Had an auction, buyer hasn't paid...

Had an auction that ended 24 hours ago. The buyer hasn't paid yet, I sent a reminder today. How long do I need to wait? Can I cancel and offer it to the second place bidder? I've been selling a long time and this has never happened to me before. TY.

train_slide_central

4243 View listings

Posted 1 year ago·Last reply 1 year ago

12 comments

momtoabeautifuldaughter

·1 year ago

Love my beautiful daughter92 View listings

As others have stated if you send an invoice then you start that 96 hour waiting period all over again.

train_slide_central

OP1 year ago

4243 View listings

I waited 4 days, cancelled the transaction, then I listed it for a buy it now for $7 more than it previously sold for, and sold it within 2-3 days!

And in reply to everyone, I did not send out a second invoice, I just sent him a quick e-mail saying "Thanks for your purchase" In case he had forgotten to pay it.

mam98031

·1 year ago

Owner / Operator19752 View listings

@train_slide_central wrote:
I waited 4 days, cancelled the transaction, then I listed it for a buy it now for $7 more than it previously sold for, and sold it within 2-3 days!
And in reply to everyone, I did not send out a second invoice, I just sent him a quick e-mail saying "Thanks for your purchase" In case he had forgotten to pay it.

That is excellent news. Congratulations.

Yes, we can tell you didn't send an invoice to the buyer, otherwise you would not have been able to cancel the transaction for non payment after 96 hours.

cottagehillvanilla

·1 year ago

304 View listings

You have done all you can do on your end....you have sent the 'reminder', now you must wait it out. You are in the holding pattern on this one until your 4 days are up then you can proceed...

soh.maryl

·1 year ago

111 View listings

Unless your listing was Immediate Payment Required, your buyer has 96 hours to pay.

mam98031

·1 year ago

Owner / Operator19752 View listings

@train_slide_central

I don't know if your reminder was an email to the buyer or you sent them an invoice with a note on it. Just so that you know, if you send a buyer an invoice, it restarts the clock for being able to file a Cancellation for Non Payment.

A seller can create a Cancellation using the reason that they buyer did not pay, 96 hours after the purchase if payment has not arrived.

Once you have the Cancellation filed is when you can send out your Second Chance offer, but do NOT do it before that. Wait until you have this first transaction finished.

chevymontecarlo88

·1 year ago

1991 View listings

@mam98031 wrote:
@train_slide_central

I don't know if your reminder was an email to the buyer or you sent them an invoice with a note on it. Just so that you know, if you send a buyer an invoice, it restarts the clock for being able to file a Cancellation for Non Payment.

A seller can create a Cancellation using the reason that they buyer did not pay, 96 hours after the purchase if payment has not arrived.

Once you have the Cancellation filed is when you can send out your Second Chance offer, but do NOT do it before that. Wait until you have this first transaction finished.

Good post. Many are not aware of this.

momtoabeautifuldaughter

·1 year ago

Love my beautiful daughter92 View listings

@train_slide_central wrote:
Had an auction that ended 24 hours ago. The buyer hasn't paid yet, I sent a reminder today. How long do I need to wait? Can I cancel and offer it to the second place bidder? I've been selling a long time and this has never happened to me before. TY.

4 days......exactly 96 hours and then you can cancel for non payment.

selforfun

·1 year ago

Founder, Circular Commerce Seller & Community Mentor2759 View listings

When a buyer doesnâ€™t pay immediately after an auction ends, it can be frustrating, but eBay has specific guidelines for handling unpaid items. Here's what you need to know and do:

How Long Should You Wait?

Buyer's Payment Window: eBay gives buyers 4 calendar days to pay for an item after an auction ends.
Reminder Sent: Since you've already sent a reminder, the buyer still has time within this window to make the payment.

What to Do Next?

Wait for 4 Calendar Days: Allow the buyer their full payment window. Itâ€™s possible they are just delayed or may need the reminder.
After 4 Days Without Payment:
- Go to the order in My eBay > Sold.
- Open an Unpaid Item Case. This will notify the buyer that payment is overdue and starts a timeline for resolution.

Canceling the Transaction

If the buyer still doesnâ€™t pay after 4 days, you can close the unpaid item case, which allows you to:
- Relist the item.
- Offer the item to the second-highest bidder using the Second Chance Offer feature.

How to Offer to the Second-Highest Bidder

Go to My eBay > Sold Items.
Click More Actions next to the unpaid item.
Select Make a Second Chance Offer and send it to the next bidder.

Key Notes

eBay Protection: Opening an unpaid item case protects you from receiving negative feedback related to the transaction.
Avoid Rushing: Donâ€™t cancel the sale prematurely. Wait the full 4 days, as canceling early may confuse the buyer or violate eBayâ€™s policies.

Personal Insight from Experience

Having sold on eBay for over 24 years, Iâ€™ve encountered this situation many times. In my experience:

Report the Buyer: If there are repeated cases of non-payment, report the buyer. This helps maintain a safe eBay environment.
Understand Mistakes Happen: Sometimes buyers overlook the description or bid accidentally. However, honest communication is key to saving everyone time and effort.

Feel free to ask if you need further assistance during this process!

Reader! If youâ€™re in Myrtle Beach, SC, join our chapter eBay Legacy Sellers.

train_slide_central

OP1 year ago

4243 View listings

Thanks for the helpful information!

nobody*s_perfect

·1 year ago

145 View listings

@selforfun wrote: ....
After 4 Days Without Payment:
Go to the order in My eBay > Sold.
Open an Unpaid Item Case. This will notify the buyer that payment is overdue and starts a timeline for resolution.
Canceling the Transaction
If the buyer still doesnâ€™t pay after 4 days, you can close the unpaid item case ...

@selforfun

@train_slide_central

This post which you have selected as the best answer contains obsolete information. The unpaid item process is no longer a 2-step process with two phases each taking 4 days. Unpaid items are now handled as a type of transaction cancellation. If the buyer hasn't paid within 96 hours, the seller can cancel the transaction, citing "Buyer hasn't paid" and that's the end of it. As noted above, sending an invoice re-starts the 96 hours.

Here is the eBay announcement from 2021, explaining that the unpaid item process will be reduced to one step and 4 days:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Announcements/New-cancel-function-for-unpaid-items/ba-p/31848079

Here is the current Help page about what to do if a buyer doesn't pay:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/resolving-unpaid-items-buyers?id=4137

mtgraves7984

·1 year ago

2740 View listings

@train_slide_central

Here's a link to the Second Chance policy. >> Making a Second Chance Offer | eBay

Know that the buyer has 96 hours to pay before you can cancel as unpaid. Every invoice sent resets the clock. Stop that.