Cheeky seller

rainbow_carnage

I've contacted a seller to ask if I could pick up an item in person. He's a newbie with 0 feedback, and this is a pricey item. He wrote back to say that's fine, but he still wants half of the postage fee to cover Ebay's fees. It's only a couple quid. It's not going to come close to covering his Ebay fees. I don't mind paying it, but I'm a bit annoyed that he set this condition. I'm a bit of a no-no to ask the buyer to pay the fees.

pinkshoes

Personally I'd just say never mind and get him to post the item, because it would be a lot more hassle for him! Some people are just cheeky!

melliott1963

Did he put in the description that collection is an option? If not, then I think he's not cheeky requesting this. After all, he's then got to wait in for you when he might have better things to do. Then there's the hassle if you fail to turn up (see another thread on people not turning up for collection).

If I really wanted the item, I'd be prepared to pay the couple of quid and collect. At least you can see it before you get it. If it turns out that it's not as described, you can easily pull out of the sale without any of the usual hassle of having to return the item.

rlc_2

I'd probably pay and collect. But I would be a tiny, tiny bit aggrieved.

rainbow_carnage

I don't want him to post the item because it's a pricey watch, and he has no feedback. If the watch is a fake or doesn't work, I'd have a hard time proving this to Paypal. Mind you, I'm not a horologist, so I'm not sure how to tell if the watch is any good...

I don't mind paying a couple extra quid. The point is that the seller is supposed to pay Ebay fees. Not the buyer. It's no different than sellers who charge an inflated postage rate. It's just rare that someone comes straight out and says that he is overcharging to cover his own fees.

soolin

Why don't you point out to the seller then that if you collect and pay cash he will save a fortune in paypal fees? That should help...

pulliptears

Id be wary with this to be honest. If you collect and pay cash and the watch is fake you have no comeback at all.

I think to be on the safe side I would pay Paypal and have it delivered, at least then if it does turn out to be fake you can put in a claim.

rainbow_carnage

If I can't tell that it's a fake just by looking at it, then it won't matter whether I paid with Paypal or in cash. From what I've read, the fakes are easy to spot. The only thing is that it may not be working properly, and that's more difficult to determine on the spot.

pulliptears

rainbow_carnage wrote: »

If I can't tell that it's a fake just by looking at it, then it won't matter whether I paid with Paypal or in cash. From what I've read, the fakes are easy to spot. The only thing is that it may not be working properly, and that's more difficult to determine on the spot.

No, but you can have it authenticated, you have 30 days to put in a claim, and you can ascertain the watch is working properly in this time.

rainbow_carnage

pulliptears wrote: »

No, but you can have it authenticated, you have 30 days to put in a claim, and you can ascertain the watch is working properly in this time.

Having it authenticated by an expert will cost close to the value of the watch. The watch costs £800ish new and £100-200 used on Ebay.

stone7

rainbow_carnage wrote: »

Having it authenticated by an expert will cost close to the value of the watch. The watch costs £800ish new and £100-200 used on Ebay.

When you get the watch, take it to a local pawnbroker and ask how much they will lend you if you pledge the watch. They'll soon tell you if it's a fake. Whatever they offer, claim it's not quite enough and leave. Easy peasy.