when is it too late to open a item not paid

[downsizing2018]

I sold an item on BIN and accepted best offer.  There was not communication for about a week, so I asked if he had changed his mind?  His almost immediate response was he as still interested.  A week goes buy, nothing, so I ask again, his immediate reply was yes still interested.  Again, a week passes, nothing, so I ask when, he replies, Friday.  I say thank you, blanh blah, not wanting to nag, didn't mind the wait if I knew  when payment would be made......then nothing.

My last communication was politely said, pay by Friday or I open a case.

No communication. Friday comes, an I can not open a case, so I have no recourse?  The time is expired, and I am not at the mercy of the derelict buyer to agree to the case closure in order to get my fees back?

[nudibranch4569]

you have 45 days from date of purchase to open a case.

[femmefan1946]

No you do not have to have the bidder agree to cancel a transaction.

That's ONLY if you choose Mutual Cancellation.

And even then if the bidder ignores the request, the MC will close itself and you will get your fees back.

HOWEVER

Mutual Cancellation should only be used if the cancellation is a friendly one. For example, the bidder contacts you and lets you know that he is in hospital with a broken ankle and won't be able to use that snowboard. Or hecompletely misread the listing for a set of earphones and thought he was bidding on a set of Mickey Mouse ears. The key is a friendly and polite attitude. Keep firmly in mind that both of you will be able to leave feedback.

Otherwise you go for an Unpaid Item Dispute. With this the bidder either pays or gets a UI Strike. No feedback can be left. You get your fees back. The bidder will find it more difficult to bid or buy on eBay in future.

If you are ignored or get excuses from the bidder, like you did in this case, go for the UID.

[karl*katz]

You have 32 days in which to open a  "Non Paying Buyer Dispute"

http://pages.ebay.ca/help/sell/unpaid-items.html

[nubian_treasures]

When you encounter a non payer, do not bother asking if they are still interested in the item. Add their name to your blocked bidders list and start the unpaid item dispute 4 days after end of sale. If they are still interested, they will pay within 4 days of the dispute (still do not ask if they are interested). If they do not pay by the 4th day after the dispute was opened, close the dispute and they get a strike, you get your final value fee credit and then can relist the item or make a second chance offer. No need in having your item held hostage waiting on a deadbeat who is just trying to string you along past the deadlines.

Never....I repeat....never issue an transaction cancellation for a non payer. They could decline the cancellation and you would still have the pay the final value fee and cancelling does not punish them and they need to be punished if they fail to pay and you have done nothing wrong to warrant non payment.

If you haven't do so already, set your buyer requirements to block bidders with 2 or more unpaid item strikes in the past 12 months.