Collection only item - buyer wants to arrange courier 23 January 2022 at 9:33PM in Ebay, auctions, car boot sales, post & parcels 20 replies 659 views

RFW

Ms_Chocaholic said:

You would IMO be better organising the courier yourself and charging the buyer but let us know what the item is and the value and we can advise further.

Agree with that. As it's Hermes they're easy enough to book yourself.
I've allowed the buyer to send a courier when it was a private courier that was local to the buyer. It is risky but you can make those decisions based on messages with the buyer, feedback, etc. and how big a gamble it is if something goes wrong and you lose the item and the payment.

soolin

Chris_English said:

A vote from me to say no. At best the buyer is being very cheeky, but I think there's a decent chance that you're in line to get a "an empty box was sent" claim that then goes against you.

You sold at a price that worked for you if there was no further effort beyone opening the door and handing it to your buyer, but they now want it packed, sent, and for you to bear the risk if there's an argument about condition or arrival.

If OP can get the buyer to send the QR code on collection then the empty box scam shouldn't br possible  here as seller uses the QR code to show buyer (or their representative) collected item and was happy to do so. This is one benefit that managed payments has over paypal- and as long as sellers understand about the collection requirements then buyer takes most of the risks.I'd still not allow a curier personally though purely for the packing, waiting in all day and potential for a lot of time wasting arguments later.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/posting-items/setting-postage-options/local-collection?id=4181&st=3&pos=2&query=Offering local collection&intent=collectionQR code&context=DEFAULT_SELLER&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1136

cx6

As above - the key is the QR code. The buyer can send their granny if they so wish, as long as she has the QR code to scan. You are then protected.

Make sure the 'courier' has the QR code

BTW it is better that they send and pay for the courier as then the risk is with them once the courier picks it up. If you arrange and pay for a courier the risk is with you.

pinkshoes

The whole point of collection only is so you don't have to faff about with packaging it for a courier and waiting around for a collection, thus you get a lower price.

I'd be quite annoyed with the buyer. I'd message them stating it is collection only and not packaged for a courier, but as a gesture of good will, you will package the item for courier collection, but they will need to pay via bank transfer. 

kalsha

I totally agree with what all of you have said.   Just wasn't thinking clearly when the buyer asked me about it.  Glad I asked for advice here.  Yes, the main reason for doing collection was that I did not want to pack it being a large item.  If I get less, then so be it.

Soolin, just out of curiosity, how can the buyer send QR code via Hermes?  Is it possible? Would they get involved in doing so?

Thrugelmir

pinkshoes said:

 but they will need to pay via bank transfer. 

That's potentially asking for trouble. 

elsien

Thrugelmir said:

pinkshoes said:

 but they will need to pay via bank transfer. 

That's potentially asking for trouble. 

Why? Buyer can't ask for refund to non arrival etc if they pay by bank transfer.  Unless you are thinking there is some sort of fraud going on that the OP could get dragged into - perhaps you could explain your reasoning a bit more? 

soolin

kalsha said:

I totally agree with what all of you have said.   Just wasn't thinking clearly when the buyer asked me about it.  Glad I asked for advice here.  Yes, the main reason for doing collection was that I did not want to pack it being a large item.  If I get less, then so be it.

Soolin, just out of curiosity, how can the buyer send QR code via Hermes?  Is it possible? Would they get involved in doing so?

Buyer can share the code via email with seller rather than the QR scannable code - and although it won’t work for Hermes other couriers will very occasionally allow the code to be sent to them and then shared with the seller when collected. I only know this from reading other forums but it seems that some of the higher end couriers are more likely to do this. 

McKneff

This is a big scam that has been doing the rounds for a long time.
No, no no

soolin

McKneff said:

This is a big scam that has been doing the rounds for a long time.
No, no no

What scam can you see here ?