Not sure how I feel about this

ballisticbrian

That's fair enough - there will always be persons with exceptional circumstances.

Personally, as a business seller, I started delivering local drops after something went missing between my local post office and the persons door. Their door was actually about 2 and a half minutes from my door.

I decided it was safer to do any myself and therefore better for the customer even though I am incredibly busy and could be spending the time polishing up my business.

porto_bello

In the distant past, I've delivered things locally by hand, but stopped after I realised I was leaving myself wide open to an INR scam.

Actually, I once attempted to deliver an item by hand and the buyer said that as far as they were concerned, me delivering cost me nothing , so they wanted the postage refunded ... So I took it to the item to my local post office and posted it to them! [That was back in the days when sellers could also leave negative feedback and before DSRs existed, so there was relatively little risk involved].

alykatz

porto_bello wrote: »

In the distant past, I've delivered things locally by hand, but stopped after I realised I was leaving myself wide open to an INR scam.

Actually, I once attempted to deliver an item by hand and the buyer said that as far as they were concerned, me delivering cost me nothing , so they wanted the postage refunded ... So I took it to the item to my local post office and posted it to them! [That was back in the days when sellers could also leave negative feedback and before DSRs existed, so there was relatively little risk involved].

Good point, i had forgotten about issues arising from this viewpoint.

ballisticbrian

In the distant past, I've delivered things locally by hand, but stopped after I realised I was leaving myself wide open to an INR scam.

You can still get people to sign for things you deliver and if they tried such a scam, wouldn't you take them to court?

Actually, I once attempted to deliver an item by hand and the buyer said that as far as they were concerned, me delivering cost me nothing , so they wanted the postage refunded

I wouldn't have done them the favour of supplying after that to be honest.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

alykatz wrote: »

So using your argument its ok for anyone to come and collect rather than having an item posted? Because if its ok for a seller to deliver then surely its ok for a buyer to collect, right?

Like i stated i wouldnt mind at all but there are vulnerable people out there who for whatever reason wont like it, im sure well all know someone who for whatever reason may not want this to happen[mental illness, vulnerability to name but a few.

Last I heard posties don't collect from your door...perhaps it's different where you are. And they deliver to vulnerable people just the same as non-vulnerable people.

15 miles there and 15 miles back even at a conservative estimate would cost [at 15p a mile in fuel] £4.50...so what exactly is the argument about it costing less to deliver by hand than posting?

Goldiegirl

I wouldn't mind if a seller personally delivered an item to me.

However, I would have appreciated it if the seller had phoned me first to make sure if it was convenient, particularly if it was a weekend or evening.

Also, I wouldn't expect to be charged for postage. I would have paid for a Royal Mail of courier delivery. If the seller took it on themselves to do the delivery, that's a decision they made without any request from me, so I don't see why I should pay for their petrol or shoe leather.

techspec

A few weeks ago i had a buyer in a seaside town i just happened to be visiting - and the item was with me. I thought about popping round - as i was staying on the same street. In the end, i posted it - and the woman as the PO commented it was only round the corner.

I have always thought i should probably have just dropped it off - but after reading this - arn't i glad i didnt. I even thought i could return the postage - but was still worried they would complain about me turning up at their house.

On another day - one buyer asked for a courier to arrive on Saturday at 12 noon - as that was the only time she was in. That was impossible - so i drove 40 miles each way to drop it off. I then worried about feedback - complaining about me dropping it off in person. I did not offer postage back on this occasion - as it barely covered the petrol.

Fact is - on Ebay, no way is the right way. Someone can always find a reason to moan - if they are that way inclined.

techspec

alykatz wrote: »

Ive seen a fair few on here over the years all agreeing that for various reasons its not ok for someone to call and collect an item when it was not a collection item .
Reasons have included a lot of people dont like the though of strangers knocking their door for safety or people who maybe for whatever reason vulnerable. Never once have i seen an op slated for asking do i have to let them come to my house when that option wasnt stipulated.

But now apparently it is ok for someone thats on the oposite end of the sale [ie: seller instead of buyer] to do this.

Personally this wouldnt bother me too much but i do appreciate that many others would not feel the same.

The only reason i don't allow collection - is that i have to wait in and they don't always turn up, or are late. Its not worth the hassle.

In this case - the buyer was not inconvenienced at all - and got same day delivery at no extra cost.

Also - buyers get to choose their sellers - and most take care reading feedback etc. Sellers have very little control over who is buying off them.

Chris25

I have had items delivered unexpectedly & think it's fine to pay the postage - you get it much more quickly & fuel costs money.

But, I do think that sellers should make contact first & make sure that it is convenient - or, at least deliver the goods into the buyer's hands, not to whoever opens the door - that could have been a surprise present spoiled.

techspec

Chris25 wrote: »

I have had items delivered unexpectedly & think it's fine to pay the postage - you get it much more quickly & fuel costs money.

But, I do think that sellers should make contact first & make sure that it is convenient - or, at least deliver the goods into the buyer's hands, not to whoever opens the door - that could have been a surprise present spoiled.

Then your sat around waiting for them.

You must have a great postman where you live - insisting on handing over to the named person only - do they ask for I.D or know you all personally