Buyer collecting but already paid by PayPal. What should I do?

[sybilfaulty]

Hi there

I have sold a lamp for collection only as too fragile to send. The listing said cash in collection preferred but the buyer has now paid by PayPal. How can I prove that she has collected the item? Should I get her to sign a receipt?

She seems normal in my texts to her to arrange collection and I don't want to offend her, but equally don't want to end up without both the lamp and the money.

Many thanks for any advice.

[TheRobberBride]

If you're concerned, you refund her via PP and then state in the note you'd like cash on delivery.

Alternatively, you could get her to sign when she picks up the lamp to confirm she's received it and is happy with it.

[sybilfaulty]

Thank you. I will show her the lamp working and ask her to sign showing she is happy with everything.

Thanks again.

[fieldfare]

Print off a coy of the PayPal transaction. Write on it, "goods sold as seen" and "payment received in full" and then ask them to sign and date it.

[SandyDilbert]

no no no - please ignore all of the above, totally incorrect advice!!

never, ever accept paypal for collected. you must refund her in full from the payment in paypal - cash only, please don't get her to sign anything, it means nothing and is utterly worthless. Sold as seen means diddly squat, please do ignore.

[sybilfaulty]

Thanks for all the advice.

If I refund her, how do I do it without saying I think this is a bit dodgy? She is coming tonight!

[SandyDilbert]

you just tell her for both of your protection you need to refund in full. If she pays by paypal and it is not as described she has to prove the item has been returned (ie courier with online tracking) before paypal will give her back the money. Cash is safer for both of you.

[GhostsInSnow]

Can I just echo what Sandy has said.

There is always someone on here who will advise you to get your buyer to sign something, take their photo etc. You could have a photo of your buyer, holding your item stood next to the Pope doing the can can and you will still lose a Paypal claim.

Whether you take the risk I guess depends on how much is involved. If it sold for a few quid you may want to chance it, more and you do need to refund and reiterate it's cash on collection.

[lljkk]

I ask a few times if they'll pay by cash instead; if they feel strongly about it I just risk it; so far so good. Buyers always have the right to pay by Paypal if they prefer.

[ChazDingle]

i accidently paid for a cash on collection item the other week as i was paying for something else and the way ebay have changed the screen i ended up clicking to pay for everything, realised straight away but it didn't give me a chance to cancel. Seller messaged and said she was refunding as wanted cash on collection, i didn't have a problem with that. You also save on paypal fees if they pay cash on collection

[TheRobberBride]

But why does ebay work like this though? You have to offer PP if you're a seller don't you? Ergo, buyers can choose to pay that way.

In that case, why wouldn't ebay accept a signed note saying the buyer had collected the item? Seriously, why? It would close what is currently a damn big hole in the system re: paypal and collections.

Ho hum. This is why I sell on Gumtree. Less complicated.

[Doinmummy]

Why is it dodgy to accept payment via pay pal when someone is collecting ? ( for future ref if I sell and the buyer collects)

[SandyDilbert]

ebay own paypal, they want the fees. Plus they publicise that paypal is safe for everyone - it clearly isn't. The cash on collection issue is a huge flaw they need to deal with but seem reluctant to do so.

A signed note is worthless - how would ebay know that it is genuine? Anyone and his dog could present a tatty receipt, it doesn't mean a buyer has received what they paid for. Just would not work.

[SandyDilbert]

Doin - because a buyer can claim not received, seller has no online proof of delivery, buyer gets full refund as well as walking off with the goods. Seller left with nowt.

[Doinmummy]

Can the seller not just mark as item delivered as you would if you were posting it ? Oh no ,I guess not as there'd be no proof of posting.

Sorry , yes I get it now

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

Doinmummy Because they can collect the item and then claim they never had it and open a case. PayPal/EBay will automatically believe the buyer and refund their money and you will have neither item nor money.

[SandyDilbert]

no they can't. Proof of posting from RM is only useful for the seller to make a claim with them for the loss. An unscrupulous seller could mark as dispatched and never send any items, that would not work.

[LittleTulip]

If a buyer walks away with your item after paying via paypal and opens a dispute to say item has not been received you are well in your right to contact the police and report a theft no? Plus you will have their postal details.

[SandyDilbert]

a buyer who does that probably has false contact details - police can't do anything if the buyer gives wrong name/address etc. Or it could be a hijacked paypal account.

[sybilfaulty]

Just to update - I checked her reg address and it was where Dh works! He didn't know her but figured that it was probably a safe bet to allow her to use PayPal on this occasion.

She collected yesterday and has left positive fb so am in clear. However I have learnt a valuable lesson and will put cash on collection only in my listings rather than cash preferred.

Thanks for all the advice. I really appreciate it.

[SandyDilbert]

leaving pos feedback doesn't mean you are in the clear though - a buyer has 45 days from payment to dispute the transaction and get a refund if they want to be unscrupulous.

[sybilfaulty]

Gosh I had forgotten about that. She can't say not received though if she has said nice item in fb?

She is a lawyer though and would find herself I trouble with her professional body if she started lying about not receiving something.

Moral of story for me - only cash. Thanks sandy for your good advice. .

[SandyDilbert]

yes she can - feedback means nothing - a buyer could argue they left feedback in error really.

I am sure she won't file not received but you have to be careful.

[sybilfaulty]

Salutary lesson for the future which I didn't know. Thank you.