Cash on collection

Silver_Shark

It's a long time since I've sold anything on eBay. I have sold a cash on collection item but it has been paid for. The message I received states the buyer lives many miles away but someone local will pick it up. They say they paid to secure the sale. I'm erring on the side of caution here and wondered if I am able to refund before the collection and know I will pay the fees if they then don't collect. Surely the person who collects won't have the QR code.

GabbaGabbaHey

All the buyer needs to do is to give the code (it doesn't need to be QR) to the collector, who will give it to you before you hand over the item.

subjecttocontract

There doesn't seem to be any advantages in getting paid in cash as the online fees are now paid by the buyer.

Just tell the buyer that whoever collects the item must bring the EBay buyer code with them.

soolin

As above, if you are a private seller then you paid no fees ,and as long as you ensure the buyer realises you won’t release the item without the QR code you will be fine.

savergrant

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6675691/cash-on-collection

AFAIK ebay no longer allows cash on collection as a payment method, and the buyer needs to make payment before they receive the seller's address. As the seller you can either scan the qr code or enter the number which is proof that the item has been received. Just be absolutely clear, the buyer has a collection code and you will not release the item without it.

What the buyer paid will include a surcharge to cover ebay's 'buyer protection', if you do happen to refund ebay will refund that and nether you nor the buyer will lose out.

One important thing, ebay do not automatically pay out your earnings, you will need to request it.

Silver_Shark

Thank you all so much for your help. So it's now pointless asking for cash on collection. I'll know for next time.

MeteredOut

Search for "eBay local pickup scam"

soolin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82064709#Comment_82064709

Which is why all the posts say it mustn’t be handed over unless person collecting supplies the collection QR code. Colelction is actually safer now than it used to be when eBay had no reliable way to conform collection. People still being scammed are those who fall for the usual sob stories, ‘my phone just died so I can’t give you the QR code’ or suchlike.

GDB2222

I sold some vintage hifi speakers on eBay for local pickup. £500, so a fair bit of money. The buyer was based in South Korea. A friend of the buyer was arranged to pick up the speakers. It screamed scam of some sort, but amazingly it was completely genuine. It was just a vintage hifi fan who happened to live in South Korea and had a friend in London.