Collection only item, buyer wants to send courier to collect

kalsha

I have listed a very large item and it is collection only because there is no way I can pack it.
Lot of interest and some bids.
A buyer has got in touch - he wants to bid and arrange his own courier.
Looking at his feedback, he seems to be OK but then feedback is deceiving as he can only get positive feedback from sellers.
My initial reaction was to say no.   Thinking about it, I think it could work out.
Main problem is when courier collects, how do I scan that it is collected?   How have people dealt with this?
Any suggestions? 
I am a private seller.

Spoonie_Turtle

kalsha said:

I have listed a very large item and it is collection only because there is no way I can pack it.
Lot of interest and some bids.
A buyer has got in touch - he wants to bid and arrange his own courier.
Looking at his feedback, he seems to be OK but then feedback is deceiving as he can only get positive feedback from sellers.
My initial reaction was to say no.   Thinking about it, I think it could work out.
Main problem is when courier collects, how do I scan that it is collected?   How have people dealt with this?
Any suggestions? 
I am a private seller.

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

pbartlett

you could ask for bank transfer but even then there are slight risks

fenwick458

I recently sold a bike for £850 on eBay and a courier collected it, everything about it seemed a bit odd and I was sceptical

1. buyer just bought and paid for it without asking any questions
2. said they would send someone to collect it, but in further message revealed this person was a courier
3. I said they would need to bring the QR code with them for me to scan otherwise they couldn't collect it
4. on the day of collection a courier company phoned me out of the blue to arrange to collect it, I then arranged to meet back at my house, in front of several CCTV cameras, and I had a receipt for the courier to sign ready
5. whilst waiting for the courier, I got a QR code sent to me from the courier company by WhatsApp, which I scanned and nothing happened. I then phoned eBay quickly to see what was happening and they said it's been registered as collected (so the scan worked, but the app doesn't tell you that straight away which is not brilliant)
6. 15 minutes later and I phone the company to see where this guys at, and get put through to another courier company on the phone and find out he's on his way and will be there soon.  I ask for a name and company name of the person coming to get it
7. the courier eventually turns up, in a white unmarked van, and puts on a brand new looking hi vis jacket which has a different company name on it. he tells me he has been instructed to show me a QR code before he can take the bike, I tell him there's no point I've already scanned it. he signs a different name (to the one I was given) on the receipt and takes the bike (no packaging, just wheels it into the van)
8. later I got his vehicle reg off the CCTV and put it through DVLA checker only to find that no such Reg exists...
9. even later that day I got positive feedback from the buyer. payment had already cleared just before it was actually picked up as he took a few days to arrange the courier

so in the end it turned out alright, and I thought maybe I should stop being so pessimistic and thinking everyone is out to scam me
the fact that it was a different company and name could easily be explained by the courier subbing it out to another firm.
No idea why the reg didn't come up on the DVLA website though!

EDIT, would also like to add that the day before the courier came, I was getting anxious and close to pulling out as I thought it was a scam, then I checked the buyers feedback, and found out he was definitely into cycling, everything he bought was bike related. all bike clothes were XXL just like the bike. I also found his Strava account and saw pictures of other XXL bikes, so that put my mind at rest a bit and it didn't seem as dodgy

fenwick458

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

are you sure thats still correct, even after they have introduced the QR scan to confirm collection?

kalsha

Thank you to all who have responded.  I am still sitting on the fence.  I have got a few days to decide.

Rantband

Spoonie_Turtle said:

kalsha said:

I have listed a very large item and it is collection only because there is no way I can pack it.
Lot of interest and some bids.
A buyer has got in touch - he wants to bid and arrange his own courier.
Looking at his feedback, he seems to be OK but then feedback is deceiving as he can only get positive feedback from sellers.
My initial reaction was to say no.   Thinking about it, I think it could work out.
Main problem is when courier collects, how do I scan that it is collected?   How have people dealt with this?
Any suggestions? 
I am a private seller.

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

That can not be correct if you are the seller on managed payments you do not have access to the address on the Paypal account.

soolin

fenwick458 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

are you sure thats still correct, even after they have introduced the QR scan to confirm collection?

Rantband said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

kalsha said:

I have listed a very large item and it is collection only because there is no way I can pack it.
Lot of interest and some bids.
A buyer has got in touch - he wants to bid and arrange his own courier.
Looking at his feedback, he seems to be OK but then feedback is deceiving as he can only get positive feedback from sellers.
My initial reaction was to say no.   Thinking about it, I think it could work out.
Main problem is when courier collects, how do I scan that it is collected?   How have people dealt with this?
Any suggestions? 
I am a private seller.

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

That can not be correct if you are the seller on managed payments you do not have access to the address on the Paypal account.

Ebay appear to be suggesting that you are completely safe with collection if you use the QR code, allegedly when they have been questioned they suggest they take the risk . No mention so far on any forums I have read to say this isn’t working, but it is early days. 

Spoonie_Turtle

fenwick458 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

are you sure thats still correct, even after they have introduced the QR scan to confirm collection?

I seem to recall reading that if they opened a PayPal dispute, PP wouldn't recognise the eBay QR code - however I can't find confirmation of that and it was back when managed payments were just starting to be rolled out.  It would be good to know if they have definitely ironed out that wrinkle.

Rantband said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

kalsha said:

I have listed a very large item and it is collection only because there is no way I can pack it.
Lot of interest and some bids.
A buyer has got in touch - he wants to bid and arrange his own courier.
Looking at his feedback, he seems to be OK but then feedback is deceiving as he can only get positive feedback from sellers.
My initial reaction was to say no.   Thinking about it, I think it could work out.
Main problem is when courier collects, how do I scan that it is collected?   How have people dealt with this?
Any suggestions? 
I am a private seller.

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

That can not be correct if you are the seller on managed payments you do not have access to the address on the Paypal account.

That is a good point; I assumed the address that would come up on eBay would be the one used on the PayPal payment (I don't know if you can switch between addresses or not as I only have one on my PP account) but don't know for sure if that is the case.  Now that eBay and PayPal are separate it's certainly plausible that the addresses may not match.  Again, it would be helpful to know for sure.  Maybe I need to read up on eBay buyer and seller protection with managed payments.

soolin said:

fenwick458 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

are you sure thats still correct, even after they have introduced the QR scan to confirm collection?

Rantband said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

kalsha said:

I have listed a very large item and it is collection only because there is no way I can pack it.
Lot of interest and some bids.
A buyer has got in touch - he wants to bid and arrange his own courier.
Looking at his feedback, he seems to be OK but then feedback is deceiving as he can only get positive feedback from sellers.
My initial reaction was to say no.   Thinking about it, I think it could work out.
Main problem is when courier collects, how do I scan that it is collected?   How have people dealt with this?
Any suggestions? 
I am a private seller.

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

That can not be correct if you are the seller on managed payments you do not have access to the address on the Paypal account.

Ebay appear to be suggesting that you are completely safe with collection if you use the QR code, allegedly when they have been questioned they suggest they take the risk . No mention so far on any forums I have read to say this isn’t working, but it is early days. 

That is good to hear, if it does indeed work in practice then it will be very helpful for sellers - and genuine buyers who are happy to risk a courier (I'm thinking here along the lines of awkward or fragile items) themselves, that they won't be refused because it no longer automatically sounds like a scam!

soolin

Spoonie_Turtle said:

fenwick458 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

are you sure thats still correct, even after they have introduced the QR scan to confirm collection?

I seem to recall reading that if they opened a PayPal dispute, PP wouldn't recognise the eBay QR code - however I can't find confirmation of that and it was back when managed payments were just starting to be rolled out.  It would be good to know if they have definitely ironed out that wrinkle.

Rantband said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

kalsha said:

I have listed a very large item and it is collection only because there is no way I can pack it.
Lot of interest and some bids.
A buyer has got in touch - he wants to bid and arrange his own courier.
Looking at his feedback, he seems to be OK but then feedback is deceiving as he can only get positive feedback from sellers.
My initial reaction was to say no.   Thinking about it, I think it could work out.
Main problem is when courier collects, how do I scan that it is collected?   How have people dealt with this?
Any suggestions? 
I am a private seller.

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

That can not be correct if you are the seller on managed payments you do not have access to the address on the Paypal account.

That is a good point; I assumed the address that would come up on eBay would be the one used on the PayPal payment (I don't know if you can switch between addresses or not as I only have one on my PP account) but don't know for sure if that is the case.  Now that eBay and PayPal are separate it's certainly plausible that the addresses may not match.  Again, it would be helpful to know for sure.  Maybe I need to read up on eBay buyer and seller protection with managed payments.

soolin said:

fenwick458 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

are you sure thats still correct, even after they have introduced the QR scan to confirm collection?

Rantband said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

kalsha said:

I have listed a very large item and it is collection only because there is no way I can pack it.
Lot of interest and some bids.
A buyer has got in touch - he wants to bid and arrange his own courier.
Looking at his feedback, he seems to be OK but then feedback is deceiving as he can only get positive feedback from sellers.
My initial reaction was to say no.   Thinking about it, I think it could work out.
Main problem is when courier collects, how do I scan that it is collected?   How have people dealt with this?
Any suggestions? 
I am a private seller.

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

That can not be correct if you are the seller on managed payments you do not have access to the address on the Paypal account.

Ebay appear to be suggesting that you are completely safe with collection if you use the QR code, allegedly when they have been questioned they suggest they take the risk . No mention so far on any forums I have read to say this isn’t working, but it is early days. 

That is good to hear, if it does indeed work in practice then it will be very helpful for sellers - and genuine buyers who are happy to risk a courier (I'm thinking here along the lines of awkward or fragile items) themselves, that they won't be refused because it no longer automatically sounds like a scam!

PayPal are out of the equation as Ayden have interrupted the chain between buyer and seller. No seller can now comply with any PayPal requirements which is why the only system that can work is for Ayden to take the risk and sellers merely having to abide by managed payment rules. 

The system as explained by ebay is that the QR code covers sellers against any INR claim as the QR code is a managed payments requirement and nothing to do with PayPal. 

As for addresses there is no way of knowing whether buyer has different ones, my address on my business account (and indeed all my private accounts) is my current address as that is required legally, however I have about 6 PayPal addresses and I merely choose the one I want when I check out on PayPal. I assume that when I buy something now in ebay using PayPal, Ayden pass the PayPal address onto ebay who show it on the purchase details. I’ve certainly used other PayPal addresses recently and some of the sellers I’ve used must be on managed payments, and all my items have ended up with the correct person. 

Spoonie_Turtle

soolin said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

fenwick458 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

are you sure thats still correct, even after they have introduced the QR scan to confirm collection?

I seem to recall reading that if they opened a PayPal dispute, PP wouldn't recognise the eBay QR code - however I can't find confirmation of that and it was back when managed payments were just starting to be rolled out.  It would be good to know if they have definitely ironed out that wrinkle.

Rantband said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

kalsha said:

I have listed a very large item and it is collection only because there is no way I can pack it.
Lot of interest and some bids.
A buyer has got in touch - he wants to bid and arrange his own courier.
Looking at his feedback, he seems to be OK but then feedback is deceiving as he can only get positive feedback from sellers.
My initial reaction was to say no.   Thinking about it, I think it could work out.
Main problem is when courier collects, how do I scan that it is collected?   How have people dealt with this?
Any suggestions? 
I am a private seller.

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

That can not be correct if you are the seller on managed payments you do not have access to the address on the Paypal account.

That is a good point; I assumed the address that would come up on eBay would be the one used on the PayPal payment (I don't know if you can switch between addresses or not as I only have one on my PP account) but don't know for sure if that is the case.  Now that eBay and PayPal are separate it's certainly plausible that the addresses may not match.  Again, it would be helpful to know for sure.  Maybe I need to read up on eBay buyer and seller protection with managed payments.

soolin said:

fenwick458 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

are you sure thats still correct, even after they have introduced the QR scan to confirm collection?

Rantband said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

kalsha said:

I have listed a very large item and it is collection only because there is no way I can pack it.
Lot of interest and some bids.
A buyer has got in touch - he wants to bid and arrange his own courier.
Looking at his feedback, he seems to be OK but then feedback is deceiving as he can only get positive feedback from sellers.
My initial reaction was to say no.   Thinking about it, I think it could work out.
Main problem is when courier collects, how do I scan that it is collected?   How have people dealt with this?
Any suggestions? 
I am a private seller.

Red flag, nope, classic scam.  If he pays by PayPal - even if you are on eBay managed payments - you are not protected as a seller unless you post to his address on the PayPal account.  

That can not be correct if you are the seller on managed payments you do not have access to the address on the Paypal account.

Ebay appear to be suggesting that you are completely safe with collection if you use the QR code, allegedly when they have been questioned they suggest they take the risk . No mention so far on any forums I have read to say this isn’t working, but it is early days. 

That is good to hear, if it does indeed work in practice then it will be very helpful for sellers - and genuine buyers who are happy to risk a courier (I'm thinking here along the lines of awkward or fragile items) themselves, that they won't be refused because it no longer automatically sounds like a scam!

PayPal are out of the equation as Ayden have interrupted the chain between buyer and seller. No seller can now comply with any PayPal requirements which is why the only system that can work is for Ayden to take the risk and sellers merely having to abide by managed payment rules. 

The system as explained by ebay is that the QR code covers sellers against any INR claim as the QR code is a managed payments requirement and nothing to do with PayPal. 

As for addresses there is no way of knowing whether buyer has different ones, my address on my business account (and indeed all my private accounts) is my current address as that is required legally, however I have about 6 PayPal addresses and I merely choose the one I want when I check out on PayPal. I assume that when I buy something now in ebay using PayPal, Ayden pass the PayPal address onto ebay who show it on the purchase details. I’ve certainly used other PayPal addresses recently and some of the sellers I’ve used must be on managed payments, and all my items have ended up with the correct person. 

Thank you, that clarifies things very well