# E-bay question: Seller vanishes **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 5, 2007, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-seller-vanishes/390921 "2007-02-05T13:54:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-seller-vanishes/390921/1 "2007-02-05T13:54:14Z")
So, I’m relatively new to ebay, and I bid on an item which I won last week on Wednedsay. I immediately requested shipping costs (as they were not fixed) so I could make my payment. I haven’t heard back from the seller yet. Is there a point at which I can just “drop” this item? It’s something I need, and really can’t wait for, and there are plenty of others available. Is there propor protocol for abandoning an item I’ve won because of a non-responsive seller without incuring the wrath of the ebay gods? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-seller-vanishes/390921/2 "2007-02-05T14:11:08Z")
You can file a [non performing seller report](http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/seller-non-performance.html) (expand the ‘Additional Information’ section); sometimes this will act as a swift kick up the arse for the seller. I would say, though, that under normal circumstances - if it were not the case that you urgently require the item - it would probably be just a little early to be doing that at this stage. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-seller-vanishes/390921/3 "2007-02-05T14:14:20Z")
If it is an item from a large seller, I would give him at least a week to respond- many of the larger sellers simply don’t have the time to respond to each auction that day, espcially if they have dozens of them. But an e-mail to him stating how urgent the item is would not be out of line. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-seller-vanishes/390921/4 "2007-02-05T14:15:47Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] You can file a [non performing seller report](http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/seller-non-performance.html) (expand the ‘Additional Information’ section); sometimes this will act as a swift kick up the arse for the seller. I would say, though, that under normal circumstances - if it were not the case that you urgently require the item - it would probably be just a little early to be doing that at this stage. [/QUOTE] Thanks! What is “appropriate” response time in e-bay land? I notice many sellers say “must pay within three days or item will be re-bid,” so I thought that that might be the limit on turn-around time for communication. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-seller-vanishes/390921/5 "2007-02-05T14:19:59Z")
Nothing appears to be specified, but I would have thought anything less than a week would be hasty. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-seller-vanishes/390921/6 "2007-02-05T15:39:21Z")
[QUOTE=Eonwe] I notice many sellers say “must pay within three days or item will be re-bid,” so I thought that that might be the limit on turn-around time for communication. [/QUOTE] I think that is only fair. If the seller you are dealing with expects payment within 3 days, you should expect to at least be \*contacted \* within 3 days of the end of the auction. However, you should check to see what their policy is; it is up to the individual seller, there is no limit that all sellers must follow. But if they have a short payment time, turnabout is fair play. Drop a dime on 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Dishfunctional](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/35a633/32.png) [@Dishfunctional](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dishfunctional)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-seller-vanishes/390921/7 "2007-02-05T16:32:43Z")
[QUOTE=Eonwe] So, I’m relatively new to ebay, and I bid on an item which I won last week on Wednedsay. I immediately requested shipping costs (as they were not fixed) so I could make my payment. I haven’t heard back from the seller yet. Is there a point at which I can just “drop” this item? It’s something I need, and really can’t wait for, and there are plenty of others available. Is there propor protocol for abandoning an item I’ve won because of a non-responsive seller without incuring the wrath of the ebay gods? [/QUOTE] My eBay seller of Statehood Quarters died.