Why would they want to do this? Is it a scam?

[Skang]

I've already said no to this, but I can't work it out and wondered if its a well known scam that I'm oblivious to.

I'm selling something bulky for local collection only. Its not something sought after and is at least 20 years old with bits broken which is stated in the auction. Someone contacted me the first day it was on and asked if they could arrange a courier to ship it to somewhere 200 miles away. The item has a minimum bid of a fiver and I'm not sure I'll get that let alone any more.

It doesn't add up that they would want to pay a courier god knows how much for our old broken tat!

I'm just interested really, I couldn't be bothered messing around with couriers anyway.

yes, probably a scam. If they arrange the courier you end up with no proof of postage. They claim you never sent it and demand their money back. At the very least insist that you arrange the courier. Or just say no.

yep cash on collection only - never paypal. And never let a buyer arrange their own courier for the same reason.

lot of bother for a low value scam.

Not necessarily a scam. Without knowing what the item is, there are all sorts of reasons why they might want it! If you are prepared to post, then arrange your own courier and charge the buyer in the same way as if you were selling clothing etc.

A lot of sellers are put off posting bigger items but you can get most things couriered quite reasonably as long as you can find a box big enough.

I'm not going to do it, I said that quite explicitly in the first post! I said I've already said no and I can't be bothered. I'm just musing really.

do make sure you add the buyer to your blocked bidder list.

They could have a matching item already; they could have had a similar item damaged in floods and want a replacement; there may be sentimental value for that particular make/model. I wouldn't assume it was a scam personally but I wouldn't courier it because I really don't need the hastle.