I sold something on Thursday night that has to be collected, however, despite emailing the buyer twice I have heard nothing back from them.  How long would you give it and how do I proceed?  I guess I've been fairly lucky never to have been in this situation before.

Thanks in advance.

Simone

In the past when this has happened to me once for late collection and another for late payment i always try to imagine the worst case scenario from their point of view. i.e. has someone died in their family etc. I like to give them the benefit of the doubt. They may have used an auction sniper tool like http://www.gixen.com/index.php to bid on their behalf and then forgotten all about it.  If after a week and i still haven't heard anything give them a 'final' email asking them firmly but nicely to collect. Have you had a look at the help section on ebay? Just type in non collection. I dare bet they'll loads of answers in there. Have you had a look at their feedback as well. That can give some clues to their buying history. Hope you get it sorted soon, as there is nothing worse than hanging around especially if it's a big item you want shifting!

I'd expect contact within 3-5 days and usually get it.  Nowadays I tend to request it on the listing too.  Sometimes people email in advance to say they will be away when the auction ends and is it ok to bid.  I've only once had a non-collect and she, oddly, paid for the item but then never came to pick it up!

You can start the unpaid item process after only 4 days but it may be worth requesting their details and ringing them first.  Given that it's the school holidays I might be inclined to wait 7 days before opening an unpaid item case.  I once had a really slow payer and then he complained about the speed of postage the day after he paid - charmer

give them a week then if no reply in 24 hours after a friendly email take it to unpaid item dispute.  best to avoid if you can though as likely give you a negative feedback if do pay then:(
but it you don't take it to unpaid dispute and they don't pay up you end up paying fees and commission despite getting no money