Selling a collection only item on eBay

gazfocus

I recently listed a PC for sale on eBay and put Collection Only and stated the item was for collection only in the description.

The reason for this is because a) I didn't want to accept paypal and b) the fragility of the item would make it more difficult to post.

Anyway, I received a few bids from local buyers as would be expected and then in the last 5 seconds, someone from 200 miles away bid and won the auction. I knew it'd be trouble but I emailed the buyer to ask when they would be looking to collect.

I got a reply the following morning saying that they would be looking to collect in the next couple of weeks and would be sending paypal payment in the next 2-3 days.

I politely emailed the buyer saying that I couldn't accept paypal as it was a collection only item and would be unable to wait for 'a couple of weeks' without any payment.

I had a fairly long reply from the buyer basically saying that collection only does not mean cash on collection and it's unfair to assume so. He also said that cash payment is not permitted on eBay as there's a chance I could take his payment then report him for not paying. He ended the email saying he still wanted the PC and would be willing to pay by bank transfer as HIS risk if I pay out of my own pocket to ship the item to him instead.

Now, am I the only one that sees how dangerous paypal on a collection only item would be? I mean, he could make payment by paypal, then he collects the item, then when he gets home makes a claim on paypal, then I would have no proof that the item was posted.

What should I say to the buyer because obviously I don't want to accuse him of attempting to rip me off.

scheming_gypsy

I always state cash on collection (even though it's not allowed blah blah and plenty of people will be along to tell me that); as eBay does state that you can put it on for 'payment on collection' and that you can specify cash as a payment option when goods are being collected.

Although in this case, i'd personally tell him to sling it. If he wanted to collect in a couple of weeks he should have messaged you first to make sure it was ok instead of just assuming you're ok to hold it until they can be bothered.

soolin

gazfocus wrote: »

I recently listed a PC for sale on eBay and put Collection Only and stated the item was for collection only in the description.

The reason for this is because a) I didn't want to accept paypal and b) the fragility of the item would make it more difficult to post.

Anyway, I received a few bids from local buyers as would be expected and then in the last 5 seconds, someone from 200 miles away bid and won the auction. I knew it'd be trouble but I emailed the buyer to ask when they would be looking to collect.

I got a reply the following morning saying that they would be looking to collect in the next couple of weeks and would be sending paypal payment in the next 2-3 days.

I politely emailed the buyer saying that I couldn't accept paypal as it was a collection only item and would be unable to wait for 'a couple of weeks' without any payment.

I had a fairly long reply from the buyer basically saying that collection only does not mean cash on collection and it's unfair to assume so. He also said that cash payment is not permitted on eBay as there's a chance I could take his payment then report him for not paying. He ended the email saying he still wanted the PC and would be willing to pay by bank transfer as HIS risk if I pay out of my own pocket to ship the item to him instead.

Now, am I the only one that sees how dangerous paypal on a collection only item would be? I mean, he could make payment by paypal, then he collects the item, then when he gets home makes a claim on paypal, then I would have no proof that the item was posted.

What should I say to the buyer because obviously I don't want to accuse him of attempting to rip me off.

Firstly the buyer is being unreasonable in expecting you to wait so long, the full NPB process on ebay takes 8 days so you could risk using that to your advantage.

However you are incorrect in your statement that buyer cannot use paypal and then collect, yes he can and ebay are very clear on that matter. yes we are all aware of the paypal on collection scam and th eonly way to avoid it is for high risk items to list as a an item that must be posted, but with the possibility that you will allow collection with prior agreement (as then you can ask for cash only and if they refuse you can stick to the auction terms and insist on posting it).

It is all very well for scheming-gypsy to say he sells with cash on collection only and to tell buyer to go away, but he has failed to mention that this could seriously damage your account. Obviously no one can force you to sell, but if you want a straght cancellation then you have to risk doing a mutual, and of buyer disagrees you get to pay all your listing and FVFs as though the sale went ahead, and you'll probably get a neg and low stars and possibly a non performing seller complaint.

If you try a standard NPB dispute then you are forcing buyer to pay by paypal to get the dispute closed.

fungus_2

If you agree to the paypal payment then you could always draw up a "receipt" with the item details and that it was collected by Mr X on such and such day and ask him to sign it when he picks it up checking it against his driver's licence/bank card for correct signature etc. You could do two copies and give one to him. Might give you peace of mind and keep things pleasant.

hermum

This buyer from the sound of it will pay by Paypal as soon as the NPB is opened.
I'd probably tell the buyer that it needs collecting by the end of the weekend as you can't keep hold of it any longer.

hermum

fungus wrote: »

If you agree to the paypal payment then you could always draw up a "receipt" with the item details and that it was collected by Mr X on such and such day and ask him to sign it when he picks it up checking it against his driver's licence/bank card for correct signature etc. You could do two copies and give one to him. Might give you peace of mind and keep things pleasant.

Paypal won't accept this as proof of delivery unfortunately.

soolin

fungus wrote: »

If you agree to the paypal payment then you could always draw up a "receipt" with the item details and that it was collected by Mr X on such and such day and ask him to sign it when he picks it up checking it against his driver's licence/bank card for correct signature etc. You could do two copies and give one to him. Might give you peace of mind and keep things pleasant.

No use whatsoever- paypal are very clear about the postal requirements. The full explanation is in this thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3146680

fungus_2

soolin wrote: »

No use whatsoever- paypal are very clear about the postal requirements. The full explanation is in this thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3146680

Thanks for explaining! I just read the thread. I'm very surprised there isn't official ebay/paypal paperwork you could print off and both sign for collection items.

soolin

fungus wrote: »

Thanks for explaining! I just read the thread. I'm very surprised there isn't official ebay/paypal paperwork you could print off and both sign for collection items.

The problem of proof would still remain even if there was downloadable forms. Paypal do not keep copies of signatures of photos of users, so who would be the one saying whether a signature on a bit of paper was the buyer, or a scam seller insisting item has already been collected as 'he has a bit of paper proving it'.

scheming_gypsy

soolin wrote: »

It is all very well for scheming-gypsy to say he sells with cash on collection only and to tell buyer to go away, but he has failed to mention that this could seriously damage your account. Obviously no one can force you to sell, but if you want a straght cancellation then you have to risk doing a mutual, and of buyer disagrees you get to pay all your listing and FVFs as though the sale went ahead, and you'll probably get a neg and low stars and possibly a non performing seller complaint.

.

Apologies... I only have limited internet quota time on the PC at work so I did the original post on my phone; that is what I do and not advice to other people.
although with the cash on collection only, i've changed the wording in line with eBay's help pages.

I now state that as per the information provided on
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/pay/accepted-payment-methods.html

The auction will be payment on collection and for this method, I accept cash.

Again... That is what I do and not for people to take as concrete advice on how to conduct their own sales. I also have 300+ feedback at 100% and my lowest star rating is 4.8 (private eBayer), so i can't be doing much wrong.

fuzzgun19

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

i've changed the wording in line with eBay's help pages.

I now state that as per the information provided on
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/pay/accepted-payment-methods.html

The auction will be payment on collection and for this method, I accept cash.

Again... That is what I do and not for people to take as concrete advice on how to conduct their own sales.

Have you ever been reported or listing pulled though?

I thought mentioning cash in the listing was not allowed, and that ebay could pull the listing?