buyer wants to collect an item listed with p&p fee

[Unacceptable]

I've had a message from a buyer asking if I'd allow them to collect item if they win when bidding ends tomorrow. I don't mind this but I wonder if it's ok to do this and would I ask for cash on collection? If so how does this work?

Yes I have done this and just had cash on collection or paid through paypal before collecting and just remove the postage costs in the invoice.

Yes, you must do cash on collection as if they are crooks they can reverse the PayPal and you have no proof of postage.

They probably aren't though!

I love cash on collection. No Paypal fees, no underestimating postage, no wondering if they have it. I have met some interesting people too.

It's fine. Either cash on collection or payment beforehand - up to you! I pick things up when I can as a) it saves on the postage and b) I don't have to go to the collection centre to pick it up as I'm invariably out when the postman/courier arrives.

Just have it ready so you can do it on the doorstep if you feel uncomfortable with a stranger coming inside.

Don't accept paypal for collected items as you won't have any trackable postage if they decide to scam you and claim the money back from PayPal.

I didn't know you could reverse the paypal payment, sorry Unacceptable. I've paid by Paypal a lot, then had a carrier pick stuff up for me (furniture etc that wont fit in my car), I've never had a seller say no to paypal (in fact I thought they weren't allowed to on eBay, but that's just a 'thought' not a fact!).

Soup - what would you do in my case though when I send a carrier (for furniture etc)? I suppose the carrier is independent but there's nothing to say it's not just a mate with a van really is there?

No idea, Chipping. THis is just something I've heard on Mumsnet. Basically, if the seller has no tracking information, the buyer can reverse the payment (as I understand it)

Most buyers are honest though.

Was t eBay founded on the principle that most people are honest?

In the good old days when it was just ordinary people selling their Fisher Price cash registers rather than business sellers I think there was less scams on eBay.

I have never had any cash on collection trouble. You have usually been communicating with them arranging times and what not and more often than not have their mobile number.

I wouldn't accept paypal and allow a buyer to send their own courier. The seller has no tracking info, and if the item arrives damaged the buyer can claim from the seller, and the seller isn't able to claim for the loss from the courier as they don't have the contract with them.

So fergoose what would you do if you were selling a piece of furniture?

cash on collection only am afraid - or paypal and I arrange the courier. Anything else leaves you wide open to being scammed unfortunately.

Thanks people. So if I message her to say it's ok I need to ask her to pay on collection, do I then notify ebay? If not how do I cancel the p&p charge because don't ebay take a % of the total payment?
Sorry if I'm asking obvious questions here!

Ebay don't take anything off the postage costs which is why people sometimes bump them up and sell items for pennies

Ah, didn't know that chocolate that also explains why people get annoyed about p&p charges!!

Again might be asking for the obvious here (please forgive me if this is getting tedious) but if this lady wins the item do I mark as payment received once she has collected and paid?

yes you do - or buyer marks it as paid

Yes, you can mark it as paid and dispatched and then leave feedback as normal.

Thank you