Is this dodgy?

[Doyoumind]

I had an auction listing but with a 'buy it now' option. It's collection only. Someone has bought it almost immediately and wants their friend to collect it straight away.

I asked them to pay on collection but they have paid by PayPal as their friend can't pay for it for them.

I'm being pushed into a collection time that I can't do as I wasn't expecting it to sell so quickly.

The buyer is several hours away. It's not that rare or cheap an item so I'm not sure why they've bought it if they can't collect.

They have positive feedback.

Should I be suspicious?

TIA

Say you want to reimburse the PayPal payment and will only accept cash on collection. Otherwise you're leaving yourself open to her claiming that she's never received the item and getting reimbursed by eBay. eBay always side with the purchaser.

Cash only! Make sure the money is in your account before you refund and you haven't just had an email saying it's paid. If you accept PayPal you are leaving yourself wide open to item not received

Would someone bother scamming me for something that cost £60?

It does seem weird that they are sending a friend round though.

If they are genuine they are going to give me negative feedback because I think they are going to insist they can't pay on collection because it won't be them collecting.

eBay is a very strange place. I sold a 4x4 for 2.5k, guy came and paid cash then left it sitting on my drive for 4 weeks. Had to threaten to get it towed away for him to come and collect it. I still had the log book too!

Just to add, it did run. There wasn't a reason it had to sit there for 4 weeks

If they have already paid by PayPal I can't see how they would be trying to scam you? They're willing to pay and collect the item so I don't see anything dodgy going on

GreenMeerkat they can reverse the payment and say they don't have the item and I won't be able to prove otherwise. That's why I usually do cash on collection.

They can't do that if it's already gone through, transfer it to your bank account straight away. To get their money back they would need to open a dispute with eBay. Take a photo of the item being collected (even if it's the back of them walking away), so you have proof if they do. Seems unlikely though. And if they are in the habit of doing it eBay and PayPal will have already clocked this and banned them.

What's their feedback rating?

Screams scam to me and yes they'll do it for £60. Refund and insist on cash. Photos won't wash with eBay or paypal. Doubt they'll turn up. If so you should be able to open a non paying bidder case and get your FVF refunded.

@Hushnownobodycares but if they don't turn up how have they scammed? OP still has the product.

If they have little/no feedback or have joined eBay recently I'd be wary. If they have high feedback and have been a long term member I don't think it'd be a scam. Though it is a bit weird

Oh wait, they won't turn up if she refunds, I get it now.

But still, I think a lot depends on their feedback

Taking photos / getting the buyer to sign something won’t hold any weight in N ebay / PayPal case.

Refund the PayPal and ask
Them to transfer the money to the collector via bank transfer or Paypal. The person collecting just needs to withdraw the money and give it straight to you.

Just tell them you've been scammed this way once so no longer accept PayPal with collection. It's not personal, it's just a standing rule for you now.

They are starting to be difficult. This could be because they are genuine and want to get what they've paid for and think I'm being difficult though!

If I say I will hand it over to their friend once I have a message on eBay confirming their friend is at my door to collect do you think that would cover me?

Nothing will cover you until you have their money in your hands I'm afraid

Trouble is when you list an item you have to add PayPal as an option for paying. I try to message them straight away to request payment on collection but sometimes they pay before you can contact them. It definitely leaves you open to being scammed but I'm not sure there's a lot you can do about it.

Nope. Cash only

Why can’t they transfer cash to their friends bank account, the friend withdraws the cashier and pays you. I would only take cash, eBay is full of scammers.

Cash not cashier!

No reason for them to be difficult other than they've realised you're not a pushover. If they were genuine buyers a little inconvenience wouldn't put them off.

You told them how you wanted to be paid and they ignored it. Insist on cold hard cash.

If you have cash on collection in the listing just refund them. Do not accept the PayPal payment and do not be bullied.

Once they have it they can open a case for non receipt and you will be unable to prove they have it, regardless of whether the payment is in your bank or not it can still be repaid, that is why Ebay insist on having your details before you can sell.

Tell them it is cash only, and collection at a mutually suitable time or ask them if they wish to cancel. Or cancel it yourself and report them to Ebay for not adhering to the terms of the listing.

GreenMeerkat, it would be a good idea if you read the Ebay sellers forum regarding PayPal scams and how to avoid them if you are a seller because you could lose out if you follow your own advice.