This article is for buyers. It explains what happens if your invoice isn't paid within the deadline: reminders, consequences for your security deposit, the item, and your account, and what to do if you're having difficulty.
Summary
- The payment deadline is 48 hours (2 business days) after your invoice is issued.
- After that, the sale may be considered unpaid and cancelled.
- Your security deposit may be charged, in accordance with the general terms and conditions of sale.
- If you're having difficulty, contact customer service before the deadline: this is always better than staying silent.
1. The deadline to respect
Your invoice must be paid within 48 hours of being issued, i.e. 2 business days. The countdown starts when the invoice is generated, immediately after the item is awarded to you.
Be careful if you pay by bank transfer: bank processing time, often one to two business days, runs within this period. Payment is only confirmed once the funds are actually received.
2. What happens if the invoice remains unpaid
Consequence | Detail |
Reminders | You're contacted by email to remind you of the deadline and the payment terms. |
Cancellation of the sale | The sale may be cancelled: the item is no longer awarded to you and may be relisted or offered to another bidder. |
Security deposit charged | If a security deposit has been registered, it may be charged to cover all or part of the loss. |
Cancellation fees | Fees may apply, in accordance with the general terms and conditions of sale. |
Participation restrictions | Your future participation may be limited, particularly on sales requiring authorization. |
A won bid is a firm commitment to purchase. Non-payment isn't a simple, consequence-free cancellation: it makes you liable under the general terms and conditions of sale.
3. Consequences for your other purchases
- As long as an invoice remains unpaid, your security deposit cannot be released early.
- If you bid through an organization, the unpaid invoice affects the entire organization: your colleagues may feel the effects.
- Your other ongoing purchases remain due: an unpaid item does not cancel them.
4. You're having difficulty: what should you do?
You can't pay online
Check your card's limit and validity, then try a bank transfer using the details shown on your invoice. Report the problem to customer service without waiting for the deadline.
Your transfer was sent but isn't showing up
Send your transfer confirmation to customer service: your payment will be matched to your invoice manually.
You need more time
Contact customer service before the deadline and explain your situation. No extension is guaranteed, but an early request is always looked upon more favorably than silence.
You think you bid by mistake
Report it to customer service immediately. A bid cannot be withdrawn, but your situation will be reviewed.
5. If you paid late
A payment received after the deadline isn't automatically rejected, but the sale may have already been cancelled in the meantime. In that case, any amount paid is refunded to you. Contact customer service to find out the exact status of your case.
Our tips
- Only bid on items you're certain you can pay for within 48 hours.
- Plan for bank processing time: a transfer sent on a Friday evening won't arrive before the start of the following week.
- Make sure your contact details are up to date: everything is communicated to you by email.
- If in doubt, write to customer service before the deadline rather than after.
Frequently asked questions
Exactly how much time do I have?
48 hours, i.e. 2 business days, from when your invoice is issued.
Will my security deposit always be charged?
It may be, in the event of non-payment, in accordance with the general terms and conditions of sale. Depending on the situation, part of it may be returned to you.
Can I get the item back after the sale is cancelled?
Not automatically. The item may already have been relisted or awarded to another buyer.
Does an unpaid invoice block my account?
It may restrict your future participation, particularly on sales requiring authorization, and prevents your security deposit from being released early.
Can I pay part now and the rest later?
No. Payment is made in a single transaction, for the full amount due.
I never received my invoice
Check your spam folder, then look in Purchase invoices in your personal space. The deadline still applies even if you missed the email.