Buyer wants to collect in person....

tsharp

I sold an item on ebay tonight to a buyer with feedback of 1. I then received an email from him saying that he wanted my address to collect and pay for it. Now i never offered this as collect only, but doing so would get rid of paypal fees, which is a plus, but on the negative side i have someone who wants to meet up in person.

I refuse to meet at my home address and will probably get him to come to my work address. What are your feelings on this kind of thing? It must have happened to other people before...

Contains_Mild_Peril

If a buyer asks nicely if they can collect and doesn't just assume it will be acceptable, I prefer it to posting. I've had a couple of items collected, which saves me the bother of packing and posting, waiting for payment to clear and of course the dreaded Paypal fees.
As long as your workplace is fine with it, I'd say collection from there is probably a good option.

poppyjay

thats a great idea collecting from work place will you have a few people around at time?
i have had a few thing collected i always makes sure there are two of us in and i write the car reg down also make sure to check the money well .

custardy

either that(depending on size) or just meet in mcdonalds or the like.
just be aware when you leave for anyone watching you if you have a fair bit of cash on you

tsharp

It's only £26, so the money is not really too much of an issue.

Work pick up should be fine, but I am certainly not going to drive around the county to meet up. If he wants to buy it in person, he has to come to me. The wording of the email was odd, but hopefully it will pan out in the usual buyer collection way...

beetplek

You have to go with your feelings, if your not happy meeting the person then dont, ive had a few people come to my house who always contacted me before bidding, and therefore increased the final price as they knew they wern`t going to pay for postage. But someone coming to my house doesnt bother me, if your work dont mind then that would be a good place to meet.

Dave_Brooker

tsharp wrote: »

I sold an item on ebay tonight to a buyer with feedback of 1. I then received an email from him saying that he wanted my address to collect and pay for it. Now i never offered this as collect only, but doing so would get rid of paypal fees, which is a plus, but on the negative side i have someone who wants to meet up in person.

I refuse to meet at my home address and will probably get him to come to my work address. What are your feelings on this kind of thing? It must have happened to other people before...

Collection in person is fine, and quite normal.

Not all buyers are axe murderers...

supermezzo

Just remember to get cash and don;t let them pay via paypal first as then you have no proof that they've actually received the item and they may well (if they are of a mind to) claim 'item not recieved' and claw the money back.

custardy

must admit if i didnt list collection in person and they hadnt contacted beforehand or had the curtousy to ask if its was available i would be inclined to say no on principle

jaydog_2

I purposely do this on all my auctions, I only buy within a 10 - 20 mile radius when it comes to electronics and anything over £20 or so.

This offers great buyer protection and great seller protection, this no different that placing an add in Free Ads or the paper.

I always contact the seller first saying the reason I wish to collect and not have the item posted, I then say if this is OK I will then start bidding. I also say should I will the bid I will offer you my contact details and number for added security your end.

This has never proved an issue and for this reason I have never had to deal with evil paypal, unwanted fees, broken goods, missing in post goods, not as described goods and any other ebay horrors you can name.

I am all for it, this methods has far more protection for both parties, if you are new to this method why not ask a burley friend to come round when the person visits.

But from my experience all has been great doing things this way.

MrsTinks

I only allow collection in person IF I can guarantee my OH will be in. One guy drove 45 miles to collect a computer case but asked before hand and I was able to arrange for OH to be here. So I had no problem with him coming to collect. Anyone asking me AFTER an auction ends - sorry the answer is no. And always cash on collection - no paypal if collecting.