EBay Seller - Problem

subjecttocontract

I find EBay sellers with a collection address that just has a name but no number, a BIG problem. They often don't volunteer additional information to help the buyer find them and provide it, only when asked. Sometimes the additional information  doesn't always help and I have to make a decision as to how much effort I am prepared to expend trying to find them.

Ive just been trying to find an address with no number. It's a busy road, is about 3 miles long, I drove along it 3 times and I have now given up.I
It's a pity buyers can't avoid all sellers without a number who want collect only.

cymruchris

subjecttocontract said:

I find EBay sellers with a collection address that just has a name but no number, a BIG problem. They often don't volunteer additional information to help the buyer find them and provide it, only when asked. Sometimes the additional information  doesn't always help and I have to make a decision as to how much effort I am prepared to expend trying to find them.

Ive just been trying to find an address with no number. It's a busy road, is about 3 miles long, I drove along it 3 times and I have now given up.I
It's a pity buyers can't avoid all sellers without a number who want collect only.

Didn't you arrange when you'd be collecting through private message - and at the same time exchange contact details in case you got lost? That's what I usually do. Ebay doesn't like the exchange of info prior to a sale - but once you've won an auction or pressed your buy it now - then it's not a problem to do so.

subjecttocontract

Exchange details ? How does that help in this situation ?

soolin

subjecttocontract said:

Exchange details ? How does that help in this situation ?

If you have made contact with them they surely you would ask for their full address before going to collect? Put that into google maps and you can see where it is, you can even pull up a photo or live view of the building on Google, which I find useful if I am going somewhere busy as it is sometimes easier to spot a specific building rather than peer at numbers. Also when I use Google as a sat nav it directs me straight to the actual address, and that's useful for auction houses or wholesalers for instance that often just say something like 'we are on xx industrial estate' , but their name takes me straight to their door. 

It is difficult for sellers to put too much info in their listings or to answer questions about specific addresses as ebay Bots often pick that up as an attempt to sell outside of ebay. However they are allowed to put basic info, a town for collection and even a postcode. Then when you buy you are allowed to make contact with each other , swap phone numbers, ensure you know the collection address and a time to collect.

cymruchris

subjecttocontract said:

Exchange details ? How does that help in this situation ?

You'd give them a call and say 'I'm looking for your house but can't see it - do you mind stepping outside and waving your arms about' - or something similar?

GrubbyGirl_2

cymruchris said:

subjecttocontract said:

Exchange details ? How does that help in this situation ?

You'd give them a call and say 'I'm looking for your house but can't see it - do you mind stepping outside and waving your arms about' - or something similar?

That's what I would do!

subjecttocontract

cymruchris said:

subjecttocontract said:

Exchange details ? How does that help in this situation ?

You'd give them a call and say 'I'm looking for your house but can't see it - do you mind stepping outside and waving your arms about' - or something similar?

1. I don't have a mobile phone.......I have a say nav in the car.
2. On a long road (approx 3 miles) it's highly likely that I wouldn't see them waving their arms .

soolin

subjecttocontract said:

cymruchris said:

subjecttocontract said:

Exchange details ? How does that help in this situation ?

You'd give them a call and say 'I'm looking for your house but can't see it - do you mind stepping outside and waving your arms about' - or something similar?

1. I don't have a mobile phone.......I have a say nav in the car.
2. On a long road (approx 3 miles) it's highly likely that I wouldn't see them waving their arms .

I know my Tom Tom wasn’t as accurate to the metre as google maps, but it could have found an address in a smaller area than 3 miles. 

GadgetGuru

I do it all the time with FaceBook collections - I’ll ask the driver to come to a certain point in the road (usually where the roundabout is at the end of the road) then ask them to call or text me when there - I then walk down and meet them at the end.

I’ve had a previous buyer sit in my house and not leave for 3 hours in the past (turned out he had a mental issue) telling me his troubles with the police. 
I’ve had a buyer try give me fake notes in the past - I’d rather not have such people know where I live!
Better to be safe then sorry, so I understand the seller’s perspective TBH.

cymruchris

subjecttocontract said:

cymruchris said:

subjecttocontract said:

Exchange details ? How does that help in this situation ?

You'd give them a call and say 'I'm looking for your house but can't see it - do you mind stepping outside and waving your arms about' - or something similar?

1. I don't have a mobile phone.......I have a say nav in the car.
2. On a long road (approx 3 miles) it's highly likely that I wouldn't see them waving their arms .

If you don’t have a mobile phone (and I know not everyone does) then that might make it extra pertinent at the message exchange to ask for a few more details than just an address. 

‘Hi - id like to pick up the xyz on Tuesday afternoon - please can you send me your address, and mention any details or landmarks that’ll help me find your house, as a i don’t have a mobile phone to call if I get lost’ 

‘no problem - it’s 2443 high street - keep an eye out for the red pillar box on the corner of commercial street, you’ll see the launderette opposite - and my house is 2 doors up from there.’ 

I’m sure you have your reasons for not having a mobile phone - but without it - you need to ask extra questions prior to going to collect your items so you are at less risk of being lost. 

The alternative is to make purchases from well known outlets that are easy to find, or get items with delivery. 

tightauldgit

subjecttocontract said:

I find EBay sellers with a collection address that just has a name but no number, a BIG problem. They often don't volunteer additional information to help the buyer find them and provide it, only when asked. Sometimes the additional information  doesn't always help and I have to make a decision as to how much effort I am prepared to expend trying to find them.

Ive just been trying to find an address with no number. It's a busy road, is about 3 miles long, I drove along it 3 times and I have now given up.I
It's a pity buyers can't avoid all sellers without a number who want collect only.

If you find them a big problem then surely the solution is to ask them for further information before you set off?  If you've chosen to be one of the three people in the UK who don't have a mobile phone then you really have to be willing to accept a little bit of inconvenience for that choice. Yes it's slightly bothersome but most people don't find it too much trouble.