Accepting cash for large item

[Aworryingtrend]

Hi all

I just sold my kitchen units on ebay for quite a large amount of cash- much more than we expected! The buyer wants to pay cash on collection, which Im a bit nervous about. Would it be OTT do you think to get one of those bank note detector pens to check the notes? Do you have any advice on accepting cash for items sold on ebay?
Any tips appreciated

thanks

Not sure I would if it is a lot of money, you could get really stung. Why can't they use pay pal?

I wouldn't do it.

that's what PayPal is there for.

Isn't there the risk with paypal that the person can pretend they didn't get it and as it isn't trackable (as they took it away) thethey could claim the money back from eBay? Not sure what you should do though.

Huh? I trade on ebay daily, and prefer coc as it saves paypal fees and disputes. Cash is cash, v.unlikely someone is going to print out a load of fakes for you! You are over thinking this.

I'd take cash rather than use paypal for pick-up, for exactly the reason Lawrie says. In fact, when we sold a freestanding kitchen unit that is exactly what we did. I'd probably ask for nothing higher than £20 notes though.

Could you ask to see some ID, like a driving licence? Whats the feedback like?

monkey - you'd be surprised.

I was working at Waterstone's once when a really big burly man came in and paid for something with a fake note.
I was on my own on the shop floor, so didn't feel brave enough to confront him, and he swore blind he'd been paid for work with those notes.

It can happen anywhere.

and Apusi - £20 notes are the notes that are most frequently counterfeited

Thanks all for you advice. Yes cash has the advantage of not having to pay Paypal fees and obviouslycash in your hand is always good! I'm just worried about getting stung. I'll check the notes as best I can.

I'm sure it will be fine.

I sold a car for £7k cash recently...that was scary!

to check they are real rub the coloured symbol on a bit of white paper, if the note is real ink will come off and show on the paper.
On a £50 it is a red Triangle, £10 orange diamond, on £20 it is the dark coloured bit below the queen.

To be honest most fake notes are easy to spot and people tht use them tend to do it in busy shops because they think the staff will be too bust to notice.

just tried it with a £10 and a £20

the £10, you can hardly see the ink, but it's there, but the £20 was very purple.

Thats a really great tip thank you Nancy! I need to get my hands on a note to test it now! Poor

Geordie, £7k cash, that mustve been scary! Did it take you ages to count it?!

I always ask for Paypal but you risk losing customers sometimes don't you, if you're inflexible about COC. I have quite often ummed and ahhed about this issue myself - I just dislike taking a bundle of cash on the doorstep; far better to know it's all paid for and they just need to pick it up. I have sold a greenhouse, loads of bedroom furniture, and several baby items via Cash on Collection but although it was fine in the end I would have much preferred a prior Paypal transaction. Also - you can keep your paypal money as a separate ' bank account ' to pay for new items which is really handy. Cash is far too easy to spend on food shops and boring stuff!!!!!

If you pay you by paypal, they, the buyer can claim the item was not delivered and unless you can provide a valid online tracking number by a carrier recognised by paypal, Paypal can and will refund all their payment. Cash or cleared cheque is the only payment you should accept for pick up items

Thanks all, they came to get it last night and it was fine. We are going out for ameal tonight to celebrate our 'winnings'!