eBay - New User - Collection Items

szam_

Evening,

I'm very, very new to eBay and went to sell my large sofa due to having to move and wanting a smaller place.

I read the sticky on here regarding collection scams, so I thought I would speak to an eBay advisor regarding proof and protecting myself upon collection if the buyer opts to pay on PayPal. (I have the transcripts of the confirmation of what they have said)

He's said that I need to message the buyer after the collection has taken place, to confirm that the item has been received and that they are happy. I asked about a scenario where if I did this but the buyer declined to respond to any messages, I forgot to ask about a scenario where they did reply but flat out lied and said they did not receive the item that they'd have to collect or have a courier collect, and he stated getting a signature.

I'm thinking of revising the description to advise that if paying by PayPal, a signature would be required in order to protect myself, I'm not a business and therefore would like to ensure I don't get scammed as we really need to money to put towards a smaller sofa (but surely this can't be proof they or someone on their behalf have collected the item?). I will only communicate via. eBay messages in terms of collection date, time etc. as advised, for proof of intention.

I feel like putting cash only, but feel this may alienate people from bidding and haven't got too long to get rid. It also doesn't let me uncheck the PayPal option.

I'm not sure how a signature would suffice as proof that would protect myself, surely people could forge this kind of thing? Are there any ways to create a print out a form of some sort to get the signature and date on?

I'm actually kind of worried about being scammed now after realising how easy it is to do it as it seems buyers are heavily protected, so I'm just trying to cover myself as best as possible, but it seems really difficult to do so.

soolin

ebay have misled you, only tracking to the address supplied by paypal is good enough to protect yourself.

Even if ebay were right (and they are not) buyer could just open an INR in paypal anyway and get their money back that way.

The sticky thread is correct, it is entirely up to you whether you go along with eBay's suggestion or not.

I can't believe a sofa would go for very much at all, might it not be better to sell on a local facebook group- cash only and not involve other parties like ebay and paypal that have their own agenda?

Flyonthewall

szam_ wrote: »

Evening,

I'm very, very new to eBay and went to sell my large sofa due to having to move and wanting a smaller place.

I read the sticky on here regarding collection scams, so I thought I would speak to an eBay advisor regarding proof and protecting myself upon collection if the buyer opts to pay on PayPal. (I have the transcripts of the confirmation of what they have said)

He's said that I need to message the buyer after the collection has taken place, to confirm that the item has been received and that they are happy.

If they pay by Paypal then refund. State cash on collection only and if they refuse cancel the sale. You have to offer Paypal, you don't have to accept it.

No message needed, you know they have it! You'd have been there when they picked it up. You also know they're happy as buyers shouldn't take items they are unhappy with. Cash on collection is basically sold as seen. No refunds. The buyer has a chance to check the item over before they pay and take it away. If they don't then that's their fault/problem.

A message would mean nothing at all if they paid via Paypal and claimed item not received. You would need a tracking number with proof of delivery or you will lose the case.

I asked about a scenario where if I did this but the buyer declined to respond to any messages, I forgot to ask about a scenario where they did reply but flat out lied and said they did not receive the item that they'd have to collect or have a courier collect, and he stated getting a signature.

A signature means nothing at all from the buyer on collection. A signature from a courier to say they picked it up means nothing either, you need proof of delivery to win a case.

Never allow the buyer to arrange a courier! You should arrange it and that way you have the tracking number.

I'm thinking of revising the description to advise that if paying by PayPal, a signature would be required in order to protect myself, I'm not a business and therefore would like to ensure I don't get scammed as we really need to money to put towards a smaller sofa (but surely this can't be proof they or someone on their behalf have collected the item?). I will only communicate via. eBay messages in terms of collection date, time etc. as advised, for proof of intention.

Putting loads of terms in your listing will put people off. State cash on collection, but don't put any other terms.

I feel like putting cash only, but feel this may alienate people from bidding and haven't got too long to get rid. It also doesn't let me uncheck the PayPal option.

It may get rid of the scammers, but any genuine buyer who is willing to collect should be happy to pay cash. You don't want the scammers so no issue.

You have to offer Paypal, but as I said already, you do not have to accept it.

I'm not sure how a signature would suffice as proof that would protect myself, surely people could forge this kind of thing? Are there any ways to create a print out a form of some sort to get the signature and date on?

I'm actually kind of worried about being scammed now after realising how easy it is to do it as it seems buyers are heavily protected, so I'm just trying to cover myself as best as possible, but it seems really difficult to do so.

It's really quite simple. State cash on collection. Do not accept Paypal and refund any Paypal payment if you get one and inform the buyer you want cash on collection. Do not allow the buyer to arrange the courier if you do end up sending it.

Do correctly describe and photograph the item. Do check the money you're given.

If you do things properly you shouldn't get scammed.

szam_

soolin wrote: »

ebay have misled you, only tracking to the address supplied by paypal is good enough to protect yourself.

Even if ebay were right (and they are not) buyer could just open an INR in paypal anyway and get their money back that way.

The sticky thread is correct, it is entirely up to you whether you go along with eBay's suggestion or not.

I can't believe a sofa would go for very much at all, might it not be better to sell on a local facebook group- cash only and not involve other parties like ebay and paypal that have their own agenda?

Thanks, I thought this was wrong when they said it, it seemed like he was trying to get me off chat as soon as possible.

The sofa is only a year old and in really good condition, and similar older ones that are a few years older seem to go in the range of £200 judging from sales in the last few months that I researched. I paid £650 for it new, so don't want it to go too cheaply, the missus is already unhappy at how low I've put the starting price on, but I did point out that it's down to how much people are willing to pay.

Is it worth sticking a cash only notice on the page, or would the buyer be forced to confirm with PayPal if they win the auction? I'm completely new to it so I'm struggling with the best way to do it.

I haven't bothered with local buy/sell pages, we've tried listing things on them before with no success (people want things we would part with for a low amount, and go way, way below that value). For example, listed an Xbox 360 with, must have been over 25 games, like new as it was only 6 months old, £150 (would have gone to £100 just to get rid), and I swear to god people were making serious offers of £20, we were laughed off the page when stating the minimum we would let it go for, especially when you can walk to CEX/Game and get more for it.

I don't know if it's the area we're in but it probably is, everyone wants everything for next to nothing. It's a low income, high unemployment/high migration area. I hate generalising but I think this contributes to the mindset that everything must be purchased well below it's value.

szam_

Flyonthewall wrote: »

If they pay by Paypal then refund. State cash on collection only and if they refuse cancel the sale. You have to offer Paypal, you don't have to accept it.

No message needed, you know they have it! You'd have been there when they picked it up. You also know they're happy as buyers shouldn't take items they are unhappy with. Cash on collection is basically sold as seen. No refunds. The buyer has a chance to check the item over before they pay and take it away. If they don't then that's their fault/problem.

A message would mean nothing at all if they paid via Paypal and claimed item not received. You would need a tracking number with proof of delivery or you will lose the case.



A signature means nothing at all from the buyer on collection. A signature from a courier to say they picked it up means nothing either, you need proof of delivery to win a case.

Never allow the buyer to arrange a courier! You should arrange it and that way you have the tracking number.



Putting loads of terms in your listing will put people off. State cash on collection, but don't put any other terms.



It may get rid of the scammers, but any genuine buyer who is willing to collect should be happy to pay cash. You don't want the scammers so no issue.

You have to offer Paypal, but as I said already, you do not have to accept it.



It's really quite simple. State cash on collection. Do not accept Paypal and refund any Paypal payment if you get one and inform the buyer you want cash on collection. Do not allow the buyer to arrange the courier if you do end up sending it.

Do correctly describe and photograph the item. Do check the money you're given.

If you do things properly you shouldn't get scammed.

Thanks. I will revise the listing and put a note on about cash only in that case.

I know my friend did this for some things for me years back and cash only, but I'm no longer in contact with her else I would have asked for advise that way.

Flyonthewall

I haven't bothered with local buy/sell pages, we've tried listing things on them before with no success (people want things we would part with for a low amount, and go way, way below that value). For example, listed an Xbox 360 with, must have been over 25 games, like new as it was only 6 months old, £150 (would have gone to £100 just to get rid), and I swear to god people were making serious offers of £20, we were laughed off the page when stating the minimum we would let it go for, especially when you can walk to CEX/Game and get more for it.

Um, have you seen Game/CEX trade in prices? lol. I mean, for the lot you should get a bit more than £20, but depending on which model and which games you may be lucky to get to £50!

£150 even with 25 games could be well over-priced even for cash in hand. £20 is far too low with so many games, but that doesn't mean it's worth that much.

Does all depend, of course, £150 may have been well priced, but as a bundle it's not likely to be worth much more unless you've got a few newer games.

Sofa generally don't sell for much, regardless of condition.

You need to forget how much you've paid and how new things are. Items in better condition are usually worth a bit more but that doesn't mean they're worth any close to what you paid for them.

POPPYOSCAR

We once sold an item collection only and cash on collection only.


Buyer wanted us to arrange a courier, we refused, then said he would arrange a courier,we refused then he payed by paypal, we refunded.


We thought that would be the end of it and we had someone else who wanted it anyway but he got someone in his family to pick it up and we gave them a receipt for the cash and made them sign for the item.

szam_

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Um, have you seen Game/CEX trade in prices? lol. I mean, for the lot you should get a bit more than £20, but depending on which model and which games you may be lucky to get to £50!

£150 even with 25 games could be well over-priced even for cash in hand. £20 is far too low with so many games, but that doesn't mean it's worth that much.

Does all depend, of course, £150 may have been well priced, but as a bundle it's not likely to be worth much more unless you've got a few newer games.

At the time it was priced up to about £90 I think, but we decided not to bother and see if we could get it for a bit more. I was upgrading to an Xbox One at the time, maybe 2-3 months after Xbox One release, so the prices for trade in 360's and games weren't too bad when we were looking.

After we tried and completely failed, we just went back to CEX a few days later and got the quoted amount because it was clear people didn't want it for anywhere close to our minimum value.

But when you priced up how much CEX were selling second hand back to people, they'd have made a fair bit more for everything (and they were mostly recent games) than what we were offering to people, to get all the games (plus GTA V was still somehow £40 minimum resale alone, because it wasn't out on the Xbox One yet) I'm pretty sure it was more than double the minimum we wanted to sell it for. By this logic, I thought, well instead of people buying everything here in a CEX or Game for £200, we can get a minimum of £100 for it, therefore you've got it cheaper than shopping in a high street shop second hand. The resale price of a 360 in CEX when we were trying was between £80 and £120 alone, I think, without any games.

Maybe my logic is flawed, but this is why I don't touch them groups, at least not where I live.

Flyonthewall

szam_ wrote: »

At the time it was priced up to about £90 I think, but we decided not to bother and see if we could get it for a bit more. I was upgrading to an Xbox One at the time, maybe 2-3 months after Xbox One release, so the prices for trade in 360's and games weren't too bad when we were looking.

After we tried and completely failed, we just went back to CEX a few days later and got the quoted amount because it was clear people didn't want it for anywhere close to our minimum value.

But when you priced up how much CEX were selling second hand back to people, they'd have made a fair bit more for everything (and they were mostly recent games) than what we were offering to people, to get all the games (plus GTA V was still somehow £40 minimum resale alone, because it wasn't out on the Xbox One yet) I'm pretty sure it was more than double the minimum we wanted to sell it for. By this logic, I thought, well instead of people buying everything here in a CEX or Game for £200, we can get a minimum of £100 for it, therefore you've got it cheaper than shopping in a high street shop second hand. The resale price of a 360 in CEX when we were trying was between £80 and £120 alone, I think, without any games.

Maybe my logic is flawed, but this is why I don't touch them groups, at least not where I live.

If that's what they're selling it for then priced at £90 you're looking about £20-£40 trade in. Some games are 50p or less trade in, many less than £1. You get a bit more for credit than cash but not much usually.

Game and CEX are very big on buy very low, sell very high. Trade in prices are often about 1/3 of their selling price. You can usually double their price at least for a private cash sale.

I imagine most of their pre-owned stock comes from people who trade in for credit and buy the latest game(s). They sell, Game epsecially, to those who have no idea on prices and/or who prefer to go to a shop to buy.

I've traded odd things to shops when they've offered more than I could get from a private sale :rotfl: Sadly doesn't happen now, but when it has I've had some great prices.

If you ever want the best price look at various options and consider selling some items by themselves and others in bundles.

szam_

Flyonthewall wrote: »

If that's what they're selling it for then priced at £90 you're looking about £20-£40 trade in. Some games are 50p or less trade in, many less than £1. You get a bit more for credit than cash but not much usually.

Game and CEX are very big on buy very low, sell very high. Trade in prices are often about 1/3 of their selling price. You can usually double their price at least for a private cash sale.

I imagine most of their pre-owned stock comes from people who trade in for credit and buy the latest game(s). They sell, Game epsecially, to those who have no idea on prices and/or who prefer to go to a shop to buy.

I've traded odd things to shops when they've offered more than I could get from a private sale :rotfl: Sadly doesn't happen now, but when it has I've had some great prices.

If you ever want the best price look at various options and consider selling some items by themselves and others in bundles.

To be fair to Game, I traded in a few games when I went to get Halo 5, I thought, £20, £30 maximum for them - I got £50-odd, around a tenner over the price of the game (plus I had a £20 pre-order because I was stupidly going to get the one with the statue, but later came to my senses and downgraded to normal), so just added something like a fiver for the Collectors version at £80. I then checked over the receipt, FIFA games, understandably cheap, but Ryse, got a £10 for it, Lords of the Fallen (terrible game I got with a gift voucher one time), got £13 for it.

soolin

szam_ wrote: »

Thanks. I will revise the listing and put a note on about cash only in that case.

I know my friend did this for some things for me years back and cash only, but I'm no longer in contact with her else I would have asked for advise that way.

If you read the sticky thread I referred to above then you would know you can't state 'cash only', if you put that you risk your listing being pulled.

I think you will be lucky to get a third of the original cost on a sofa I would have thought nearer 10-20 % of the original price but I wish you well. Just remember to factor in ebay FVFs which remain payable even if you refuse the sale.