What is a 'Commitment to Buy'. Just got a message from ebay to send invoice to customer.

[retrobiz]

I got an email from ebay that a customer had 'committed to buy' three of my items.  The items were listed as auction items with 'buy it now' options.  The email from ebay listed all three items at the starting price and wanted shipping combined and sent to the customer.  I didn't notice the prices at first, I assumed they had bid the 'buy it now' price and wanted the items combined, so I did that and sent the invoice.  Looked closer, and realized the items were bought at the starting price.  They are inexpensive holiday items that I wanted to get rid of, so I decided to not make an issue of that, and just accept the sale.  The problem is, the customer paid, but the items stayed in my active listings.  When one of the sold items was pulled up, it had two banners.  One said 'This item has sold'.  The other said 'This item is active'.  I had two problems.  One is that I was afraid someone else could bid, and the other is that if I removed the listing, after it was paid, there would be no way for the financial tracking to take place and get paid for the item.  After talking with ebay, they gave me a number in case of problems (what could go wrong?), I printed a label for the combined items, then ended all three items from the listing screen.  Long problem, anyone else ever heard of a 'Commitment to Buy' and knows how it works?  How does a customer initiate that?

[12345jamesstamps]

A "commitment to buy" means the buyer will eventually pay for the items. Buyer hasn't paid yet. Items are not listed for sale anymore. Buyer has 4 days such to pay. Do not send any more invoices. That is eBay's job.

If you don't see "funds pending" that means buyer hasn't paid in your account. Normally, you get an email in your inbox of emails that an item(s) has been sold. Look at money coming in before you do any printing of labels.

After 4 days if buyer doesn't pay you can cancel the items sold and re-list them.

[retrobiz]

I had to send the invoice in order to combine the shipping for them.  That sounds like it takes my items off the auction block for four days, sort of 'pending', before I can cancel and let other people bid.  How would I go about refusing the offer so the items would stay listed as they are?  In this case, I had the added dilemma that the emails from ebay were not going into my messages, but to my personal email account.  I was fortunate that I checked my emails shortly after they sent the message.  Ebay has corrected the problem, I think.  The agents were very nice, I'll have to say.  I've had a number of strange problems today, though.  Thanks for your help.  The explanation makes sense, if I can figure out how to 'refuse' it. 

[mtgraves7984]

The explanation makes sense, if I can figure out how to 'refuse' it. 

@retrobiz 

The short answer is that now you can't 'refuse it'. You could, however, cancel the order citing 'Out of stock/Item no longer available', but that would cause you to suffer an OOS strike and you only get a couple of those a year before eBay whacks you with a ruler. They're to be used only in emergencies.

I'd suggest waiting the 96 hours and one second and cancelling citing 'Buyer never paid' and then relist.

Afterthought... I'd also set Non-Payment cancellations to happen automatically in my Seller Account settings.

[12345jamesstamps]

Not for auctions...cannot cancel until 4 days...if you do...eBay will charge you a fee on high auction won per person...I know...imagine not selling something and you get charged...and its not .30 cents...but the high bid you are charged a fee...forgive me eBay.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Are you positive the email was from ebay? I don't see any Christmas item solds on your ID.

[rseuqinh]

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

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@retrobiz wrote:

Just got a message from ebay to send invoice to customer.

I assumed they had bid the 'buy it now' price and wanted the items combined, so I did that and sent the invoice. 

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Do not send any more invoices. That is eBay's job. 

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No that's not eBay's job; please don't say that again, @12345jamesstamps. eBay does not send invoices.

Only sellers send invoices to buyers. That's why eBay told OP to send the invoice.

[slippinjimmy]

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@retrobiz wrote:

I had to send the invoice in order to combine the shipping for them.  That sounds like it takes my items off the auction block for four days, sort of 'pending', before I can cancel and let other people bid.  How would I go about refusing the offer so the items would stay listed as they are?  In this case, I had the added dilemma that the emails from ebay were not going into my messages, but to my personal email account.  I was fortunate that I checked my emails shortly after they sent the message.  Ebay has corrected the problem, I think.  The agents were very nice, I'll have to say.  I've had a number of strange problems today, though.  Thanks for your help.  The explanation makes sense, if I can figure out how to 'refuse' it. 

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Why would you refuse to send an invoice for a combined order?????

Until you send one the buyer will not pay, do you not want to get paid?

[albertabrightalberta]

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@toomuchstuffagain35 wrote:

Are you positive the email was from ebay? I don't see any Christmas item solds on your ID.

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I also wonder if the email is from ebay. 

I see two ended listings for Christmas tree pins but both ended without bids. 

[slippinjimmy]

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@retrobiz wrote:

How does a customer initiate that?

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They initiate it from the Cart. Only available on the desktop and there must be multiple items from the same seller with no discounts, coupons or free shipping associated with the listings.

[12345jamesstamps]

When I win auctions as the other day eBay does send me to pay. Or the seller will send me an invoice for combined shipping of items.

Not sure what you mean.

I meant not to send invoices all the time for the buyer will delay the payment. I only go by buying on experience by eBay.

I bought auctions the other day and eBay sent me a total to pay in my email in my inbox. ...not in eBay app.

So, I assume you do not win multiple auctions and have no idea what I am saying...

Wish I could show you all the invoices eBay sends me...

I actually buy items here...like the other day

[slippinjimmy]

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@rseuqinh wrote:

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

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@retrobiz wrote:

Just got a message from ebay to send invoice to customer.

I assumed they had bid the 'buy it now' price and wanted the items combined, so I did that and sent the invoice. 

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Do not send any more invoices. That is eBay's job. 

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No that's not eBay's job; please don't say that again, @12345jamesstamps. eBay does not send invoices.

Only sellers send invoices to buyers. That's why eBay told OP to send the invoice.

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Try actually reading the OP, the order was for three items with an agreed combined shipping discount that was not automatically calculated. THAT is why the CSR told them (Correctly) to send an invoice.

If the eBay payment notification doesn't meet your expectations of what you call an "invoice" AND it's insufficient for the buyer as well you can print your own from the Order Details.

Most buyers have zero need for an "invoice" that is any different than the eBay "notification".

(you've been told this repeatably, no need to continue).

[12345jamesstamps]

Yes...won auctions of one seller...seller sent a combined total to me in eBay website...and also get it in inbox in emails by eBay...not the seller...sometimes more than once....but I usually pay immediately.

I just wish some here actually sell and buy here.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

I also have to wonder why the prices on the 3 auctions were for the starting bid when there's no indication on your solds that those auctions ended with bids.

[retrobiz]

Yes, ebay acknowledged the message was from them.  And you can't see any Christmas items sold because ebay's solution was to print the address label, then end the listing from the active listings page.  In essence, the items that sold don't exist.  I have a number to use as reference if I have to call back if this doesn't go well.  What could go wrong, right?  I still don't know how a customer initiates a 'commitment to buy' without making a bid.  Next time, if I don't want to make the sale, I'll advise the customer, not send the invoice, and wait out the four days.  Ebay has become so tedious, and the sales have dropped so dramatically this past year, that I am basically selling stuff I just want cleaned out of the house.  It's beginning to not even be worth that, but I have some really nice regular customers I've built up over the years and I hate to drop it all together.  Guess I'm an addict to a certain extent, and always hopeful things will improve.