How to offer on eBay?

How long do I have to wait for payment from a winning bidder on eBay before I can offer it to someone else?

• I am new to selling on eBay. My auction ended 4 days ago and I sent an eBay invoice (and note thanking him) to the winning bidder within the first hour. I've not heard from that person at all. No email communication and no payment. Several other people bid on the same item. How long before I can offer it to one of them? AND.....if I leave a negative feedback on the winning bidder who did not pay, will he be able to leave a negative feedback on my account?

• Answer:

  I used to sell on ebay quite a bit, and the rules have recently changed, kind of favorable to the buyer. If you did not specify a "pay-by" date, ebay's general rules for sellers will state how long you have to wait before complaining about a non-paying auction winner. 12 days? At any rate, if you are short of the time permitted, ebay won't even allow you to take any action. Compulsion proof. Second, A SELLER IS NO LONGER ALLOWED TO GIVE A BUYER NEGATIVE FEEDBACK!!!! I find that rule to be somewhat outrageous, but I do see ebay's reason for setting it. [the customer is always right syndrome]. The best you can do in YOUR case is to leave a "non-paying bidder" strike against the buyer after 12 days. That'll matter to any future seller who can either accept or refuse bid...while his/her auction is in progress. Once the sale is done, it's too late for the seller to take any real action against a buyer.