What do I do? Buyer paid via paypal but wants to collect?

jenniferfluff29

Hi there

I normally post everything when selling on e-bay, so never came across this. I was aware that if someone is collecting in person, that I should only accept cash on delivery for collected items.

I listed the item with a P&P cost. Someone asked if they could collect, I said yes but would have to be cash on collection. I posted the question on the item page for everyone to see.

Another person won the item. I sent an invoice and didn't notice that there was the option to collect in person - long time since I listed anything.

The buyer paid the amount for the item only and asked to collect.

I have contacted the buyer to ask if he will pay on collection and I will refund the full amount via paypal. Am I allowed to do this? I did put in the questions section that it would need to be cash on collection but didn't add it to the person's invoice.

thanks for any advice

fluff

MORPH3US

AFAIUI if you list paypal as a payment option (which you have no choice but to do so) then you must accept paypal payment regardless of if the buyer collects or not.

I may well be wrong with this so i'm sure someone else can advise.

soolin

You may have a way out here as this is not a collection only item.

Email the buyer and explain that whilst you are happy to allow collection you will need cash on collection but if they want to pay by paypal then you will need the postage paid as you will need to send it tracked as per the auction terms.

jenniferfluff29

THanks soolin

I invoiced the buyer and let the bit in which said that the item could be collected.

The buyer then paid for the item only by paypal. I therefore need to do a refund. Can I do this now or wait for the reply from the buyer? What if the buyer won't accept a refund, do I have to allow them to collect even thought I will have no protection under paypal?

Althought I invoiced the buyer and included the collection part, I had posted in the questions section that the item could be collected but would need to be cash on collection.

Hopefully the buyer comes back and accepts the refund.

thanks

fluff

single_lonely

have heard this in the form of a scam???
buyers pays via paypal, collects item, but then put in item not received.
seller hasnt got a tracking number so paypal refunds buyer.

refund the buyer and tell them cash on collection.

soolin

single_lonely wrote: »

have heard this in the form of a scam???
buyers pays via paypal, collects item, but then put in item not received.
seller hasnt got a tracking number so paypal refunds buyer.

refund the buyer and tell them cash on collection.

The scam is well known but of course sellers must accept paypal when offered, that's why we are trying to help the OP here.

I think this case is slightly different and there may be a way out as the item was originally due to be posted. However even that won't guarantee that OP will escape without a neg.

OP, just refund the payment now, buyer doens't have to accept it just gets returned to them if you refund the original payment. Then raise another invoice with postage if they want to use paypal, that gives them the choice of paypal and postage or cash on collection. This is still not guaranteed and is risky, but i think you've got a case ebcause th eitem was originally to be posted and collection was offered as a favour.

Incidentally , how much is the item and is it a item that is likely to be scammed like electricals or prams/pushchairs? Also, are you posting it fully tracked?

I've got 2 items at the moment that are collection only, but they are both less than £20 and I htink it worth the risk of someone paying by paypal as they are not usually scammed items.

jenniferfluff29

thanks soolin

The buyer has got back to me. He will accept the refund. I think he is abit like me and got confused.

Thanks for your help. I will ensure that I watch out for this in future with people wanting to collect.

As a matter of interest, I normally only accept paypal with no collection and send everything by recorded delivery.

fluff

pitkin2020

Sounds like a genuine buyer willing to accept the refund and pay by cash.

The best thing to do for future is to remove the collect in person option, if they want to collect they will usually mail you where you can explain your happy for collection in person but payment must be made in cash. If they insist on paying using paypal then the item must be posted using a tracked service.

Your under no obligation to allow a collect in person, its not a given right to the buyer.