AW Daily - Tips & Tactics - After the Auction: Sending Payment

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You place your bid, win an auction, mail off payment to the seller, and then patiently (or perhaps impatiently) wait for your newly won auction item to arrive. But wait--there's more to sending payment that merely stuffing a check or money order in an envelope. Our tip offers helpful pointers on how to make the buyer-to-seller payment process as smooth and efficient as possible.

I Won! Now What?
After you win an auction, you will receive an end-of-auction notice from the auction site. This message confirms that you are the winning bidder of a particular auction. Among other information, included are the auction's item number, final bid amount, and the email addresses of both the seller and winning buyer. Also included are instructions for the next step in the transaction process. "The buyer and seller should contact each other within three business days to complete the sale," reads eBay's EOA notice.

More often than not, sellers--at least sellers who are on top of things--will take the initiative and email you their own EOA notice. This message will inform you of the total amount due (the final sale price, plus shipping and any additional costs such as handling or insurance). It should also include the seller's full name and address. Respond to this email, stating your method of payment (some sellers offer different options) as well as your mailing address so that the seller can start readying the package for delivery.

What to Include
Do not--repeat, do not--just send your check, money order, or cashier's check. Otherwise, the seller is going to have to do some detective work to figure out who you are and which auction you won. This is one of the major frustrations of online auction sellers--when buyers mail their payment accompanied by nothing more than "Thanks. Send me my item." How is a seller supposed to know which item (or which auction site, for that matter)? Realize that sellers list multiple auctions, sometimes on more than one auction site. You are not their only customer.

So what should you include with your payment? It's best to print out the seller's end-of-auction notice, and then write your name, address, and the auction number on it. And if your handwriting could be mistaken for hieroglyphics, type up this information on a separate piece of paper. Some buyers also insert the site's EOA notice. That's fine too, but just make sure that the proper information about the auction and yourself gets to the seller along with your payment. The key is to be professional and comprehensive. Don't leave the seller wondering if you are a buyer he or she can trust.

Timeliness
Be prompt in your post-auction correspondence. Once the auction ends, send payment as soon as you can. Remember: the sooner you send the money, the sooner you'll get your item. Likewise, respond quickly to sellers' EOA notices so that they can be assured they're dealing with a top-notch, conscientious buyer. Furthermore, keep in mind that some types of payment (personal checks, most notably) can take longer than others. If you pay by money order or cashier's check (or, of course, credit card), sellers will often ship your merchandise immediately.

Other Payment Options
The above information applies primarily to buyers who pay via personal check, money order, or cashier's check. Of course, there are other payment options--such as credit cards and escrow--where you won't have as much direct contact with the seller.

Feedback, Please
Once you've sent payment the right way and received your item, the deal isn't over yet. Remember to leave the seller feedback. It's a good way to round out every online auction transaction.

Choosing Payment Methods
Avoiding Excessive Shipping Costs
Dealing With Deadbeat Sellers