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As an eBay seller you have taken the time to list and describe your item. You have taken a number of photos that accurately depict the condition of what you're selling. You set the auction listing to end in seven days. You press 'save' and list your item, eBay has advised you of the cost so far to you for the listing. Throughout those seven days you have observed your item price rising, it has had three bids. The sale is made. You send your invoice and a congratulatory email to the winner.

Checking your back account every day, it gets to seven days after the end of auction and the buyer has not been in touch with you nor paid for the item. They won't return your inquiring emails, they don't return your threatening email. What do you do?

Ebay does have a system in place for non-paying bidders. Most times this system does work, as many people are honest and forget they bid on the item. Life happens and a unfortunate incident has happened in their lives to make them not check emails or remember to pay.

Here are the steps to take when you are faced with a fraudulent buyer on eBay.

Step 1: After the time stipulated by you as the seller has gone, without any contact from the buyer nor payment. Go to your 'My eBay' page.

Step 2: At the bottom left of your page, there is a link to a 'Dispute Console'. Click on this button and it will take you to the page that has disputes for non-paying bidders.

Step 3: You will need to report the listing number of your item within this page. You will also be asked to make a selection based on your attempts to contact the buyer.

Step 4: Once you have entered the required information, a dispute will be opened on the item and the buyer will be sent an email from eBay addressing the issue of non payment. They buyer cannot go to any other part of eBay until they have answered the dispute.

Step 5: Usually the buyer will make contact once they are given this notice. If they do not contact you, you will need to then take further action on the dispute. This cannot be done until 10 days after the auction date. After this time you will be given the option of closing the dispute and requesting reimbursement for your fees from eBay.

WAYS TO AVOID BUYER FRAUD ACTION

*Always include a time after auction that contact must be made, and the time the item is to be paid in.

*Always stipulate in your instructions or your description that if contact is not made within 3 days after the auction, an email will be sent as a reminder.

*Advise potential buyers that if payment is not made within the time frame, a non-paying bidder dispute will be opened and the item will be re listed.

Buyer fraud is very time consuming and inconvenient. You have lost time and money selling your item, and it is inconvenient to have to re list that item again. It is also not fair to other bidders involved in your auction. If you would like to make it fair for other bidders, contact the person who lost the auction to the non-payer and question whether they'd like to purchase it at their last bid price.

By placing clear instructions on your item, hopefully you will avoid the dreaded hassle of non-paying bidders.

Learn more about this author, R.L Hanlon.
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