Quick question regarding buyer arranging courier..

[EagleRay]

I've got a fairly large item listed on eBay which I would send by courier to the buyer.

Someone has got in touch to ask if I have the original packaging (no I don't) and how would the item be packaged. He then says he would be sending his own courier.

What's the deal with buyers arranging their own courier? Does it put the seller in a vulnerable position at all? Feeling a tad nervous as something slightly odd about the wording of the inquiry, plus the fact that this is the second time he's asked exactly the same question.

I offered UK delivery as thought it would increase chances of item being bought but now fear I've complicated things and should go for local collection only!

Don't ever allow a buyer to arrange their own courier. A common scam is that they then claim item not received and you the seller have to refund and you also lose the item.
You are offering courier delivery yourself which is the correct way to do it so you arrange the process and retain the tracking and delivery details.
I would respond and tell the buyer that for security and to protect both seller and buyer rights you will be organising any delivery arrangements.

Yes it can put the seller in a vulnerable position.

You are best to organise the courier that way you have the contract with them, if something was to happen to the item you could claim from courier.

If they organise courier they could claim item broke, claim off you and courier.

Thank you thank you both! I feared this might be the case but couldn't quite remember. You know when you get a bit of a weird feeling about a buyer/potential buyer and would rather the item went unsold rather than them buy it!

I might remove the postage option as keep imagining people saying it didn't work or got damaged in transit...