Question about 'pick up only' items

[Nottigermum]

I am relatively new to ebay and I have just sold an item which is quite large and very heavy. I advertised it as 'pick up only' as I don't want to carry it around, or wait for a delivery company to come over, or have to find a large box to put the item in for delivery.

The person who won the item yesterday just sent me an email saying that she will be sending a courier to pick up the item. I assumed (maybe wrongly) that by advertising it as 'pick up only' would mean that the buyer would pick it up directly and I would be able to set up a suitable time for pick up, etc.

Is the buyer right? Is that what normally happens if you sell an item as 'pick up only'?

The other thing that bothers me is that another buyer sent me a message during the sale asking if I'd consider sending the item by courier and she would bid if I did, and I said no, so in the end I probably sold the item for less than it could have gone for...

Unless you stated you didn't wanna be waiting in all day for a courier to collect their item then I'm pretty sure thats ok for them to do that. My other half sells things regularly on ebay pick up only as he sells a lot of car parts and many people arrange a courier to collect it from us.

I don't think you'd be out of order to ask if they can give you some indication of when the courier will be picking the item up. When I have had things picked up I usually get a pretty narrow window from the couriers as to when they will be there.

Maybe go back to the buyer and just ask if you can work something out, the courier company can have your number so that they can let you know?

Hmmmm. The bidder is naughty because it is "Collection in Person".

Sometimes people do bid and then say that they want it couriered and this is only OK if you have said it's OK and have packaging etc.

I always say no to couriers because of potential damage/other problems. It is far better to have the person pick the item up, look at it, see it's fine, hand over cash and that's an end to it.

What is the item and do you think it might get damaged?

I think you would be within your rights to cancel the sale but you may then get back feedback and have to work with eBay to get it removed (if possible).

Oh and next time you list an item, put what I do in the listing:

This item is pickup in person only. I will not send this item with a courier so please only bid if you are able to pick it up yourself.

No way - unless you arrange the courier and they pay you the extra for the cost.

If they arrange a courier then claim not received/item damaged in transit, you will have no proof at all.

They must collect in person or agree to be invoiced by you for a courier that you arrange. If you don't want to do that, it would be a PITA, I would stick to the terms you offered - this item is for collection in person only, cash on collection. If this is not suitable, cancel the sale.

It's a pair of curtains, so unlikely to get damaged unless the bag they're in gets wet.

But they are very, very large curtains and very heavy. Will I have to find a box for them? They're in one of those large checkered laundry bag with a zip and handles.

And purplehouse I will def use that note!

And it's not that I don't want to want all day, it's that

I clicked before I finished! I work and do school runs so I'm in and out all day. This is incovenient! Anyway, learning by mistakes...

no never accept their courier - cash on collection only, absolutely no exceptions

I should think that on this occasion, they will probably be OK since you have a laundry bag to protect them from getting dirty. Make sure that you tie the recipient's address securely (I'd put it on twice personally). The only thing is that if the buyer is not happy with the item, the cost of returning it/sorting problems is to be taken into consideration. It's really difficult and annoying when buyers disregard things.

The only evidence Paypal accept for an item having reached its destination is online tracking. A courier arranged by a buyer won't give you that. If the buyer then files a claim of non-receipt with Paypal, they would win and get a full refund, leaving you without the item or the money.

Cash on collection OR you arrange the courier, unless you are very sure the buyer is reputable enough that you're willing to risk it.