Buyer Arranging a Courier

Scarlett.1974

Good morning,

I have been selling on ebay for a few years now - just bits and pieces, clothing, toys, games etc..... and luckily I've never had a major issues.

I'm currently selling some items that, as I expected, have generated quite a lot of interest. I only listed the first lot last night and I've had an email this morning from a buyer who is interested in all of them and any others I have - which is great obviously

However, he has said that he can arrange a courier at his own expense to collect them all if I am happy with this. I've never had this happen before and I'm just wondering if this is okay? Are there any potential issues with this I should be aware of? If I'd posted them myself I would have sent it all Special Delivery to cover myself........ I don't want to agree to this if it will mean I will leave myself wide open to be scammed in some way

Many thanks in advance

soolin

Make sure you insist on getting a receipt and full tracking for your goods together with proof of the insured value. If items go missing or get broken and buyer used paypal then you will have to refund and claim from the courier, which might be difficult if it isn't you with the contract. To protect against a paypal chargeback you will also need online proof of delivery, for items that total over £150 you will also need an online signature that proves delivery. You will also need to ensure that buyer uses a courier that paypal will accept.

Also remember that you will probably need to wait in between 8-6 for a courier.

Personally I would stick to special delivery and just drop it by the PO myself at my own leisure, but of course you may have more time than me.

max2009

This sounds very familiar to a scam someone posted about a few months ago.What are the goods concerned ?They could pay with a hijacked paypal account then have a friend collect the goods.

Scarlett.1974

Thank you very much for your replies, much appreciated.

I have a feeling the buyer is going to ask to complete away from ebay but tempting as that is (no fees etc) I don't think that would be a very good idea would it?

I think I'll just politely tell him I'd rather post myself, via SD.

The items are Wooden Thomas the tank engine trains and accessories. The items I listed last night have a retail of approx. £200+ and in total I have about £1000 worth - I was planning on listing it all individually and was hoping to make £300-£450.

Thanks again

kittycatty

Could you not suggest the your buyer pays via Bank Transfer?

Scarlett.1974

kittycatty wrote: »

Could you not suggest the your buyer pays via Bank Transfer?

Do you mean completing away from ebay and him paying by that method? Or still do the transaction via ebay and him pay that way?

Sorry, I don't know much about that method of payment - is it safe? There's no way he could reverse the payment once it's been sent is there?

Sorry for all the questions!

elainew

Bank transfer is so easy

missymugwump

I have organised my own courier before
Because I knew that I could get it collected cheaper than the seller was quoting
Also because I knew when it was being collected I had more control over when I got my goods

There may be nothing sinister in it at all
Does the buyer have good feedback ?
Are they a long term ebayer ?

ArmitageShanks

This questions comes up all the time, and for some reason always gets ridiculously over cautious replies.

If a courier comes you will almost certainly get a receipt/manifest with tracking.....so there is no issue.
DHL, TNT, DPD, City Link, Bus Post are certs.
FedEx, Parcelforce are very likely.

If they didn't have one to issue you can just refuse collection.

Scarlett.1974

missymugwump wrote: »

I have organised my own courier before
Because I knew that I could get it collected cheaper than the seller was quoting
Also because I knew when it was being collected I had more control over when I got my goods

There may be nothing sinister in it at all
Does the buyer have good feedback ?
Are they a long term ebayer ?

Yes, been a member since 2005, 100% (123) feedback and the last 3 items they've bought are similar to what I'm selling - so all looks pretty genuine doesn't it?

I think reading this board and reading about some of the awful scams and horror stories has made me a bit paranoid. But this (if it does all go to one buyer) will be the highest value item I've sold so I just want to make sure I'm covered as well as I can be

Jakg

It's not always a scam - I've done it because a 50 mile drive there and back for a box became a £7 DHL pick-up...