When I sell on
ebay, I have a standrad disclaimer that says (and is ebays policy, I believe - oir it used to be) that the winner MUST contact me within three days, and payment within 7 days.
Now the seller can do an instant pay if you "buy it now" (also an
ebay feature) that basically means if they hit "buy it now" and do not pay,. the auction is still ongoing unless they pay - they have to pay to actually "win" the item.
You might try using that one in the future - I've bought from people who've had that, and I don't mind, because I always buy and pay immediately (usually before I get the
ebay notice, LOL - I want it NOW, too.)
As for the newbies - I am always leery of newbies on
ebay. Sometimes it's ok, othertimes (usually) they are just clueless, not necesarily irresponsible. Have you tried to email them with a reminder (can do that through
ebay, also).
Then you get the totally inept who bid without thinking "hey, I have to pay for this". Or the ones who think they can "change their mind" and just not pay - I've had a few of those, not many, but a few.
At one point I was tempted to not sell to anyone in Florida, LOL I had three in a row all from Florida. No email, no payment, no contact, no replies to multiple requests for just some form of communication.
What the newbies need to know is that Communication is EVERYTHING on
ebay - you don't know them, cannot see them, etc... they have to email and contact the person selling and communicate - sadly, a lot of sellers need to learn that one, too.
Good luck with getting paid. I would definately re-vamp my auction wording, though - make it VERY specific, even if it sounds paranoid and mean - some people have to be slapped in the face with that type of wording to understand that Yes, You REALLY mean it.
Peace -
Meriah
