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Original poster

Sold collection item only on eBay - buyer lives 200 miles away

146 replies

whichwaytohome · 12/12/2023 22:22

I did start a thread in the eBay topic, but it's quiet and I need to know what to do next.

I listed a large item on eBay (after it never sold on FB). I clearly pointed out it was collection only and having just checked, there is no postage options on the listing.

I got notified that someone has bought it and paid (and I need to link to my bank, I'd hoped for cash on collection as I've bought that way 100s of times).

There is no address for this person, because I'd chosen collection only, eBay don't give you the address.

I've messaged the buyer asking when they can collect, but not had a reply yet.

I will not post this item, as it's in very good condition and those in worse condition have sold on there for far more, I put it cheaply so someone local would be tempted.

If I did post I'd lose even more as I never factored that in, so the buyer hasn't paid for a postal service.

I don't know what to do. 15 years of buying, but never having sold, and I've sold to someone who is likely to be awkward and want it posting or courier.

note from MNHQ - please read OP's updates before posting.

OP posts:
OwOwHolyCow · 12/12/2023 22:27

See how they respond. We sold a really large item to a bloke who lives in Devon, we are in the North West. Turns out he was headed near us for a job so picked it up on his way home.

Original poster
whichwaytohome · 12/12/2023 22:27

I've just found an email from eBay saying to arrange collection. It also says that I can confirm it's been collected so there isn't an item not received claim (sure it never used to have that).

So I guess I just wait and see what she says. I don't know what to do if she wants it posted or wants it couriered though.

OP posts:
Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 12/12/2023 22:28

If she wants it posted you cancel the sale and refund. No big deal.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General shopping
Original poster
whichwaytohome · 12/12/2023 22:29

@OwOwHolyCow that's encouraging. To be fair DH travelled by two buses, two trains and a tube last week, to get a car. This item is a child's toy, not that rare but cheap. Hopefully she will want to come.

OP posts:
Bogeyes · 12/12/2023 22:32

As its collection only you are not required to post it. Email the buyer and ask them when they wish to collect. If they can't collect you can refund their money. Always contact via ebay as ebay can see how things develop via messages from both buyer and seller. Do not feel obliged to post.

Player001 · 12/12/2023 22:33

Why are you assuming they want it posted? The listing was clear about pick up only and they haven't yet had a chance to respond to you. They have paid because Ebay require you to do so.

As PP said, if they say they want it posted then you cancel the sale, refund the money and start again.

Tacocatgoatcheesepizza · 12/12/2023 22:36
  1. Their address might not even be accurate! It’s not something I think I’d remember to change if I’d moved.
  2. DH buys things collection only from all over the country because he travels a lot for work.

In other words I really wouldn’t worry about it just yet.

minipie · 12/12/2023 22:36

There are absolutely loads of “we’ll collect your eBay purchase and drive it to you” services. The buyer is probably planning to use one of those. So bit like a courier but they do all the work of arranging it, not you. For you it’s as if they collect it.

Original poster
whichwaytohome · 12/12/2023 22:37

Thank you all. I'm a complete newbie to selling on there. I didn't realise you could cancel sales.

Thanks again, I will wait and see what she says.

OP posts:
minipie · 12/12/2023 22:37

Ah cross posted and see it’s a child’s toy. Wouldn’t be worth the we drive it to you cost then.

titchy · 12/12/2023 22:38

minipie · 12/12/2023 22:36

There are absolutely loads of “we’ll collect your eBay purchase and drive it to you” services. The buyer is probably planning to use one of those. So bit like a courier but they do all the work of arranging it, not you. For you it’s as if they collect it.

Except OP then tells EBay it's been collected, 'buyer' says they haven't received it and EBay refund the buyer. OP has neither item nor money.

Refund them, and insist on cash on collection.

Shadesofscarlett · 12/12/2023 22:41

never ever take paypal for a collected item - refund, cancel sale and block is what i would do.

ghostbusters · 12/12/2023 22:42

If the buyer wants it posted then cancel and refund their money then relist the item with added postage. As it was collection only you have no way of adding a postage option and you don't want to be out of pocket by paying for postage yourself.

BarbaraofSeville · 12/12/2023 22:45

I think ebay has now changed. When the buyer pays, the money goes into your bank account. There's also a security procedure now that means you can't fall victim to the 'no tracking number so I can have my money back' scam (I checked this all out very carefully after selling quite an expensive bike on ebay).

I would wait and see what the buyer says. They might be willing to travel/in the area. They might also send a (legitimate!) courier who will take the item unpacked, or do the packing - DP sold 4 wheels for a car this way.

Or they could have mistaken the OPs home town for one with a similar name where they are. We had this once, but to their credit, the buyer did make the 500 mile round trip from near the other Leeds to us.

Taurusandvirgo · 12/12/2023 23:07

Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 12/12/2023 22:28

If she wants it posted you cancel the sale and refund. No big deal.

And be hit with eBay fees. It's annoying.

OP wait and see if they collect. Lots of people travelling to other locations to visit relatives for Christmas, so the bidder may not be as mad as you think. I've travelled hundreds of miles before to collect something that new would have cost me over £1000 but I won it on eBay for £50. Even with petrol costs it was worth it.

They're not actually entitled to a refund so that's at your discretion. They're entitled to come collect the item they've bought and paid for and you're not blocking them from doing that.

They could arrange their own courier if you've got a box to post it in, some like UPS will collect from your home with a collection slot so you needn't wait in all day and they bring the shipping label to attach themselves. If the buyer has booked the courier and the item was listed as collection then they can't do a not received/damaged claim against you, they'd have to do it against the courier. Just ensure the item is available for inspection prior to the box being taped shut, if the person collecting it doesn't choose to inspect it and it later turns out to be damaged, that's on them. And ensure whoever collects signs whatever they need to sign so you can't later be stung by them saying they never collected it.

Taurusandvirgo · 12/12/2023 23:13

ghostbusters · 12/12/2023 22:42

If the buyer wants it posted then cancel and refund their money then relist the item with added postage. As it was collection only you have no way of adding a postage option and you don't want to be out of pocket by paying for postage yourself.

OP understandably doesn't want to do this because if she did, under eBay/PayPal rules she is liable for delivery. ie if the item doesn't arrive safely the buyer claims a refund from PayPal and OP is left to argue with the courier for a refund.

GladioliandSweetPeas · 12/12/2023 23:16

Shadesofscarlett · 12/12/2023 22:41

never ever take paypal for a collected item - refund, cancel sale and block is what i would do.

That's against eBay policy to take cash. Why is accepting online payment an issue? (EBay don't use PayPal anymore)

SoggyDoggyWalks · 12/12/2023 23:18

I often look at items near where my mum lives, 350 miles from me, in case the item I want is available in her area which is far more heavily populated than mine. I’ve never actually needed to ask her to get something on my behalf but she has done so for my brother.

MrsAvocet · 12/12/2023 23:18

She might actually be planning to come for it - I wouldn't give up yet. I've bought several bikes on ebay that were collection only and driven quite long distances to collect. Or sometimes I've asked friends/relatives who live nearer to collect for me and then got it from them when we next see each other. As a PP said, a lot of people are travelling to see family at this time of year so the buyer might be heading your way anyway. Give her a bit of time to reply.

Taurusandvirgo · 12/12/2023 23:19

whichwaytohome · 12/12/2023 22:37

Thank you all. I'm a complete newbie to selling on there. I didn't realise you could cancel sales.

Thanks again, I will wait and see what she says.

You can't really.

You can cancel if they don't pay.

Otherwise you're asking for a mutual withdrawal from sale. If they don't agree, not only will you be hit with the fees for listing the item you'll be hit with the fees for having sold it too, regardless of whether you actually refunded them.

I'd push them to collect. The onus is on them to read the listing before bidding.

Is there no longer the option to disable PayPal as a payment method for a particular listing? I'd do that for collection only items in future, if it's possible, like you I'd rather have cash.

Original poster
whichwaytohome · 12/12/2023 23:22

@Taurusandvirgo OK that's worrying. I'm hoping she will collect it, maybe has family here or something. But what do I do if she refuses? I don't have to post it to her, as there is no option as I don't have her address, and eBay says "mark as collected", so they won't expect me to post it either; but what do I do if she does refuse? How can I refund and get my fees back if she refuses to collect and refuses to withdraw?

OP posts:
katmarie · 12/12/2023 23:24

I once bought 2 heavy boxes of books collection only, on ebay, about 250 miles from where I lived, but in the same town as a client I was visiting regularly. So it's not impossible they will collect.

I did message them straight away after winning to arrange the pickup though.

Original poster
whichwaytohome · 12/12/2023 23:25

@Taurusandvirgo No, there isn't an ability to disable PayPal or any other payment method. Apparently you can disable immediate payment, but I've only just discovered that. I made it perfectly clear that it was collection only, so am surprised she bought it if she doesn't intend to collect.

OP posts:
Fantasea · 12/12/2023 23:31

OP, I don't think you can change the postage terms once the listing has completed so if you've stated collection then the buyer has to adhere to this. I sell quite a bit on eBay and buyers can be quite slow to respond so I'd not worry she won't collect it just yet.

Fantasea · 12/12/2023 23:35

Just a thought, if you do decide to post to this buyer at the price you've sold the item for plus postage, then cancel the sale and relist your item plus postage as a custom listing for her to rebuy. Make the title 'custom listing for 'buyer's username'' and send her the link to the listing.