waiting on payments to clear
Payments never actually "clear" on eBay. This is a banking term.
Even after you have been paid, your payment isn't secure. EBay can still take it back again if the buyer uses eBay's money back guarantee to claim a refund. You gave them this power in the user agreement.
Once eBay has notified you that the item can be sent, you know that payment has been received on your behalf and will soon reach you.
You can't delay posting items to buyers, as you are required to post within your dispatch time. Late dispatch can severely damage your seller performance rating.
I think sellers can expect eBay to put more and more pressure on sellers over dispatch time. EBay must be hemorrhaging sales to Amazon, where next day delivery has almost become the norm.
