We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Is it so wrong not to accept courier??

Just sold an item on Ebay- in my item description, I said that item was for local pick up only.

I got the usual emails from people asking if it was OK for courier- I said no!

However.... 1 chap messaged me today asking if he could arrange a courier- I was at work so couldn't reply; he decided to bid anyway in the meantime.

I messaged him when I got home from work to say that item was for local pick-up only. Then I noticed that he had bid, so cancelled his bids.

After auction ended received this message:

"hello how stupid can you get? you are on ebay to sell and make some money back on what you bought or you have around the house, and you cancel my bids, if i had not bid £16.99 on your lamps you would have got £3, i have used this delivery service lots of times and not had a problem,how ARROGANT CAN YOU GET."


Am really glad now he didn't win... not the kind of buyer I want to deal with!
«13

Comments

  • pitkin2020
    pitkin2020 Posts: 4,029 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Collection only does put people off some of the time as not every one lives local, you also tend to get a lower price as the number of interested people is reduced.
    The buyer shouldn't be rude as you stated collection only in your auction, so you are right.
    Everyones opinion is the most important.....no wonder nothing is ever agreed on.
  • intranix
    intranix Posts: 247 Forumite
    edited 9 January 2010 at 10:40PM
    You're in the right completely. My reasoning for sometimes insisting on collection is that I simply do not want the hassle of packaging and labelling, or the item is of too high value to take a gamble on the paypal "is this payment legit or not" lottery.
  • keithdc
    keithdc Posts: 459 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    intranix wrote: »
    I'm guessing the reason you wont accept a courier pickup - you want cash on collection.

    So why not be a bit more transparent and state this fact in the auction in the first place?

    Have no problem with paypal though would obviously rather avoid the fees- but, personally I find that its easier to deal with local people who can be a bit more flexible with collection, rather than couriers.

    Also... possibly... a tad more risk with couriers in terms of things breaking in transit.

    I don't tend to sell a lot or for much money- Ebay selling tends to be about removing clutter rather than money.
  • cyberbob
    cyberbob Posts: 9,480 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I wouldn't accept a courier if I sold a collection only item. If the buyer arranges it you can have problems with waiting in for the pick up having to pack the item also who is responsible for delivery. In normal ebay sales the seller is but with the buyer arranging courier its a can of worms you dont wish to open. Most people list collection only because they dont want to get involved with the hassle of couriers and the suchlike.

    Ignore him and put him on your blocked bidders list

    http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/manage_bidders_ov.html#blocking
  • cyberbob
    cyberbob Posts: 9,480 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Intranix wrote:
    I'm guessing the reason you wont accept a courier pickup - you want cash on collection.

    So why not be a bit more transparent and state this fact in the auction in the first place?

    You cant state that in your listing as you have to accept paypal and cant preference one method above another your listing could get pulled
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,408 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    No way do I allow couriers and you were right to block such a dreadful buyer.

    If I want something collected then I can arrange a time and day with my buyer and we can sort it out face to face, he can pay and load it into the car and drie it away. A courier on the other hand will expect item to be packed as per the guidelines, so I would have to source good adequate packing materials, then I would have to wait in all day for the courer as they never give times.

    No way, so thank you but please don't bid.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • mikey72
    mikey72 Posts: 14,680 Forumite
    You don't always get tracking either, the buyer gets it, so you are risk of a chargeback later.
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,408 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I would be so tempted though to reply to some of the people who insist we should allow couriers to collect. How about this "That will be absolutely fine, I will expect the courier between 6 -6.20pm on Tuesday night with cash for payment. The item will be in the hall, courier will be expected to wrap and secure it sufficiently to make it safe for travel, print out their own labels and sign a document to say that item was 100% perfect when they accepted it into their care".
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • It is your item and you can specify pretty much any conditions of sale you like when it comes to delivery/ collection. Bidders just like to ignore the conditions when they are clearly stated and bid anyway. I sold a coat for charity last month and put in the listing that it was for dispatch in UK only. When the auction ended I received a request for total from the winning bidder, she wanted postage rates for Corfu!!! I told her I couldn't sell it to her and she kicked off. I second chanced it to the next highest bidder.
  • keithdc
    keithdc Posts: 459 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Hmmmm... now getting threats... I sarcastically replied with:

    "Thank you for erudite and thoughtful comments- never known someone get so upset about losing out on some lights before!

    They actually sold for £17- went to a buyer who doesn't feel the need to send abusive emails"



    To which I got the following reply:

    "thats ok you mess me about,i but you on my favourites and i buy or my friends can buy your goods, i told you in good faith about a courier that i have used,i bid for your goods and you have the cheek to cancal my bid,its not about the lamps its the principle, remember my name because i will mass you about,good night and god bless ******"


    Obviously a really nice guy!!! Auction was only for a couple of lamps.:confused:
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.4K Life & Family
  • 258.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.