Why won't eBay do anything to trolls that bid and never pay?

[nicknicknick44]

We literally can't even leave them negative feedback. They don't get banned or limited in any way.
They're a detriment to both the buying and selling communities and have free reign to do what they please. 

[Anonymous]

First, ensure that your buyer requirements are set: https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/buyerrequirements

to block unwanted bidders with unpaid strikes

Second, only do buy it now with immediate payment. < This is a mantra and oft repeated advice here on the forums but it works.

[varebelrose]

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@nicknicknick44 wrote:

They don't get banned or limited in any way.

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Of course they do...

Non-Paying Buyers:
eBay gives a buyer 4 days to pay (unless the sale is setup as a "Buy it Now" with Immediate payment required.)
There is no need to send an invoice or a reminder, unless it is a combined purchase.
If they do not pay within the exact 96 hour window, cancel the sale using the reason: "Buyer did not pay"
This will give the buyer a "strike".
After 2 of these strikes sellers can block this buyer.
The ends the transaction, and you can relist the item if you wish.
You can do this manually each time, or set it up to do this automatically after the 96 hours.
Also, don't forget to add the buyer to your blocked bidder/buyer list.

[dryophelia]

@nicknicknick44 

If an unpaid item strike is issued, neither party will be able to leave any feedback. 

Here is eBay’s help page about unpaid items. 
Give the nonpayer a strike then set your buyer requirements to block bidders with 2 strikes in a year. 

Leaving negative comments in a positive rating for a buyer can get you in trouble. 

[mtgraves7984]

They don't get banned or limited in any way.

@nicknicknick44 

The best way to handle them is to cancel the order(s) on Day 5, citing 'Buyer didn't pay'. After a couple of these Unpaid Item strikes, they'll be effectively hindered from buying from sellers who have the '2 UI' block in place.

Call it 'taking one for the team'. Good luck to you.

[maxine*j]

Sellers have not been able to leave negative feedback for buyers since 2008.  And leaving negative comments with the buyer's positive feedback will harm you, not them.

Non-payers do get limited, if sellers will follow the usual process to cancel and report them.

Like the vast majority of sellers, I haven't used auctions for a long, long time.  Nor do I do Best Offers.  The easiest way to weed out game-playing buyers -- who are especially attracted to newish sellers, by the way -- is to sell at Fixed Price, Immediate Payment Required, No Offers.    Only about 12% of what is sold on eBay is sold by auction.

Just things to consider.

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[luckythewinner]

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@maxine*j wrote:

Non-payers do get limited, if sellers will follow the usual process to cancel and report them.

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Some might argue that is only true if the buyer doesn't spend 30 seconds creating a new account and wiping those strikes and any feedback away. 

[nicknicknick44]

I'm definitely going to try out selling this way. Thank you for the advice!

[soh.maryl]

eBay offers a solution to sellers who encounter buyers who don't pay within 4 days.

On the 5th day, the seller cancels the transaction, citing "buyer did not pay".

Several things happen then.  The seller is refunded his final value fees and is free to re-list if he so chooses.  That buyer then has a "strike".  Once a buyer has at least two strikes in twelve months, sellers can set their requirements so that they do not have to deal with him.

Are you not using the tools eBay offers you when you have a non-payer? 

Also, are you unaware that sellers aren't allowed to leave negative FB for  buyers? That includes a positive with negative wording.  If that buyer had been aware of his rights, he could have reported your FB to eBay.  It would have been removed and you would have had a "defect".  Have no idea how many "defects" it takes to get you thrown  out, but I understand it's not many.

So how about learning what your rights are as a seller and staying within the rules?