Mumsnet Talk

I've just sold our crib on e-bay. It was clearly stated that it is collection only (buyer to pick-up) both in the listing info and description and our location was in the description. Buyer then announced they are too far away to collect it, and they will pay the postage, whatever it costs.

I've never tried to post such a heavy item, and even in bits it's still pretty large. Obviously it must be possible to post / courier it, but I'm not a mail-order company, and I really can't be bothered to schlep around getting appropriate packaging material and spending the time packaging it to ensure it arrives in its current condition.

I'd feel bad, but I'm sure I'm within my e-bay rights to refuse. What do you think?

I agree. Have they paid?

YANBU. Someone did this to me when I was selling a bike. I put the location and collection only in the title in the hope that no one would even click on it if it was too far away, also put it in the description in capital letters. I live in Brighton and a woman in Yorkshire bought it and expected me to post it. I'm afraid I insisted on refunding her as it wasn't my problem although it was a bit of a faff getting my sellers fees back from Ebay.

No, they haven't paid.

So that's another thing - I could faff around working out how to package and send it, and price it up, only for them to not pay-up. Sigh.

YANBU they are trying it on, your ad said "collection only", suppose you do make the effort to send it then they turn round and argue it got damaged in transit, etc.

I always ask before the listing ends, I would never "assume" someone would post a collection only item

Even if they sent a courier to collect it I assume you'd have to have it properly packaged which would incur costs you hadn't bargained for. If you had intended to post it you would have included those costs in the price.

Another good reason to refuse.

Thanks all. My resolve is strengthened!

Tell them to send their own courier to you, and that courier to hand you the cash. I have done that with buyers before when I sold large items.. including an 8 ft grandfather clock! If they want it badly enough, they will do it, and the courier can do the packing!

I would probably offer to do what Squeaky said. I think it would be a little bit mean not to offer that, but completely not your problem to sort out the cartage.

If they don't want to do that, contact the person with the next bid.

I agree with Squeaky

Tho they should have said first I have agreed to this as a seller a few times. Tell them that if they pay you by PayPal and arrange a courier at a time convent to you (list them) then they can have the cot otherwise you will have no choice but to refund.
Be very business like but point out the listing clearly stated collection only.

As for packaging - I sold a bed base then they arranged a courier - I thought I needed to package it so used what the new bed had come in... My sis and I were on the wine got carried away and packed it beyond recognition for the delivery men to tell me it want necessary as the carry the big industrial bags, sheets and bungee ropes for it!

Going ahead might be easier than relisting

What if it gets damaged or lost by the courier?

The courier has the insurance for that. Make sure you sign it off to their keeping.

If you accept payment by PayPal and allow buyers to arrange their own courier you'll have no proof of delivery if an unscrupulous buyer claims they haven't received the item.

Follow squeaky's advice and always ensure that any items collected by buyers or their agent(s) are cash only transactions.

Also, you would probably have made more if you offered to post, as more people could have bid, you have therefore effectively taken a reduced price in return for convenience.

This buyer is trying to get that reduced price, but take away the benefit you got from it (IYSWIM) so you loose both ways.

Just to second what izzy says about PayPal payment for collection items. Don't do it! And if you can't reach agreement with the buyer then DO go through the proper Ebay dispute process so that if they try to leave you negative feedback you will qualify to get it removed.

YANBU I find selling stuff on Ebay so frustrating sometimes!

I hate bad ebayers! I only post to the UK, it's clearly stated on whatever I sell but that didn't stop a girl from France buying a mini skirt off of me. I did send it because I was quite new and didnt want bad feedback. What made it worse was that she demanded a refund because the skirt was too short (it only cost her £2!) it was a mini skirt. That was quite obvious from the picture and the description!

Sorry to hijack op. YANBU!!! I wouldn't be sending it, if they wanted it that much they'd pick it up themselves.

YANBU. Recently bought something similarly large and difficult, collection only, and bid knowing it was near enough for me to collect (1 hour away) else I wouldn't have bid. Why should you lose out because someone is either trying it on or hasn't read the listing properly?

Morning everyone! Very impressed as such a helpful, and supportive responses!

I've just sent the buyer a very polite refusal, but have given them 24 hours to tell me if they want to arrange a courier to collect (cash on collection and courier to package).

It is all very irritating, particularly as (s)he bought the crib at a bargain price, so it's not as if I'm hanging on for a windfall payout! I mainly want to get rid of maternity / baby stuff before the rose tinted glasses come out and I start thinking having child 3 would be a great idea!

I can understand more someone wanting to courier a 8ft grandfather clock, as they are probably scarcer than cots, and I expect (hope) they paid a good price for it!

Oh sod the ebayer - get on with having number 3! You know it will only cost you a fortune when you do if you sell it all now!!

I have flogged stuff UK only and had people from Australia win it. I just tell them the deals's off as their bid was invalid.

Look be careful with this - you should never allow a buyer to arrange their own courier, because it's ultimately YOU who will get he blame if it arrives in less than one piece.

You'll also need proof, online tracking that is, of delivery if she should open a case against you via paypal.

It might work out but it's not something I'd recommend.

if she does agree to this then you have to make her pay by bank transfer or postal order.

NOT paypal. send a PS now to your email, so this is very clear...that way you have the money if something goes wrong en route.

Ugh people do this to me ALL THE TIME. Why do they do it? It even irritates me when they ask to send a courier because the i have to be in for the damn thing!!!!!