To buy a collection only eBay item

[ScariestFairyByFar]

And send a courier to collect it?
I've not done it yet.

I would ask them first.

Do you expect them to package it and to wait in for the courier etc?

There are many sellers who won't deal with a courier because of issues like claims for damaged items - was the damage caused by the courier etc.

You need to check first, otherwise you'll have paid for a courier only to have them turned away by the seller.

Yes, unless you ask first. I'd be pissed off if someone did that to me without checking. If they're at work all the time they're not going to wait for a courier so may refuse to sell it and then you've messed the auction up.

YABU. Check first. A buyer did this to me and caused me no end of trouble.

You need to check first to see if it is ok.

Ask first. It is likely that they would have to wait in the whole day for a courier, plus of course the possibility if damage in transit.

You need to check first.
I had someone win one if my local pick up items. She contacted me after the auction ended saying she'd be sending a courier. I had to message her then cancel the transaction as I couldn't be in to wait for a courier hence listing the item as pick up only.

YABU
Unless you can find a courier that will turn up at a mutually convenient time AND package the item for you.
Unfair to expect a seller to wait in all day and possibly forego PayPal protection depending on the courier you choose.

Ask the seller first, but I certainly wouldn't do it.

Well the seller might well ask for a prior bank transfer in the circumstances so Seller Protection would be moot.

I've done it four times, all for pieces of furniture though that didn't need packaging. I checked with the seller before bidding, and later they gave me convenient times for pickup, after which I found a courier who could work with those times. Two sellers who were more furniture dealer types were happy to arrange the courier themselves. In my limited experience, the couriers were the ones who had the more limited time frames, saying they had to pick up before 10am for example, whereas the sellers were more free with their time. I think some people list items as collection only so that they don't have to price up postage ahead of the auction, but are happy to agree a price afterwards once you've won. Definitely check with the seller though.

Yes ywbu

Yes yabu you need to ask BEFORE bidding

I have done it twice, used any van.com for quotes, they were much cheaper than couriers. I did ask beforehand though, wasn't a problem.

I think you should ask first. I have a friend who does this all the time without asking and then wonders why sellers get the arse with her

Very unreasonable unless you ask before bidding.

Yabu without asking first. Packaging something suitably well for a courier can be a big job, then there's waiting in for them to collect, and then the huge hassle if the item is damaged.

I've done it quite a few times, but I have always asked first.