How to politely tell an ebay buyer they can't pick up

sarahevie

Just sold a couple of children's items on ebay. No collection option as I have had past problems with it.

Anyhow auctions has just ended I get the 'Let me no when I can collect as I live in xxxx (about 6 miles away).' That was literally the message.

Now I am going to let them collect. As I reckon I would just end up with a neg if I don't and it is fairly low value £11.60 - minus fees.

I'm just having a little rant, why do people assume they can collect just because they live fairly close by. No collection option, no message during auction. Just the assumption that we won't mind.

JPS29

You could reply with "thanks for the purchase. But we have left the parcel with relatives to dispatch as we are away etc (insert your excuse) and wouldnt like to trouble them with collections, therefore please let me have your addres and Ill make sure they get them to you asap.

System

Did they pay via paypal ? If so just post them to the address supplied.
I had the opposite problem i was selling a very heavy item as collection only and got 3 messages asking how i would get the item from my area to over 200 miles away !!

soolin

I always find a simple 'sorry but I do not allow collection ' suffices if I don't want to risk the paypal scam- and toys are actually a highly scammed area (some people have no shame). Or say as a one off offer as you normally can;t allow collection you will do so if they are happy to pay by cash, otherwise if they could pay the full invoice you will post it Tuesday.

sarahevie

They haven't paid yet because they want an invoice without postage on it.

JPS29 I really like your excuse one.

Soolin your point seems a good one, it was more that I wanted the message to get out that buyers shouldn't assume that they can collect just because they live x miles away from seller.

soolin

sarahevie wrote: »

They haven't paid yet because they want an invoice without postage on it.

JPS29 I really like your excuse one.

Soolin your point seems a good one, it was more that I wanted the message to get out that buyers shouldn't assume that they can collect just because they live x miles away from seller.

Tell them then that they don't need an invoice as you assume they will 'of course' be paying by cash if they want to collect, but if they do decide they prefer to use paypal then go ahead and pay the invoice in full. Do NOt send a revised invoice and remove the postage.

Crowqueen

sarahevie wrote: »

They haven't paid yet because they want an invoice without postage on it.

JPS29 I really like your excuse one.

Soolin your point seems a good one, it was more that I wanted the message to get out that buyers shouldn't assume that they can collect just because they live x miles away from seller.

I've certainly asked about it in the past - the only thing someone can say is no.

I'd normally do it before bidding though.

Just keep the refusal polite and don't make too many excuses. When I do that there's always a response to the excuse, and I feel uncomfortable lying sometimes.

custardy

as said just tell them you dont offer collection
I never assume collection is available unless its offered
If i havent asked before bidding and win then I'll message the seller and ask about but say Im happy to pay postage if its not convenient
I offer local coolect on most of my stuff and for certain things I'll deliver them myself within the city

hermum

If you give in and allow collection, offer them the choice of a couple of days-times that are suitable for you & which most people could make.
I would then put in your listings that you can't allow collection on items.
I do the same as custardy both on stuff I've bought & selling.

sarahevie

I always intended to let them collect, as I don't want to ruin my 100% feedback. I'm also happy to risk a scam on an £11.60 item

Just was a bit narked by the message and the assumption that people can just 'collect.' There was no 'free local pick up' offered.

hermum

sarahevie wrote: »

I always intended to let them collect, as I don't want to ruin my 100% feedback. I'm also happy to risk a scam on an £11.60 item

Just was a bit narked by the message and the assumption that people can just 'collect.' There was no 'free local pick up' offered.

I wouldn't send an invoice then I would let them know that you expect cash on collection.
I always ask if I can collect, a couple people have said no, which is fine. I ask though before I bid as sometimes the cost of p&p makes it too expensive.