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I have been selling on Ebay now for several years. I have had some great experiences and some really bad ones concerning buyers. The most frustrating thing about Ebay buyers are first timers. I have never had any problems with seasoned buyers or even ones who've only bought a few times. However, when I see a buyer has placed a bid for an item I have up for auction and their score is "0" I get nervous.

I have made it a point, to no avail, to mention in the auction that payment is expected at the time of invoice and if the buyer intends to pay with a money order or cashiers check they are to inform me within two days. Apparently new buyers don't read the entire auction or they just don't care. I still haven't figured out which. There have been situations where I have been promised payment today (ha, ha) and then again the next day......eventually I have to threaten these buyers with reporting them to Ebay as a non payer. Some buyers don't even bother to respond to repeated emails requesting payment. So I have adopted a policy. When I see a bid from a "new" buyer, I contact them immediately and let them know I will not tolerate non payment once an auction has been won. Payment is expected immediately or at the very least a response to my invoice with an explanation as to why payment will be delayed.
More frustrating than the new buyers are those whose feedback shows they don't pay well or not at all. I always check out my bidders before the end of auction and if I see one that could be a problem I will block these bidders before they can cause a problem.
Please don't get me wrong. I love Ebay and being a seller. Most of my customers are wonderful people and pay promptly. But there are always a few who spoil it for everyone! So if you are a new buyer, please contact the seller of the item you wish to bid on and let them know you understand their policy on payment and make that payment immediately if you win.
Ebay can be great fun for sellers and buyers if we will only take the time to pay attention to the details. Each individual has different policies and it is up to you to fully understand these policies prior to placing your first bid. Please take the time to read the entire auction and you will have a great first time experience. Just be careful....it can be addictive!

Learn more about this author, Susan Taylor.
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