Advice re collection by courier for eBay item

Neroli2

Would like some advice re the following. I sold an item of furniture on EBay and the buyer arranged a courier to collect the item.  I had emailed the buyer asking for the collection code and he confirmed that he would give to the courier.  However the courier arrived this morning to collect but did not have the collection code. I rang the buyer and said that I couldn’t release the item without the code.  The buyer told me that he was driving and didn’t have access to the code until he got home as was on his laptop.  The courier who was listening to all this said that he could come back later in the day when I got the code to collect.  I relayed this to buyer but again reiterated that I must have the code before I could release item.

So, courier left and I then got a text from the courier company to say collection failed and collection rearranged for Thursday.  I phoned the courier company to advise that their driver had said he could return later but they told me that the driver should not be rearranging pick ups and I would have to rearrange with them! Also would add, still haven’t heard from buyer with collection code.

Just wanted some advice.  I won’t be available on Thursday as am working but am happy to rearrange for Friday.  However should it be me rearranging with the courier or should this be the buyer?  I am going to email the buyer to confirm all this just so I have proof.


Thanks!  In the past I’ve only sold small items that can be collected so unsure if I’m doing the right thing!

Brie

when I read "collection by a courier" I immediately thought "scam"!!  I may be wrong of course.  

Is the courier company legit?  Did you google their number or know them already??  If it's a one person & a van type thing I would be very wary as they could collect as the buyer may say it was never received and demand their money back.  

Neroli2

Thanks @Brie.  I’ve googled the courier company, they seem legit.  Just having some doubts re the buyer.

Brie

I don't blame you for having doubts!  I hope it works out for you.

red_boots2

I have had this. I'd cancel the sale and block the buyer. 

Neroli2

Hi @red_boots2 if I did this would there be any comeback on me as a seller and what explanation would I give to the buyer?

saajan_12

Neroli2 said:

Hi @red_boots2 if I did this would there be any comeback on me as a seller and what explanation would I give to the buyer?

The explanation is they failed to provide the collection code for the agreed collection time. 

While the courier company may be legit, a dishonest buyer could be trying to encourage you to hand over the item and claim otherwise later. Do they have an explanation as to why they didn't provide the code to the courier before collection? Or even pull over safely and check emails at a rest stop.. did he even try but find the courier had left? I wouldn't discount at attempted scam. 

Neroli2

@saajan_12 They said they had given the couriers the code so didn’t know why they hadn’t got it, which ok mistakes do happen but if I had been the buyer I would have been ringing the couriers to find out what had happened, which he doesn’t appeared to have done.  Also yes it’s very odd he hadn’t got the code on him as surely he would have emails on his phone.  Again if I was the buyer knowing collection was that day, I would have at the least had the code written on a piece of paper in case there was a problem! More and more things are not adding up.  Collection now rearranged for Friday but to be honest would like to cancel, just don’t want come back.  Could buyer say he is out of pocket with the courier but it was his choice in arranging courier?

Spoonie_Turtle

I don't know how you proceed but on the last point, him choosing to use a courier is nothing to do with you.  You advertised it as collection only, you've made it available for collection, and as you say it was entirely his choice to use a third party instead of collecting it himself.  So if he did try to pull any stunt there, I can't see how he'd get eBay involved with the courier cost.

savergrant

Did the buyer ask you about using a courier before purchasing? I presume your listing was collection only.
Did the courier have a label to attach to the item? Again, presumably the driver wasn't going to deliver it personally, it was going back to base somewhere.
The buyer could easily have inserted the collection code into your address when booking.
Ultimately by cancelling the worst that could happen is that ebay issue a strike against your seller account and the buyer threatens legal action for the courier charge. In your shoes I'd warn the buyer the courier must have the collection code when they arrive on Friday or you will cancel, and that you have had wasted days because the courier hadn't received the code before.

Neroli2

Thanks @Spoonie_Turtle and @savergrant

My listing was free collection in person.  When the buyer paid, I contacted them asking them to let me know when they could collect and gave them some days I was unavailable.  Next thing I got a text from the courier company with a date for collection, this was the first I had heard of a courier collecting - buyer did not ask me if this was ok.  The text was closely followed by an email from the buyer saying he had arranged collection but for me to rearrange if not suitable - which I had to do.  No I didn’t see any delivery label from the courier.

Will certainly not release the item without the collection code and I’ve made that clear to the buyer and if they don’t have it, will certainly cancel the sale.  What I am worried about is that they may have tried it on the first time thinking I would let the item go without and now that hasn’t worked, may try something else like say the item is not as described or something.  Really wish I could cancel but not sure if it’s too late now 😒

its certainly been a steep learning curve!  Most of the items I’ve sold on eBay I’ve posted or collected in person.