Trying to report non-payment, goes to 'cannot cancel order'

[johnwash1]

I had an auction that finished on 24 November.  Buyer has very low (but not zero) feedback.  Sent an invoice, sent a message, no response, no payment.

No big deal, it's a cheap item.  I've tried to report non-payment, but I get taken to a screen that says 'Cannot cancel order'.

[*vyolla*]

You've left it for too long, you have 30 days to cancel.

[johnwash1]

Thanks, I did wonder if it might be that.  Would be nice if the web site actually said that instead of showing a cryptic message.

Presumably the buyer is also unable to pay now, so I'm able to relist without risk?

[plpmr]

You still have two risks -

1 - if the buyer reports the false positive you left for them it will damage your account and the comment will be removed.

2 - the buyer has plenty of time to leave you negative feedback.

[johnwash1]

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@plpmr wrote:

You still have two risks -

1 - if the buyer reports the false positive you left for them it will damage your account and the comment will be removed.

2 - the buyer has plenty of time to leave you negative feedback.

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You call it a 'false positive'.  I took care with the wording:

No payment, no communication, no response to invoice. I hope this bidder hasn't had an accident, I've waited patiently for a month.

It's factual.  It's not critical.  It's not rude, it even indicates the (genuine) concern I have for the buyer.  So I'd be disappointed if ebay judged it false.

Yes, the buyer may leave me a neg.  I think it would be my second, my first was many years ago and at the time really hurt (because it was utterly unjustified).  If I get a neg today I'd post a reply to it and not expect buyers to be discouraged.  Indeed, when I see sellers with a few negs and read the replies, my opinion sometimes goes up, not down.