Ebay bidder with 0 feedback living in Canada for collection only item in London!

[SellingIn2014]

I don't sell often, but am moving house so selling off some furniture that I can't take.

My auctions finish this evening and there is a new high bidder on one of my furniture items. He/she has no feedback and their location says Canada.

I have sent a message asking for confirmation that they can pick up in London. If they don't reply by this afternoon do you think I would be reasonable in deleting their bids and blocking them?

Or am I being unduly suspicious? I won't have time to relist due to the house move and I want to be fair to other bidders.

[Chrissy41]

block them now and cancel their bid - and make sure your settings are tighter to avoid bidders from abroad.

And make sure cash on collection only.

[Ememem84]

as above. block them, and change settings. i've had issues with buyers from abroad before. claiming they haven't received item...(then complained about the exact cost of postage - then i Facebook stalked, and saw pic of buyer wearing my dress on fb...)

[SellingIn2014]

Thanks Chrissy,

Glad I'm not being unreasonable. I wondered if there was a legitimate reason for the location being Canada.

I have the "block buyers in locations to which I don't post" ticked but because this is collection only it doesn't come under that. I don't see another option.

I have asked in the listing that I be contacted regarding payment options on collection, I'm hoping nobody will pay straight away with paypal, I wouldn't if I was collecting.

[Umlauf]

My location is set as abroad (where I live) but I still bid on UK items because my Mum collects them on my behalf and brings them to me/I go to her at a later date to get them. They may just have a similar set up...

[SellingIn2014]

Thanks everyone,

Umlauf, thanks your set-up makes sense and I wondered about that sort of thing which is why I messaged him (3 hours ago) and he has no feedback. If it wasn't for the fact the auction finishes today I would give it a bit longer

I have now cancelled the bids, but have sent another message saying if he wants to bid again to contact me first.

[Gingerandcocoa]

Maybe they thought you were in London, Ontario!

[SellingIn2014]

Gingerandcocoa - nothing would surprise me! In which case I've done them a favour by cancelling their bids.

[SellingIn2014]

Feeling a bit guilty now as bidder has replied to messages saying that yes he lives in Canada but will be in London next week. Think he is genuine.

I do think that in the circumstances (having no feedback and living abroad) he would have been wise to get in touch first.

I have removed him from blocked list so that he can bid again. Still a bit worried as he only asked practical questions about size after bidding again. I hope he realises that a bid is a commitment.