Uncomfortable with ebay question

fuzzgun19

What would you do?

I'm selling a camera on ebay, and I have a bidder who has bid twice, and is currently winning - they have 0 feedback. They are registered in London and I am in the north.

They have just emailed asking "hello is there any possibility to see the camera if i come to your place?"

I don't have a problem with someone seeing the camera, but feel uncomfortable with this question. I don't really want anyone coming to my house as I live on my own, and feel it's a possibility they could 'run off' with it if I met up with them somewhere.

I want to reply and say no, but put it politely.

Hammyman

If you are unhappy, say no. If you are suspicious about them, cancel the bids and alter the listing where it says "Bidder Requirements".

MissGivings_2

I sympathise with you if you don't want people coming to your home. I'm the same.

I'm finding it almost almost impossible to word a refusal politely!

' I'm sorry I don't want you in my home'
' I'm afraid my home is unsuitable' :(
' I'm alone here, so no' :(:(

'Are there any questions I can answer about the camera? I prefer buyers not to come to my home, if you don't mind.
'I hope you understand that I prefer buyers not to come to my home'
' I'm very glad you're interested in the camera but I would not be comfortable..:(

Anyway if you say no to him coming he might become a p**d off buyer, so I'd avoid the problem

If I was asked a question like this it would make me so uncomfortable because the reply's so impossible that I'd just cancel his bids, block the bidder, not communicate with him and hide my head under a pillow.

Others may reply with something more straightforward?

J_J_Carter

Cancel and block for your own peace of mind. Numpty question 99% means aggro sale.

kizkiz

I once sked about collection on an item and seller said that she was very sorry, but had had some bad experiences with people coming to her address and does not offer that service anymore. A simple reply i thought

RoscoeFoley

Well I would think about it like this. Would I travel possibly over 100 mile (or more) to see an item that may cost £100 or less. Depending upon what the item is, then it would have to be something special. I personally wouldn't travel far to check the condition of a camera unless it was a high end DSLR. Put yourself in their shoes and see whether or not you would ask the seller the same question. I would try and find a mutual point of contact away from your home and with lots of people around and a friend near by if anything got out of hand. If you feel that your safety and integrity is at stake then politely refuse the buyer but offer them an alternative. A skype conversation or more photos of the camera may work, although a bit extreme in some cases. Good luck!

hermum

Does your location show up in your listings?
I'd just say that you are sorry but you are unable to offer the service they're looking for, suggest that they look for one closer to home. Then cancel their bids & block if you feel that they're going to be a pain.

mardatha

Def dodgy, just say "no that would not be convenient at all I'm sorry". It's an odd request isn't it, a buyer normally wouldn't do that for a small item.

nikki1520

I'd just say that it wasn't possible as you are not at home at the moment. And your big doberman wouldn't know where you'd left the camera.

soolin

Don't make it complicated. Just tell them the truth ' I'm sorry but I am unable to offer a viewing or a collection service'.

fuzzgun19

Thanks for your replys. I'd say the camera is worth £200-300, and if I were in their shoes, I would not ask this question at all. I do find it odd too.

hermum wrote: »

Does your location show up in your listings?

My location just shows as 'North East'.

I'll use one of your polite answers, but if I block or cancel their bids, i'm just concerned they could create another account and wreck my auction, maybe i'm being paranoid lol.