What is 'auto-pay' and when did it start?

[moondogblues]

Noticed that some of my 'wins' are auto-paid...out of the blue.  Not sure I like it.

[dbfolks166mt]

     I am going to assume you are referring the auctions and best offer type of transactions. The auto-pay feature is similar to the Immediate Payment Required feature for BIN type items. I am not exactly sure when eBay put the feature out there but it was a potential solution for sellers that have complained for YEARS about non-payers. The function basically requires the bidder or offeror to provide a payment method before they can place a bid or make an offer. 

     On the good side, at least for the moment, the function/option of whether to use or not use the function is under the sellers control. In your Account Settings under Seller Preferences edit Managing Who Can Buy From you and either enable or disable the auto-pay feature by checking or unchecking the following two boxes. 

https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/buyerrequirements  

[ittybitnot]

 Not sure I like it.

@moondogblues 

More importantly, BUYERS don't like it.  It limits the payment options a buyer can use, and also disables invoicing/combined shipping for one price.   See message #2 for information as to how to turn these off for your customers.  

[simba6]

The problem is too many buyers were pushing the bid button and then not paying for their auction wins.  It does save the buyer the trouble of having to go back and pay. This way it's all taken care of and can lead to faster shipments.   Sellers can turn it off.  Some too don't even know it's there or turned on yet.

[reallynicestamps]

Auction sellers who were perfectly happy to have customers wait seven days to learn if they had won, had fantods and hissy fits when the winning bidder took any time at all to pay .

Goose meet gander.

EBay introduced auto-pay and bids dried up.

So eBay made it optional and in theory only the impatient auctioneers now have autopay enabled and can enjoy all the unexpected consequences.

[12345jamesstamps]

eBay is doing a 'test' on some auctions where buyer has one hour to make any changes to a payment.

This does not currently affect all auctions.

Sellers have no control over clinking off on these 'tests' on auctions...nor do sellers or buyers know when one happens until it happens

I had one a month ago...and seller stated they do not have auto-pay.

And I as a buyer have many winning auctions and actually buy and sell currently on eBay.

[dbfolks166mt]

Auction sellers who were perfectly happy to have customers wait seven days to learn if they had won, Bidders are fully aware of the auction timeline when they start bidding 

had fantods and hissy fits when the winning bidder took any time at all to pay .I never had an issue with that. 

Goose meet gander.

EBay introduced auto-pay and bids dried up. Not having a problem with the auction format or bids. The same cold be said about sellers that use Immediate Payment Required on BIN listings. Pot meet Kettle.

So eBay made it optional and in theory only the impatient auctioneers now have autopay enabled and can enjoy all the unexpected consequences. It was always optional and just like the IPR on BIN items it is the sellers option as to whether they want to utilize it. One thing is for certain the number of postings about non-paying buyers on this forum has dwindled to almost nothing since the capability was introduced. 

[moondogblues]

Hi itty!

I am a buyer now, haven't sold here for a while.  Is there a way to turn it off as a buyer?.  I collect ACEO's and buy multiples sometimes and ask for combined shipping.  I didn't realize that combined shipping would not be available with Auto-pay.  Bummer.  And yes these were auctions.  I also noticed that all were from overseas.

[moondogblues]

Thanks guys!

[ittybitnot]

 Is there a way to turn it off as a buyer?.

@moondogblues 

No.  Once eBay awards your ID with the little  "gift" (forced compliance to provided a payment source in order to bid) it will be the same for YOU with any seller who retains the "Buyer Rules" set to the default to YES.  You will not be affected when patronizing sellers that have turned them off

Even though you don't sell anymore, I am sure you can see your own:  

https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/buyerrequirements

Buyer Rules:

*Require buyers to provide a payment method before they place a bid.

*Require buyers to provide a payment method before they make an offer.

Many sellers still don't know these exist.  They don't know why they rarely get offers anymore, or bidding is lack luster if they get any bids at all.   Many that do rely on combined orders for one shipping price have turned them off.  Buyers are stuck, the exemption list doesn't work for this.   Find a seller that doesn't require this, or shop someplace else are your choices.  

To complicate matters further, eBay has made all seller generated offers (and seller accepted counter offers) immediate payment required.  Though buyers can use the payment option of their choice, they must be paid separately without the opportunity to combine items.   These will remain active until paid for.  Buyers no longer have an "accept" button to accept more than one offer from the same seller for one shipping price.  

Now eBay is entertaining a new program for auctions....up to 7 days to pay.....Only for selected members.  Get your popcorn ready. 

[moondogblues]

I guess it is a good thing I have great relationships with the artists I buy from and we can get around the no combined shipping thing with refunds.  Plus most of the overseas sellers have free shipping so that works out too.  Sometimes I wonder about my loyalty to eBay, but I've been buying and selling here for years, decades, now.  Maybe it's the familiarity.

I just went and checked out Whatnot, had never heard of it.   It is a hassle just to register so I didn't.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@moondogblues 

Hi moondoggie! Yeah, it snuck up on me along time ago when I bought something,  I thought I did something wrong at first. 

If you like ACEOs like I do check out this marvelous artist, I've bought from her before.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/linli888

very good seller to deal with.

[hartungcards]

Nobody likes paying for their "wins."

[spartacamuseum]

I'm a seller and did a one day auction for some quick cash, all of a sudden this auto pay 7 days later, bull crap I don't like it at all..eBay took my $1.00 for the 1 day auction all to wait a week. I messaged buyer , said pay prompt or il just cancel 

[jonathanbrightlight]

@spartacamuseum This is an old thread and the mods will likely close it soon.

 eBay is not a place for “quick cash”. New and infrequent sellers are usually subject to payment holds, which can be up to 30 days normally (and can be longer in some situations).  

You also have no valid reason to cancel the order before the payment window for the buyer expires. If you cancel as Out of Stock or Damaged, you’ll take a hit to your seller account, and if you cancel for any of the other reasons listed the buyer can report you for that. You need to read up on selling on eBay before you list anything again so that your expectations are aligned with what you will experience.