Ebay selling mistake, any advice?

[Blueskymorning]

Nc as this is completely unrelated to my main name.

I listed an item on ebay for one day auction, wanted cash on collection but ebay wouldn't let me use that. Literally wouldn't allow the listing as cash on collection. It sold for a decent price and buyer paid straight away, we were in instant contact sorting out collection.

I had another listing along the same vain and maybe stupidly asked if he was interested in that too I'd take it down for cash at the rate I'd listed (wasn't bothered about it going up, just wanted it gone) when he collected item 1. He was really happy with that and agreed so I did.

I said in the listing item 2 had been working but was in storage and hadn't been used for some time, I had no way of testing it but they could bring something to test it themselves. So he knew this.

Buyer came, was really friendly, tested out item 1, worked perfect, packed it up and paid for item 2 and went to leave. I reminded him about feedback because paypal are holding the funds.

When he got home he messaged to say item 2 wasn't working well and he should've brought something to test. I said I would happily refund part if usable through paypal or all if he wanted to bring it back but please don't forget item 1 feedback as that was fine.

He said he's waiting to test item 2 properly and get that sorted first! I had put buyer to collect on the listing so I marked it as despatched and left feedback for easy transaction but my funds are still pending. Do I have to wait dor feedback to actually get my payment or have I just lost it if he says it doesn't work even though he tested before leaving, because he may not be happy with 2nd item?

I took video of him packing and leaving (as I was a bit worried he might say he didn't collect, I'm just a pessimist) and have messages confirming ebay item was fine so hopefully if there was a dispute I'm covered

Forgive my pessimism but I doubt it; they can be truly bone headed about this and just parrot "show us use of a recognised tracking system". You can try to reason with them but generally you might as well talk to a wall, so your best hope is that the buyer turns out to be decent after all ... if they're not, you'll almost certainly be out of luck with ebay

And apologies for my earlier mistake; it's being a new seller which causes funds to be held, rather than a new buyer

Videos / Photos / Signed bits of paper make no difference whatsoever.

Never accept PayPal for collection items.
Yes, ebay won’t allow you the remove the option for PP payment but if a buyer pays that way you just refund them and remind them it’s cash oncollectipn only.

Thanks again, no I definitely wouldn't choose that method of payment and receipt again now I know I can refund and accept cash instead!

Puzzledandpissedoff
Forgive my pessimism but I doubt it; they can be truly bone headed about this and just parrot "show us use of a recognised tracking system"
It's bizarre they could come out with that when collection in person is a valid method of receipt, and preferable for larger items (like mine was)!

Just to update, buyer left positive feedback, which is great because they did seem so nice and friendly, and I called paypal to check. They said if I didn't call funds would have been available feb 2nd but they can see the feedback so will authorise early release...for the 22nd. So good but could've been quicker, I don't understand the hold up there!

And buyer did a service on the other item and it's apparently working well "for now". So good all round I think. Few lessons learned along the way of course...

It's bizarre they could come out with ("show us use of a recognised tracking system") when collection in person is a valid method of receipt, and preferable for larger items

Yes, it's bizarre - but that's ebay for you. I once sold an extremely fragile clock which was obviously collection only, but bought by someone who insisted I post it. When I refused and offered to cancel the sale, I received a tirade of the most filthy abuse and reported it to ebay - only to be told "we can't delete it as it's just his opinion"

I did eventually get it removed by raising hell with their "appeals dept", but if they cared even slightly about their sellers it wouldn't have been necessary; unfortunately, in my opinion, they don't

Very glad it seems to have worked out for you though, and as you say, at least you'll know what to do next time

Glad it's worked out okay, OP - ebay is a bit of a minefield these days and, as others have pointed out, it's not easy to find relevant info on the site itself.

You do realise you have to transfer the funds from PayPal to your bank account, sorry if I'm teaching my granny to suck eggs

Accountant haha yes I know but in the meantime I would have been able to use some of it to get a few little bits online (iceland accept paypal).

However I noticed on my account last night it still said payment date is February, so I sent a message through their system and they've now said no the person I spoke to was wrong it won't be released on Monday, it will be February! Which is utterly no use at all. So back at square one, looking for things to sell NOT on ebay. My own fault.

Not sure if it's been said, but if you have messages from the buyer then use those as proof of collection. Have you tried using shpock? It's great and free to use, can do cash on collection