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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

eBay buyer wants to do cash on collection...

100 replies

chockaholic72 · 05/03/2020 21:53

... and I don’t!

Just sold an item on eBay - I don’t do many, it’s all gone well previously, PayPal does the money, I stick it in the post, and everyone is happy.

I’ve sold an expensive item of mountaineering equipment - small enough to go in the post. Before the auction ended he emailed me asking if I’d do a Buy It Now for a stupidly low amount and he’d pay cash on collection. I said no, I’d rather it was sorted by auction. Auction has just finished, and he’s straight on email asking if he can pay cash on collection.

Yes, I’m one of those people who doesn’t always answer the door. I live on my own, on a single track road, and don’t feel comfortable with some random guy turning up. Add to that his pushyness for cash on collection and I just feel a bit suspicious. The item sold for over £200 and I don’t want to get scammed. Before I email back am I being unreasonable to insist he pay by PayPal and wait for the item? Any scams going on that I don’t know about?

OP posts:

Unreasonablyextravagant · 05/03/2020 21:55

Absolutely 100% a scam, do not accept. And do not allow collection in person or you will have no proof of delivery, and they will claim to have not received the item.

TheReluctantCountess · 05/03/2020 21:56

If you didn’t offer collection on your listing, then you don’t have to agree to it. Stick to your guns.

Feelingpoorlysick · 05/03/2020 21:56

Cash on collection is actually better for you in some ways as you then don't have to pay the PayPal fees and there is no way for him to try to scam to get his money back through PayPal.
The only thing I would be wary about is the fact that you will be on your own at time of collection. Is there a friend or someone who could be with you?

OneTimePrepper · 05/03/2020 21:56

The common collection scam is that they pay using paypal then collect the item. They then make a claim saying they paid but it didnt arrive, as you didnt send it out you have no proof they took the item so they win the case.

Given they are wanting to pay cash this might not be a scam. However you are fully entitled to tell them to adhere to the terms of the auction otherwise you wil relist.

PinkiOcelot · 05/03/2020 21:57

Do you realise when selling on eBay you pay 10% to eBay, then a % of postage costs and % to PayPal?
Sorry doesn’t answer your question, but eBay a right rip off these days.

intothedark · 05/03/2020 21:57

That's a big scam they will put in a claim saying not received and be refunded in full by ebay don't accept payment on collection

GreyishDays · 05/03/2020 21:58

Yeah I agree, the scam is to pay by PayPal and then collect. They then say you never posted it and get the PayPal reversed.

Feelingpoorlysick · 05/03/2020 21:58

**Absolutely 100% a scam, do not accept. And do not allow collection in person or you will have no proof of delivery, and they will claim to have not received the item.

He can't claim not received if he hasn't paid through PayPal

NailsNeedDoing · 05/03/2020 21:59

He probably just wants to check it’s all as expected before handing over £200. That’s a lot of money to trust to a stranger on the internet, and he’s not to know that you live alone on a single track road, so I’m not sure why you think it’s suspicious. But if you don’t want to do it, then just don’t.

Pugdoglife · 05/03/2020 22:02

If they pay by cash, then they can't get a refund from eBay/PayPal.
So I don't think it's any kind of scam, unless it was forged notes, which I would doubt.
Some people just prefer to collect so they know the item is ok and that it won't get damaged in the post.

But obviously if you are uncomfortable with it, you are perfectly within your rights to say no.

jakeyboy1 · 05/03/2020 22:02

My dada had this the other day. He said only if I can take a photo of you with the item - they agreed was fine!

roses2 · 05/03/2020 22:05

Weird that he wants to pay cash but that works better for you as no PayPal fees to pay and no chance of him reclaiming the money.

Does he want to save on postage fees? How much are you charging for postage?

Could you meet him in a public place to handover the item? Like a library, station etc?

BuckingFrolics · 05/03/2020 22:05

I had that last week. In the end the buyer mucked needs about with collection arrangements and I pulled out but I feel a degree not concern that I gave this stranger my address. I won't agree to that in future.

MyDcAreMarvel · 05/03/2020 22:07

The scam is when collectors insist on PayPal they claim item not received.
It is far better to accept cash on collection.

Hiddenfigurines · 05/03/2020 22:07

I usually meet people in the nearby supermarket car park

ZorbaTheHoarder · 05/03/2020 22:07

I wouldn't do it. He could turn up at your door and then start haggling over the price, saying it has blemishes, etc. He might be planning to browbeat you into accepting less than the agreed price.

As others have said, if you hand it over for cash, you have no proof that you have done so...

confusednortherner · 05/03/2020 22:10

I often asked and collected paying cash as I know no postage worries and saves people PayPal fees. I wouldn't assume it's a scam personally

Schoolisback1973 · 05/03/2020 22:11

I actually think it is better for you. I got scammed £800 for a phone from a buyer claiming he never received it. PayPal reimbursed him even though I had proof! I only do cash on collection. Ask for a picture or the buyer to leave a feedback on Ebay before handing over the item. It is also their fees aren’t cheap

Intelinside57 · 05/03/2020 22:12

If you hand it over for cash you don't need any proof that you've done so. As several people have already said, the scammers pay by Paypal then collect in person. He should have asked about this before completing the auction. Either insist on Paypal and posting and be prepared to lose him as a buyer, or let him collect somewhere away from your home where you will be in company. If you want get him to sign a receipt and take a photo of him doing it. (As happened to me when I collected a saddle, which I was fine about).

Cakeisbest · 05/03/2020 22:13

Or he’ll ask to pay less when he turns up, you’ll be less likely to refuse as he’s in front of you. I’d stick with the usual PayPal and postage offer.

VadenuRewetje · 05/03/2020 22:15

I don't think you should agree. you're isolated and alone, he could turn up, ask to see the item and then say it isn't worth £200 and try to get you to accept lower. you don't have to tell him why though. you offered it for sale by auction with postal delivery. if he doesn't like the terms he can withdraw and you can offer the item to the next-highest bidder.

CastleCrasher · 05/03/2020 22:18

Thing is, eBay and PayPal generally side with the buyer, so it's an easy scam to say the item was never received, it wasn't as described, and get a full refund. Once they hand you cash, it's yours, there's no charge back facility for cash. I'd agree, but meet somewhere public and insist on getting a photo of him with the item, or better, a photo of his id and the item

BumbleBeee69 · 05/03/2020 22:19

Show ebay the correspondence...

PeachesPlumsPears · 05/03/2020 22:19

This

Symbollove · 05/03/2020 22:20

You can do money on collection without him then having a chance to claim that you didn't send the item, by cancelling the item that was won by him, tell him he needs to agree to cancellation and then he can collect and pay on collection. That way he will have no chance of afterwards claiming he didn't receive the item. Have a friend wait with you on day of collection

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