collection

soolin

I've started advertising that as well as full postage I will also allow collection on my items if pre arranged and if they bring cash. I rarely list as collecition only except for items that I cannot possibly pack.

I've noticed a huge upturn in the number of people collecting, I'm a tiny seller really but am having people collect now about twice a week and it is a lot easier than posting it all!

hermum

soolin wrote: »

I've started advertising that as well as full postage I will also allow collection on my items if pre arranged and if they bring cash. I rarely list as collecition only except for items that I cannot possibly pack.

I've noticed a huge upturn in the number of people collecting, I'm a tiny seller really but am having people collect now about twice a week and it is a lot easier than posting it all!

And the added bonus of not needing scissors, or did yours turn up?

soolin

hermum wrote: »

And the added bonus of not needing scissors, or did yours turn up?

Nope, I'm just waiting for the feedback now asking why i sent them scissors.

I do feel like del boy though giving over furtive bags or boxes of stuff for cash at the door. It is just another of those odd co incidences that everyone seems to want to collect at the moment. No doubt this craze for collection will carry on for a while and then suddenly I won;t get another single enquiry for years.

hermum

I'm usually more than happy to allow collection on my things. I figure that if someone's got £10 to spend, I'd rather it was spent on the item rather than postage.
I asked about collecting something this week that I was interested in that had £9 p&p, the sellers said no, which is their choice.
I bid the £11 something I could afford when added to the p&p. I didn't win it but it would have been interesting to see whether at £20 something I would have, there were only 2 bidders.

soolin

It is interesting though that there are obviously a lot of sellers that still charge postage or packing or a collection fee when someone collects. At least half, probably more of my people collecting double double check that they will only be paying the item cost. When they come and hand over their money more than a handful of them have mentioned how nice it is that a seller doesn't try to add 'extras' at the door. I can only assume that it means that previously they have been asked to pay more than item cost.

MissGivings_2

The only trouble about 'collection' for me is people turning up at our rural spot!
So instead we list items with my husband's work location, he takes the item, meets the buyer at lunchtime, deal done.
We've often been able to deliver items to people at weekends too, while we're gadding about, because we live centrally.

Being a musician, it's also really helpful when it's an electronic instrument etc to be able to discuss the use of it with the buyer so they're 100% happy. That pleases me no end.

Since we started with our system it's opened up a whole other way to sell awkward, larger items with no faffing about with couriers and packaging. Wonderful.

martindow

Is there no risk that Ebay might frown on this as your listing asking for cash on collection contravenes their policy that Paypal must always be offered?

hermum

martindow wrote: »

Is there no risk that Ebay might frown on this as your listing asking for cash on collection contravenes their policy that Paypal must always be offered?

You can ask for payment on collection, if it's something that can be posted you would then post it if paid for by Paypal.
I've never had an issue with anyone paying by paypal & wanting to collect.
From ebay help pages
Pay on collection
In addition to other allowed payment methods, sellers can also offer this option.
Advantages
√ Opportunity to inspect item in person at time of payment
√ Saves effort and cost of postage.
√ Buyers may choose whatever payment method seller specifies in the listing, including cheques, postal orders, cash, PayPal, or credit card.

I don't however sell any of the more commonly scammed items.

chickaroonee

I've had a couple of phone calls recently from people asking if they can come and buy an item that day (I sell things that people tend to want quite quickly), using my phone no off my business contact info. I get to sell off ebay for cash and they're happy too - although I do know it contravenes ebay's rules! Have a repeat customer for Mon as well, haven't even had to list that item on ebay.

I used to worry about putting my phone no on listings but I'm glad I do now.

MissGivings_2

martindow wrote: »

Is there no risk that Ebay might frown on this as your listing asking for cash on collection contravenes their policy that Paypal must always be offered?

eBay changed the rules to add the wording 'Cash on Collection' to the auction listing. Pay Pal is of course still offered as it must be.

If they choose to pay by PayPal of course that's fine, but most people we're selling to have chosen to pay by cash.

MissGivings_2

#9 'I get to sell off ebay for cash and they're happy too - although I do know it contravenes ebay's rules!'

While the rest of us pay our final value fees like mugs?