You shold pay shortly after the auction ends. A seller can file an unpaid item claim 2 or 4 days (depends on the which site the item is listed on) after the end of the auction. They then have to wait another 4 days and if there is still no payment, you will receive an upaid ite claim.
If you know that you won't be able to pay for a few days, let the seller know when you will be paying. Most sellers will appreciate that and will work with you.