Should I accept cash?

RFW

Was the item listed as available for collection and is it something that would benefit from collection (ie expensive postage)?

I can't see why accepting cash would be a problem, make a specific appointment to suit you and have someone with you if you are nervous. I've had loads of collections and apart from people occasionally not turning up never had a problem.

For future reference you can block buyers without a Paypal account and if Paypal only and at a fixed price you can have instant payment set, so if a buyer has no Paypal account and/or cannot pay with Paypal the item remains listed and you never know about it.

Kellygiluk

d123 why is it a bit of a generalization?
What other reasons could there be?
Why should there be an element of trust in eBay? Many/most/all are strangers until they become regulars.
Though...I have sold to some wonderful people who I will happily send to before their payment clears,as I have conversed with them as (say) penpals & also their feedback speaks for them as a person & their honesty.
I am a very honest person & have never tried to diddle a buyer or seller out of their cash. I am not everyone,however.
ps...I Love what the Poster added to their question.
"Being A Nice Person Does Not Mean You Can Walk All Over Me"
Lol!!...Though,saying that....many people would see that & think that is exactly what they want to & can do.
Sad,but true.

vaio

Sellers accepting paypal on collected goods leave have no protection at all against non-delivery claims from dodgy buyers. Paypal will take the money back off you and you can do nothing.

I know you are obliged to offer paypal but if I was a seller I’d be tempted not to offer collection in my auctions, if a buyer want to collect then we can agree it separately with their side of the agreement being cash on collection.

d123

Kellygiluk wrote: »

d123 why is it a bit of a generalization?
What other reasons could there be?

I don't mean this in a bad way, but you do understand what I mean by generalisation? (no "z" unless you are American ). Your comment that anyone who pays with or accepts cash from an Ebay sale is "naive, dodgy or just willing to take a chance", and that is patently untrue, many experienced, trustworthy Ebay users will both buy and sell and use cash.

Kellygiluk wrote: »

Why should there be an element of trust in eBay? Many/most/all are strangers until they become regulars.

There has to be an element of trust in every single Ebay transaction, the seller sends the item trusting that the buyer is not a scammer, and won't try on a dispute with item not received, or item significantly not as described, or even just from being paid with a hacked Paypal account.

The buyer has to trust that the seller will actually post the item once he has paid for it, and that it is as described. He also has to trust that the seller is not selling stolen goods.

I really cannot understand how you dont see what a large part trust plays in every Ebay transaction.

Kellygiluk

I didn't know that this part was a spelling test d123.
Why is it a bit of a generalization?
What other reasons could there be?
Obviously I know that selling is all a game of chance on eBay...it is less trust..more "hope" that the potential buyer just wants to purchase your item for a decent & honest price & appreciate the bargain that they have allocated & won the bid on.
eBay have changed the rules to accommodate the buyer. What protection do the sellers have now? This is why I originally posted a comment to shawtj2. It may be just my opinion,but eBay (& Paypal) will & do enforce their rules. Down to the very smallest of small print.
Say,if you sell an item at a good price,the buyer does not select insurance,the buyer states that the item has not been received,you only have proof of posting (which is not recognized by Paypal) Paypal refund the buyer their payment,the seller is the loser. This has happened to me twice. It is the chance that I take as a seller. It is not my trusting in my buyers in general...it is my hope & experience that most of them are "good'uns" & will play fair.
It is also my many years spent (boringly but to good use) trawling through & researching eBayers names,listings,feedback,items for sale,etc..that helps me know when to "trust" & when to keep an eye on (& bar) some profiles.
However,I cannot (& will not) ever deduce 100% the trustworthy from the not so.
Who can?
...And why should we trust & take those chances?

Claire2831

I think you are over thinking things and getting yourself in a panic. Perfectly safe to accept cash and most sellers would be delighted if they were offered this rather than having to pay paypal fees. If your not happy to do it then don't - simple :-)

soolin

TAKE THE CASH (and yes I'm shouting) don't think twice about it.

If you are unsure about dodgy notes buy or borrow one of those fraud detection pens they cost about £1 and are fairly reliable. Have someone with you in th ehouse and make sure you are comfortable with the time of colelction.

Anyone with an item to be collected is usually desperate for cash due to the well known and unfortunately non uncommon paypal scam as mentioned above.

little_evo

Yes, I say accept the cash too and save yourself time for wrapping the item up and standing in the post office and paypal fees and the time it takes to transfer that money into your account. Any time someone collects from me I always make sure my husband is home too. Really it would be fine!

mrcol1000

Accept the cash. Just make sure its genuine notes. You can buy those pens that check the notes if your that worried. Forgein buyers without paypal often send me english money. Just make it clear to the buyer that your not be held responsible for lost money in the post. To be honest if they are UK buyer they could always go down the post office and get a postal order. It would be much safer for them plus they can see if you have cashed it.
Just don't ever put you accept cash on your listing as Ebay will remove it unless its collection only.
I once had this buyer who sent me the exact money in cash for the item minus the postage cost and an envelope with the exact postage needed to send the item on.

Meadows

As previous posters have said accept cash, if you only take PayPal and the buyer picks up the item you have no tracking in place.
They can take the goods get home and put in a none delivery claim, as there is no tracking of the item PayPal would give the buyer their money back and you are left with no money & no item.