To ask you the best way to go about this (item selling)

29 replies

PassingStranger · 08/01/2025 22:19

I'm selling an autographed item for a fair bit of money.
I put it on fb and someone said they will travel and collect it.
They have offered me full price. They've not mentioned how they will pay or expect to pay.

The other scenario is a buyer who buy and sells has offered to send me postage and asked me to send it to them.
When they have checked it they will send money. They have good reviews but have to send item first.
They have offered me fifty pounds less.
Which route would you take?
If the person from fb comes how do I know they won't run off with the item. I don't know them.
Would it be OK to ask for payment via PayPal first, so I haven't got the worry?
Who trusts who in this situation?

On the other hand, what happens if I send my item.off to.buyer and I don't get paid?
Not done this before for a higher amount only much lower cost items?
Advice please from anyone whose sold higher price items? Help please.

OP posts:

Chuchoter · 09/01/2025 06:34

Ills ruin items must not be paid by PayPal as they can turn round and say they never received it!

PayPal rules are that you must send by traceable means. Cash on collection only, although if it's a large amount of money you need to get one of those fake note detectors.

The one where they send the postage only and check it over is a scammer! You would have to be incredibly stupid to send something to a stranger without them having paid in full.

Tia86 · 09/01/2025 07:27

Cash on collection. Do not get them to transfer money or use PayPal as they will claim they never received the item and PayPal usually go in their favour.

I like the suggestions others have given of using an auction site or if you have a memorabilia shop to try and sell to them.

Original poster

PassingStranger · 09/01/2025 12:36

Tillow4ever · 09/01/2025 00:39

Honestly, even if eBay did still take commission, it would be worth it for the stress this is causing you.

I used to sell Buffy the Vampire slayer memorabilia, I went to conventions to meet the cast and would get in person autographs to sell, which helped to cover the cost of my personal collection. I did all of this on eBay.

You seem very concerned that the first person might run off without paying. Obviously you don't hand it over until they have the money out if you decide to sell to them. Do you have a ring doorbell or similar that would record everything? If they want to inspect it first, you could always arrange to meet in a public place where you can go indoors making it harder for them to do a runner. I would also check their Facebook profile to see if it looks fake. If they have it locked down, ask them to add you as a friend and if they ask why, explain you've had issues with scammers in the past so you like to check that buyers are genuine/real people - say they can remove you after the sale. If they don't want to or delay doing it, I would ask myself why and consider trusting my gut. Google their name with scam or Facebook scam after it to see if anyone has posted before to say they are a scammer.

As for the second person, if offering you £50 less AND they want it up front, I wouldn't even consider that. EBay it - as far as I know private sellers no longer pay fees, but even if you do have to, it won't be £50 and you won't have to send the item up front before payment.

If you do post it to a buyer, insist it is sent by a service with insurance (eg Special Delivery in the UK) and don't accept offers to pay less postage to get it sent in a cheaper way. If it went missing (or they claimed it did) the standard insurance on 1st class or even recorded delivery is bugger all, and certain items aren't covered anyway. If sending abroad, check very carefully the options as some don't offer tracking once outside of the UK, don't need a signature, etc. Put the cost of the postage on your listing. Always get and keep your proof of postage!

Well that ended up longer than I intended - whoops! I hope you sell it successfully and have no problems getting your money.

Thanks.

OP posts:

Original poster

PassingStranger · 09/01/2025 12:38

Chuchoter · 09/01/2025 06:34

Ills ruin items must not be paid by PayPal as they can turn round and say they never received it!

PayPal rules are that you must send by traceable means. Cash on collection only, although if it's a large amount of money you need to get one of those fake note detectors.

The one where they send the postage only and check it over is a scammer! You would have to be incredibly stupid to send something to a stranger without them having paid in full.

Just to confirm sending it upfront was to a company that buy and they do have good trust pilot rating it wasn't a stranger.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread