Advice Needed: eBay Seller Not Responding to Requests for Payment or Collection

Miss_Imaginative

I am attempting to sell a pair of Ikea sofas on eBay and now the auction has finished, I am having issues with the buyer and am in need of some advice from those more experienced with selling on eBay.

The auction ended last Friday. I sent an invoice to the buyer as soon as the auction finished with no avail. However, I appreciate it was a Friday and not everyone checks their emails frequently, so I waited until Saturday before sending a follow up message requesting payment so we could arrange collection (any time on the Saturday or it would have to be Friday (today) onwards).

I received a message late on Monday saying they would prefer to pay via cash - despite the listing stating payment by Paypal only - and that they could collect the sofas on Thursday. I responded saying that I would like payment by Paypal as specified in the advert before collection of the sofas and informed them that Thursday was inconvenient, but collection was fine any time from Friday (today) until Monday.

So here I am on Friday having heard nothing back from the buyer and I am uncertain what to do. Should I send them another message or simply open up a case in the Resolution Centre on eBay?

Any words of advice are much appreciated, many thanks in advance.

Mrs_I

jeffuk

Take cash much safer for you. Google "paypal collection only item" for details on the scam.

Brywalker

Yes. The buyer is doing you a favour by wanting to pay cash. Bite their hand off.

soolin

As above, take cash, you are just asking for trouble with paypal.

Have a read of the sticky threads 1) postage thread- which will explain why paypal on collection is a terrible idea. And 2) the problems with collection only items thread.

Miss_Imaginative

Thank you all for your very prompt replies!

Does taking cash upon collection not leave it open to the buyer trying to "haggle down" the price? That is my main concern. They have no reason to, the sofas are in immaculate condition and they are getting an absolute bargain. This is the first time I have ever sold something that has to be collected, so I'm sure you can understand my uncertainty.

Mrs_I

amerste

The price they bought at is the price you should receive in cash. Any problems you can report them as a NPB. Using PP with a collection item is leaving yourself open for trouble.

jeffuk

If they try haggling then you refuse to sell to them.
The problem with taking Paypal is the buyer can collect the item, then open an "Item not received" case, and Paypal will only accept online proof of delivery which you will not have.
Buyer will get a full refund and still have your item.
Getting them to sign a receipt will make no difference to Paypal.

soolin

Miss_Imaginative wrote: »

Thank you all for your very prompt replies!

Does taking cash upon collection not leave it open to the buyer trying to "haggle down" the price? That is my main concern. They have no reason to, the sofas are in immaculate condition and they are getting an absolute bargain. This is the first time I have ever sold something that has to be collected, so I'm sure you can understand my uncertainty.

Mrs_I

Your paypal fees will be hefty if these sold well, so even if they do try and haggle you down for cash- you'd probably still end up with more money! Have you actually worked out your paypal fees- which are of course in addition to the ebay ones.

Anyway, as has been said, if they don't want to pay the agreed price then tell them to walk away.