Collection only, the buyer has paid PayPal

[littlebite]

I've sold a piece of furniture.

The buyer wants to arrange a courier collection (they live miles away, I have offered to drop it off as I work near-by to their home address - but they don't want that 🤷‍♀️)

As they have paid PayPal is it safe to accept a courier collection?

It used to be cash on collection only, but now there's a code - but that wouldn't protect me if the buyer claims they didn't receive the item will it?

The piece of furniture is £400 as it's a good piece and it also has sentimental value to me as my late mum left it to me (she would be happy that I sold it as I want to use the money as savings towards a new car - she would approve!)

So I doubly don't want to get scammed.

Anything I can do to protect myself or should I cancel the sale? The buyer only has feedback of 55.

I don't know all the ins and outs but not wanting you to drop off would be a red flag for me

Buyers saying they'll arrange their own couriers is a feature of many scams

I'd be tempted to cancel too. The feedback number isn't really a problem, not using Ebay a lot in itself means nothing.

It's potentially a scam. An internet search shows up a couple of threads on eBay forums about it. It happens on Gumtree too.

That sounds like a scam. They’ll arrange a courier, then say it didn’t arrive and get their money back through PayPal. Because they arranged the courier themselves, you’ll have no proof of the delivery so they’ll win their case.

If they were legitimate buyers they would have been pleased for you to drop it off as it would have saved them money on a courier.

Thanks everyone - I'll cancel the order and re-list the chair.

Being scammed is a horrible thought, especially when it's a item that I want to go to a good home!

Buyer feedback is totally meaningless btw.