eBay reduce time to resolve unpaid items to 8 days

22/10/2009 at 12:04

The new unpaid item process is now live on eBay enabling sellers to re-list items within 8 days if they’re not paid for promptly. Previously a seller had to wait 7 days before they could even open an unpaid item resolution (remember when they were called “disputes”?), now that’s cut to 4 days giving buyers a further 4 days to pay before the case can be closed.

The maximum time a case can be open has been reduced from 60 days to 36 days, so make sure you close any outstanding cases early in order to get final value fee refunds. You’ll have to open any unpaid item cases by the 32nd day from the sale or you’ll lose the right to reclaim your fees, although I suspect few sellers are willing to wait that long before chasing payment anyway.

Also remember if a buyer uses the new eBay returns process you’ll automatically get a final value fee refund removing the need to annoy buyers by opening unpaid item resolutions simply so that you get your fees back. I have to admit in the past I’ve often not reclaimed fees simply because I didn’t want to upset buyers and risk poor feedback as the unpaid item resolution was of no benefit to them at all.

eBay will also be handling reminder emails to buyers, and they’ll be toned down in language, no longer referring to “disputes” or “unpaid item strikes”, but the consequences of not paying will remain in force.

This is overall good news for sellers, items can now remain unpaid for as few as 8 days before sellers are free to re-list them which means less stock tied up unpaid and unable to be resold.