Buyer wants to use courier for collection only furniture item

[ForeverDelayedEpiphany]

I've just told them that I wasn't sure if I would be comfortable selling a high value item to them with their own courier arrangements.

Have I just lost a potential buyer? Feeling a bit silly now but was worried it could have been a scam as they were saying about organising a courier, and paying for the item via PayPal 🤔

That's a very well known scam. Stick with collection only.

This is a well known scam. Don't engage further

Hi, how is it a scam if you don't mind me asking? What happens?

Pic of a reply from them for reference.

They claim on paypal it's not as described then they get their money back and keep the item unless the seller goes to collect it.

If they pay by bank transfer then you're safe and then it would be ok as they can't claim the money back.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6407279/courier-scam-how-it-works

We had someone try this too, I ended up having to block them because they kept messaging me (Facebook market place)
Luckily found a other buyer who collected

It might not be a scam.

I use courier services as I don't drive myself.

@TinkerTiger buyer pays by PayPal and sends “courier” to collect (or collects themselves). Seller has no proof of delivery, buyer raises dispute with eBay for non-delivery and is refunded + keeps item.

Always insist on cash on collection for items you’re not posting.

Nope, scam.

If they really want it and can't collect, they book a local man and van and send him with cash. The risk is theirs or they accompany him.

This is why I wasn't sure if they were genuine... their last reply seemed quite ok saying they'd ordered a wardrobe that way with a courier before, but I guess a scammer could write anything polite and convincing to lure someone in 😳😬

We sold a table, specified cash on collection. Buyer sent money by PayPal & asked to arrange someone to collect. I said I’d like cash on collection & they were fine, I declined the PayPal payment so it went back to them & they sent man with cash. They weren’t trying to scam me, just didn’t read the listing properly.

Your exchange has scam written all over it.

If they arrange the courier you have no details to prove it's delivered when they tell PayPal it never arrived. They get a full refund

I'd happily use a bank transfer though if I really wanted something.

Forgot to put that in my other post.

Plus... I now noticed that their first initial of their profile username is "M" but they had the letter "D" on the pic in the message list (see attached image)... does that mean there profile is a fake/hacked one?

Do not say in eBay messages that you “prefer bank transfer” this is against eBay terms to take the sale off platform and you risk losing your account.

As others have said it’s a known scam. Just stick to collection only with either cash on collection or the must have the collection code in order to pay by eBay payments. I always state “no 3rd party couriers” in my listings after a family member sold an expensive item and the buyers courier damaged it in their van and my family member had no option but to refund the buyer.

If a buyer arranges their own courier and it gets damaged, you would have to refund them due to eBay rules but you would have no claim on their courier as you have no contract with them as you didn’t pay for it.

I have used this arrangement many times as I am constantly swapping furniture. Never had a problem. I shipped and had items collected. Paying with PayPal via Ebay and letting the buyer to arrange their own courier is perfectly reasonable. Don't let the buyer transfer the money any other way except PayPal on Ebay page. Make it clear to the buyer no claims regarding description or further damage will be accepted (as the damage could happen in transit). Make sure the courier signs the collection note. It should be fine. Speak to Ebay if still in doubt. It's not reasonable to expect a buyer to collect if they live hundreds of miles away. Local man and van are no use in this situation

This is saying it's the pay cash on collection that is a scam because there is then no evidence of payment when the item goes missing.

Loads of people use Shiply to pick up things they have bought on ebay, it's completely standard and all links in with ebay so shouldn't be a problem.

And take photos of the item when it's collected to show the item wasin good condition before delivery then the buyer can take up any damage with their courier.

I had no idea this was a scam. DS bought furniture from ebay and used a courier to collect it. He paid first, and then booked the courier. How is it a scam?

I didn't know it was a scam either
The buyer claimed to be getting their son to find a quote from a courier, but never got back to me that they'd done this, which made me a bit suspicious too.

I’ve done exactly this to buy big pieces of furniture but paid via bank transfer

The son can be busy at work, a bit annoyed that his parents' lack of IT proficiency. It doesn't sound like a scam

It's a no from me. Well known scam I'm afraid

We sold an antique table and 8 chairs on eBay. The buyer said he was sending a courier with cash. The guy turned up at 6.00 am with cash and a van packed to the rafters with furniture, he was taking it to the docks and it was going to be shipped to Dubai. So it can be legit with cash.