Ebay selling mistake, any advice?

[Blueskymorning]

Nc as this is completely unrelated to my main name.

I listed an item on ebay for one day auction, wanted cash on collection but ebay wouldn't let me use that. Literally wouldn't allow the listing as cash on collection. It sold for a decent price and buyer paid straight away, we were in instant contact sorting out collection.

I had another listing along the same vain and maybe stupidly asked if he was interested in that too I'd take it down for cash at the rate I'd listed (wasn't bothered about it going up, just wanted it gone) when he collected item 1. He was really happy with that and agreed so I did.

I said in the listing item 2 had been working but was in storage and hadn't been used for some time, I had no way of testing it but they could bring something to test it themselves. So he knew this.

Buyer came, was really friendly, tested out item 1, worked perfect, packed it up and paid for item 2 and went to leave. I reminded him about feedback because paypal are holding the funds.

When he got home he messaged to say item 2 wasn't working well and he should've brought something to test. I said I would happily refund part if usable through paypal or all if he wanted to bring it back but please don't forget item 1 feedback as that was fine.

He said he's waiting to test item 2 properly and get that sorted first! I had put buyer to collect on the listing so I marked it as despatched and left feedback for easy transaction but my funds are still pending. Do I have to wait dor feedback to actually get my payment or have I just lost it if he says it doesn't work even though he tested before leaving, because he may not be happy with 2nd item?

[Blueskymorning]

And no I'm not a regular seller, I'm a desperate for money seller who's trying to sort finances out, and didn't realise at the time I could refund the paypal and just say cash.

[FlouncyDoves]

What? That’s really hard to follow.

Refund them the one that’s broken. Get the item back. Fix and re-sell.

[Blueskymorning]

Sorry. Item 1 sold through ebay and paid by paypal.

Item 2 listed on ebay but taken down, buyer agreed cash on collection. So now nothing to do with ebay.

Buyer collected and tested ebay item, was working. Buyer couldn't test non ebay item but said when home that something was wrong. Now won't leave feedback for ebay item until non ebay item issue resolved. I have offered refund for non ebay item but it was cash so I have to wait for him to decide to bring it back or not.

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

So you’re still waiting for the PayPal payment for item 1 to come through? That’s the issue? And you think it’s because he hasn’t left feedback yet?

I don’t think the two things are connected at all. You can open an eBay Dispute if he’s got the item at all but you still don’t have the money.

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

• At home, not at all

[Blueskymorning]

Yes WhatsGoingOnEh that's it. I see paypal hold the funds but I don't know how long for or what it depends on. It used to be instant and I didn't realise they started keeping them. I thought I read somewhere it was until the buyer confirmed receipt of goods but it might have been misinformation.

[LoonvanBoon]

I'm not sure I understand the stuff about Paypal. Paypal have never withheld funds from me - is this because you're a new seller?

In any case I'm sure that your receiving the funds can't be dependent upon your getting feedback, because many buyers never leave feedback, even when they're (presumably) happy with a transaction and that would mean Paypal would be keeping a lot of sellers' money forever. They're probaby just holding it for a week or two - not really fair, but not the buyer's fault or responsibility.

Refund the 2nd item if / when he brings it back. As others have said the 1st item is nothing to do with this. If your funds don't come through chase up Paypal but don't badger the buyer for feedback. I always leave it as a buyer but it's not an obligation.

Also be aware that it's against ebay rules to remove a listing in order to make private arrangements with an ebay buyer. I know in a sense it's nothing to do with ebay but you did come into contact with the buyer through ebay so I suspect they'd take a dim view.

[lostherenow]

You don't have to do anything about the second thing not working - you gave him the chance to test it before buying. He didn't. Not sure about Paypal holding your funds, i set up a new seller account recently as my old one was in my maiden name and it was easier to set up new Ebay and Paypal than try to change all details old one. Paypal haven't withheld any funds from me. Maybe contact Paypal and ask what the problem is?

[LoonvanBoon]

Cross-posted. So paypal say the buyer needs to confirm receipt of the goods, and you're worried he won't because he collected in person and you have no proof of receipt?

I agree that's a worry and always a danger of letting a buyer collect if they've paid by paypal. If the buyer's dodgy there's nothing to stop him lying about this. The 2nd item is still a separate matter, but I suppose if the buyer isn't honest he might try and use this as an 'excuse' for not confirming receipt.

Hope he turns out to be honest and confirms receipt. I'm not sure what you can do otherwise with no proof he collected it.

[mumpoints]

Found this on google:

Payments as a new seller are held for 21 days UNLESS when you send an item the buyer leaves feedback OR if you send the item trackable and that item shows as delivered + 3 days then email paypal and they will release the funds sooner. Payment holds occur because: You have been selling on eBay for less than 90 days.

[jaseyraex]

Are you a new seller? PayPal hold funds if you're new until you get consistent goof feedback. They also hold funds if you've recently had some bad feedback or what they consider a below average seller rating. Sometimes they hold it if the payment is very different from one's you normally recieve, like you normally sell things for £20 and suddenly you've sold for £200.

You will get the money though regardless of what feedback he leaves you now. If he doesn't acknowledge he's received the item then it'll be about 21 days before you can access it. Also in future, if anyone is collecting an item make sure it's always paid in cash. He might be a twat and claim he hasn't received the item and without proof that he has, you'll have to give the money back.

[ThisLittleKitty]

Aren't you not suppose to accept PayPal for cash on collection items as the seller can claim he never recieved it and you would have no proof. Anyway I've never heard of having to leave feedback before funds are released I rarely leave feedback as I'm so busy and never had anyone ask me to because it won't release the funds if I don't.

[Annamadrigal]

If you are a new seller then paypal don't release the funds for something like 30 days I think, just to confirm that you are a trusted seller in good standing. It really caught me out when I started because I was desperate for the money and had sold loads really quickly but couldn't get to the cash

[Littlefrogletx]

Never take PayPal for an item that is collected. The buyer can just say they didn't receive and without a tracking number they will get a refund.

[PollyPerky]

Never take PayPal for an item that is collected. The buyer can just say they didn't receive and without a tracking number they will get a refund

Nope, i think you mean never take cash for an item collected, as there is no proof of postage.

Puzzled why PP is withholding funds...? Never happened to me.
Why?

You should not give feedback so quickly. The rule is let the buyer give feedback first, then if there are any problems with them you can put that in your feedback (about them.)

He bought something in cash which he had not tested. That's his issue. He took a risk.

I don't think he can tie the two sales together. Either you fully refund item 2, if it's repairable so you judge the cost of that to him and the inconvenience. OR you ask him to return it to you for a full refund in cash.

[PollyPerky]

There is some odd advice here. I took cash for a item of furniture and was told off by people on a forum who said you should never take cash because a) it's outside of ebay rules [they prefer it all through paypal] and b) you have no proof of payment so the buyer can say they never received the goods [way round this is to take a photo of them and the goods or their vehicle.]

[jaseyraex]

• PollyPerky
  
  Never take PayPal for an item that is collected. The buyer can just say they didn't receive and without a tracking number they will get a refund
  
  Nope, i think you mean never take cash for an item collected, as there is no proof of postage. *
  
  No, absolutely no PayPal for an item collected. PayPal will automatically refund the buyer the money and seller will be out of pocket and without their item back. Cash on collection isn't eBay or PayPal responsibility.

[Blueskymorning]

Thanks for the replies. I took video of him packing and leaving (as I was a bit worried he might say he didn't collect, I'm just a pessimist) and have messages confirming ebay item was fine so hopefully if there was a dispute I'm covered.

I've been an ebay user for years and have perfect feedback, but I haven't sold for about a year so that's probably what's caught me out with the pending funds, and it's just under £400 so way more, normally I've just sold shoes or other small bits so that jump probably counts against me as well.

Glad to hear it's not dependant on feedback, that's what I was worried about, though it's unfortunate I might have to wait 21 days for it to clear! I'll get paid by then.
mumpoints what you said is what I'd read too, that's why I was miffed he wouldn't leave feedback yet. It's confusing.

Cash only if needed in future, lesson learned!

LoonvanBoon no I didn't realise that! I just thought if he's coming for one thing and I have something listed that goes with it then why not just sell it to him too? The listing was for longer and nobody had bidded yet so I figured take it down and he can collect both if he wanted it at that price. Obviously won't do that again.

[BattleaxeGalactica]

OP, if you're not a new seller it could be something simple like updating an expired card on the account.

Pollyperky - cash is the safest option for a collected item. A buyer paying by paypal and then claiming the item hasn't been received is a well known scam.

[ToadOfSadness]

For future reference, you have to accept PayPal on every listing. However you can make it clear on the listing and in the title if you wish that the item is for cash on collection only.

You will probably have to wait 21 days for the payment, and just hope that you don't have a difficult buyer.

By accepting PayPal you have given him the opportunity to keep the item and get a refund.

[Hefzi]

It's very well worth looking at eBay community forums also, PP - they'd have warned you against Paypal on a collection item (your video wouldn't count in an INR case, though if there was a case opened through PayPal and not eBay, the message sent through the eBay messaging might have helped over-turn the refund - and PP chase aggressively for their money if you don't make good a deficit caused by a refund: within 2-3 days) and also advised you of not doing what you did for the second item, for several reasons.

Hopefully, though, it will all be fine - the majority of eBayers are good people, but the scammers make everyone doubly anxious. And the 21 day hold in cases like yours has, unfortunately, been the case for a number of years now.

If anyone else is in this situation (need money quickly so selling something high value) consider Gumtree - cash on collection, and no come back on you. It can take longer for the sale, but at least you know exactly what you are getting, pay no fees and have no fear of a chargeback.

[ToadOfSadness]

Bear in mind though, that with Gumtree (which is owned by Ebay) there are more chancers who will try it on and you need your wits about you, just as much as you do on Ebay with cash on collection.

I often see these kind of posts on here, asking for help with Ebay, they seem to have hidden the fact that they have a help section so that inexperienced Ebayers have to seek assistance on other sites. There is so much crap on the pages it is no wonder people struggle to find any help on there.

[billionsofbeautifulhearts]

Technically he wont be covered by buyers rights for the second item because he didn't buy it through ebay and you won't be covered by sellers rights either, I cannot see him being awkward about it if hes a genuine buyer but there is nothing to stop him saying that actually item one is broke even though its not, to attempt to get a refund.

We learn from our mistakes, Its good your pushing for feedback! not long after I sold something on there the buyer left feedback saying they were happy and then about 3 weeks later they filled to say they didn't receive it!, Proof that you posted it isn't enough with PayPal you have to prove the person has received it! which I couldn't do because the postage slip only proved I posted it..... the feedback is what won the case for me because they posted they were happy with the item, therefore paypal accepted it prove they must have received it.

Littlefrogletx Is right as is jaseyraex If collecting cash on collection is the safest option because it's a mutual handover they give you the cash you give them the item, you can ofc do a receipt and both parties sign each copy and take a copy each.

Collection and Paypal do not mix all they have to do is say that you never despatched which is true if they collected. Plus tbh even postage is a little more complicated than just posting it you have to be able to prove they received it, that's when tracking becomes really important for ebay listings because you can prove they signed or it was tracked as delivered.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of scammers and deceitful people out there :(

[ToadOfSadness]

It makes no difference getting receipts, if a PayPal payment is made.

The problem with the OP's transactions are that although it is the non Ebay item that is not working and therefore not covered by buyer protection due to not being sold through Ebay or PayPal, the buyer can still raise a dispute for the first item and potentially return the faulty (second) one and get a refund for the first one.

I would just wait it out and keep quiet. See what he decides to do, if anything. And read the Ebay community pages before you sell again.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

Sorry. Item 1 sold through ebay and paid by paypal

Paypal may hold funds for a few days if the buyer's a newbie - it's common practice. In future, though, even though ebay force you to offer Paypal, never accept payment through them for a collected item; there's no delivery tracking and they can easily claim they've not received the item and get their payment back. Ebay won't like it, but better to annoy them than lose both the item and your money

Item 2 listed on ebay but taken down, buyer agreed cash on collection. So now nothing to do with ebay

Ebay won't like this either, and this time they've got a point. They can't stop you ending a listing because you've sold through someone else, but if their spot checks pick up your messages agreeing to sell off ebay but to a buyer you found through them, you'll get a standard snotty letter

Much better to sell through Gumtree ... granted ebay own that too, but at least it's usually payment on collection and you avoid much of the nonsense