do it go for it and file the report.

I had someone recently pay after 6 days, they emailed and said they had been ill so i would wait a little longer, you can get a refund off royal mail if you have proof of posting but i would in the future state that you will not be resposible for missing items, and that you will however get proof of postage also state that you for payment to be made within 3days or you can relist or offer it as a second chance offer.

>also state that you for payment to be made within 3days or you can relist or offer it as a second chance offer.

I have stated that payment should be made within 5 days (thought that was generous enough) and that I may reliast the item but when it's come to the crunch, I feel a bit mean doing it :rolleyes:  I'd like to give the person the benefit of the doubt but their most recent feedback (left the day AFTER my aution ended) states 'slow to pay and poor communication' :( 

It took me a month to pay for something once because of problems with PayPal and updating my information.  Luckily I kept the seller up-to-date and we regularly sent each other messsages etc.  If you've not heard anything from them after a week I would send them one last message and then get E-Bay involved via their dispute thread.

I would personally give them another few days and then again ask them for payment, telling them you will give them 24 hours then file a complaint. (thats what i do)
as for the parcel going missing... this topic bugs me stupid :rolleyes:
I recently sent an item to somebody by recorded delivery, got proof and now she wants me to chase it up with royal mail... which is all good and well but a thank you and not kiss my **** would be nice :)
so really thats down to you and what your own polices are... im sick of dealing with royal mail..

Good luck!

Donna x
(and charlie of coursex)

Have you had any response from them?