What if you post a high value ebay item and buyer says they haven't received it?

13Kent

We have a high value item on ebay on collection only with cash on collection.

We have been asked if we will send the item if they arrange postage. I am concerned that paypal only releases the funds if the buyer indicates the item has been received, and if they say they haven't had the item what happens then, even if you as a seller have proof of postage??

worried_jim

Keep it simple and stick to collection only with cash on collection as you have already indicated.

Marcon

Proof of postage isn't enough - you need proof of receipt. Either stick to cash on collection, or add the cost of sending by an insured, tracked delivery service which YOU arrange and requires a signature on receipt.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

I had an item pick up only but was being asked if they arranged the courier could they pick it up. BUT I would have no proof of delivery etc. So I bit the pulley and put a couriet service option on the listing . It was a mid £30 item so not expensive. And it's also one of the items couriers do not cover insurance wise.

So it's up to you. Depending on the price and what your item is. But if you do decide to send it. Arrange the courier your end. And make sure the item is covered by the courier and the correct value

13Kent

Thanks that's really helpful.

ballisticbrian

There is one more aspect to all this other than security. When you offer an item for local pickup, you effectively exclude all bids from outside your local area, limiting the demand for the goods. This lowers the price.
When someone outside the area says they will arrange collection, they are effectively benefiting from the lower price you will achieve but reap the reward of getting it posted anyway.
Therefore if you were to do this, you may as well open it up to bidding from around the country / Europe / World and post it, in which case, you should be asking yourself, why did you state it was "collection only" in the first place. :O

pinkshoes

You could ask them to pay via bank transfer?

That way it is safe for them to send their own courier.

Marcon

pinkshoes wrote: »

You could ask them to pay via bank transfer?

That way it is safe for them to send their own courier.

You can ask but you can't insist...you have to offer Paypal as an option, surely?

theonlywayisup

Marcon wrote: »

You can ask but you can't insist...you have to offer Paypal as an option, surely?

You do, on the whole but there is no reason not to ask.

Just to add to your post above, there is no need for a signature unless the item is £750.

knightstyle

Get them to pay by Paypal as a gift and then they can arrange collection. That way they cannot come to you for money back if anything goes wrong.

theonlywayisup

knightstyle wrote: »

Get them to pay by Paypal as a gift and then they can arrange collection. That way they cannot come to you for money back if anything goes wrong.

They can still chargeback the transaction. If the OP is going to do anything other than cash on collection it should be bank transfer.