Item sold - Buyer wants to send cash in post!

mogimorgan

Item stated paypal payment. Buyer sent email saying he has no money in paypal account and asked if I would accept cash payment.

Is their any risk in accepting this offer?

Thanks!

frivolous_fay

No risk to you, plenty of risk to them.

Just ask them to send it by a secure method.

d123

I wish every buyer would do that, no risk of a paypal dispute, no charges to pay.

As frivolous_fay says, get them to send the cash as Special Delivery.

StaffsSW

Recently I've had more buyers doing this, more often than not unannounced - a jiffy bag with some coins taped to a piece of card just arrives in the post.

All the risk is with the buyer on this one, and as long as you have no mention of it in your listings, you can not be accused of soliciting cash payments.

ArmitageShanks

You could always suggest a BACS transfer....incredibly easy if you have online banking.

Contains_Mild_Peril

BACS transfer would be safer, but if the buyer sends cash it's their risk, not yours. If it's a very small amount I'd suggest they can send it at their own risk (I've sometimes received payments for up to about £5 cash, usually without previous contact from the buyer), but if it's a significant amount tell them they should use Special Delivery or an alternative payment method.

mogimorgan

Monies were sent via royal mail recorded - 24.98 - and this was sent EXACTLY lol including 2x2p!! lol Must be a MSE members because most people would just of sent 25 quid lol!

Thanks for all your advice!

digerati

Whenever I have customers wanting to post me cash or cheques, I offer them another simplier solution. I ask them nicely if they couldn't simply deposit it into my bank account at the closest branch of my bank. I do point out how it's much safer and I can ship the item to them faster since OTC cash deposits are usually credited the same business day. If the buyer has any safety concerns - I point out that I've an eBay seller since 1997/99 (depending on the account) and have 100% feedback, plus a good "no questions" returns policy.

Buyers can send cash (as a last resort), but I specifically state it must be notes only and well concealed in a envelope with taped edges (so any tampering is immediately evident). Any overpayment is refunded by goods, a credit to their bank account, cheque, or as a last resort - well-wrapped coins (so they won't jam the mail sorting machines).