Collection of items: what's the done thing?

[clam]

Bidding for items I've listed ends tonight. I've had someone ask if they can send a professional delivery guys to collect one of them. I'm sure I've read on here that that's a no-no. Why? What should I say to her?

How could I protect myself if the item got damaged in transit?

No collection by the buyer and cash only. So that's no couriers and no PayPal.

Just say either of these will void your seller protection.

Of course, if it's a bulky item they are welcome to send someone to collect it after they have paid you cash, either in person or via bank transfer. Make sure they understand that the item is sold as seen. Ie no returns.

Surely as long as they've paid it doesn't matter. Once it's over your front door it's their responsibility.

It's just like saying what if it got damaged in their car.

In theory yes, but it saves you any grief from agro buyers calling you up screaming down the phone and demanding their money back.

God, I'm such a novice at this.
Both items have sold (for much more than I'd hoped) and I've no idea what to do! Have a paypal account (but not used for years) but one has said would I prefer cash. They're both collecting themselves, so that's good.

DO NOT accept PayPal for either sale if the buyer is collecting! Cash only!

I don't understand why not?

Is it because they can claim they never collected?

I prefer collection only as a seller. I always ask them to have a good look and everyone I've met gas been a nice person.

If people pay by PayPal I reverse the payment and send them a message saying 'hi, thanks for paying so quickly. I've reversed the PayPal payment as I only take cash on collection for pick up items as recommend by ebay. When is a good time for you to come and collect?'

Is it because they can claim they never collected?

Yes it is unimagimative13. It's not a theoretical problem either, after paying by Paypal the buyer collects the item, they open an "item not received" case, the seller refers to various messages etc, and ebay say "we will only accept confirmation of delivery via a tracked delivery service". The money is then refunded to the buyer.

What constitutes a tracked delivery service?

My case has become complicated. The top bidder (the 'winner') didn't respond last night, but I received an email today saying she didn't want it now, as she's decided it won't fit in her room. I had had a message from another bidder who had expressed an interest in buying the item if the sale fell through. I therefore emailed him back and said it was now available.
Cue: another email from the original buyer saying they'd re-considered and did now want it after all, and had credited my paypal account already and had instructed a courier to collect it tomorrow! I felt I was probably obligated to go with her, as she was the 'winner.' I asked if she could pay cash (and I would refund the paypal amount), but she says she can't as it's a courier.

What do I do?????? How do I protect myself with this? I think she's possibly a bit flaky. Can I ask the courier to sign some sort of receipt to say they've taken collection? Would that even count for anything?

Did you say 'collection only' on the listing?

Yes, I did, but I suppose it could be argued that sending a courier is collection.

If you allow her to pay by PayPal and get a courier to collect the item you're basically voiding your seller protection.

You have two choices, keep the PayPal payment, let her courier collect the item, and thus accept the risk.

Or.....

Refund the PayPal payment and inform her that as per the listing, its cash upon collection only, sorry.

PS No, getting the courier to sign something won't count for anything. Online tracking is required to prove delivery in an eBay case.

Well, I didn't put "Cash upon Collection," just "Collection only," so I think I'll just have to take the risk.

Fingers crossed.

as long as you understand the risk and are willing to accept it.....

If the buyer opens a bit as described case then YOU will need to arrange a courier (with online tracking) to return the item to you, otherwise they will get a full refund and also get to keep the item.

If they open an item not recieved case, they'll automatically get a full refund.

Why come on here asking for advice then just ignore it?

Personally I prefer gumtree for bulkier items that can't be easily posted, saves all this hassle.

Where have I ignored advice? Someone suggested I email and ask for cash instead, which I did. The buyer then said that wasn't possible, because of the courier.

You then said I had two choices, either to take the risk, or ask for cash on collection , as per the ad. I said I couldn't do the latter because I hadn't actually said 'cash on collection,' so I have no option but to run with your first piece of advice.

Where have you ignored advice? From the start of the thread you were warned not to accept PayPal and not to allow a buyer to arrange their own courier as you're leaving yourself wide open to being scammed. Yet you've done both.

It doesn't matter you didn't state "cash upon collection", you can still cancel the payment and the courier. Just refund the PayPal payment then explain to the buyer that by accepting PayPal or letting them organise their own courier will void your seller protection.

I started the thread after I'd already put on the ad that Paypal/cash was acceptable. They put the payment in before I had a chance to tell them that actually cash was preferable, but once pointed out on here, I contacted them again. Ditto arranging the courier.

Anyway, I didn't come on here for a bashing, so I'm off.

That doesn't matter!

You said you stated "collection" only. The buyer arranging their own courier is not "collection".

bangs head against wall

The main thing clam is that you go into this with your eyes open and aware of the risks*. It sounds like you're willing to take the chance and that's fine.

• there's also the benefit that other readers of the thread are made aware of potential problems

It's not even your courier.
You have no protection.