Selling a collection only item on ebay

SaverSavvy123

Hi, I am hoping that someone might be able to offer some advice before I make what might be a costly mistake. We are moving house in the next couple of weeks and have a large shed to sell as the new buyer does not want it. The shed is 8ft, by 11ft and is 12 ft high on the apex so it will have to be buyer dismantles and collects. I was just going to list the shed with buying through paypal as I have always thought this was the safest method of payment, however I have just read somewhere that there are scammers about on collection only items where there is no tracking available. So am I best to list it as Cash on collection, what does that mean about ebay fees,and when the item is won what happens next. Any advice on what I should be doing is gratefully appreciated. Sorry for being such a novice I have only sold a few items on ebay before and they have all been sent by parcel tracking (after son got scammed on an iPod they said they never received). TIA

wantsajob

Insist on cash on collection. If they're coming to dismantle it anyway, they can't really disagree with those terms.

soolin

SaverSavvy123 wrote: »

Hi, I am hoping that someone might be able to offer some advice before I make what might be a costly mistake. We are moving house in the next couple of weeks and have a large shed to sell as the new buyer does not want it. The shed is 8ft, by 11ft and is 12 ft high on the apex so it will have to be buyer dismantles and collects. I was just going to list the shed with buying through paypal as I have always thought this was the safest method of payment, however I have just read somewhere that there are scammers about on collection only items where there is no tracking available. So am I best to list it as Cash on collection, what does that mean about ebay fees,and when the item is won what happens next. Any advice on what I should be doing is gratefully appreciated. Sorry for being such a novice I have only sold a few items on ebay before and they have all been sent by parcel tracking (after son got scammed on an iPod they said they never received). TIA

Yes there is always the possibility of the paypal on collection scam, whether it really happens with sheds I couldn't say. However fi you sell on ebay you must take paypal if offered, so personally I think it might be better to try the local free ads where you can set your own terms and conditions.

If you do list on ebay then FVFs will be 10% plus if buyer pays by paypal you will have all the paypal fees to pay as well

soolin

wantsajob wrote: »

Insist on cash on collection. If they're coming to dismantle it anyway, they can't really disagree with those terms.

The problems is they can disagree and whilst the seller cannot be forced to sell they will end up landed with all the ebay fees still to pay, plus the possibility of a neg and poor stars and a non performing seller complaint.

It isn't only scammers who use paypal, some people might need to use it for cash flow problems as well.

wantsajob

Being in that position I am fully accepting of the cash flow issue. But if you could insist on cash only, then they just can't buy!

Didn't know you couldn't refuse paypal. Last time I sold, many years ago, there was a list and you could uncheck it if you desired. It's just a cynical ploy by ebay to make more money with their other business, Paypal.

They get paid for listing an item, final sale fees, and even take money for processing the payment. What a cushy business plan that is!

Surprised it isn't illegal under anti-competitive business practices legislation. There are other electronic money businesses and forcing people to use one!?!!!

soolin

wantsajob wrote: »

Being in that position I am fully accepting of the cash flow issue. But if you could insist on cash only, then they just can't buy!

Didn't know you couldn't refuse paypal. Last time I sold, many years ago, there was a list and you could uncheck it if you desired. It's just a cynical ploy by ebay to make more money with their other business, Paypal.

They get paid for listing an item, final sale fees, and even take money for processing the payment. What a cushy business plan that is!

Surprised it isn't illegal under anti-competitive business practices legislation. There are other electronic money businesses and forcing people to use one!?!!!

It isn't illegal and yes they do insist on paypal except for the motor vehicles category.

You can offer other choices, cash on collection, bank tansfers, cheques etc but a buyer always has the right to use paypal.

Things change all the time on ebay and if you don't sell very often it might pay to hve a good read up before you start listing again to make sure you see all the changes and requirements.

SaverSavvy123

Thanks for all your replies. My main worry was that if I accepted paypal and they then came and collected they could raise a claim saying they had not received the item. Paypal would then refund them as I would not have any sort of tracking confirmation and that would mean I would be without shed and without payment . Never sold anything this expensive on ebay before

Crowqueen

eBay isn't really necessary for this sort of item - a free-ads service is adequate.

You would be paying for an awful lot of services - such as national/international exposure - when the item would be likely to get a local bidder anyway.

Paypal isn't appropriate, or necessarily safe, but eBay is not the only or even the best option for everything. eBay have the right to do what they want on their site.

You, however, have the right to use someone else's site. The good thing is that the OP has thought about this before they are obliged to sell the item rather than afterwards.

Crowqueen

SaverSavvy123 wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies. My main worry was that if I accepted paypal and they then came and collected they could raise a claim saying they had not received the item. Paypal would then refund them as I would not have any sort of tracking confirmation and that would mean I would be without shed and without payment . Never sold anything this expensive on ebay before

Simplest thing then is not to. Use another site - there is no need to use eBay, see my post above. ^^^

In reality I suppose a shed is not the sort of item that attracts the scammers - but if there is a risk which you do not want to take, you don't have to take it.

SaverSavvy123

Crowqueen wrote: »

Simplest thing then is not to. Use another site - there is no need to use eBay, see my post above. ^^^

In reality I suppose a shed is not the sort of item that attracts the scammers - but if there is a risk which you do not want to take, you don't have to take it.

Thanks for your advice, I will look at the local ads as an option

Crowqueen

Good luck . I hope everything works out.