Whats the score with Paypal for collection only goods now??

blue_monkey_2

No, I am leaving it there to be honest and see what happens. If it gets pulled it gets pulled, whatever, I can't be bothered. As I said, it is the only thing I've got that needs to be collected.

I am more interested as to why they are opening advoating fraud and I've asked them why. I know I am just a small fish in a large ocean but I can complain none the less. I am waiting for an answer and then I am conacting whoever I can to complain about it and their practices.

I sold a few bits before we moved - but before that it was years I suppose.

If it gets pulled it gets pulled, I have stated that it is cash on collection only because I cannot give a receipt, if I get paid Paypal then I'll refund it. End of. if I get reported then I am certainly not going to lose any sleep over it and I think I'll shove the bed in the loft and forget about it for now but give some thought to setting up the website myself short term to sell things that way.

When I get an answer about why they are happy to promote fraud and illegal activity I'll post the answer on here. I know that my complaint is not going to make one onuce of difference but at least I have tried to make myself heard rather than just complaining about it here. I think these are the people I contact: http://www.oft.gov.uk/ Does anyone else know who else to send a complaint to about their so called 'business practices'? Thanks.

Road_Hog

BM,

Here is the work around if it gets pulled.

List your item as normal but delivery only, e.g.

Bed for sale £100
Delivery £100
COLLECTION AVAILABLE BY PRIOR AGREED APPOINTMENT ONLY
TEL 01234 -000000

List payment as paypal, make sure the bit about appointment is at the top of your acution, so they will read it and understand that collection is an option before they read about the item.

Then when they call, tell them it is cash only, if they say but the listing states paypal, just say but the listing also states delivery only.
They may then say but you've written in the description collection, and you say yes but that is by prior agreed appointment and you don't have one.

No one will will pay by paypal because the delivery cost will be too high and any reasonable person will understand paying cash on collection. They can't report you for anything because it is all on the telephone.

steviebabes

Paypal and ebay know about this problem but have yet to come up with a solution. Delivery or collection has to be proven online, paypal do not deal in paper. I have given this serious thought but have not come up with an answer. I suppose the only way to do this is for the buyer to opt out of the item not received part of any claim, it would only need a box to be ticked during payment. Perhaps if enough people came up with an answer and filled in the ebay suggestions form they may take note.

blue_monkey_2

I got a call last year from Paypal as I WAS selling on eBay as part of my business, they gave me this big questionaire thing and told me that next year (2008) they would be implimenting more in favour of the seller...... er, yeah, righto!!

Road Hog, I gave this some thought but people would scroll down the ad, see it was £100 delivery and not even bother looking at it (I see this as a buyers point of view) so it is catch 22. They are telling me I can offer cash on collection but the buyer can pay by Paypal if they want.

I'll just let it run, I've emailed the oft but they say no enquiries from individual traders or consumers, LOL, so who does that leave? I've emailed anyway and asked who I can email - they say consumer direct who I am sure have heard this a million times but have done nothing so far.

Just who do you complain to about stuff like this anyway?

blue_monkey_2

steviebabes wrote: »

Paypal and ebay know about this problem but have yet to come up with a solution. Delivery or collection has to be proven online, paypal do not deal in paper. I have given this serious thought but have not come up with an answer. I suppose the only way to do this is for the buyer to opt out of the item not received part of any claim, it would only need a box to be ticked during payment. Perhaps if enough people came up with an answer and filled in the ebay suggestions form they may take note.

That is it though, isn't it. They KNOW there is the problem so why FORCE people to accept paypal for collection goods if they have not managed to put procedure in place to stop sellers being defrauded. They are encouraging fraud then aren't they? If they know there is a problem then they should be implementing other procedures until a way round it has been dealt with. They are just too greedy through and want their additional cut on top of their fees for selling.

soolin

When this all first came out the pinks on the discussion board were quoted as saying that ebay is possibly no longer the right venue for collection only items.

They have no need to find a way round the problem as they are not looking for small sellers selling off odds and ends of furniture, their stated intention is to move towards large business sellers like Dell who have already signed up.Large collected items are usually directed to places like gumtree (which they also own)

blue_monkey_2

Yes, that is probably right - however, they should not be leaving the seller open to fraud. that in itself is wrong.

The small adds are rammed each week with smaller stuff now and I can see why. I've even started to read them which I never really did before. The one good thing about eBay is that it goes further afield than the local paper. I'll stick it in the paper if no joy here and then in the loft if no joy with the local paper. It's too good for Freecycle and I wanted the money to pay the the smaller bed we bought to replace it.

Such is life and all that!!

martindow

blue_monkey wrote: »

I have been tempted to see if it is 'finanacially viable' to set up a website myself selling my second hand stuff. I reckon that the costs would be less depending on how much you sell, and the place that hosts my website means that the items come up in the top 10 of Google - so it is possible I guess.

I'm not sure that anyone can guarantee that your items will be in the top ten in Google. Can you tell us more?

blue_monkey_2

martindow wrote: »

I'm not sure that anyone can guarantee that your items will be in the top ten in Google. Can you tell us more?

They don't guarentee it - it just happens . If we put things on the site and google the things I sell then they come up in the first page. My husband says it is the tags or something (not sure on all this technical stuff). This is why I figured if I was selling something then Google would bring the listing up. Got to be worth a chance and save my money!! You can even add a Paypal account to the page and the person pays and it goes via Paypal like an eBay transaction would do. I've a lot of stuff to sell so for a few months it might be more viable for us to do it that way.

The first people who we used (we use their shop software for a monthly fee - if you know what I mean, not sure on what they call it) we never sold anything in 2 years. Having had enough I changed to these people 2 years and we now get loads of orders (or we did when we was open!! We are closed til Mid Sept) and it was just mad. We started selling on eBay but we can do away with that now as the site means we pay our monthly fee and the only other fee is the fee when the card payment is processed. It means less work and less sales to make more money. I can charge what I like for postage and there is no moaning over it, no threatening with bad feedback, etc.... so for us it is a much better option and we earn more money.

digerati

blue_monkey,

Have you tried listing your collection-only items on Craigslist? Best of all it's FREE and you can list items as £150 or near offer, etc. No need to offer or accept PayPal as most transactions are simple cash on collection. For valuable items you can always agree to meet at a branch of your local bank and pay in the cash on the spot.

As to discouraging the use of PayPal on our eBay listings that are pick up, we have successfully used this recently:

"When paying by PayPal for collection-only items, for our mutual protection, please remember to bring photo ID (Driving Licence, Passport, Firearms Certificate, etc.) and a recent utility bill with your name and address. We also require a copy of your fingerprints for our records. Thank you for your understanding."

If anyone questions the need - we point out that they can pay by cash, bank cheque, MoneyBookers, etc. and we don't need to verify their ID. Our requirements are no more than those necessary to visit the USA, which incidentally is home to PayPal.

On collection we give a receipt for the item with our details, and obtain a signature (plus thumb print for PayPal purchases) from the buyer on our copy, usually witnessed by a neighbour or friend. When helping them move the item, we also make a note of their vehicle number plate and model details. So far nobody has tried to pull a "fast one" on us, but we are prepared.