Collect in person for really small item, .99p

CelticWriter

What are peoples views on a buyer asking to collect in person on a small very lightweight item and won for 99p on eBay?
Are they being really cheap misers?? or is it a reasonable thing to request of a seller??
I've allowed a buyer to collect a .99p item in the past, (despite having no mention of collect in the description and a reasonable postage cost listed) but felt kind of embarrassed at the door being handed a pound coin ( a 1p profit...yay!!) on reflection I think perhaps it's better to save collection in person for large awkward items, but is there an 'etiquette' as such?

Rosemary7391

I've collected 99p items before - because I wanted it quicker than post would get it to me. I checked with the seller that I'd be okay to collect it so soon before I bid though.

porto_bello

I sometimes collect items that are difficult to post and/or time consuming to pack and once or twice they have been 99p - it's suited the seller as well as myself for me to collect.

However, if we're talking about something that can be easily and cheaply posted, I think your buyer is being unreasonable by expecting you to save them money and them cost you time and inconvenience.

CelticWriter

porto_bello wrote: »

However, if we're talking about something that can be easily and cheaply posted, I think your buyer is being unreasonable by expecting you to save them money and them cost you time and inconvenience.

The item in the past was some children's trousers, so yes, very lightweight and easy and cheap to post, I did feel after that they were being a bit miserly, and yes it was more inconvenient as I had back and forth emails about when it was convenient to collect and then a stranger turning up at the door and the handing over of the pound, not pleasant on the whole really...won't be doing it again except for as already said, items that are too heavy etc

CelticWriter

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

I've collected 99p items before - because I wanted it quicker than post would get it to me.

That I can understand and wouldn't have a problem with...it's someone not willing to pay for postage on a teeny item and their willingness to come knocking at my door to save a buck.

skivenov

I've won a few 99p items and collected in person. So long as it's worth it, I've normally given them a fiver or a tenner and told them to have a drink on me. Never know, it might work in your favour!

starrybee

Don't forget you'd be saving yourself 23p in Paypal fees!

martindow

Some light items are quite bulky and will definitely not be cheap to post if they need to go small or medium parcel.

CelticWriter

skivenov wrote: »

I've normally given them a fiver or a tenner and told them to have a drink on me.

Ah, so you're the Secret Santa

Road_Hog

CelticWriter wrote: »

What are peoples views on a buyer asking to collect in person on a small very lightweight item and won for 99p on eBay?

The top and bottom of it, is, it is your choice. Personally for 99p, I don't want someone knocking on my door in the evening, for an item that has virtually no profit in it and would struggle to be enough to buy a newspaper

Back in the early days (before ebay became a con merchant's paradise), I often used to deliver items personally - quite high value items - £400 ten years ago, even if they paid by paypal (and no proof of delivery)- I had a job that took me all over the country, so I could sometimes drop it off during the day.

Jeez, did I meet some specimens, Jeremy Kyle would have been embarrassed. Of course if someone is buying a decent value item and there is some profit in it, then collecting is fine, but no, I wouldn't come to the door for a 99p item, that I probably made 20p after fees.

jeffuk

What is it they say about looking after the pennies? I guess its about each persons level of customer service. I'd definitely be after saving the poopoo fees though, on a £0.99 item it could mean doubling the profit margin.