Gumtree, where do I stand?

jadelois

Hi all, I sold a bike before Christmas to a guy who contacted me through my Gumtree ad. He paid promptly and said a courier would be arranged to pick the bike up (he was hoping to have it in time for Christmas), we stayed in on the day stated but no courier came and he contacted me to say it was too close to Christmas and he would arrange for after new year.
In short we took the bike to work in case the courier came without notice and I have emailed numerous times, sometimes I get a reply and other times I don't. Last I heard a courier was due on the day the guy had contacted me (he apologised for short notice) however no courier turned up within work hours and no notice was left to say anyone had tried to pick the item up, I put it down to bad weather (snow at the time) contacted the buyer to state it hadnt been picked up and asked him to let me know what the score was. I havent heard anything since (its been a fortnight).
My issue is where do I stand? At the moment I cannot afford to refund him the money, plus the bike has been dismantled and packaged ready for a courier to collect. He is more than welcome to get the bike its not that I am going back on my word but I dont feel comfortable in having someones money for something they dont have.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

unholyangel

Via what method did he pay you?

Perhaps research how much courier fees are, contact him and advise if he forwards you the money, you'll arrange it on his behalf? Does he perhaps work out of the country? Often people who do are hard to get a hold of even when they're home as when they're home, they're trying to deal with their affairs, visit friends/family etc.

jadelois

From what I can tell he lives and works about a 3 hour drive. If it was closer I would just drop it off free of charge but I cant afford to do this. He paid via Paypal (this is also a concern can he just say I havent given him the item and get the cash back cause then i'll end up in debt) I will try to contact him and see if I sort out a courier whether he will pay for the postage up front.

wealdroam

jadelois wrote: »

He paid via Paypal (this is also a concern can he just say I havent given him the item and get the cash back...

Yes, that could be possible within 45 days from purchase.

As he made the purchase before Christmas, he is now outside that time limit.

bris

Don't worry about it, the money is your, he has no right to it back.

As long as you are prepared to hand it over to a courier (get a receipt) and hold on to it until it comes there will be no problem.

When you get fed up waiting for him to organise it, post back for more advice on how to dispose of his goods legally.