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.

Collection Only Item

Wondering if someone can give me some advice.

I've been selling on ebay for the last year mainly clothes/toys/dvd's/cds- sold over 400 items and got over 300 postive feedback. everything I've sold so far I have posted.

However I have 3 big items that would need to be collection only ( cot, changing unit and nursing chair).

Can somebody give me advice about doing this, do I need to offer for people to come and see ( not keen), do I get people to pay by paypal before they come to collect, should it be cash on pick up( what if once they see it they change their minds?). I'm also not sure how I feel about people coming to my home and knowing where I stay etc

Feel free to tell me I'm being over sensitive/causious etc!

Thanks

Aj

Comments

  • StaffsSW
    StaffsSW Posts: 5,788 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Although you have to offer Paypal on all listings, it is not advisable to accept it on collection only items - have a read of this thread - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1403441
    <--- Nothing to see here - move along --->
  • stevew8975 wrote: »
    Although you have to offer Paypal on all listings, it is not advisable to accept it on collection only items - have a read of this thread - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1403441
    Thanks for this, I can see me donating them to charity yet as I could do without this hassle!
    AJ
  • pinkgem
    pinkgem Posts: 3,299 Forumite
    i no longer put collection only items on ebay. freeads and adtrader for those.
  • i sold a kitchen on ebay - the photo i took was "pre-dismantle" - and then someone came in a van and took it. I asked for the money in advance into paypal. Worked a treat.
    I guess you have to give as much info as poss in your ad - lots of photos, dimensions and really good descriptions -then your buyer will know exactly what they're getting and then they'll be pleasantly surprised when they arrive to pick it up = that it IS what they thought it would be!!
  • madmum33
    madmum33 Posts: 635 Forumite
    Generally the success of collection only auctions on Ebay depends on where you are - for example if you live in the middle of nowhere you're likely to get few bids, if any, but if you're in a heavily populated area you'll do much better.

    I've only done it once, and stuck with cash on collection (to save on fees) but it was before ebay forced us to accept paypal on all auctions!
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 73,399 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    savvymum wrote: »
    i sold a kitchen on ebay - the photo i took was "pre-dismantle" - and then someone came in a van and took it. I asked for the money in advance into paypal. Worked a treat.
    I guess you have to give as much info as poss in your ad - lots of photos, dimensions and really good descriptions -then your buyer will know exactly what they're getting and then they'll be pleasantly surprised when they arrive to pick it up = that it IS what they thought it would be!!

    You have missed the point.

    The danger is that of course any scammer is going to be delighted with whatever you tell him and show him if you allow him to collect after paying by paypal.

    However, a scammer merely has to start a chargeback and as you can't prove delivery using a paypal required postage method they get their money back.

    Obviously it seems unlikely that a scammer will target a kitchen seller, but since the majority of people selling more usually scammed items already knowing this basic scam you never know when they will move on to other areas.
    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.
  • Thanks folks, my better judgement has been telling me not to put them on ebay,
    Maybe I should just donate them to a charity and deceided that's my charitable giving for the year!
  • elainew
    elainew Posts: 889 Forumite
    Put them in your local newspaper. No fees
    TRYING hard to be a good money saver :rolleyes:
  • Brooker_Dave
    Brooker_Dave Posts: 5,196 Forumite
    Thanks for this, I can see me donating them to charity yet as I could do without this hassle!
    AJ

    Put them in the local paper or on a supermarket sales board.

    Ebay's not the only place to sell things...
    "Love you Dave Brooker! x"

    "i sent a letter headded sales of god act 1979"
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
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support 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.