Courier to pick up suite

[Els1e]

I’ve sold a suite on eBay and the buyer has arranged a courier. Is there anything I can do to protect myself? I’m just worried in case item gets damaged in transit. I was thinking of taking photos.

[19lottie82]

You didn’t let them pay by PayPal did you?

If so then, unless the courier offers an online system with proof of delivery, you have absolutely no seller protection whatsoever.

And letting a seller organise a courier is never a good idea either....... you’re best to organise at your end, so you can organise adequate insurance should damage occur in transit.

[19lottie82]

PS your only safety net here would be if the buyer pays by bank transfer before the courier collects. Or gives courier cash to provide at pick up.

[Els1e]

Thanks Lottie. Yes, they’ve paid by PayPal - I thought that was the safe way to take payment. I’ll have to do checks.

[19lottie82]

It is BUT to maintain your seller protection you MUST use a delivery method with an online proof of delivery. Otherwise the seller can claim it never arrived, you can’t prove otherwise and they will be refunded, leaving you out of pocket.

Cash / bank transfer only for collection items.

[19lottie82]

PS getting the buyer / courier to sign something when they collect ect is not an acceptable alternative. All that PayPal / ebay will accept is an online proof of delivery to the address that accompanied the PayPal payment.

[Els1e]

I’ve had more details and the courier is one that gives a tracked service. Also been in touch with PayPal. They say take photos and get a collection receipt from the courier. Apparently because the buyer organised the courier, the goods are the buyers responsibility from the moment the suite leaves my flat. I am going to keep my fingers crossed all is straightforward. But if I ever do this again, i’ll take your advice and get cash on collection. Thanks again Lottie

[19lottie82]

Because the buyer organised the courier, the goods are the buyers responsibility from the moment the suite leaves my flat.

PayPal told you this? If so I am very, VERY surprised. I would double check with eBay, as during my 15 years as a private seller and 6 years as a business seller I have always been told the opposite, generally on official ebay forums.
I really don’t think you’ve been advised correctly here. The only thing I can think of is that maybe that might be the way things work with PayPal cases (I’m not as clued up on them as actual eBay ones!), but it definitely wouldn’t be the case if the buyer opened an eBay case, and I’m atill not convinced it would be with a PP case either.....

That’s good the courier offers a tracked service. I’d make sure you get a copy of the tracking number before you release the sofa.

The chances of being scammed are slim but it’s always wise to protect yourself.