Mumsnet Talk

I've sold a very large item which is listed for collection only. I don't usually accept PayPal for collection items in case the buyer says they havent collected it and gets a refund from PayPal. Thing is the buyer has paid by PayPal anyway as I couldn't remove the option from the listing. do I hope the buyer is honest or do I refund their payment and ask for cash on the day? TIA

no - refund them now and ask them for cash

never, ever accept paypal for collection items

Ebay changed the rules so you have to offer paypal as an option when selling. I think its fair enough. The buyer needs protection too. If you reject and demand cash then I suspect you will be breach of your contract with ebay. I'm not sure why Paypal would give someone a refund for not collecting the item as that would be the individual's responsibility. I'd be very wary of a seller that demanded cash.

no you are allowed to ask for cash on collection

www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/jan/27/is-paypal-safe-protection?newsfeed=true

If you can't provide online proof of delivery, ie recorded or courier, if a buyer claims to not have received an item then paypal will give them back your money, regardless of the fact that they collected the item

It is a very well known scam, and eBay should make it clear to sellers offering collection they have no protection against false claims if buyer pays by paypal and claims to not receive the item

Maybe so, but I'd still be wary of someone demanding cash. It would seem very del-boy to me and I'd just pull out of the transaction altogether.

Maybe Ebay should provide a receipt for cash on collection that the buyer and seller both sign to say the transaction has gone ahead.

Thank you, I have refunded the buyer and they're bringing cash

What reason did you give OP? Hard to word it without sounding like you don't trust them.
I sold a bed by paypal, just before xmas and they have just left lovely feedback. Like the guardian article says, most people are trustworthy esp with a local pick-up.

I was honest and said since my friend was scammed in this way so my policy now is no PayPal for collection items and I hoped they understood. Buyer seemed happy with that explanation.