when someone has paid but not collected....

[IsabellaMilborne]

...and has gone incommunicado, what do you do?

I have been emailing the buyer for nearly 3 weeks now, and have had no reply about arranging a collection date, in spite of having had some emails early on. It was a cheap item, and I guess he could have changed his mind; I went on holiday soon after the bidding closed, and he was unable to collect it before we went on holiday.

I have said I will refund him through Paypal if I don't hear by Thursday. Is this acceptable?

Thanks

No, you refund immediately and ask them to bring cash - and if they don't do that send a cancellation request and then relist. And add to your blocked bidder list.

Never ever take paypal for a collected item. Cash only.

Thanks very much, Lily; I didn't realise that about cash for collections.

reason is that without proof of delivery (which obviously doesn't happen if someone arrives at your door to pick up their item) they can tell paypal that they didn't receive it and you have no defence.

accept paypal ONLY if a trackable courier arrives with an online-accessible number. Then you have proof of delivery and can't be stung.

Thanks Special Subject; very helpful