Have buyer arrange for postage?

dllive

Hi all

Im having a clear out, so thought Id ebay some items. I havnt used ebay for years. I dont want to fiddle about costing up postage/packaging; buying parcels; going to PO etc...

Is there a setting where the buyer arranges the postage/delivery?

Thanks

ballisticbrian

It really isn't recommended for two reasons: only a minority of potential buyers will want to bother with making the arrangements so you will not realise the full value of your auction. Basically, if you can't be bothered, neither can most of your buyers. Secondly, you need to be able to prove delivery if anything goes wrong. With the buyer in control of the delivery, if they then claim it didn't arrive or there is a problem with it, you won't be able to prove anything. If you haven't used eBay for a long time, get clued up on how you need to cover everything; it's you who funds the eBay guarantee.

dllive

Thanks Balistbrian. Maybe I will package/post items!!!
What the usual thing to do? Take the item/s to the PO and get a cost for P&P before I put the item/s on ebay? Am I better off going with Parcel Force or similar? I notice Ebay offers their own delivery system - is that cheapest?

soolin

dllive wrote: »

Hi all

Im having a clear out, so thought Id ebay some items. I havnt used ebay for years. I dont want to fiddle about costing up postage/packaging; buying parcels; going to PO etc...

Is there a setting where the buyer arranges the postage/delivery?

Thanks

It's probably best to re acquaint yourself with eBay, perhaps a few cheap easy to post items first before going on to bigger, awkward items.

As for postage have a read of the first few posts here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3146680/postage-a-helpful-guide-revised-3-april-2017

Personally though I wouldn't recommend selling collection only, eBay is not the best place- try Facebook marketplace or SHpock or other similar places, and have a read of this:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/65282064#Comment_65282064

As has been said it's you as the seller that needs to ensure safe and proper postage, Rm is usually the cheapest for things that fit up to their small parcel criteria , download a copy of their current prices and size guides. A basic set of scales at home is a must if you are selling as there is a lot of difference in costs once you get over the basic weights. Likewise a good tape measure for sizing.

eBay have their own system Shutl, those prices vary day on day so it is difficult to say for certain whether they beat a courier or RM at any given time. Shutl though just uses couriers and RM, so it's not actually a different system, it's just a different way of printing out your labels.

Parcel force is useful for large bulky items, again check the dynamic price , never make assumptions on postage. You don't need to go to a PO before you list, the scales and tape measure mentioned is all you need.

dllive

Thanks for advice/comments guys.
I sold one item on ebay last week (floor speakers). Its big and heavy and the buyer said theyd arrange postage/collection. Theyve paid but they havnt been able to arrange collection becuase its Easter. Is there anything I can do to cover myself for if the item 'doesnt arrive'? Its all packed up with buble-wrap and ready for collection.

soolin

dllive wrote: »

Thanks for advice/comments guys.
I sold one item on ebay last week (floor speakers). Its big and heavy and the buyer said theyd arrange postage/collection. Theyve paid but they havnt been able to arrange collection becuase its Easter. Is there anything I can do to cover myself for if the item 'doesnt arrive'? Its all packed up with buble-wrap and ready for collection.

As per the sticky threads I suggested there is Nothing at all you can do now you have agreed to this , even if they claim item not received then you will have to refund them .

If speakers arrive damaged then you will have to pay to get them back and of course won't have any contract with the courier to claim for damage (speakers are very often not covered anyway), the only thing that you do 'win' on is that if buyer pays the courier themselves then there is no way they can force eBay or PayPal to get you to cover that cost.

The other issue is that many couriers have packing regulations, for example a single box might not be accepted for some, they will want a double boxed item , however, if courier doesn't take item then that's the buyers problem.