Viewing an item before bidding

[Nanny0gg]

I've got a collection item only which finishes at the weekend and someone wants to see it before bidding.

Is this usual?

I also don't want to get into the situation of them wanting me to take their offer and taking it off sale.

What to do?

tricky one. If they are local and seem to be genuine and have good feedback then maybe I would say it was ok to pop round and have a look but obviously if you have bids on the item then you can say it's auction only but maybe suggest they can collect to save on postage. If you don't have bids and they make a decent offer you would save paypal fees if they paid cash. I am not entirely sure what I would do. Sorry that's not much help is it? :)

please only take cash if they collect - never paypal. Fees is irrelevant - you need to protect yourself from being scammed. And you don't have to take an offer even if they make one - just ask them to bid.

I have read enough of your advice Lavender, to know not to take Paypal (and I've said that clearly on the listing). I also wouldn't end the auction early either. I know you know what you're talking about!
I was just a bit taken aback that someone wanted to come around and look at the item, although I suppose that if you're spending a reasonable amount of money it's understandable that you want a look first.

However, she hasn't come back to me yet, so I don't know what she wants to do.

Prospective buyer came and was lovely - hope she wins!

Another silly question - when it's been won, at what stage to you refund the PayPal? As soon as they've paid it?

yes immediately - and you can send an invoice and state cash on collection only - no paypal.

Thanks.

Cos I've also just had another request from someone who as asked that if she wins, can I keep it a week till she gets paid.

That's not unreasonable is it?
Or is it? You can't necessarily pin someone down to collect surely?
And my fault, I didn't put a time limit on the item.

I'm a bit hardcore on this but any request I receive that looks a bit unreasonable results in my blocking the potential buyer. But then I tend to sell stuff that has a reasonably broad audience and not, say, a handle of people who realistically will be bidding.