could/should you make a charge if buyer wants to collect instead of P&p?

plzhelpmesave!

Another q - sorry!

a bidder has asked if they can pick up item - still starting price of 99p with 3.99 p&p. Was hoping to get at least £5 for item and make about £1.00 on P&P. have a few items which look like they will only go for the starting price - one guy is bidding on 3 items & wants to pick up so will make nothing at all on p&p.

obviously they will only pay winning price if they collect, so has anyone ever charged a small amount for collection? is it really cheeky to do this? feel like it is, but just thought i'd see what others think!


thanks

pulliptears

Personally, I think its bloomin cheeky. But then again, if I wanted a minimum price for something I'd list it near to that price and not try and profit from P+P....

bryanb

I believe it's illegal to profit from "Post" unless you are the post office. Packing is another matter, it relies on your conscience.

plzhelpmesave!

pulliptears wrote: »

Personally, I think its bloomin cheeky. But then again, if I wanted a minimum price for something I'd list it near to that price and not try and profit from P+P....

I know, i know, i thought the same thing myself. I guess that's part of the beauty of ebay - you make money on some & lose it on others.

Just wondered if other people thought - although have told the bidder he can collect.
thanks!

flutsy

A lot of people charge for collection - because of the time involved. Ie waiting for them to show etc.

continualdiamond

Personally if someone wanted to charge me for collecting in person, i wouldn't bother bidding. After all the person collecting is being charge by themselves in a way, using petrol, plus they're taking the time to come to you, yes your sitting at home waiting for them to turn up, but its better than the time you use getting to the post office, parking, joining a que maybe etc etc.

RFW

I can't see why anyone would charge someone for collecting, however Turbo Lister's latest update has a part to fill in for "seller allows collection for this item" and then has a box where you can insert the charge.

I only allow collection over a certain amount as what used to happen was that someone who had spent £1 would leave you waiting all day for them to turn up!

lindseykim13

i always look for items that are local as its saves me the p&p and waiting for the item in post. if someone said i couldn't collect i wouldn't bother bidding. sometimes i get bargains but other times i'm prepared to pay that bit more as i don't have to pay postage so i think the seller is in a win win situation. As long as the seller hasn't bumped up the real p&p costs to make profit then they won't be loosing out.

I've actually asked someone before to collect an item and the openly said no as they were trying to make 15quid from the postage charge!

rose_sparky

If someone wanted to charge me for collection, I wouldn't bid.

bravobeastie

lindseykim13 wrote: »

I've actually asked someone before to collect an item and the openly said no as they were trying to make 15quid from the postage charge!

I had the same thing too, it was for a pink tv for my daughter and the postage was just under £20, he was less than 5 miles away form me and when i asked if i could collect he said it depends how much the tv sells for.

Obviously i didn't even bother to place a bid

Brooker_Dave

bryanb wrote: »

I believe it's illegal to profit from "Post" unless you are the post office.

Illegal to profit from post???

How do you suppose all those parcel companies make a living??