Do I let them collect - payment on hold

[MaggieFS]

I've just sold my first item which is collection only. I've had an email from PayPal saying the money is there but eBay have requested it to be on hold. (Reasons may include being a new seller or the item not marked as dispatched, both of which are true in this case).

Has anyone had experience of this? I obviously can't mark it as collected until it's been picked up on Saturday, but do I let them take the item whilst my money is on hold? It feels a bit chicken and egg!

Cash only for collecting

Refund the PayPal payment

Oh - is that an option to do cash?

Yes, def don't do PayPal for collection - you won't have proof of posting so the seller can claim they never received it and PayPal will refund.

Oh no! I didn't think of this. I thought PayPal was a good route. It's a huge bulky household item and they're hiring a van to pick it up - I obviously don't want to lose the money, but I also don't want to mess them around by now asking for cash. What if I take a photo of them collecting it as proof? (Also will I face penalties from eBay if I just take cash?)

Message the buyer and say you’ve been advised to change to cash on collection to protect both of you, then refund the PayPal payment.

If they say they no longer want the item, you’ve dodged a bullet.

No don’t take Paypal ever for collection items. It’s a common fraud.
They claim item hasn’t been received - obviously there is no proof of posting, or courier info, and Paypal side with them and you have no money or no item and they have both.

What if I take a photo of them collecting it as proof?

No, that won't work as it could be anyone in the photo.

You need to refund the PayPal payment and either ask for cash on collection or a direct bank transfer before collection.

Photos are not accepted as proof, neither are bits of paper with signatures on unless it is a delivery by Royal Mail or a courier.

Hope you got it sorted out OP.