Sold a heavy item as "collection only" and buyer wants to arrange a courier

jitters

Hi all

I've recently sold a heavy item (a safe) and stipulated clearly in the listing and on the delivery options that I only accept "collection only".

The buyer has paid for the item through paypal and has now asked when I will be in to allow a courier to collect. I have emailed the buyer to say this is unnaceptable as it clearly states in the auction that I offer collection (in person) only.

What is the best course of action here? How do I resolve this?

soolin

Stick to your guns, explaint hagt you are not availble to wai tin all day for a courier and cnanot possibly pallet wrap or box this itme in any way suitable for a courier.

Collection items are notoriously difficult as if buyer refuses to collect all you can do is refund them, and potentially end up paying your FVfs regardless.

laurel7172

It might not be so bad. I sold a sofa recently-the buyer arranged a courier to arrive in a half hour time slot (before work). I said I couldn't wrap it, and that was fine. Why don't you see what the buyer has in mind before you decide?

sarahb

I had the same issue last week. In the end I refunded the Paypal payment and told the buyer if he paid direct into my bank account I would leave the item outside on the specified day (protected from the weather and not visible from the road) for collection by his courier (man with a van type not DHL).

Amazingly it worked out ok !

jitters

soolin wrote: »

Stick to your guns

Collection items are notoriously difficult as if buyer refuses to collect all you can do is refund them, and potentially end up paying your FVfs regardless.

I am and not because I'm trying to be difficult. As you see below I can't meet his terms...why don't people read?

I think I'm likely to lose the FVF, more worried about the potential negative feedback though.

laurel7172 wrote: »

I sold a sofa recently-the buyer arranged a courier to arrive in a half hour time slot (before work).

I'm not trying to be awkward. I leave my house for work at 6:30am and I'm lucky to be back before 7pm. Therefore I'm out when a courier would/could collect. Also, the last thing I want to have to do is sort out/wrap/hang around for a courier at the start or end of my long day!

The buyer has suggested that the courier collects from my place of work. Again, this is a moot point as I wish I had time to wait for a driver. The only reason I ever chose "collection only" is when I want to try and sell hassle free and/or have a bulky item...grr.

sarahb wrote: »

I had the same issue last week. In the end I refunded the Paypal payment and told the buyer if he paid direct into my bank account I would leave the item outside on the specified day (protected from the weather and not visible from the road) for collection by his courier (man with a van type not DHL).

Amazingly it worked out ok !

Glad that worked for you. I'd be worried as to what happens if the parcel 'disappeared' etc.

Off to cancel the transaction now. Nevermind.

Thank you for all your input.

pinkshoes

Personally I think you should allow them to provide their own courier, but ONLY if:

1. They give a 2 hour time slot.

2. The courier pays cash for the item.


That way, it really isn't any hassle.

techspec

I had the same problem last week. Unfortunately, buyers know if they pay with paypal then ebay will back them.

Ebay were not interested in the fact i put collection only - they insisted i post the item or get a strike for failing to honour an agreed sale.

I refunded the payment and after a 10 days dialogue with the buyer, which was annoying, they agreed to collect and pay cash.

In the end i got pos feedback and all was well - but i could have got a strike AND negative feedback for doing nothing wrong - its the Ebay way i'm afraid.

I'd stick to your guns and just appeal against any crap ebay throw at you.

If the buyer agrees to cancel the transaction - you get your fees back. May be worth a try - although my buyer DECLINED!!!

hcb42

sarahb wrote: »

I had the same issue last week. In the end I refunded the Paypal payment and told the buyer if he paid direct into my bank account I would leave the item outside on the specified day (protected from the weather and not visible from the road) for collection by his courier (man with a van type not DHL).

Amazingly it worked out ok !

I thought paypal wasn't suitable for pick up items, no trackable means of delivery...I always note it on the item, touch wood, not had any problems with people insisting on using it.

sarahb

hcb42 wrote: »

I thought paypal wasn't suitable for pick up items, no trackable means of delivery...I always note it on the item, touch wood, not had any problems with people insisting on using it.

It's not, but as you can't list even collection only items without Paypal as a payment option it's catch 22. As I told the buyer, in 10 years on ebay and dozens of items sold collection only he was the first to pull this stunt with me.

My listing stated quite clearly payment was cash on collection only but the buyer chose to ignore it. In the end I told him I would not accept Paypal due to the lack of seller protection and it was cash into my bank account in advance or the deal was off and I would just have to deal with the consequences.

soolin

hcb42 wrote: »

I thought paypal wasn't suitable for pick up items, no trackable means of delivery...I always note it on the item, touch wood, not had any problems with people insisting on using it.

Paypal requires a tracked method of delivery to be absolutely safe, but has been mentioned a seller cannot refuse to accept it in most categories. So a seller risks a genuine buyer who wants to maybe put a large purchase on a zero interest credit card who will refuse to pay cash, leave a neg and refuse to cancel the transaction...which leaves the seller paying all the fees.

It's all a gamble, you must set your own level of risk. Personally I am not too bothered with low cost items that can only be collected, the worst that can happen is that I lose a few pounds. However for expensive items I will either try to find a courier service so I can list with a courier (with collection as an option) or I don't sell it on ebay.

Hammyman

I fail to see the problem. What is the difference between waiting for a courier and waiting for the buyer? If it was my mate who had won it I can guarantee you that if he said he'd be there by 11am it'd be more like 3pm-4pm before he turned up. Many people are the same.