Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
MasterchefMeansRiceKrispiesFor · 14/12/2023 20:02

I bought a (cheap) antique Welsh dresser on eBay years ago- collection only. I used a company called Shiply (no idea if they still exist but I’m sure other similar ones do now) to find a man and van to go pick it up. They did and it was worth every penny . I knew I could do that before I bought it, it has to be said- but basically meant I arranged and paid for delivery myself.

Just wait- they own the item, it was clearly sold as collection only. I wouldn’t have been happy with cash on delivery though- i bought via PayPal (at the time) so the item was clearly mine in transit and subject to all the usual PayPal/ ebay guarantees. Good luck

Chilicabbage · 14/12/2023 20:05

JustWimpy · 13/12/2023 19:28

... or the courier was going to pay me. They were all obvious scams

How is a courier handing you cash before you give over the goods going to be a scam? It's becoming almost impossible to buy from some people as they think every situation is an 'obvious' scam and they are so clever to suspect it. I send couriers all the time to collect furniture for me and for those afraid of online payments, cash when collecting is all that's left.

Couriers do not handle or transport money

KirstenBlest · 14/12/2023 20:05

I collected something last week. It was a bit of a drive but I got it at such a good price it was worth it.
Not many bidders probably because it was a fairly unusual item in a not central location.

I've had someone collect by a 'man with a van' and it wasn't ideal. He turned up at 10 p.m.

I've had someone collect from about 100 miles away. That was fine.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General shopping
DoodlesMam · 14/12/2023 20:05

I do a lot of ebay. if it's not suitable for posting cancel the sale and refund if she's paid, and relist with NOT FOR POSTING in a massive font in the new listing... .xxx If by some magic it is suitable for posting relist with post.... I made the mistake of trying to post glass light fittings once. every one of 5 smashed by royal mail, had to refund the lot.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 14/12/2023 20:16

If you listed it as collection only it’s up to them to collect it. You won’t have to deliver it. If they’ve made a mistake it will be up to them to solve the issue.

Rosscameasdoody · 14/12/2023 20:22

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.

The Confirmation of collection is a recent protection for sellers. Cash on collection didn’t provide any buyer protection if the item proved faulty after collection, so buyers used to ignore the cash on collection instruction and pay via ebay or PayPal before collecting. Then the unscrupulous ones would notify eBay that the item hadn’t been posted/collected and as there was no record of posting on the part of the seller, the buyer could claim back the payment from the seller, so they got the item and the refund. This happened to me twice, despite having written receipts for collection on both occasions - ebay always sides with the buyer.

I would approach ebay and open a case to have the transaction cancelled. It’s not your responsibility. If you have listed collection only and not given a postage option, then it’s down to the buyer to make sure they have read and understood the listing and their obligation to collect. You can arrange a refund of the payment via the ebay system and ebay should give you a refund on the selling costs.

bibbotybobbityboo · 14/12/2023 20:23

I just this week bought a piece of furniture on eBay from a similar distance away (couldn’t find it closer). Used AnyVan (they have a relationship with eBay and there was a button to click to go to the anyvan website) to pick it up and deliver it to me (after I’d paid online on eBay the usually way). Admittedly the delivery cost me more than the item itself (!) but overall worked a dream.

it’s a thing.

caringcarer · 14/12/2023 20:30

Maybe they have a relative who lives close to you who will collect for them.

coldcallerbaiter · 14/12/2023 20:35

Some buyers send a van or courier pickup… I have sold this way hassle free….there are van services now that do a loop around a 50 mile round trip, picking up heavy items for people cheaply

Morgysmum · 14/12/2023 20:43

If they get in touch and say they cannot collect, say you could arrange a courier, but they would have to pay for it.
Or they might, arrange a courier and you would have to pack it for them.
My partner sold his guitar on Ebay, the buyer, travelled from London to Sheffield.
So you never know, they come for it.

Original poster
whichwaytohome · 14/12/2023 20:57

I've said above, but I'll repeat it in case some missed it. It's been resolved. The buyer said she didn't realise we were so far away, I said I couldn't post, so she asked for a refund. I cancelled the sale, saying it was at the buyer's request and she has been refunded. I'm not going to list it again, not just before Christmas when people may bid in a rush without thinking.

OP posts:
Cariadm · 14/12/2023 21:03

If the buyer eventually insists that you post and that they will not collect you will have only one simple and obvious recourse 😳 which will be to refund the payment (which was presumably made through Paypal) and then realist the item! 🙄 It's not great having to give a payment back but sometimes it's unavoidable 😞 We have been selling on Ebay since 2002 and there have been a few occasions where refunds have to be made...You are making this into a problem but it's really not!! 🤔

Siha345 · 14/12/2023 21:05

JustWimpy · 13/12/2023 19:28

... or the courier was going to pay me. They were all obvious scams

How is a courier handing you cash before you give over the goods going to be a scam? It's becoming almost impossible to buy from some people as they think every situation is an 'obvious' scam and they are so clever to suspect it. I send couriers all the time to collect furniture for me and for those afraid of online payments, cash when collecting is all that's left.

I’ve never heard of anyone genuine actually doing this, I thought it was only scammers who said this and didn’t know it was an option with couriers. Do people not think you’re trying to scam them when you suggest it? Or is an option offered by the seller?

Nineteendays · 14/12/2023 21:28

JustWimpy · 13/12/2023 19:28

... or the courier was going to pay me. They were all obvious scams

How is a courier handing you cash before you give over the goods going to be a scam? It's becoming almost impossible to buy from some people as they think every situation is an 'obvious' scam and they are so clever to suspect it. I send couriers all the time to collect furniture for me and for those afraid of online payments, cash when collecting is all that's left.

It’s a really common scam on Facebook marketplace. Constantly happens with almost every item I sell at the moment. I don’t know how the scam works, I think they ask for bank details at some point. And then take the item and then refund the cash or something. But every person I’ve clicked on to see their profile who has tried this with me has had random places as their home town like New York. And I’m selling a pair of roller skates pick up only in wales.

Original poster
whichwaytohome · 14/12/2023 21:40

@Cariadm I already updated and said that she didn't realise we were so far away and could I post, when I said no, she asked for a refund, so I cancelled and refunded. I guess before Christmas people are more likely to rush into buying without looking properly, due to having a lot going on, so it's all fine :)

OP posts:
JustWimpy · 14/12/2023 21:57

Chilicabbage · 14/12/2023 20:05

Couriers do not handle or transport money

Show quote history

Nonsense. I have 2 couriers I use who frequently pay cash to sellers when I ask them to collect. It's just silly to state no courier handles money.

JustWimpy · 14/12/2023 22:00

Siha345 · 14/12/2023 21:05

I’ve never heard of anyone genuine actually doing this, I thought it was only scammers who said this and didn’t know it was an option with couriers. Do people not think you’re trying to scam them when you suggest it? Or is an option offered by the seller?

Show quote history

Not everyone owns a van! It's perfectly logical that someone needs to hire a person with one to collect furniture. Most people understand that.

Mt61 · 14/12/2023 22:08

Surprising how many buyers on eBay never read the description, so annoying when you have put CASH ONLY ON PICKUP- they then pay by Pay-Pal & ask for you to arrange delivery 😩 or go the extra mile for them & don’t get any feed-back 😩

Pomvit · 14/12/2023 22:09

If you’ve put collection only then They need to collect. They’ve paid so it’s on them to sort it out. Just wait for the reply

Gardengirl108 · 14/12/2023 22:22

Why are you panicking that your buyer won’t collect the item? Has she even hinted that she won’t (even though she’s paid)? She may have just gone to bed. Deal with it when you’ve got something to worry about. Edited: can see your last update now. I take it all back!

Latenightreader · 14/12/2023 22:32

Nineteendays · 14/12/2023 21:28

It’s a really common scam on Facebook marketplace. Constantly happens with almost every item I sell at the moment. I don’t know how the scam works, I think they ask for bank details at some point. And then take the item and then refund the cash or something. But every person I’ve clicked on to see their profile who has tried this with me has had random places as their home town like New York. And I’m selling a pair of roller skates pick up only in wales.

Show quote history

Absolutely this. I was selling a basic second hand cot and had half a dozen people supposedly sending a courier 100+ miles. No one would do this when there were lots listed closer to their ‘home’ and yes I did ask a coupleof them and they just said they really liked my item. Strangely similar phrases across the messages…. I looked it up and it is a well known scam.

everyonesgreen · 14/12/2023 22:43

As a general warning to sellers.
I sold something very cheaply (£400, was worth £700) just to get rid of it, with a clear instruction that it was collection only and that buyers should take a look at the item first.
The person who won it, paid and sent a specialist courier to collect it before whingeing about the condition of the item - that he chose not to to view - I ended up giving £100 refund to get rid of what appeared to be a professional complainant.
If you want cash on collection, don't be afraid to stick to your guns and refuse to deal with intermediaries.

Wintersgirl · 14/12/2023 22:51

Couriers do not handle or transport money

Yes they do....

BrummieLassie · 14/12/2023 23:03

We live near Manchester and bought a computer "Collection only" from Newton Abbot for my son. I then had three friends that all lived nearby that I could ask to collect and mail up to us. When the bloke gave me the collection address, I said "Oh you are by the Pottery" and he said "Yes", so he obviously knew that I am aware of the area as I used to live nearby. So one of my friends went and collected the computer and mailed it up as the seller wouldn't mail it.

But then I accidently bought a jumper that was collection only from Plymouth and every item they had listed was posted, so it was obviously just an oversight on their part - they never sent the jumper and kept my money.

RiverCartwright · 14/12/2023 23:08

Glad it’s sorted OP.

My record for a collection item? Spain. I am right in the middle of England. It was also a toy, not especially rare but as a bundle I suppose it was cheaper. I was adamant they were taking the piss but a lovely lady emailed me, said she was an expat living in Spain, it was for her Dd and her mum lived in my town so would collect with cash, oh and she was sorry if the location caused a fright 😂
Mum picked up the day after and a week later I had a message saying her Dd was thrilled with it as her Mum had taken it over when visiting.