Collecting an item - but not from the Seller's home

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I've bought a Collection Only item on eBay, from a local seller, and have arranged to collect it on Wednesday, cash on collection. But they wants to meet me "outside such-and-such" rather than at their home.

I'm paying cash, it's only £30 or so, it's a very public place, and I will of course check the item over, but my spidey senses are working overtime. Have I missed something? Should I insist on collecting from their home?

Or am I so attuned to "scams" nowadays that I'm imagining something that isn't there?

If you insist on collecting from their home then what benefit will that be to you? What will you do differently than if you collect it from them in a public place? Will it give you any more protection through EBay?

No, that wounds fine to me. Maybe they don't want you coming to their home and would rather meet in a public place?

I think they are probably being paranoid about unknown ebay person coming to their home tbh. If they have suggested a very public place and it's only £30 or so I wouldn't worry.

I've done this a few times, meet at a conveniently agreed place. I don't feel all that comfortable with people coming to my home that I don't know. Having said that, there's a risk to you as a buyer paying cash, as there's no way of getting a refund. Equally, as a seller, by allowing collection rather than posting, she can't prove you've had the item so you could claim not to have received it. I don't mind people collecting, but I far far prefer the protection PayPal gives me.

Maybe theyre not going to be at home around the time you want to collect it so have arranged to bring the item to that place because its nearer to where they will be. If I sell things on gumtree I often have to get them to pick them up from my work or the field because at normal times when people are free, that's where I am.

Thanks for the reassurance - I'm so paranoid nowadays! I guess I was concerned about not knowing where the person lives in case there was a problem, but if I've checked the item over I should (should!) be OK. Anyway, what was I going to do if there was a problem - turn up at their house with a baseball bat??

It's a shame that all the honest people out there are being cast into doubt because of all the scammers.

It might just be because it's more convenient for them. I wouldn't give it anymore thought.

Most people are honest but you are right not to let your guard down with anything EBay related.

My experience is that meeting somewhere for a hand-over increases the chances of a no-show. Buyers can also be more reluctant to make a thorough inspection of an item out on the street.

I've met a few ebay buyers at places other than my house for collection as it was an easier arrangement - I've also had to go and rescue a buyer or two who turned left off the motorway roundabout instead of right and got lost.

Update - I turned up at the appointed time, and the seller arrived - all seems fine with the item so in paid him cash and went on my merry way.

He has now contacted me to ask if I'll agree to cancel the transaction, so he can avoid paying eBay fees.

Glad it worked out.

Its up to you if you cancel transaction, I don't think I would. Ebay Corp. are scum in my book but not right to avoid all fees. I'd politely decline the cancel request & not bother to leave him any f/back.

he is breaking the rules doing that - you need to refuse it if you want to - ignoring it means it will close and he will still get the refund. Bloody cheek quite frankly.

Definitely don't collect it from here: