Cash on collection not allowed?

[Bringmewineandcake]

Evening all.

We sold a v heavy item recently and put on the post that it would be cash on collection only, as we have done for all larger items we’ve sold (not many).
The auction ended Sunday night and we’ve had no contact from the buyer - they live over 100 miles away so suspect they hadn’t actually realised they’d have to collect the item and are just going to ignore us.
Anyways, this evening we got a message from eBay saying that it was not acceptable to state cash on collection only, and though they would not do anything about it this time if we do it again they may remove our seller status.
We are assuming (but don’t know) that the winning bidder has somehow reported us to eBay in an attempt to get out of the purchase without penalty.
Has anyone heard of this happening / had a similar message from eBay?
There’s no way we’d accept PayPal for a collected item - it’s just too risky.
We’re going to cancel the sale if nothing is heard from the winner by lunchtime tomorrow - we’ve sent a friendly message to them along these lines - but what on earth do we put in the relisting??
To post the item via click and collect would cost £16 to the winning bidder just for context.

[befbiund]

Gumtreeor Facebook. I don't use eBay anymore.

[Spam88]

I'd assume it's because the buyer has no protection if they just hand over the cash? Why is PayPal risky?

You can still make the item collection only, just the payment needs to be done in a different way.

[Bringmewineandcake]

I’ve learned on here that if a buyer pays PayPal and collects an item, they can claim not to have received it, and eBay will refund them. There’s no protection as a seller if you do that, but the buyer has the protection of receiving the item as soon as they’ve paid for it.

[MuffinMad]

It's true that the buyer is protected by paying by Paypal. You always have to accept Paypal if that's what the buyer wants but you can offer cash on collection as an alternative.

The only way it is risky for the seller when the buyer pays through Paypal,is that you would have to prove delivery. It that instance, what I do is get them to sign a 'delivery' note when they pick up.

I haven't sold many items for pick up only, but those I have it's always worked out ok.

HTH.

[ragged]

yes it's a condition of Ebay that you have to offer Paypal. Sell somewhere else if you don't like.

[tampinfuminragin]

Sell elsewhere.

[xxmarksthespot]

You can specify payment on collection - it is there as an option in the listing set up, but you have to be careful how you communicate this to your buyer. If ebay think you are trying avoid fees (even if you aren't) then they will send a stroppy email. It is automatic, they trawl through the listings and pms looking for contact details etc. You could contact ebay help and ask how they want you to phrase it.

Spam88, paypal is risky for collection as the seller has no proof of delivery. Scammers use paypal, take item then a few days later claim "not received" and paypal refund them. Seller loses.

[nauticant]

The only way it is risky for the seller when the buyer pays through Paypal,is that you would have to prove delivery. It that instance, what I do is get them to sign a 'delivery' note when they pick up.

This wouldn't help you in an ebay or Paypal dispute, they need to see online delivery confirmation on a delivery company's website.

You'd be able to use a signed 'delivery' note in the small claims court but it would be best not to end up in that situation.

[19lottie82]

Very strange. I’ve never heard of this before.
I would call ebay (making sure you speak to someone in U.K. / Ireland) and see what their take is on the situation.

If you don’t have any luck, if the item is of any real value (over £20?) then I wouldn’t accept PayPal for collection, no.

I would contact the buyer explaining your situation and offer them the chance to pay the extra £16 for delivery or cancel the sale.

[19lottie82]

Muffin, nauticant is correct - a signed note will get you nowhere if the buyer opens a case with eBay or PayPal after pick up. Only online tracking proving proof of delivery will do.

[Time40]

Yes, I've had one of these messages from Ebay when selling something cash on collection. Don't worry about it - they're just automatic messages. Unless you started selling dozens of cash on collection only items, it's unlikely to cause a problem.

Definitely never accept PayPal for a collection-only item of any value, because that scam (collecting and then claiming non-delivery) does happen.

what on earth do we put in the relisting??

You don't have to put anything, but you could put "relisted due to non-paying bidder" if you like. Was there another bidder? If so, you can make a second-chance offer to the under-bidder.

What really annoys me about doing a cash on collection sale on Ebay is that it's impossible to remove the PayPal payment option from the listing. I've sometimes had to refund money because the buyer hasn't realised that I'm only prepared to take cash for an item.

[Bringmewineandcake]

Thanks everyone. The winner has now replied and admitted he hadn’t realised it was collection only. We’re going to contact the next bidder to see if they want it and if not will rethink how to word the listing.

[Bringmewineandcake]

I’m absolutely fuming with DH right now
We relisted the item last night, no bids but lots of messages about couriers etc. As no bids, DH agreed to end the listing and do a BIN for a lady who could collect today. He took it to work, accepted the payment via PayPal and handed it over
But it’s ok! Coz she’s legit! And he got her to sign a copy of the invoice!
Does anyone know how long she’s got to be able to claim she never received it?
We were supposed to be donating the money to a children’s charity for Christmas (not through eBay) but can’t do that now until I can be sure she isn’t going to do a number on us.

[19lottie82]

She has 180 days to claim for non receipt.
Try not to panic likely good is it will be fine, but make sure you give your husband an ear bashing!

[crazycatgal]

If the woman has signed the invoice how will she be able to claim that she hasn't received it?

[Bringmewineandcake]

Crazy eBay won’t accept it as proof of delivery. It would be accepted in the small claims court (I believe!) but really don’t want it to come to that. I’ve told him to leave her feedback about quick collection and keep everything crossed that she leaves feedback in return!
He is in a world of trouble, lottie!

[crazycatgal]

This is why I can't be bothered with ebay anymore, as a seller you can get screwed over by buyers deciding that they haven't received their items. Hopefully this person is a genuine buyer.

[Bringmewineandcake]

He is extremely lucky, she’s just left some very positive feedback so I will now relax.
I’m still pissed off that he ignored my research. Will not be ebaying with him again!

[19lottie82]

crazycatgal...... in fairness as long as you take the correct steps to protect yourself and maintain your seller protection l, you will be fine in that respect. The OPs DH just chose not to follow the guidelines.

OP...... again I’m sure it will be totally fine but just for future reference, leaving positive feedback doesn’t mean a buyer can’t open and win a case, as they can easily claim they left it for the wrong item / seller by mistake. If they did open a case, the fact that they left FB won’t have any bearing at all on the outcome.