What to do when an eBay buyer pays but doesn’t collect!

[Alabasterangel6]

Weird one. Sold a big piece of furniture on eBay. Buyer has paid online and I have messaged several times with dialogue as follows:

Me: hello, please let me know when you want to collect?
Them: hello. I’m in so I’ll have to hire a van?
Me: gosh that’s a long way to travel. Are you sure you want to proceed? Just let me know which day
Them: I’m getting a quote from the hire company. Can I have your postcode please?
Me: (this is a 100% feedback buyer with 500+ sales and the item was collection only)
Them: I’ll get onto the van hire now
-24 hours later-
Me: any luck on that day to collect?
Them: sorry I’ll call the van hire now
Me: thanks
-24 hours later-
Me: can we have a day please?
.......radio silence.......

But they’ve PAID me a not unsubstantial about of money and I have their address via PayPal.

I want this thing moved as we have new carpets coming.

I’ve searched eBay but nothing details what to do about a situation where the buyer fails to collect but has paid?

Anyone got any ideas what the protocol is?

How soon are your carpets coming?
Did you give a specific deadline date for collection in the listing?

No firm rules, but given that paypal just took 3.5% of your profit (and other reasons others will pounce on) I would refund the amount to get my 3.5% back, ask for cash on collection instead, and insist on collection by X date. This should all be reasonable.

I have no idea how you make him collect, but definitely refund the PayPal and ask for cash on collection.

If a buyer pays by PayPal and then collects, they can then report as not delivered. PayPal/eBay will ask you for proof of delivery, which you won't have, and they'll refund the buyer .....

Yes that’s a thought. I’ve said by this weekend. The item has sold for £50 and is worth £50. No way is it rare/special/amazing enough to warrant a 12 hour round trip, fuel and a van hire for. That’s what is confusing me.

I’d hope with such a massive positive feedback score they’d be halfway decent people though 🤔

Did you say cash only in your listing? If so I’d refund and tell the buyer cash on collection and must be by x date or you’ll relist

Urghh I had this! I sold a table and chairs which buyer paid for via PayPal. I asked her to collect, as stated in description, before the weekend. She didn’t want to collect before then and strung me along saying a van was on the way. Literally saying he’s just around the corner! I cancelled the sale and reported to eBay. The stupid cow then left me negative feedback saying I’d given her false address. Yeah alright love

We sold a garden table and chair set awhile back to someone with a very small car. She lived about 30 minutes away. She came, could only fit one chair in her boot. Said she’d be back. Finally 2 weeks later, returned and got another chair. We reminded her we were moving in another week or so and it had to be gone on x date. Silence after that. It went on the bonfire eventually after about 5 weeks of waiting on her.

Interestingly, before the same move, we had someone come and collect half a wooden playhouse (like the really nice garden kind with two stories). They couldn’t fit the rest of it on their trailer. About a week later texted to say they wouldn’t be back for the rest of it. What they did with half a (not inexpensive) playhouse I don’t know. That went on the bonfire too.

Sorry, no advice really except to burn it!

Friends of ours trade on eBay and frequently have people who buy large items, collection only, but who then don't come to get them. It's really weird as quite a bit of money is involved.

Initially they would store the items but now give a week's deadline before the item
will be relisted or sold elsewhere.

I'd contact the person with a final deadline and see if you get a response.