What happens if buyer doesn't collect a COLLECTION ONLY item?

smallholdingsister

Hello. Buyer has paid for a large, heavy collection only item. Said she would send courier AFTER purchase. I've reminded her once and she said courier would be in touch asap. They haven't.

Do I have to refund? How long do I have to wait? Thanks.

bossymoo

I would refund and cancel. If they paid via paypal they will say it was never sent and you will not have adequate proof of it being sent. They will be refunded and you will end up out of pocket and without your item.

Offer as cash on collection.

Good luck

smallholdingsister

Thanks bossymoo. Does cash on collection solve that problem? Can I give a second chance offer?
eta It was listed as local collection only. I have already refunded one purchaser who assumed I would deal with her courier (same item). This time I added "relisted because previous buyer unable to collect" to the listing.

GabbaGabbaHey

smallholdingsister wrote: »

Does cash on collection solve that problem?

Yes, as there's no Buyer Protection with cash!

If you allow the buyer to pay with PayPal, and also allow them to either collect the item themselves or arrange their own courier, then you run the risk that they will raise an Item Not Received claim with PayPal some time in the next 180 days, and you would not be able to defend it.

Your options are either to insist on cash, or to arrange the courier yourself.

soolin

Have a read of the sticky thread about the problems of collection only items. In particular be aware that you can offer cash on collection but cannot insist on it and buyer remains able to pay by PayPal.

However, allowing. Buyer to send their own courier is the worst possible outcome, it's all explained in the sticky thread.

smallholdingsister

Thanks all.

smallholdingsister

How do you stop people bidding who can't collect (people in general not one in particular) if it is collection only?

soolin

smallholdingsister wrote: »

How do you stop people bidding who can't collect (people in general not one in particular) if it is collection only?

You can't unfortunately.

Also worth remembering that care is needed when cancelling any sale, you must cancel sales using reasons that don't give you, as a seller, a defect. Or alternatively you need to do an NPB but the risks of that is covered in the sticky post.

If you cancel and get a defect on two,occasions then your account is at risk. If you don't cancel then you pay the FVFs regardless of non sale.

smallholdingsister

Thank you.

forgotmyname

Sounds like they paid with paypal already. Never allow this, but thats easier said than done because you have to offer paypal.

Catch 22.

They pay by paypal and collect the item or send a courier. Then claim item not received and you do not have proof of delivery so you lose the item and the money.

And ignore the comments to get proof of ID or take a photo or other methods. Ebay and Paypal will only care about proof of delivery.

Tealblue

forgotmyname wrote: »

Sounds like they paid with paypal already. Never allow this, but thats easier said than done because you have to offer paypal.

So how do you 'not allow' paypal, given you must offer this as an option?