What's meant to happen when I sell an item?

[maproom1]

I tried to sell an item on Ebay, my first sale for at least 10 years, but never got an email saying it had been sold, so I assumed that no-one had bid for it.

Some weeks later, I checked my ebay messages, and found several from someone wh'd tried to buy it.  His payment had been made to my account, I'd failed to respond, and eventually he'd had his payment refunded, without my being aware of any of this.

Whenever I'm the highest bidder for an item on Ebay, I reliably get a message from them telling me so, and instructing me to pay for it.  I'd assumed that it would work the same way for sales.  Was I wrong?  Does Ebay not inform sellers, the way it informs buyers?

[**peaseblossom**]

You got them in your messages but you should also have received email notifications for purchase and payment.   Later reminders to dispatch and notification that "not received" cases had been opened.    Check at My eBay > Account tab (near top left) > Account preferences > Communication Preferences.

[maproom1]

Yes, I did that.  My email address had been set, and Ebay had been using it for years to send me emails for my purchases.

I've now (four days ago)  changed my preferences.  I hope that will work for sales (and of course for purchases).

[tressygirl · Accepted solution]

If you haven't sold for 10 years have you registered for eBay's Managed Payments?  All sellers have to do this,  to be able to list items for sale and receive payouts from those sales.

See here:

 and confirm to eBay.

Once this is completed,  you will be able to list items for sale,  and receive payouts from those sales.

This will show you how to register for eBay's Managed Payments.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/help/selling/getting-paid/introducing-managed-payments-ebay?id=4795

If there is an issue with the registration contact eBay Customer Services,  who have full access to your account,  and can see where the issue lies and explain the steps you now need to take.

Contact them this way.

This is the easiest and quicket way to contact eBay Customer Services, for a Call Back option.

 https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/eua?id=5275&mkevt=1&mkpid

Lines open between 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays.

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

I recommend contacting CS very first thing in the morning, when the lines first open,  as there's more chance of Dublin answering.

@maproom1 

[maproom1]

Thank you!  I'l do that if I decide to sell another item (looking unlikely at present).

[arkwebus]

Unfortunately - and to add to your problems, I'm afraid - if you did nothing to deal with the sale and eBay had to step in they will have given you an account defect.

If I am selling something I keep a hawk-like eye on the listing page.  If it is an an auction many members think it fun to bid at the last moment.

@maproom1