To be wary of this eBay buyer?

[LiteraryDevil1]

I'm selling something (a pram part) on eBay on auction format that ends tomorrow night.
Since last night I've had loads of messages from a potential buyer asking if it fits the model she has, can I post it next day delivery as they need it for next Sunday, can I use UPS or another company and find my local drop off point, can I include another part (had said in the listing I could). I've spent a fair amount of time figuring out couriers and trying to weigh it which was difficult due to size and shape. I updated the listing with the price of the courier for next day delivery. Tonight I've had more messages saying she can get someone to collect it for me. She lives about 5 hours drive away from me so it seems odd that a friend could collect. She's asked if I can help package it for the friend to collect.

It all seems a bit odd but maybe I'm being paranoid

I've made the listing PayPal only now as worried that friend will turn up without means to pay for it having assumed the buyer has already paid. I've had trouble before with this happening so have learnt from that mistake!

I'm not sure if English is their first language so the questions might be coming across a little strangely but it just strikes me as odd.

The item is £28.00 (starting bid)and only one watcher so if they are the watcher they are quite likely to win it. It's been on a few weeks now with no bids so am eager to sell but something just seems odd about this.

Would you be wary or am I just being silly?

Well, after the million and one questions and fuss they didn't even bid! What a time waster!

Hang on. Different buyer, same postcode!

I think it's dodgy. If you were selling something for £280 quid that was an absolute bargain, then fair enough, but for £28? If you do decide to sell to this buyer, make sure they are aware that whoever picks up the item MUST have the correct money and all of it - wouldn't surprise me if they said 'oh, thought they paid by Paypal?' and then claimed to only have £20 on them, presuming you will accept it just to get rid.

Same postcode? Very odd!

Different buyer, same postcode!

Only just seen your thread - has the auction finished now? If not I strongly suggest you block the "questioner" immediately, and if it has make darned sure you don't back down on the cash on collection only

The trouble here is that ebay insist you must offer Paypal, so if they pay this way all you can do is refund them an insist on the cash. It would probably earn you negative feedback, but some might well feel that's better than losing your item and the money too

Auction has finished. No contact from them yet.

Have changed the listing to cash on collection

Just as well, but as mentioned they can easily ignore it. If they do - or if they break any other condition, come to that - don't expect any help from ebay. There's a vanishing chance they could support you, but more likely you'd get an totally unhelpful script read from a screen, delivered in an impenetrable accent

Auction has finished No contact from them yet

Blast In that case I'd suggest you take the initiative by sending them a polite message reminding them of the "CoC" in your listing and asking when they'll come. They may or may not comply, but if it comes to calling ebay it's the best chance you'll get to protect yourself

As you'll probably have gathered I no longer sell on there, and for good reason

Well they want it for Monday and have told them I'm going away at the end of the week so unless they are collecting tomorrow morning then it will need posting.

Good luck with all of that ... they'll probably blame you for not being available for long enough to facilitate collection. Did you mention in the listing that the time available for this was short?

At least if it needs posting - even though they'd need to pay the increased amount via Paypal first - you can use a courier with proper tracking and that way ebay should in theory cover you

So is it the same person? Or I’m guessing a couple each has separate accounts and one has asked qns and the other has bid. I don’t think it sounds particularly dodgy - if they were trying to scam you I doubt they’d draw your attention with the multiple qns in that way. We have family 3 hours away who we might ask to pick up something then get it from them next time we see them. Hope all works out ok.

Still nothing. Hoping it's all above board!

I would cancel the bid and block both id's and e.mail addresses, it sounds too iffy to me.

Contact Ebay customer services and ask if you can cancel the sale.

Husband and wife. Husband at work and wife is the one who bid. No mention of collection or payment yet. If nothing by the morning then I'll tell them I have to courier it to them. I'm guessing parcel force is pretty trustworthy and has tracking.

The eBay discussion boards are always worth a look, unfortunately they are not flagged prominently these days.

The regulars on there have been trading for years and will give you advice.

community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Seller-Central/bd-p/27

Well I've sent a message to the actual buyer covering myself by mentioning her OH has been messaging about the item and what he said. I also have messages that clearly connect the 2 eBay members. I've said I'll dispatch as soon as I receive payment. There's been no mention of collection and I'm not hanging around waiting for them to arrange it.
I'm sticking to selling clothes from now on!

Argh! Still nothing from the buyer! Tomorrow is the last day I can post it to them as am away (as I told them) and also to ensure they have it for Monday. Will send another reminder.

Please be vigilant with cash. My MIL sold an item on eBay for cash on collection.

Seller paid in fake notes, my MIL did check them using the gold it to the light method, and checked the serial numbers matched too. They were excellent copies. Only caught when she went to pay for fuel at the petrol station and they put it into a machine to check authenticity.

Sorry didn’t rtft! Hope all works out

It gets worse!

Tomorrow is the last day I can post it to them as am away (as I told them) and also to ensure they have it for Monday

If you told them when you were going away then fair enough; a rational mind may feel it's up to them to sort payment or accept they won't get it in time

Trouble is, ebay isn't always rational and if they leave you a neg review they'll almost certainly say "it's their opinion so there's nothing we can do"

As you mentioned, it's probably safer to stick to selling clothes only in future ... and even then you'll get no protection against those who expect to use you as a trying on service or a "wear and return" facility

I think the "friend to collect" will turn out to be a courier. I think thats why its taking some time to organise and why they've asked for it to be packaged. They'll pay with PayPal. If this happens, watch out. You won't have tracking to prove it's sent/recieved. I've had this nearly happen to me with a baby backpack thing. Nearly lost £200.

I've still not heard anything. Her OH was sending loads of messages before they bid so the radio silence now is odd. Especially as they were desperate for it for Monday. Of course eBay gives them 48hrs to pay.
If they send a courier I won't be handing anything over. I'll want a name and description of the collector! I'll also refund if they pay by PayPal but are going to collect.

@OP
cancel the sale and re-list?