Buyer unresponsive

[abrigonzale_12]

I’m pretty new to eBay, usually just browse but I sold an iPhone and the buyer is unresponsive and hasn’t paid.

its been 2 days and I know the guidelines say 4 but I’ve had a lot of interest and I feel like I’m missing out on a potential sale if I wait and I really need the money.

Will I be charged a fee for cancelling early? The buyer has not responded and I’ve sent 4 messages. It feels unfair to be penalised for this.

[**peaseblossom**]

This happens to all sellers from time to time and it is annoying but you do have to wait the four days.     If you try to cancel before then you may get a defect on your account and the buyer won't get a non-payment "strike" on theirs, which they will  when you cancel at the right time.

After cancelling you can offer it to the underbidder at their highest bid price.   Go to the dropdown actions menu alongside the item on your sold list and use the Second Chance Offer link.

Put the first buyer's ID on your blocked bidder list:

http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BidderBlockLogin

And use this link to put a general block on buyers with a history of non-payment, etc.:

http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BuyerBlockPreferences

tick "Update block settings for active listings" and save changes at the bottom.

[jma2815]

If you really need the money this venture might not work for you - you won’t get paid for 30 days anyway as a new seller., the buyer could claim not as described and you’ll have to refund, sending them a prepaid return label. An iphone is a high-risk item for this kind of buyer behaviour and worse. 

Your buyer has four days to pay. I’d hold out the full four days and then follow procedure, cancel using ‘buyer didn’t pay’, which will not reflect badly on you and give the buyer a strike.

Another thing is that if you cancel early for the ‘wrong’ reason you’ll get a defect and possibly negative feedback which will be a bad start, eBay take a very dim view of sellers cancelling sales. 

[lucy_farmer]

the whole business around selling iPhones on ebay is a bit risky; especially as you are 'pretty new to ebay'.

I'd stay quiet until the 4 days have timed out, then you won't be penalised by ebay for cancelling.

If you're a new seller selling something expensive you can be fairly certain of ebay sitting on your money for quite a while anyway (like 30 days...) so selling on ebay if you really need the money quickly, is probably not a good idea.

[twin--turbo]

Your lucky if they don't pay, no risk of being done over.

Take it to CeX or any other reputable phone recycler.

[eastern-lights]

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@**peaseblossom** wrote:

After cancelling you can offer it to the underbidder at their highest bid price.   Go to the dropdown actions menu alongside the item on your sold list and use the Second Chance Offer link.

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That's where the second chance offer link is normally and that is where you would expect to find it after cancelling but the link disappears from there when you cancel. ☹️

To do a second chance offer after you have cancelled a sale you have to open the original (sold) listing and select "bids" (just below the price it fetched).

[insidethe93]

Bear in mind that not all buyers opt to receive 2nd chance offers or may've bought elsewhere already.

If a buyer is keen to buy a specific item they might line up an alternative to buy if they lose the auction.

[dancewithadingo]

Good Morning Ab

Wait for the 4 day payment period to end and then if no money has been received file a non payment report and relist with caution. Do not cancel before then as you won't be doing yourself any favours.  

As a new to eBay seller and thus inexperienced  may I suggest that you sell low value items initially and build up your experience and knowledge.  At the moment you are a very tempting target for a scammer.

For example not only is the phone a high risk selling item but your very expensive handbag will have 'chancers' coming out of the woodwork to relieve you of it and your money.  In your position I would sell that bag through a specialist high street auction house. You will pay fees but you wont have the worry and stress that you will

find on eBay.

Proceed with care and commonsense.  I am just trying to protect you from rogue buyers and future upset. I don't want it to end in tears.

Good luck.

[eastern-lights]

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@dancewithadingo wrote:

Good Morning Ab

Wait for the 4 day payment period to end and then if no money has been received file a non payment report and relist with caution. Do not cancel before then as you won't be doing yourself any favours.  

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Sorry to be pedantic but there is no such thing as a non payment report these days. After four days, cancel the sale selecting as a reason from the drop down "did not pay". That's it.

[jma2815]

I too think that as a new seller you’ll be a target for scammers starting off with iphones and very high end designer handbags. 

Can I suggest you check out brick and mortar reselling agencies (I don’t know if I’m allowed to name any) to move that Balenciaga handbag on. You might not get £1200 for it but it would be a 100% safe transaction and, as you’ve said you’re doing this as you need money, quicker than dealing with eBay even if it sold today. 

[moldosgifts]

Also suggest switching main pictures on the dress i thought you had misdescribed a Christmas tree 😀

[abrigonzale_12]

Is there anywhere else you recommend? I’ve been selling on Depop and Vinted for nearly a decade but they don’t allow phones unfortunately 

[abrigonzale_12]

Haha! That gave me a good laugh, I guess I’m so used to Depop and plain photos of items never do well. I’ll change the photo!

[lucy_farmer]

I wouldn't sell it online at all.

I'd try what twin--turbo said ; have a go with CeX or similar.