Seller has sent payment for item being collected in person

[cookiemonster18]

Hi
I'm new to ebay and yes, appreciate that maybe I should have done a bit more research before I l released my inner del boy and got a bit selling happy... ANYWAY
I have sold an item on ebay (£110) so not cheap. The buyer has sent the paypal payment and this is on hold for reasons I understand
However, I am now panicking that 1. I have no proof of collection when they do collect

1. I could be scammed and lose the item and the money

Therefore I have emailed the seller to ask if they could possibly cancel the payment and pay cash in person. I have emailed paypal to advise too. Just wanted to get your opinions/ or if you had any concrete facts on this? I'm sure the buyer is genuine but I'm also pretty cynical/ paranoid. THANK YOU

You are right. You should never accept a PayPal payment for anything that is being collected in person

Just refund the payment and ask for cash when they collect.

You are right that you would have no proof of collection if they collect, and you leave yourself wide open to them (possibly) claiming they don't have the item. Then paypal will refund them and you will have no money and no item.

I was told always cash on collection- especially for an expensive item.

As you say OP there is no proof that way the buyer has received the item.
Strictly cash on Collection only.
If buyer claims not to have received item and you cannot price item sent by online traceable means then case would be decided in buyers favour. They would be refunded and you would be without item and a negative PP balance.
You don't need buyers permission to refund. Just go into PP transaction and refund from there.

You can easily fix this by taking a photograph of them holding the item when they arrive to collect it

*prove item sent

Return the payment. Get cash on collection.

This is the problem with collection sales - you have no protection of proof of collection of paid by PayPal. The buyer has no protection if you sold them something faulty if they pay in cash.

Thanks all. Have emailed the buyer being honest saying I'm worried about the lack of proof and asked them to cancel the payment (not sure if this is possible) waiting to hear back. I will still go ahead and refund regardless of response though, I suppose I wanted to let them know first (gosh a bit clueless!). Will they get the full amount as I have had to pay selling fees?

Hi.

Go into PayPal and return the payment.

It is up to you to do it not them.

QvAr unfortunately PayPal’s system only accepts a courier/postal tracking number as proof.

I've been an ebayer for over a decade...

Hi TERFragetteCity
Thanks, what about the fees i've paid? will the buyer be reimbursed in full? If no, then how do I go about fixing this?

The only fees you have paid so far are PayPal fees. And yes, the buyer gets back in full what they paid and the PayPal fees you paid are cancelled.

You will still be billed eBay fees at the end of the month, as long as the transaction goes ahead.

No, you refund the buyer via PayPal.

Then take cash on collection.

DO not give them the item unless they give you cash.

“You can easily fix this by taking a photograph of them holding the item when they arrive to collect it”

Nope, won’t make a shred of difference if the buyer opens a not received case.

OP as advised,’you need to refund the PayPal payment from your end then just tell them buyer to bring cash at pick up.