Bidder asking if they can collect item

dawnydee73

Someone has asked if they could collect one of my items (a few items of childrens clothes) I selling instead of paying P&P. This item is in an auction. I had a look at their feedback and there is 2 negs saying buyer asked to collect then didn't pay, so I sent a polite message back and refused.

But even if there wasn't 2 negs i think I would feel uncomfortable with strangers coming round to collect when I can post. What would anyone else do, would you accept people collecting items?? I know it save a buyer money.

tr03bor

i let people collect but its really upto you to be honest

dawnydee73

I live on my own with 2 kids, I am wary of people I don't know coming round

shelly

Its all down to personal choice. If you don't feel comfortable either having people come to your door or meeting them in a safe place then you are well within your rights to refuse collection.
Hubby has collected from sellers before with no problems at all, but we have never been asked if someone can collect from us so don't know what we would say!

Also I think you did the right thing since they have 2 negs for non collection and non payment.

martindow

It's your choice; if you don't feel comfortable with it say no. If you do decide to agree to it, insist on cash as there will be no postage receipts or carrier's note to prove delivery and devious people could claim a paypal refund.

dawnydee73

martindow wrote:

It's your choice; if you don't feel comfortable with it say no. If you do decide to agree to it, insist on cash as there will be no postage receipts or carrier's note to prove delivery and devious people could claim a paypal refund.

And no paypal fees

Hermia

I state that I won't allow collections on my auction pages. I've had bad experiences in the past with people collecting. One guy turned up drunk. One contacted me prior to bidding and asked if they could collect, I said okay but warned them that I worked long hours. They won and then said they could only collect between 5-5.30pm and got in a mood when I said I wouldn't be in! I live on my own so don't particularly want to have strangers turning up at all hours.
I also won't agree to meet people outside my home as people ask to meet in such stupid places. The last one asked to meet me at my "local" airport. It would either cost me a fortune driving there because of the car parking charges or would take me a couple of hours to get there on two buses. Yeah, that's really worth my while for a £10 item!

chinagirl

I would welcome a buyer opting to collect in person. It would save me packaging up the item and going to the post office to post it. Also, it would be cash on collection, straight into my palm, rather than Paypal or having to pay in a cheque and wait until it has cleared.
Also, I would want to collect goods I had won if the seller lived nearby! Can't see why anyone would object to this at all?

skdotcom

I've had two local buyers collect items from me with no problems. I'd insist on cash though.

FloFlo

Just politely refuse, I don't allow collection, I have been asked once and I said sorry I would rather stick to the terms in the auction. Buyer should have asked before bidding.

demonblade

i have had a few who came to collect, but they were all high priced items, usually above £100. No problems so far. However for lower priced items, i would not recommend it. Cash is much better than paypal.