Allowing buyer to arrange courier?

chemical.galaxy

I listed a large item for sale yesterday for collection only and already 2 people have asked if they can arrange their own courier - is this a bad idea?!

No_Eye_Deer

It would be the same as any collection item. If you take PayPal you risk a INR case.

Their courier is unlikely to turn up with cash and you wouldn't be able to provide a tracking number.

It would depend on the price as to whether I took the risk.

soolin

chemical.galaxy wrote: »

I listed a large item for sale yesterday for collection only and already 2 people have asked if they can arrange their own courier - is this a bad idea?!

If you are happy to arrange safe boxing and packaging for an item and wait in all day for a courier then it is best to list with a courier option as you'll get more interest.

Allowing a buyer to arrange their own courier is the worst of all options, you have no contract with courier so can't check the packaging requirements easily, yet still remain responsible for damage or loss- and would probably struggle to claim since you didn't arrange it.

Crowqueen

Agree with Soo. The interest suggests it would easily go by courier and you need to take this into your own hands as you need the paperwork to make sure the item is delivered.

I listed something collection only once (prior to Paypal being made compulsory), it didn't sell, so I relisted it with a postage quote (which only turned out to be about a tenner) and it sold for £100+.

Strapped

Is this a bad idea? Yes.

demystified

Strapped wrote: »

Is this a bad idea? Yes.

...and yet, I've arranged this with a buyer and havn't had any trouble - the buyer had a good history of buying in this way mind. I was pretty insistent that they pay by some other method than PayPal (yes I know you can't stop them or insist they don't pay by PayPal but made it pretty clear I would refund if paid this way).

They paid by BT in the end. Having said that though it was a low value item.

George_Michael

and yet, I've arranged this with a buyer and havn't had any trouble

Many people have used Royal mail to send expensive mobile phone overseas and never had a problem with them going missing,

and many people have sold goods with a very high value and which are highly "scammable" to newly registered ebayers and didn't have a problem,

and many other people have bought very expensive mobiles and similar items from ebayers with zero feedback and have never had a problem.


Just because some transactions go through without a hitch, doesn't mean that all of them do, and as the old saying goes "forewarned is forarmed"

chemical.galaxy

Thought it wasn't a good plan... I normally arrange the courier myself but this is so big I just don't know where I will get a decent box for it!
Was £100 new so not expecting to make a fortune!

soolin

chemical.galaxy wrote: »

Thought it wasn't a good plan... I normally arrange the courier myself but this is so big I just don't know where I will get a decent box for it!
Was £100 new so not expecting to make a fortune!

If you can't box it then best refuse offer of a courier and stick to collection only

vicx

chemical.galaxy wrote: »

Thought it wasn't a good plan... I normally arrange the courier myself but this is so big I just don't know where I will get a decent box for it!
Was £100 new so not expecting to make a fortune!

How big is the item? Could you not join a few boxes together? I often have to cut boxes down as they are too big for the item or join two together with strong packing tape.

chemical.galaxy

vicx wrote: »

How big is the item? Could you not join a few boxes together? I often have to cut boxes down as they are too big for the item or join two together with strong packing tape.

Yes I thought of that - it is 140 cm length, 71 width and height. And around 15 kg.
I have packed and posted all sorts of items but this one is a bit of a hassle as it could be damaged if not properly packed! Think I will stick to collection only!