Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

eBay collection only items

43 replies

voxnihili · 14/02/2021 20:23

I’ve recently been trying to sell some of my DD’s baby items. I’ve put some of the larger items as collection only - essentials such as crib, pram and car seat (please no comments about second hand car seats - I’d never buy one but I’m happy to sell our one as I know nothing untoward has happened to it and we would have happily used for a second child).

In my listing I state clearly that it will be collection from a mutually agreed place and give an area. I’m happy to be flexible but I don’t want to be giving out my address to people I’ve never met. For context, I work in an environment where I deal with people with criminal records (for various offences) on a daily basis so I may be more twitchy than most about this.

I also would like people to pre-arrange when they wish to collect the item, not just send me messages saying they’re in the area and want to collect in the next 10 minutes.

Am I being unreasonable to want people to arrange in advance where and when to collect? I’m feeling very frustrated at the moment as whenever I’ve bought something collection only, I’ve always pre-arranged and stuck to it unlike those who have bought my items recently who seem to go silent until 10 minutes before they want to collect.

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 15/02/2021 02:11

I think selling this way on Ebay isn't the best. Local Facebook selling groups are better.

Time40 · 15/02/2021 02:44

To be honest OP, if I were buying something on Ebay, I couldn't be bothered with arranging a pick-up in a mutually agreed place at a specific time - it's just too much faff, and too likely to go wrong. The main thing I'd worry about is that the seller would let me down by not turning up. I'd want to pick up from the seller's house, and to have half an hour's leeway about the time, in case I got held up in traffic.

I think you're being over-cautious. I've sold lots of things on Ebay and Gumtree, and I've never had any problems with the buyers coming to pick up from my house. You could always have the items ready at the door and do the exchange on your doorstep if you're worried.

user1473878824 · 15/02/2021 02:51

I don’t think you’re being over cautious at all, but I don’t think eBay is right for this and PP is right that Facebook would be better.

Robstersgirl · 15/02/2021 05:59

I would be very dubious to buy from someone who won’t supply their address. It would be an instant red flag for me, I want to know I can return should something go wrong. Doorstep collection would be fine, they tell you the day abc time they’ll collect and you put it outside. No need for them to know your real identity. The chances of someone bidding on your items and then recognising you from your profession are wildly slim.

Original poster
voxnihili · 15/02/2021 06:10

I have the items on Facebook as well. The person who bought something off there did arrange a time for a week later but then cancelled the day before as they’d changed their mind.

I understand that people prefer a bit of leeway over the time and don’t mind if I have to wait as they’re running late. I wouldn’t even mind if people said ‘Saturday afternoon’ and then confirmed a time on the day.

It’s irritating me that people ‘buy’ the item and then don’t respond to messages about collection, but will contact me saying they want to collect in half an hour as if I’ve just been sitting around all week waiting for them. I know it’s lockdown so not like we have much going on but I’m out at work all week.

OP posts:
Original poster
voxnihili · 15/02/2021 06:17

@Robstersgirl I did wonder if it put people off that I wouldn’t let them collect from my house for that reason, but it states on the listing that it will be a collection from a local public place not my home address so I would hope that it would only be people who are happy with that that would buy the items.

I’m not worried about someone recognising me and knowing where I live - just the concept of giving out my address to someone who has contacted me via the internet just goes against everything I’ve been trained to do.

OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 15/02/2021 06:20

Tbh if someone wanted to arrange a car park collection ì'd think the person was dodgy. The only time I've not collected from a house is when we've discussed by messenger where to collect and they work closer to me than where they live so I've gone to their work. I wouldn't bid on your item if this was the arrangement.

Original poster
voxnihili · 15/02/2021 06:39

Useful to have some opinions. I can see how it would look dodgy. Have always tried to suggest somewhere that’s closer to where the person lives so it’s more convenient for them.

I might need to rethink. What if I offered to deliver?

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 15/02/2021 06:41

I put on my listing collection from NG7 only and only give the seller my address. I agree that collecting in another place is too much of a faff.

Toddlerteaplease · 15/02/2021 06:42

Why do anything to make it easier for the buyer. If they bid the. They are agreeing to pick it up. It's their problem.

Original poster
voxnihili · 15/02/2021 06:53

I could do collection from my work address which might be a compromise as gives the buyer a specific location without having to give my home address.

OP posts:
AaronPurr · 15/02/2021 07:02

Another one who would think you were dodgy if you don't want me to collect from your home. The work address is a good compromise, but would your work allow random people to access the site given the nature of the job and the current situation?

I also agree that facebook is much better for these types of sales. I understand the fustration of being messed about, but the ebay fees would be more hassle for me than a few buyers who didn't show up.

yeOldeTrout · 15/02/2021 07:17

You need to list your work location (town/postcode) as the seller location if that's the pick up place. Does that mean asking colleagues to help you; can you wait around at work for 20 minutes if someone's pick up schedule slips. Is there free parking at your workplace for collectors?

My close relative has high profile job in criminal courts. His home address is a matter of public record. He lives in an easily accessible location. I find it funny when Brits are so precious about home address. Relative has had picketers outside his home & complaint letters, btw, he does attract public attention.

Those of you who think Facebook is better... is that still home address collection or just because OP would have a chance to eyeball people before they collected.

If I wanted the item I would follow OP's collection instructions, but most things that sell on eBay aren't in high demand, you're expecting a lot of buyers who could more conveniently buy elsewhere.

AaronPurr · 15/02/2021 07:31

Those of you who think Facebook is better... is that still home address collection or just because OP would have a chance to eyeball people before they collected.

She'd probably have a much larger pool of potential buyers on facebook, as people expect to collect as the items are usually searched by nearest first.

If i'm buying on Ebay it's for items that I can get delivered. I know others will look for items neaby, but my experience is bigger items that require collection are usually sold on facebook or gumtree.

Original poster
voxnihili · 15/02/2021 07:38

I can list the first part of the work postcode, there’s free parking and I can be pretty flexible over time. To be honest, it wouldn’t be much different from a doorstep collection from my home address.

I’m not worried about giving out my address in case people find out where I live as such. I’m more concerned about being home alone and inviting someone I don’t know to the address. I’m quite likely paranoid but I’m just not comfortable with it.

OP posts:
LApprentiSorcier · 15/02/2021 07:41

Would offering local delivery be an option?

whatwedontknow · 15/02/2021 07:43

Are you new to eBay?

If you are concerned about repercussions or privacy you do know that the buyer can find the address you have listed on eBay?

Collection in person on eBay leaves you wide open to be scammed as you can not provide proof of delivery so a buyer can get their money back and keep the goods.

Original poster
voxnihili · 15/02/2021 07:46

I’m happy to do local delivery so have added that to listings (on Facebook too).

I’m not new to eBay but haven’t really done collection in the past. I know to only accept cash not PayPal due to scammers. I did not know that people can see your address on eBay - how do they do that?

OP posts:
SarahBellam · 15/02/2021 07:48

I wouldn’t buy from someone who wanted to meet in a car park at an agreed time either. There’s too much risk of them not showing up. I live in a city where a 5 mile trip can take about half an hour so if they don’t show that’s an hour wasted. Buyers just want the item. They’re not interested in you or your home.

HighSpecWhistle · 15/02/2021 07:53

YABU.

No way would I collect in a random area, I'd instantly think you were selling me rubbish and trying to be untraceable.

eBay works by collecting a homes. If you don't want to do that, then don't sell the stuff. Put in storage and give to a charity shop when they open.

Jessbow · 15/02/2021 08:03

I wouldnt buy baby stuff ( or any stuff) from someone who wanted to meet up in a car park.

Smacks of dodgy.

Original poster
voxnihili · 15/02/2021 08:07

Thanks for the opinions. Nothing dodgy about the items - they’re good brands and have been well looked after. I can see how wanting to meet somewhere public rather than them coming to my house could be perceived that way though. To those who wouldn’t collect from a public place, would you be ok with collection from a workplace or if I were to offer delivery?

OP posts:
yeOldeTrout · 15/02/2021 08:13

I understood as soon as eBayer confirms willingness to purchase they can see contact details because they could in theory send a cheque or money order. They would have legal redress if you failed in your part of the contract, it's the legal status of the transaction that gives them right to see your address in case they wanted to sue you for breach of contract. Plus you say collection, and that's normally at one's home so they need to see where the item is available.

I wondered if routine delivery would cause other problems, but tbh, if you get cash they don't have much redress. I deliver many of the big things I sell.

yeOldeTrout · 15/02/2021 08:15

correction... I think it might be only business sellers who have default published addresses easily found on eBay.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 15/02/2021 08:27

Once you buy an item on eBay you can see the sellers address, conversely when you have sold an item you can see the buyers address.

But there is no need to give a full address to a potential buyer although I think if you look under the 'Postage and Packing tab' it will show your post code - which where I live means it is one of about 12 houses.

Swipe left for the next trending thread