.. To expect payment for a piece of furniture on eBay prior to collection?

[Boltonlass1972]

Have sold stuff before, had payment and then arranged them to collect. This buyer asked for my address and said he needs to pay and collect. I've said I want payment before I give out my address. AIBU?

It is quite common to do cash on collection, but as you are the seller, you set the terms.

No dont do it. You must do cash in collection.

Otherwise he can say he didn't get the goods and paypal will refund him.

It is better to take cash on collection as if they pay by PayPal they could make a claim after saying item was not received and u have no proof so they would get a refund, this can't happen if they give you cash

PayPal means you pay pp fees and the buyer can get a refund if they find fault.
Cash on collection means you keeps he full amount and the buyer has no comeback.
I always ask for cash payment when I sell collection only items.

It's ultimately up to you but cash on collection is the norm for items which need to be collected in my experience

As above, payment on collection protects you as the seller. If they pay by PayPal it's very easy for them to say to PayPal that they didn't receive the item and the payment is reversed.

Cash on collection is the best option for you. Seriously.

Don't ever take PayPal on collection items.
It can be exploited by unscrupulous buyers whereby they can clam item was never received and as PayPal requires trackabke evidence of delivery you as a seller don't have it so your buyer gets a refund and your item.
Buyers can also raise not as described cases and force you to refund them.

Jumping in to say cash on collection. Otherwise they can ask for a refund and you have no money no item.

you are just being a bit trusting and naive but its your risk

What's her risk BombadierFritz?

OP - do insist on cash for collection items, as everyone else above has said.

As far as I am aware, a buyer can just get your address from eBay by clicking on your profile in the purchase details.

It may just be for posting but I have never had to ask for an address when sending something I have sold. But I would not expect to pay for something before I collected it.

Cash on collection. Safer and cheaper all round.

He can get your address from eBay if he's won the item anyway, so go cash on collection and save yourself the PayPal trouble down the line.

Always cash on collection. My parents ebay all the time and its always cash on collection. You never know whos gonna swindle you.

Yes, as everyone else has said, you should only accept cash for a collection item.

its her risk that he might put in a refund claim. she can do it if she wants. its just trusting/naive. its not against ebay rules though so her choice/risk to take

Oh I thought you meant giving her address was the risk and didn't understand why.

I think payment before collection would go against eBay guidelines /advice. If the buyer pays in advance of collecting, how do they know they will receive the goods? If it's something small, you could just meet them in a public place. Otherwise, suck it up, decline the sale or tell them you can only do delivery.

Definitely cash on collection.

Much better to ask for cash on collection. In fact, paying by PayPal for large items and then claiming 'item not received' after collection is a classic eBay scam.

Just as an alternative as a buyer.
I won a fish tank on collection only.
The seller asked for cash but I paid via paypal. She wasnt happyl
she wrote a message saying it was her sons tank and as I paid by paypal he wouldnt get the money. She wanted me to bring along cash and she would refund me.
I refused, collected the empty tank, got it home plugged it in and it didnt work.
I got refunded by paypal.
Lesson learned

Why wouldn't you want to give your address? If you're that concerned about strangers knowing your address what are you doing selling a pick up item on ebay?

Bit silly if you don't accept cash on collection.