Ebay / PayPal selling question (the CFs have frozen my money)

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

I've just sold an expensive (£875) item on ebay. It's big, so collection only. I had heard various horror stories about ebay selling, PayPal and fraud (people claiming items never arrived and getting full refunds etc)

I wrote on the description that it was cash on collection only, but ebay made me select PayPal as a payment method. The buyer then paid by PayPal as she evidently hadn't read the description.

There's no way I can afford to lose £875 right now, and tbh I need the money sooner than 3 weeks as I have a big invoice coming in.

If I ask the buyer to cancel the order via ebay and turn up with cash instead, will they refund her the money pronto? And what happens about the selling fees?

Thanks in advance all - I haven't sold anything on eBay in about a decade.

Screenshot for reference

Have eBay given any explanation as to why they are keeping the money on hold? Hopefully someone with more knowledge will come along. I also haven't sold anything on eBay for many years, tried to sell a phone recently and the number of time wasters and scammers is incredible! Shan't be doing it again.

Pretty sure if you refund it on PayPal the buyer will get an email to confirm that is the case straight away. Not sure how long it would take the funds to clear back in their account though.

To be honest, I'd be a bit weary with this buyer. Like you said, eBay is notorious for fraud with high priced items. In your shoes I'd do the refund and then contact the buyer to explain you can only do cash. If they want the item they will pay you, but if you don't hear from them again then you can try and resell.

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

100% don't part with the item without cash.

Woah, that was a big item to dip your toe back in the water on Ebay.

Paypal will refund the fees element automatically.

Hope it works out.

Be aware that when you refund via PayPal, PayPal will deduct fees so the amount returned will be less than the amount the buyer paid. I had this happen so I then had to deduct the same amount from the cash payment when buyer collected (bit annoying really cos like you I stated Cash on collection)

I once sold a £400 item on Ebay. Like you, I had put cash on collection and Ebay forced me to put PayPal, which the buyer paid.

The buyer was then being awkward/dodgy (in various ways) so I found a reason to cancel and got my money back (can't recall what happened to the fees sorry - think they were returned as I lost nothing. Don't forget PayPal also takes a fee).

I then sold the item on Gumtree cash on collection and no fees.

I only buy on Ebay now.

@RLOU30 is spot on.

New seller, High Value transaction = all sorts of red flags for eBay.

Buyer has paid by PayPal for their Buyer Protection and because it's the eBay preferred payment method.

If I bought something for £875 from anyone on eBay I would be wary of paying cash just in case there was an undisclosed fault which I discovered on getting home. I then come back and ask for my cash back you say fuck off sunshine.

With Paypal buyer is protected.

I've just checked and I've had the account since 2009 and have bought regularly since then but last sold something in 2012, so I'm sure that is the reason.

I've messaged the buyer asking her to cancel via eBay. Does anyone know if I'll still get stung for the ebay final value fee?

Just a note as it might affect when she can collect and pay cash: if you refund and she’s paid with a card, it’ll take the standard 3-5 working days to hit her bank account. If she’s paid with a Paypal balance it will be immediate.

Does anyone know if I'll still get stung for the ebay final value fee?

Well why shouldn't you pay the fee? You used ebay to find the buyer, so you should pay for the service!

Buyer can't cancel now btw. Only the seller can.

Of course you still need to pay the fees. I don't think you're allowed to cancel then do the sale outside of eBay. Understandably so, they're a business after all. If I were the buyer I wouldn't want to cancel the paypal as PayPal offers protection that cash doesn't.

I have something expensive to sell but I'm too scared to list it on eBay. eBay isn't what it used to be. They generally side with the buyer eg if the buyer says the item wasn't as described then ebay automatically refund I think.

You need to refund via PayPal. PayPal is only for delivered items. If the buyers claims not to receive you will lose the money and the item.

stung for the final value fee

Yes, in the same way that your local newsagent or local newspaper would ‘sting’ you for putting in an advert, with absolutely no idea if your item would sell or not.

Refund via PayPal. I had a buyer win several matching item auctions and pay straightaway when it was cash on collection. I refunded immediately and wasn't charged the PayPal fees. The buyer got all the money back and paid cash on collection.

If you haven't sold an item, or haven't made enough from selling, within a certain time frame, they hold payment until a) the item has been delivered via tracking, the buyer leaves feedback, or 21 days has passed.