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Original poster

Is he trying to scam me? Collection in person.

23 replies

dottypencilcase · 13/08/2021 00:28

Sold a large piece of furniture which the buyer wanted to collect tonight. Agreed. Buyer said they were on their way back and would get to me for 9pm. I agreed since the item was in the garage and it would be a case of them loading it into their van and driving off with DH supervising. I've now received a really rude message via eBay about the piece of furniture and how damaged it is and mentions a huge portion of the furniture being cracked on one side rendering it useless. Apparently they'd pointed this out to DH at the time- they didn't- but still decided to take it. They've also stated I've wasted their time since they drove over 200+ miles to collect the item.

I'm really annoyed because the listing was 'collection in person' which gave them the opportunity to inspect the furniture and only take it away if they were happy with it which they did. I'm also annoyed because I've checked their address on eBay and it's listed as being a 10 min drive away! The buyer arrived in a camper van so they were clearly on their way back from holiday and thought they'd take the item back on their way home!

I know eBay and PayPal are notorious for siding with the buyer but in this instance, do I have a case against them because:

They collected in person and if the furniture was damaged (it definitely wasn't) and they pointed this damage out to the seller (they didn't) and still took it, then that's on them?

Also, they're clearly lying about the distance travelled to collect the furniture when they're local. Would this be enough to tell them to f*ck off?

I'm so annoyed. I've lost so much money as a seller on eBay with people claiming items failed to arrive despite me having proof otherwise, items damaged when they weren't when I sent them off, etc. I feel like giving up and donating what I would've normally sold on eBay to the local charity shop from now on.

OP posts:
nigelthealien · 13/08/2021 00:40

No advice but apparently it's a common scam, the buyer claims the item was 'not as described.' Can you just point blank refuse a refund?

BluebellsGreenbells · 13/08/2021 00:42

Have you got detailed photos?

Maybe open a claim against them?

PumpkinKlNG · 13/08/2021 01:42

Didn’t you take cash on collection? Confused when someone is collecting isn’t it always advised to only accept cash?

HappyAsASandboy · 13/08/2021 03:00

How did they pay? If it was cash on collection (as it should always be for collection items) then they won't get their money back.

If they paid PayPal then collected, a more usual scam would be to then claim item not received, then when PayPal ask you for shipping details you can't provide them (because they collected) and PayPal sides with the buyer. By claiming it is damaged he has at least admitted delivery! But there's a chance PayPal would just order him to return it for a refund ....

Always always always cash on collection. Then no PayPal involvement, just a straightforward sold as seen.

WhoNeedsaManOfTheWorld · 13/08/2021 03:03

I hope you took cash on collection, you are stuffed if not
Anything other than cash for collect items is potentially a scam and is often why buyers try to insist on PayPal

MyOtherProfile · 13/08/2021 03:11

Hopefully you got cash. I would report it to eBay and then only sell things on Facebook selling pages in future.

Original poster
dottypencilcase · 13/08/2021 08:32

It was paid via PayPal despite the listing saying 'cash on collection'. This is what's worrying me- he's going to now claim damage and get his money back AND keep the item. He paid just under £200 :(

OP posts:
MyOtherProfile · 13/08/2021 08:38

Report it to PayPal ahead of his game?

oreosoreosoreos · 13/08/2021 09:10

Actually I don’t think it matters whether it was cash or PayPal - if eBay sides with the buyer they can just refund out of your PayPal or (or bank account if you’re on the new system, or your PayPal doesn’t have enough).

I’ve had eBay side with me against devious buyers before - as much as it’s a compete pain to talk to them over the phone, it does seem to be the best way of getting a dispute resolved in your favour. I would try to pre-empt the buyer opening a case against you by saying that the buyer is lying about the condition of the item.

Alternatively, tell the buyer you are happy to have it back, and will refund them on the condition that it is returned in the same state it was sold in (assuming you have good photos on the listing). If they’re just trying it on and hoping you’ll refund them some of the money they paid then this might put them off?

Arepeoplereallycoolaboutthis · 13/08/2021 09:14

I've had this before. I replied formally stating facts and "my side of the story".

I said they'll have to take it up with eBay but a complaint never fabricated...

Maybe he's just trying it.

Amandasummers · 13/08/2021 09:26

Yes sorry, never ever accept PayPal for an item collected in person because all they have to say is item not received and you can’t prove otherwise.

PizzaPiePizzaPie · 13/08/2021 09:31

I’d say you need photos of the damage?

Marcee · 13/08/2021 09:35

Yup for collection it should be cash on collection only cos of potential scams.

I would say best would be asking for its return and then a refund.

cherrytrismum · 13/08/2021 10:24

On eBay now. On collection and paid via PayPal. You get a QR code, which once they are happy, the code is scanned and it releases the money. I also take a pic of the car reg plate, as I act like I am very helpful, getting stuff to their car.

MolyHolyGuacamole · 13/08/2021 12:37

But if you have to refund, surely they have to send the item back? Do you think they've damaged it or will return it damaged? I just don't see what they get from it if they don't get to keep the item

PumpkinKlNG · 13/08/2021 13:29

It could be that they’ve accidentally damaged it though and are now wanting their money back? My sister bought a mirrored wardrobe and she paid for delivery men to bring it to her and it was smashed to pieces by the time it got to her, she could have went back to the woman and said It was damaged when she bought it and PayPal probably would have still sided with her but she wouldn’t do something like that but just saying they could have damaged it now want their money back

Original poster
dottypencilcase · 13/08/2021 14:01

So I've just been on the phone to eBay and have been told to reply to his message and ask him to go through eBay's dispute resolution process. They said they could see where I was coming from and it was concerning but they'd need an actual case to be opened to advise of next steps.

Re: collection in person: If the item had been collected by the buyers courier and buyer had claimed 'item damaged', etc. Ebay would've asked buyer to claim through the courier company. Since the item was collected in person, the buyer still has the right to change their mind and request a refund. However, since this is a large item and not a pair of shoes, for example, the onus is on the buyer to return the item to me. They said if the item is returned in a different state to when it was collected (I fear it will be- especially with the 'damages' mentioned by the buyer) they'd work with me at that point to 'rectify the situation' (whatever that means). Basically, he'll get away with it and I'll face the hassle of phone calls to eBay and sending on proof of the item's condition, etc. I'm beyond annoyed as I've been told the complete opposite when I called PayPal who've told me that since he's collected in person, he's happy with the item and the condition it was in. PayPal have said if he'd collected through a courier, he'd have been protected since he wouldn't have been there to check the condition of the item himself. So PayPal's stance is the complete opposite of eBay's. Will update once I've heard back from the buyer.

OP posts:
CloseYourEyesAndSee · 13/08/2021 14:06

You NEVER allow PayPal for a collect in person item. Yes it probably is a scam. Sorry

19lottie82 · 13/08/2021 16:02

eBay are talking bollocks. If he opens a bit as described case then YOU need to pay a courier to return the item, not the buyer.

DO NOT ask him to open an eBay case!

TangledUp789 · 13/08/2021 22:29

@CloseYourEyesAndSee

You NEVER allow PayPal for a collect in person item. Yes it probably is a scam. Sorry
Do you have a choice though? I sold a piece of furniture on eBay recently, planning on offering cash on collection only, but I couldn’t seem to remove PayPal as a payment option.

I feel happy using PayPal now though, as you get proof of collection by entering the buyer’s collection code on the app before you hand over the item.

PumpkinKlNG · 13/08/2021 23:05

Yes you can you say it in the listing “cash on collection only” I’ve paid for things on eBay in cash.

19lottie82 · 14/08/2021 00:10

You have to list PayPal as a payment option on the listing, but you just write “cash on collection only”. If they pay with PayPal then refund it and remind them.

CatOfTheLand · 14/08/2021 00:31

@oreosoreosoreos

Actually I don’t think it matters whether it was cash or PayPal - if eBay sides with the buyer they can just refund out of your PayPal or (or bank account if you’re on the new system, or your PayPal doesn’t have enough).

I’ve had eBay side with me against devious buyers before - as much as it’s a compete pain to talk to them over the phone, it does seem to be the best way of getting a dispute resolved in your favour. I would try to pre-empt the buyer opening a case against you by saying that the buyer is lying about the condition of the item.

Alternatively, tell the buyer you are happy to have it back, and will refund them on the condition that it is returned in the same state it was sold in (assuming you have good photos on the listing). If they’re just trying it on and hoping you’ll refund them some of the money they paid then this might put them off?

I had a buyer claim something was damaged in the post (two weeks after confirming it arrived in perfect condition) and eBay told me there was nothing they could do to 'help' her because I'd asked her to pay directly into my bank account.

They said they can only reverse transactions in conjunction with them - they can't just take money from you

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