Watchers asked a question I need ur help for my reply PLEASE. x

TheHacker

If you don't want home collection, you could offer to deliver it to them yourself (if they're close) at a reduced postal rate of course.

I just tell them my uncle, cousin, dad or brother will deliver

That's what I usually do.
Cash payment upon delivery.

black-saturn

I've sold a few things where the buyer has collected from me in person. It's usually a very quick process of saying hi, swapping money for item and saying bye and thats it. It all happens on the doorstep. Then you usually get your feedback as soon as they get home. The items in question were old photographs or books about the town I live in therefore it was inevitable that someone from this town might buy them so I was prepared for the fact that they might want to collect in person. Afterall if you bought an item from someone who lived right near you wouldnt you rather collect it yourself than pay for the postage?

ed2712

Thanks everyone - as every you have been great - ive posted the response, I kept it short and just thanked them for their interest and explained that I only post out.

Thanks again.

black-saturn

black-saturn wrote:

I've sold a few things where the buyer has collected from me in person. It's usually a very quick process of saying hi, swapping money for item and saying bye and thats it. It all happens on the doorstep. Then you usually get your feedback as soon as they get home. The items in question were old photographs or books about the town I live in therefore it was inevitable that someone from this town might buy them so I was prepared for the fact that they might want to collect in person. Afterall if you bought an item from someone who lived right near you wouldnt you rather collect it yourself than pay for the postage?

In fact one of the buyers was a collector of old photos of this town and gave me an old photo of my road, with my house on it in the Victorian times for nothing. It's now on my wall in a frame!

UKays_Finest

I mainly buy items on ebay (never sold anything) and many times ask the seller if collection is an option. However, I never intend to actually collect the item, but just want to gauge their response.

This is to see whether the seller is indeed genuine (especially when dealing with high value electrical goods) and is done when I'm not entirely satisfied about the seller's intentions and/or their feedback.

I've now come to the realisation, after reading this thread, that this may not always be the best idea. Genuine sellers may just not want buyers coming round and picking up the goods in person.

appleblossom

I have had home collections as both a buyer and seller, but I think the one that took the biscuit was someone selling some perfume and she lived 5 doors away from me (although I didn't know her), I asked if I could collect (as you would being that close!!!) and she said no!!!! I wasn't going to bid, but no-one else did so got it cheap even with postage BUT, after paying by paypal, she then WALKED round to my house and hand-delivered it through the letter box!! IIRC it was about £4 postage, so not bad for a walk that took less than 2 minutes there and back!!!

boiler_man

When buying more expensive items, I would always prefer to arrange to collect the item in person. Much better than sending off your money & not receiving anything. Also paying in cash means that the seller has peace of mind.

cafenervosa_2

UKays_Finest wrote:

I mainly buy items on ebay (never sold anything) and many times ask the seller if collection is an option. However, I never intend to actually collect the item, but just want to gauge their response.

This is to see whether the seller is indeed genuine (especially when dealing with high value electrical goods) and is done when I'm not entirely satisfied about the seller's intentions and/or their feedback.

I've now come to the realisation, after reading this thread, that this may not always be the best idea. Genuine sellers may just not want buyers coming round and picking up the goods in person.

Yea I doubt you would get the best reaction from me about home pick ups but I am a very good and genuine seller, so I don't think its the best way to judge.

blue_haddock

I'm only a light user of ebay and most of the things i've sold have been big heavy car parts such as a set of alloy wheels. I always state that they are collection only and cash on collection. So far i've had no problems.

I've also bought a few things on ebay and collected them without a problem although they too have been heavy/bulky items.

gromituk

I don't think anyone has mentioned the fact that people often want to collect to avoid the ridiculously-overinflated postage charges some sellers slap on things, to mislead and to avoid eBay fees. No wonder these people don't want buyers collecting from them!

And there is also a healthy dose of paranoia here. I guess it's a reflection on society that so many people are so frightened of having "complete strangers" visiting them. Some good cases have been made - single females with front doors shielded from the street, for instance - but there doesn't seem much logic in some people's unease at "complete strangers" who aren't complete strangers anyway - they have eBay accounts with details that can be traced. I suppose some of these people are the types who won't use public transport or walk anywhere in case - shock horror - they should have to interact with another person.

And as for the "eBay is full of timewasters who just ask questions" argument - has the poster not considered that these people who ask questions may go no further because they don't get the answer they are hoping for, or are usually bidding in auctions where the price makes all the difference between whether they want the item or not?