How long should seller wait for payment

was a time frame specified? Like did they say I'm at work I can do that in so many minutes or hours? have had this happen with websites sometimes too. I buy something and no response/holidays i didnt even think about. Sometimes days go by and then bam here is your invoice. I personally try to make any transactions with people as fast as I can....even though I've only done like 2*i was always the buyer though...so idk about an exact answer

Set a time limit to accept payment. Not so hard.
There are rules and standard behaviors enforced in all business transactions and private party to private party should be no different. Flakes are flakes whether they are a business or private party. Provide the parameters and enforce them.
Put in your ad something like payment must be received within 24 hours. After that the item will be considered not sold and available to any buyer except the one who defaulted.
Not hard at all.

I feel your pain, Carl...waiting for payment after someone has told you that they'd take it is probably one of the most annoying things about selling on an online forum . . . but it happens all the time. In those cases (and if it's been a bit since the initial "I'll take it"), I usually reach back out to the first "buyer" and let them know that others have expressed an interest to buy it and that I'll hold it for them and give them until XXX time to send their payment. You decide if that time is a couple more hours, by end of day or by tomorrow or whatever. If I still haven't received payment by the time that period is about to lapse, I'll message them again and say that time's almost up and if they really still want it, please send payment within the next 15-30 minutes or I'll sell it to the next person in line. That will either get you your payment or clear it up to allow you to move on.

The other key thing here is to make sure that you let the other potential buyers know what you're doing with the original buyer and the estimated timeline so that you don't end up losing everybody else in line if/when the original guy ultimately flakes.

I have sold tons of stuff. I tell 1st buyer it's theirs and there is a second waiting if they change their mind. I tell 2nd buyer there is someone ahead of them. I then remove item from general listing at that point. I touch base with any and all parties so there is no misunderstanding. I will remind 1st buyer at end of day that I will move on if no reply by mid morning next day. If no response, on to buyer 2. Do what is comfortable and decent in your mind. People become busy, or they contacted you from work, I do the same and try to extend understanding. so in short 12-24 hours suffices.

Posts 2 & 3 are both good advice in my opinion. Another option perhaps would be to come right out and ask when you can expect PP or Venmo or whatever transfer to post. Ask them to PM or whatever communication mode you agree to with buyer. And let them know there are interested parties ready to purchase item, whether you do or not if you’re seeing some stalling or delay. Sometimes a little patience might be needed for the buyer to clear the purchase with a significant other, justify purchase or verify their budget/funds.
I do personal check or money orders so my situation is not as speedy but generally I want assurance that the item is sold and can wait patiently for the funds.

I set my sights for others actions by what I would do. I don't go grocery shopping and then ask people for a ride home when they come out so I have no problem saying no to strangers that ask me for a ride as I exit the store. If I set a deal to buy something it is because I have the funds to buy it and will send it right after the offer is accepted. If I don't have the funds then I will state the date that I will have it and make the payment on that day if the seller agrees to hold the item. If he didn't agree to wait and sold it then that's life.

I always seem to buy something at a horrible time. Once there is a commitment to sell to me, I always try to tell the guy when I will have a chance to do the PayPal thing. Ironically I’ve never seen a topic started by buyers saying how long does it take you to pay a guy. It’s all about communication. Keep somebody in the loop and nobody gets nervous. I’m currently 5 days out of the loop with a popular vendor and I’m past nervous and moved to getting mad. Communication!

I generally pay as soon as possible. I can do that as long as I have enough funds in my PP account. Some folks may have to transfer funds. They should make you aware of their schedule to see whether its acceptable.

I totally agree about communication and it's possible that a seller doesn't want to seem pushy by asking for a exact time frame. It's a business transaction and feelings shouldn't be included in it. If a website has one last item for sale and I put it into my shopping cart it doesn't mean that I get it. Unless the timeline for payment is communicated and agreed upon then as far as I'm concerned the first guy that makes the payment wins.

48hrs and I get nervous, then communicate with other buyers and close the deal. Boom, done.

Patrick

I have not sold anything, but when purchasing as soon as I receive payment instructions like from a member here, I initiate payment immediately. Takes only a minute or so, so what is the problem with being quick. Sellers seem to appreciate it.

Chukar60 said:

Set a time limit to accept payment. Not so hard.
There are rules and standard behaviors enforced in all business transactions and private party to private party should be no different. Flakes are flakes whether they are a business or private party. Provide the parameters and enforce them.
Put in your ad something like payment must be received within 24 hours. After that the item will be considered not sold and available to any buyer except the one who defaulted.
Not hard at all.

Click to expand...

Took my payment (USPS) 5 days just to go 800 miles , get tracking #

Communication, clear cogent communication is the key.

I am ALWAYS prepared to pay immediately once I initiate communication.
In the unlikely event that I am held up or delayed, I would COMMUNICATE TO THE SELLER what the delay is, and would fully expect to be at their mercy as to whether they will sit on it for a period.

Walk up to the counter with a case of beer, and then tell the clerk that you will be right back. After 12 hours, when you return, do you expect to see your case of beer sitting there?

Courtesy and common sense.

Make sure to agree upon a time limit for payment, then go to next buyer if time is exceeded.

I have had to wait for a few payments, but I was also able to call the buyer and talk with them.

I have also had a few times where my payment method was messed up and payment wouldn't go though. A simple call or email to the seller explaining what is going on is typically ok.

Honestly I would wait 24-48 hours and then email the individual back and tell him the deal is off. Have pissed off a few people by doing this. But it is simple that you are trying to sell the items to get rid of them, not hold onto them until the person can pay. You either pay now or you don't get the item.

If someone says they'll take an item and then basically ghosts and logs out immediately after the conversation, I sell to the next person interested who will pay then and there. Unless a hold or down payment is offered or asked for. I've held guns for a couple months til the buyer paid in full.

Fortunately, I've not experienced much of that. If I am engaged in conversation then they pay...usually.

Takes about a week for me to make payment. No paypal, no zelle, no electronic payment that hates me as a gun owner. Won’t support them anymore.

Payment from me comes as a bank check issued and mailed by my bank. Seems it takes a week for USPS to get anything anywhere nowadays.

No big deal if seller doesn’t want to wait. Just move on.

I usually give 24 hours. Sometimes life happens.