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Anyone been asked to package an item listed as collection only?
caringa
Posts: 676 Forumite
Just wondered what anyone else would do - listed a complete stereo system including speakers on ebay for collection only. They are old but working. Sold for £10.50 - buyer requests that I weigh them as using a courier to collect as he lives about 200 miles away. Firstly it will be difficult to weigh them as they are so large and heavy. Secondly I now have to find a huge box and package them up. I have said I will try and weigh them but will have to charge extra for the time spent doing all this. Buyer has agreed. First question - what do I charge him and secondly, is his request unreasonable?
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Only allow a courier if they pay via bank transfer! Or courier brings cash.
Will the courier offer a two hour collection slot or are you willing to sit in all dsy?Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')
No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)0 -
Sometimes I will do this, sometimes I decline and relist- depends on how I'm feeling and whether or not I want the hassle in order to complete the sale. I'd say it's up to you - you've listed as local collection only(thereby limiting your number of potential bidders), and presuming they didn't contact you do see if you minded the hassle of packing up and dealing with a courier before they bid, then I'd say you decide if you can be fagged. Mind you, I'm very small beer on ebay - we do only use it for getting rid of extra stuff that's lying around, and haven't done much in the last year or so. I'm aware things may have changed, but can't imagine that if you decline to service the courier request you can actually be forced to do so.Reason for edit? Can spell, can't type!0
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Sold for £10.50 - buyer requests that I weigh them as using a courier to collect as he lives about 200 miles away. Firstly it will be difficult to weigh them as they are so large and heavy. Secondly I now have to find a huge box and package them up.
Weigh them first using bathroom scales. Weigh yourself and yourself+each package and calculate difference. Use this plus a safety margin to quote the weight to the buyer.
No need to box them - just wrap the separate pieces in a deep layer of bubble wrap, bound with vinyl parcel tape. Nobody says you have to use 'one big box'. I've received a delicate tape deck through the Royal Mail wrapped like this, and it works. About 6 or 7 inches' worth around the equipment should do. Only do this once the buyer has accepted your weight quote and confirms the courier is coming.
Once your buyer gets a courier quote, which is bound to be much more than the cost of the item, he/she WILL decide it's not worth it for a £10.50 purchase and WILL want to cancel the sale, I promise you..... so don't put too much effort in upfront.
If it goes through, I'm sure the courier will give you a receipt/slip which proves they went away with the item, but there's no harm in asking the driver for an extra signature on a receipt that you type up (or print from eBay/Paypal) to acknowledge they have it, and also no harm in taking a photo of the courier with the items in hand as they leave. All will help as proof if there's any later dispute.
Make it clear in future auctions that your collection option is for personal collection only?0 -
If it goes through, I'm sure the courier will give you a receipt/slip which proves they went away with the item, but there's no harm in asking the driver for an extra signature on a receipt that you type up (or print from eBay/Paypal) to acknowledge they have it, and also no harm in taking a photo of the courier with the items in hand as they leave. All will help as proof if there's any later dispute.
Make it clear in future auctions that your collection option is for personal collection only?
All of this is a total waste of time. If the buyer has paid by paypal and then claims item not received, all paypal want is online proof of delivery. Random photos and signatures are pointless as paypal cannot possibly verify who they are.
What you need to do is organise your own courier and refund and re-invoice the buyer the correct amount. This puts you back in charge of the sale.0 -
usefulmale wrote: »What you need to do is organise your own courier and refund and re-invoice the buyer the correct amount. This puts you back in charge of the sale.
... and when the buyer gets the (say) £45 invoice for courier over and above the £10.50 cost of the item, I fear they'll still want out..... which leaves the OP having wasted the time getting the quote.0 -
Weigh them first using bathroom scales. Weigh yourself and yourself+each package and calculate difference. Use this plus a safety margin to quote the weight to the buyer.
No need to box them - just wrap the separate pieces in a deep layer of bubble wrap, bound with vinyl parcel tape. Nobody says you have to use 'one big box'. I've received a delicate tape deck through the Royal Mail wrapped like this, and it works. About 6 or 7 inches' worth around the equipment should do. Only do this once the buyer has accepted your weight quote and confirms the courier is coming.
Once your buyer gets a courier quote, which is bound to be much more than the cost of the item, he/she WILL decide it's not worth it for a £10.50 purchase and WILL want to cancel the sale, I promise you..... so don't put too much effort in upfront.
If it goes through, I'm sure the courier will give you a receipt/slip which proves they went away with the item, but there's no harm in asking the driver for an extra signature on a receipt that you type up (or print from eBay/Paypal) to acknowledge they have it, and also no harm in taking a photo of the courier with the items in hand as they leave. All will help as proof if there's any later dispute.
Make it clear in future auctions that your collection option is for personal collection only?
Bad advice, not very MoneySavingExpert.0 -
usefulmale wrote: »All of this is a total waste of time. If the buyer has paid by paypal and then claims item not received, all paypal want is online proof of delivery. Random photos and signatures are pointless as paypal cannot possibly verify who they are.
What you need to do is organise your own courier and refund and re-invoice the buyer the correct amount. This puts you back in charge of the sale.
Good advice, be in control.0 -
... and when the buyer gets the (say) £45 invoice for courier over and above the £10.50 cost of the item, I fear they'll still want out..... which leaves the OP having wasted the time getting the quote.
Getting an online quote is easy, quick and, most importantly, won't cost £10.50. The OP is well on the way to losing that if they leave the buyer to organise a 'courier'.0 -
Ignore the bickering.
Ask yourself if you want to:
Pack the item.....
Stay in all day and wait for a courier who may not show....
Lose the seller protection eBay and Paypal give....
Pay the buyer when the courier loses the item....
Pay the buyer when the courier breaks the item....0
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