Item I am selling is collection only but someone from other end of country has bought and paid...

[Househunter]

I've sold an item last night which I had listed as collection only. Stupidly I had the payment method as PayPal rather than cash on collection but as soon as it ended I emailed the buyer though eBay to say cash on collection would be fine and offered some suitable collection times. They then paid via PayPal. I then noticed they live at the other end of the country so messaged them to ask if they are local at the moment and ask when they wanted to collect. But I've heard nothing. They have a low feedback score so I'm wondering if they are new to eBay and don't realise it's a collection only item. Maybe they are waiting for me to post. What should I do if they don't respond to my messages? There is someone I could offer a second chance offer to but I don't want to do that too soon especially as the winning bidder has paid.

[Jacksonville14]

Firstly you need to refund their paypal and then you need to send them a cancellation. Only after it is accepted, or times out after 7 days, should you do a second chance offer.

But only cash and never paypal as collection only.

[Househunter]

Thanks, that's really helpful. Should I refund and cancel now as I've not heard from them in the 24 hours since the sale or wait a few days?

[Cirsium]

Perhaps they have friends or family locally who are willing to collect for them. I am keeping an eye out UK wide for a few things I am after at the moment as I have relatives and friends who would pick up and store things until I am next visiting them, or them me.

[NormHonal]

Ask them - they might have friends/family local to you or know they will be visiting your area soon. I've had both scenarios before.

I've also once or twice driven huge distances for items I really wanted.

[Jacksonville14]

yes refund now - if they are collecting then you will only want cash, nver paypal. And send the cancellation - it still gives another 7 days before it closes.

[Househunter]

Thanks Jacksonville14, I'll do that. MaryShelley and NormHonal - I've sent two messages, one to say please pay by cash on collection prior to them sending the PayPal payment and another to ask if they are in a position to collect but no response in 24 hours. Very odd.