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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
AdobeWanKenobi · 05/03/2020 23:12

My bolds are failing and my ipad didn't seem to want to string a legible sentence together in any of that.

pigoons · 05/03/2020 23:13

I don't see what the problem is tbh if you agree to meet at a public place.

FourCappuccinos · 05/03/2020 23:13

I don’t accept cash on collection because I have had total time wasters before.

This! So many people claiming they can't make it 10 minutes before the designated time, so many people asking to change location, and IF (and that's a big IF) they finally manage to show up, you'll get the hagglers asking for ~30% off because there's a hairline scratch in the paint or whatever frivolous reason they can think of.

What they're banking on is either you feeling guilty that they've come 'all the way' or you thinking that since you've gone to a halfway point you 'might as well'!

AdobeWanKenobi · 05/03/2020 23:16

If its cash on collection, how do ebay make their money?

Sellers are billed monthly. Ebay and paypal are now separate entities.

Another heads up whilst on that subject. Met a friendly buyer who pays cash and wants to save you eBay fees? Or has a buyer messaged you and tried to arrange an off ebay saLe? If you cancel an auction and eBay suspect you sold it anyway they will try and take the fees.

Jaxhog · 05/03/2020 23:36

No way! You already told him no, so he's won the auction fraudulently. He's either an idiot or a con artist. Probably the latter. Report him to eBay.

Jaxhog · 05/03/2020 23:41

Yes, there is a problem with cash on collection. My Bro did this and lost a whole lot of money to a scammer, who just walked off with the item and threatened him in the process.

If your terms are clear, stick to them.

thriftyhen · 05/03/2020 23:44

I run my own business and use eBay. NEVER accept PayPal for a pick-up item. ALWAYS ask for cash on collection. If you accept PayPal and the buyer picks up the item, there is no proof that it was ever sent, even though they have the item. The scam in this case is that they can claim the money back from eBay as an "Item not received". If you hand over the item and get cash in exchange the deal is done and there are no PayPal fees either.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 05/03/2020 23:55

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

Neither you nor the buyer have proof, but you don't need it - he takes your item and you take his cash, so where's the worry? No different in principle from buying something from a real-life market stall.

Cash on collection is the only sensible method. Ebay still get their cut when you mark the transaction as completed.* Paypal don't earn anything on this occasion, but their primary purpose is for people sending money online where handing over cash isn't possible or feasible; if it is feasible, you don't need them anyway.

  • I once bought something cash on collection and the seller was very friendly, the item was exactly as described, but he insisted on 'cancelling' the sale with eBay once we'd completed the transaction - presumably claimed 'item lost or broken' or something. I did feel very uncomfortable, but I didn't like to say anything and insist that he hand over the commission to eBay. I'm presuming he does this a lot/always for collected items, but surely eBay would soon get wind of what he's up to and ban him, wouldn't they? It's his reputation and integrity at stake and not mine. It wasn't even a hugely expensive item - £35 or so.

As has been said, he might be hoping to browbeat you into accepting less and, sadly, there's always the very small risk that he could possibly be dangerous (as could anybody knocking on your door). I'd be inclined to eBay-message him just to confirm the agreed price and tactfully make it clear that you won't accept any less (e.g. "I always just like to confirm with buyers of collection items that the contracted agreed price is my best price, with no further negotiation accepted whatsoever, so if any buyer should happen to change their mind about what they are willing to pay, please let me know in advance and I can cancel the sale, to avoid wasting both of our time.") Then, if the item is easily portable, arrange to meet him at your local supermarket or other busy public area (with a friend if at all possible) - you could always say that your house is almost impossible to find and delivery drivers complain that they've been driving around for hours trying to find it!

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 06/03/2020 00:01

Yes, there is a problem with cash on collection. My Bro did this and lost a whole lot of money to a scammer, who just walked off with the item and threatened him in the process.

That must have been a horrible experience, but he wasn't an eBay scammer per se - just an actual thief/burglar. I suppose eBay helped him insofar as he knew that you had something that he wanted which you were wanting to dispense of, but he could just as easily have completely circumvented eBay and turned up at your door randomly, waited until somebody answered and then grabbed something valuable and ran away whilst threatening you.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 06/03/2020 00:02

*wanting to dispense of

wanting to dispose of

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 06/03/2020 00:04

....or even dispense with !!!!

Anyway, you know what I mean Smile

Original poster
chockaholic72 · 06/03/2020 07:14

Thanks for all the replies. I’ve emailed saying cash on collection isn’t convenient and if he doesn’t want to go the other route to let me know and I’ll relist - we’ll see what he says.

I don’t know why it makes me uncomfortable - his manner over email just got my spidey-sensors going! It isn’t convenient as I’m planning a weekend on the allotment so if he turns up late that’s time wasted, and so many people get lost on the way to my place.

OP posts:
Chocomochacino · 06/03/2020 07:37

Cash on collection is better for you, but just say no if you don't want to.

Pentium85 · 06/03/2020 10:02

@Puzzledandpissedoff @AdobeWanKenobi

Thanks but I’m fully aware of the rules etc as someone who runs a (very) successful business on eBay and I have often used this method of receipt/picture with PayPal with absolutely no issues.

thriftyhen · 06/03/2020 10:12

As an eBay seller then you can set the terms, but I would certainly be happier with Cash on Collection as on such an expensive item it will save you a lot on your PayPal fees. I think you also need to look at things from the buyer's point of view. He is parting with a considerable amount of money and may be worried that he won't receive it or it may not be as described. However, if you do post it, make certain that it is sent tracked and insured for its full value. When the deal is done, I suggest you work out your eBay, PayPal and postage costs and compare how much you actually got for the item and how much you would have got if you'd taken the cash.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 06/03/2020 10:18

Genuinely glad it's all worked out for you so far, Pentium, but just to clarify, do you mean your buyers have all stuck by the rules or that Paypal have accepted your photos/written receipts if it's gone wrong?

I'm well aware that the regs are applied very differently if someone's a big commission earner for them, but I'd like to think they wouldn't go as far as this

Pentium85 · 06/03/2020 10:26

@puzzledandpissedoff

They have accepted receipts etc, sorry, should have clarified.

You just have to speak to a few people/keep asking to speak to the manager and all of a sudden their rules all change

Puzzledandpissedoff · 06/03/2020 10:35

You just have to speak to a few people/keep asking to speak to the manager and all of a sudden their rules all change

I believe you implicitly, Pentium, but frankly I find it a bit disappointing. For me, if they're going to claim a buyer protection system, that should work for all on at least a basic level regardless of commission earned, but as said I realise it doesn't work like that

I just wish they'd cut the pretence and at least be a bit more honest about it

themarkofthemaker · 06/03/2020 10:37

they just want to make sure it's as described before paying

friendineed · 06/03/2020 10:38

It's usually better for everyone if cash on collection. They can inspect and accept the item as it is 'as described'. No PayPal fees, although you still have to pay eBay fees regardless.

Minus side is a random stranger turning up and I suspect he will ask you to reduce the price.

boringadvice · 06/03/2020 11:08

Cash in collection is fine but I agree re not being alone. I'd ask to meet at the closest public place.

Smeghead90 · 06/03/2020 11:15

@Waxonwaxoff0 the same thing happened to me Angry

justilou1 · 06/03/2020 11:24

If you did do it, I would take a photo of him and his driver’s license and write him a receipt, get him to sign it as well, and take a photo of that to cover your arse.

marchez · 06/03/2020 11:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Piffle11 · 06/03/2020 11:47

I completely understand why you don't want him coming to your house, especially as you live alone in a reasonably remote/quiet location and are clearly wary of unknown callers. I wouldn't be meeting him anywhere else, either. It may be completely innocent, but I do believe that he will try and haggle once in front of you, expecting you to agree either because he's brow beating you or just to avoid the hassle of having to relist. My DSis had something similar once with a designer bag: potential buyer offers low, she refuses, then they offer a very high, tempting offer … but insist on cash on delivery. She refused, and they never made a bid, even though it went in auction for much less than their ridiculous bid. No doubt they would have tried haggling at the door. On a side note, I gave something away on Freecycle once, and the seemingly nice young man (married with 2 kids) then sent me flowers, tried friending me on FB, and sending me messages via email. Some people are odd.