Unpaid item - Buyer didn't pay option glitch?

[steevo246]

Hi all,

I've just returned to selling after a while away. I sold an item on 16th May. No payment as yet.

I have re-sent the invoice 2 or 3 times to the buyer. Last one was yesterday (23rd May) and basically said please pay within 24 hours. Checked today and still no payment or communication whatsoever.

I've just gone to the cancellation section as I've seen suggested to choose the Buyer didn't pay option but it's not there and shows Date purchased as 23rd May (which is when I sent the last chaser).

Why doesn't it show the true purchase date here (16th May)?

I guess I'm now gonna have to wait a few more days before the option appears??

Is this a glitch on eBay's part?

Thanks. 

[lisa5768]

Your 4 day clock for payment is reset when you send an invoice. Buyer gets 4 days from the last invoice. Stop communicating and wait out the 4 days for the non-payment option to be available.

[steevo246]

Thanks, I assumed that's what had happened. Just seems a bit daft that the true sale date isn't shown here. I won't be communicating anymore with the (non)buyer.

Thanks again for the reply.

[wastingtime101]

Hey @steevo246 There's no reason to send an invoice unless you have to make an adjustment, for example combined shipping costs or adding another shipping method the buyer requested.

eBay sends out payment reminders to buyers automatically. Sending invoices is a duplication of efforts and clogs the buyer's inbox.

Sending an invoice locks in the shipping cost. That could have a big financial impact on someone that uses calculated shipping. The shipping price gets locked in based on the buyer's default location, but if they change the address at checkout to have that item shipped to Mom across the country, that shipping cost can change by leaps and bounds and seller is out the $$.

Finally, sending an invoice resets the clock on when an order can be cancelled for non-payment when sellers handle UPIs manually. The automated system will cancel based on the seller's settings regardless of sending an invoice, but when you use the manual process and an invoice is sent it resets the clock, giving the buyer an additional 4 days before the system will let the seller cancel.