Unpaid Items On The Rise

[axe_n_gear_music]

Anyone noticing that there are more unpaid items than ever before?
I am getting an average of 3 a week now (mostly on items in the 250-700 dollar range). Tons more zero feedback bidders as well.

Although UPI's are not a huge issue, they are an inconvenience none-the-less. I just follow the steps of waiting 7 days, then opening a dispute for UPI, then wait the 8 days and close the case to get my FV fees back and give the bogus buyer an UPI strike. In my view, though, 15 days is far too long to have to wait to be able to close a case.
eBay should tighten the reigns on these deadbeat buyers, as there is not enough detterent in the system to make them think twice.

Anybody else finding this issue on the rise?

Cheers,
AXE

[surplusdealdude]

That thing has more holes in it than Swiss cheese.X-(

[axe_n_gear_music]

How do we "OPT IN" to the Unpaid Item Assistant? I cant see the "Unpaid Item Preferences" when I go into "Site Preferences" as it shows us to do in the copy and paste below. Does anyone know?

Will there be an opt-in process for Unpaid Item Assistant? How do I opt in?
Yes, you must opt in to take advantage of these automated features. You can opt in by following these steps:
Click "My eBay" at the top of any eBay page.
Click the "Account" tab at the top of the page.
Click "Site Preferences" on the left.
Click "Unpaid Item Preferences."
Select the button that says "Yes - I want Unpaid Item Assistant to open and close cases on my behalf."
Click "Save."

Thanks, AXE

[westernstargifts]

When enabled, the Unpaid Item Assistant allows you to automatically open a case if your buyer doesn't pay after a specified period of time. You can choose to set that time as 4, 16, 24 or 32 days after the listing closes. If four days pass without payment after the case is opened, an unpaid item will be recorded on the buyer's account, the case will be closed and your Final Value Fee will be automatically refunded. At that time, the buyer won't be permitted to leave Feedback for that item.


I don't like the time frames they give. I offer combined shipping within 7 days and give them 3 days to pay at the end of that time period. I would have to set the automatic at 16 days which is far too long.

[pjcdn2005]

How do we "OPT IN" to the Unpaid Item Assistant? I cant see the "Unpaid Item Preferences" when I go into "Site Preferences" as it shows us to do in the copy and paste below. Does anyone know?

It's probably not set up for you yet, I don't see unpaid item preferences either. I remember reading that they are rolling it out slowly and hope to have it accessible for everyone for the holiday season. I imagine that .ca members will be near the bottom of the list. (they don't actually specify the 2009 holiday season though..lol)


I don't like the time frames they give. I offer combined shipping within 7 days and give them 3 days to pay at the end of that time period. I would have to set the automatic at 16 days which is far too long.


I wish they had a time between 4 and 16 days as well. It seems odd that there are only 8 days between the other choices yet 12 days between the first and second choice.

[axe_n_gear_music]

After closing another couple of UPI cases and getting my final value fees back, I notice that I am allowed to leave the deadbeat buyers a feedback (pos of course), but am I correct in the fact that they cannot leave me a feedback?

Thanks,
AXE

[pjcdn2005]

That depends.

If the feedback was handled through the unpaid item assistant, a non paying bidder cannot leave feedback. I'm not sure if Canadians have access to that feature yet.

If the non payer did not reply throughout the unpaid process, they cannot leave feedback.

If the non payer did reply but still didn't pay, they can leave feedback but you can apply to have it removed for specific reasons.

I wish ebay followed the KISS method.

[westernstargifts]

I wish ebay followed the KISS method.

That is what I told them today when I completed one of their surveys. Actually it is the second time I told them.

[surplusdealdude]

I'm noticing that several customers have disappeared on me ( both of them have paid, no problem).

I bet that the 4-day limit for filing a claim has caught a lot of buyers by surprise and they're getting NARU'd by sellers that allow minimum time for payment.

If this is the case, ebay is torpedoing a part of the customer base that hasn't historically been a problem.

[axe_n_gear_music]

Yes, and its getting to the point, where, really, buyers should be made to pay immediately for their purchases on eBay. If you shop in a store at the mall....you pay before you leave....done. None of this messing around for days on end waiting for payment from deadbeat buyers.

I have made boat-loads of purchases on eBay over the years and still do, and have always paid within 30 seconds of buying.

Hey wait a minute.........not only am I a perfect seller,.........I'm also a perfect buyer!


Cheers,
AXEB-)

[surplusdealdude]

Heck, I've got a customer that can beat that.

Came in 2 weeks ago from Spain, bought a $200 item, paid for it plus $150 in shipping, then asked me not to ship it yet bnecause he wanted to come back and buy more.

Came in 2 days ago, bought another $165 worth, paid another $150 shipping and now I can ship it.

I've had 4 buyers from overseas this week for $450.00.

Maybe Europe is starting to come back to us, finally.

[jdestiny718]

Just recently I sold 15 items and opened 8 cases for unpaid item. I really hope if the buyer not serious to buy the item do not bid on it. I wondering if ebay can do anything for this?

[femmefan1946]

Basically, no.

You can help yourself however, and help other sellers in the process.

First open those Unpaid Item Disputes as soon as possible. Since this ancient thread (2009) was reopened, the number of days before Dispute has been dropped to 4 (96 hours) and to close to another 4. Less than half the time it used to be.

Your NonPayers will get a Strike. Enough of those (eBay won't disclose the number) and the buyer is removed from the site (NARU).

In addition, you can set an automatic Block against bidders with Strikes.

You can demand that bidders have an active Paypal account (newbies and scammers often don't).

You can demand Immediate Payment on Fixed Price items.

You can check the feedback and buying pattern of auction bidders. Sellers can cancel any bid for any reason and do not have to say why.

[sheepgal54]

Anyone noticing that there are more unpaid items than ever before?
I am getting an average of 3 a week now (mostly on items in the 250-700 dollar range). Tons more zero feedback bidders as well.

Although UPI's are not a huge issue, they are an inconvenience none-the-less. I just follow the steps of waiting 7 days, then opening a dispute for UPI, then wait the 8 days and close the case to get my FV fees back and give the bogus buyer an UPI strike. In my view, though, 15 days is far too long to have to wait to be able to close a case.
eBay should tighten the reigns on these deadbeat buyers, as there is not enough detterent in the system to make them think twice.

Anybody else finding this issue on the rise?

Cheers,
AXE

I practically never got unpaid items but yes lately quite a few. Some pay after I start an action and then leave bad DSR and yes I can figure out who, others just get the strike and don't care I guess. About 5% of my sales since the first of the year.

[femmefan1946]

I looked at my 18 month Disputes list and actually I am having fewer as time passes.

I did have three UIDs I opened in February, but there had been none in December, or January, and only one in March.

To me that says "random".

[bb_cool_stuff]

I just started experimenting with listing some auction items again.

I guess i get so used to some people not paying it no longer upsets me anymore.

You have to feel for the sellers that have items which garner large bids & then the buyers reneg on payment.