Buyer wants to pay by Pay Pal at Collection

Norfolk_Jim

Crowqueen wrote: »

So if it was listed as pick-up only, what did you expect people to do other than call round?

If you mention that you think they are going to do an INR on you, then you are just asking for trouble. Perhaps put it slightly more diplomatically if you must ask them if they wouldn't prefer paying by cash.

Well of course I expected someone to call around. What I wasnt up to speed on was that without an electronic proof of delivery I would be on a hiding to nothing if I was unlucky enough to fall foul of a rogue buyer. Seems a bit crazy that E-Bay have guidance on their seller pages about making items Buyer to pick up only, but wont accept any proof of collection other than an electronic receipt of delivery. Its a massive hole in E Bays T&C that makes sellers of large fragile items totaly open to defrauding - even more so since you have to accept Pay Pal.

Crowqueen

I agree, it was just a bit of an odd wording for a post about a collection only item.

It does seem crazy that there is this massive loophole staring them right in the face; there ARE genuine people who want to pay electronically and you have to be diplomatic about it, but then again the scam is one that is widely known and sadly more common than some other scams. You need to have your wits about you and make sure you do your homework before you list something.

gavjbrown

Norfolk_Jim wrote: »

I've sent them an e-mail pointing out as diplomatically as I could that as they'll collect the goods in person then Paypal wont offer them any extra protection, but as a seller I lay myself open to a INR claim as I would be unable to satisfy E-Bays rules of proof of delivery.
I've suggest a mutual cancelling of the auction.

Thats not correct. Paying by Paypal will give them extra protection.
i.e SNAD and INR should they wish to pull a fast one.

Only trouble that with a SNAD he would have to return it using trackable means.

To be honest if I was collecting something that was a few hundred pounds then I would like to use Paypal.

Norfolk_Jim

gavjbrown wrote: »

Thats not correct. Paying by Paypal will give them extra protection.
i.e SNAD and INR should they wish to pull a fast one.

Only trouble that with a SNAD he would have to return it using trackable means.

To be honest if I was collecting something that was a few hundred pounds then I would like to use Paypal.

Your right, I'm not being clear, what I meant was that paying with pay pal doesn't protect them from non delivery - its there in front of them and they are taking it away with them. SNAD, hard to claim if you've inspected the goods - though I suppose with e-bay they can just lie and say its SNAD even though they have inspected it in detail. The only reason I can see for insisting on pay pal for this is to do the INR scam.

Having said all that, the buyer (Who lives about 150 miles away) has been an e-bay member since 2001. Has bought 2 TVs in the last 2 years (and lots of motorbike spares) has a 155 stars rating and lots of good feedback (Though quite a lot of that is for 99p items) and they do live where their delivery address is - I checked.

So - An expensive lesson for me or my e-bay reputation trashed? I guess I'll just hope the buyers honest and is just nervy about buying expensive electronics from e-bay sellers in cash.

NOW - If I decided I'd had enough of e-bay and its ways - could I just close my account once his pay pal money hits my account? Or my Pay Pal account?

In the past I've refunded full costs any time a buyer was unhappy with anything, without question. Sometimes its cost me a fair bit and been a big disappointment. I really try to do the right thing by those who buy my things from me, But I have to say, horse - bolted - stable door - accepted - but finding out its like this has completely put me off. Back to the newsagents window & car boot for me.

Crowqueen

Yes, you could close it, but it would remain active for 180 days (I believe) to tie up loose ends and so on, and you would still owe fees. The buyer would still have protection through Paypal so it wouldn't change anything regarding the possibility of the scam still happening.

eBay is fine for postal items - you do know that you can reasonably ask a buyer to return an item before you refund them - so I would keep it open. You don't have to use it and I don't think the horse has bolted yet on this one. It's just the thought of the scam that bothers you, I agree with that, but you can't assume everyone's out to do you over. There are people like myself and Gav who would prefer to pay electronically for some goods. Being mostly on the other side of the fence, I can see your logic but disagree that this is a guaranteed scam.

real1314

Tell the buyer to bring 2 forms of ID incl photo ID and a bank card, note the details, get them to sign a receipt, check the signature.

If they try anything just respond that you will be taking the matter to the police as an act of fraud.

You might have to press the old bill to take it on, but it would fit within the fraud act.

mobile48

The above post helps you take action against the buyer in event of problems.

You may also think about what will help you take action against ebay and paypal in event of problems. For example ask ebay and paypal what you need to do to protect yourself. You are looking to be able to challenge any attempts to recover money. For example having to provide online proof of delivery for a item collected in person may be open to challenge as unfair.

soolin

mobile48 wrote: »

The above post helps you take action against the buyer in event of problems.

You may also think about what will help you take action against ebay and paypal in event of problems. For example ask ebay and paypal what you need to do to protect yourself. You are looking to be able to challenge any attempts to recover money. For example having to provide online proof of delivery for a item collected in person may be open to challenge as unfair.

What do you need to ask ebay or paypal about? It is all clearly laid out in the terms and conditions, why suggest that the oP makes themselves look foolish?

Ebay state that if you sell on their site you ust offer paypal - end of story so you have complied with that regulation.

Paypal say that their service is not suitable for items that cannot be posted and tracked online.

This is a Catch 22 situation, one set of conditions does not nullify th eother, so either don't sell large heavy items or be prepared for a bit of a worry if buyer insists on using paypal.

Norfolk_Jim

I've asked e-bay about this contradictory stance, especially as they have a help section devoted to "buyer to pick up" items and how to make your auction a buyer to pick up auction.
I doubt they'll answer me

mobile48

soolin wrote: »

What do you need to ask ebay or paypal about? It is all clearly laid out in the terms and conditions, why suggest that the oP makes themselves look foolish?

Ebay state that if you sell on their site you ust offer paypal - end of story so you have complied with that regulation.

Not sure why anyone would look foolish 99.99% of all calls to ebay are covered by the terms and conditions and having worked on a helpline this is nowhere close to a foolish call.

In the event of problems saying you were told something on a public forum may look foolish saying you asked ebay will not.