Paypal collection scam - raising awareness with Facebook

StaffsSW

The age old problem of receiving payment by Paypal for a collection only item is still causing problems for many sellers.

There is a Facebook page set up that is canvassing consumer journalists to help raise the awareness of the problem, and hopefully encourage eBay/Paypal to amend their policies - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Stop-The-Paypal-Collection-Scam/129117560497720?sk=wall

pitkin2020

This is because ebay scaremonger new sellers (even some old sellers) into believing that paypal is the only safe method then don't actually back up the honest sellers. You only have to read this forum at times to see how some people have believed the paypal hype and are actually scared of taking cash.

suited-aces

Can I just run this past someone more experienced to make sure I'm not an idiot with unenforecable terms: when selling a collection only item, I offer postage/courier at cost (however much that is), and say "cash on collection welcome, but courier only for paypal"

Am I leaving myself open?

pitkin2020

If you are arranging the courier yourself and charging the buyer than thats ok as you have paid the courier so can prove postage and most couriers have online tracking for which you will receive all those details. So paypal is fine, also if its goes missing you can claim from the courier.

If you let the buyer arrange the courier and pay for it, then pay you via paypal for just the goods you can't prove postage as you have no payment receipt and the buyer will receive all the tracking details so you can't even check it unless they give the tracking code. You also can't prove it has been signed for upon delivery as you don't have the tracking details. The buyer could then do an INR and would very likely win as you have no proof. You also wouldn't be able to claim from the courier as they never formed a contract with you as your not their customer.

Personally I offer two payment methods. If the customer wants to pay via paypal then it will be shipped by my courier, if they wish to collect it or arrange their own courier I will only accept cash on collection. If their courier can't pay me in cash on collection then they can pay via BACS or a cheque that has to be cleared first.

Some will tell you that you can't refuse a paypal payment, which technically they are correct but you can refuse a courier sent by them or a collection, atleast giving them two options means they have the choice and if they HAVE to pay via paypal you have some protection using your own courier.

Oliver14

suited-aces wrote: »

Can I just run this past someone more experienced to make sure I'm not an idiot with unenforecable terms: when selling a collection only item, I offer postage/courier at cost (however much that is), and say "cash on collection welcome, but courier only for paypal"

Am I leaving myself open?

You are technically breaking ebay rules as you ae preferencing one payment method above another.

porto_bello

suited-aces wrote: »

Can I just run this past someone more experienced to make sure I'm not an idiot with unenforecable terms: when selling a collection only item, I offer postage/courier at cost (however much that is), and say "cash on collection welcome, but courier only for paypal"

Am I leaving myself open?

Ebay decree that you have to accept paypal as a form of payment. But in order to qualify for paypal's seller protection, you are directed to despatch via a trackable, signed for delivery.

So if you receive a paypal payment, unless you despatch it via trackable shipping, you are invaldating the terms and conditions. Therefore paypal is an impractical as a form of payment for a collected item.


I believe you are 'legal' if you:

• Highlight in your listing(s) that you are very happy to take paypal as a form of payment, and in line with paypal's requirements, will despatch items paid for via paypal, via trackable shipping.
• Additionally, if the buyer chooses to collect and since this will prevent you from despatching via trackable delivery, which would be expressly against paypal's t&cs, you additionally offer to accept cash on collection.

Expressed in this way, you are not refusing to accept paypal or stating a preference for a type of payment - far from it! You are simply offering to accept cash if the buyer wishes to collect, since paypal would be impractical as a form of payment.

pitkin2020

Oliver14 wrote: »

You are technically breaking ebay rules as you ae preferencing one payment method above another.

Far from it, he is giving the buyer the option of how they would like to pay for it. Paypal payment = Courier, cash = collection in person, the buyer can pay by either method and if the buyer wants to pay via paypal you are well within your rights to refuse collection. Collection is not a given right and paypal isn't the only payment method that has to be accepted but it does have to be offered.