Weird eBay request (I think!)

meerustar

I'm selling something on eBay that isn't that expensive (I don't think so anyway, a concert programme from the 60's) but not massive money.

I've just had a message from a buyer .........

'I would like to bid very high on this, but on one small condition: I will provide a SAE (stamp addressed envelope) so you incur no p&p charges, also no postage fees deducted by eBay or Pay Pal. Under eBay Terms I will be blocked from grading your shipping costs. Shall I go ahead & bid? '

What is the point of this? It's only a light item, postage not very high and does state that the seller will have to sign for delivery (I do that with everything I sell now)

So why the postage question? Is it a scam I am unaware of?

Thanks

RFW

The only 'good' reason I can think of is if it's a collectable item and the buyer has a special envelope that would ensure it arrived in one piece.
You can still upgrade to tracked post and/or get proof of postage, so ensure the address on the envelope is the same as the Paypal address.

Thinking on, you could ask that the buyer send payment by cheque or postal order with the sae, then there is less risk.

TKPeters

Ask them what they're willing to pay [& you can remove it from eBay], if it indeed is more than you expect,
tell them to send a cheque / Postal Order etc with their SAE & once its cleared you will send the goods.

If its a Paypal payment the address on Paypal will need to match the address on the SAE & send it via Signed For / Special Delivery if using Paypal.

cootuk

They probably hope you wont get proof of posting or send it tracked, so they can claim NIR. Seems fairly pointless for a low value sale though.

aeb_2

I had a similar sale.
It was a catalogue and after winning the buyer asked me for my address so he could send me his 'special packaging' with postage on it. When it arrived it was two sheets of quite thick corrugated plastic inside a card lined envelope (the kind photos are sent in). He had added the correct postage and I returned it and he was happy.

I used the postage he had paid me to buy 'signed for'

He said he collected mint copies and had been disappointed previously when a copy which had been mint for 40 years had been damaged through poor packaging.

Your buyer seems to be making it complicated

meerustar

Thanks everyone, I think I'll just let it run it's course and if he wins, then I'll sort out postage.

hollydays

People who ask specific questions are often never heard of again.

meerustar

I found this last night on eBay. An old thread but the wording is exactly the same .... so I've blocked the buyer just in case!

http://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Archive-Seller-Central/Buyer-wants-to-send-SAE-instead-of-paying-P-P/td-p/398591

SpammyTheSpammer

Let them buy & pay and send you the "approved" package

Do not post but take it to the Post Office and get them to put a RECORDED AND TRACKED label on it and pay them the extra £1.10.

That will fix that eBay members little red wagon, no INR after that....

jeffuk

SpammyTheSpammer wrote: »

Let them buy & pay and send you the "approved" package

Do not post but take it to the Post Office and get them to put a RECORDED AND TRACKED label on it and pay them the extra £1.10.

That will fix that eBay members little red wagon, no INR after that....

That will not stop neg feedback and low stars though, which is what this buyer does if the seller does not play ball.

jeffuk

meerustar wrote: »

I found this last night on eBay. An old thread but the wording is exactly the same .... so I've blocked the buyer just in case!

http://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Archive-Seller-Central/Buyer-wants-to-send-SAE-instead-of-paying-P-P/td-p/398591

Nice find Meer, definitely one for the BBL, feel free to Pm me the buyers ID as I sometimes sell memorabilia myself.