An eBay question

[DonkeyApple]

I’m sure it has been answered in the past but the search function through nothing up.

I have an item for sale that is collection only. At the time of setting up the item I seemed to have no option but to select PayPal as the preferred payment method (is that really the case?). I have a buyer and we would like to settle with cash on collection but neither of us are sure if this will invite the wrath of eBay and result in summary executions at the hands of the militant enforcers.

Could someone educate me as to how this would work so that neither PayPal or eBay come gunning for us?

TIA.

[FRG0]

Once the item is sold remove the listing as no longer for sale, the listing fees will still apply though.

[Jonno02]

Cash is actually the best way to do it. A lot of people get stung on collections as the buyer pays first, collects and as there's "no proof of purchase" they can file a claim with eBay that the item was never 'delivered.'

[DonkeyApple]

Jonno02 said:

Cash is actually the best way to do it. A lot of people get stung on collections as the buyer pays first, collects and as there's "no proof of purchase" they can file a claim with eBay that the item was never 'delivered.'

Thanks. I can see the logic there.

[otherman]

PayPal has to be an option, but you can take payment any way you like and mark it as paid. As above, always best to take cash for a collect item.

[DonkeyApple]

FRG0 said:

Once the item is sold remove the listing as no longer for sale, the listing fees will still apply though.

This is the route that I think will cause issues as the eBay fees are on the sale not the listing so if I remove the listing then I would be defrauding eBay.

Or have I misunderstood?

[scsracing]

The above board way, would be to have the item sell, the buyer collect and pay cash, then mark the item as payment received. This would not cause an issue with eBay, as they still get their fee. Don't send your address/phone/email before the auction/buy it now has ended though, as eBay flag this as you trying to do the sale, outside of eBay, thus them loosing their fee.

[MRichards99]

When you select payment method on a listing you can select cash on collection (though I'm guessing your item has been sold so you're unable to do this). I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure you mark the item as paid once you have the cash.

[DonkeyApple]

scsracing said:

The above board way, would be to have the item sell, the buyer collect and pay cash, then mark the item as payment received. This would not cause an issue with eBay, as they still get their fee. Don't send your address/phone/email before the auction/buy it now has ended though, as eBay flag this as you trying to do the sale, outside of eBay, thus them loosing their fee.

Thanks. We’ve settled on a price and this was the route I was hoping to take but wasn’t sure if it could cause issues for the buyer being chased to pay up. My risk would remain that the buyer could randomly decide to pay by PayPal though?

[CalNaughtonJnr]

If the listing is still live can you not just end it now and deal outside of eBay?

[DonkeyApple]

MRichards99 said:

When you select payment method on a listing you can select cash on collection (though I'm guessing your item has been sold so you're unable to do this). I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure you mark the item as paid once you have the cash.

Thanks. It hasn’t sold yet as I need to agree to the offer but I’ve never seen a way to list without PayPal. I shall look more closely when next selling collection only items.

[singlecoil]

I always state cash on collection, what usually happens is that the buyer pays with PayPal. I then refund the money and explain that it's cash on collection. Not had a problem with that so far.

[DonkeyApple]

I’ve tried to amend the listing to be cash on collection but it gives me an error and tells me that I must use PayPal.

[MRichards99]

DonkeyApple said:

I’ve tried to amend the listing to be cash on collection but it gives me an error and tells me that I must use PayPal.

Yeah what I wrote wasn't as clear as it should've been. You must have PayPal as an option (seems silly for situations like this). I have PayPal then cash on collection as my two options then I clearly state in the description that it's cash on collection.

DonkeyApple said:

Thanks. We’ve settled on a price and this was the route I was hoping to take but wasn’t sure if it could cause issues for the buyer being chased to pay up. My risk would remain that the buyer could randomly decide to pay by PayPal though?

Yes your buyer could randomly decide to pay by PayPal but when I state it in the description, it usually works. I agree, it's not a foolproof solution (which is often needed in the case of eBay buyers! ).

Edited by MRichards99 on Tuesday 9th October 12:07

[scsracing]

You can't list without having paypal as a payment option. You can select all the payment options you like, but paypal is always a default.

If your looking to get around paying eBay fees, its not advisable, although its not illegal, id send the buyer a photo with your details on. If you end the listing , you don't normal have to pay a final value fee, but eBay can charge you the fee if they feel you did a sale outside of eBay.

Although it feels like eBay are ripping you off, 10% fee is smaller than most auction houses, and for the coverage/potential buyer base you get, it is worth it. Try selling your item locally for the same price, it just wouldn't happen.

[DonkeyApple]

Perfect. Thanks. If I remove the PayPal option and then go back in I see all the others. I’ve selected PayPal, cash on collection and see description where I have added a cash on collection requirement.

So this is now all kosher and eBay will get their fee for sourcing the buyer and the buyer can pay cash without any issues?

[singlecoil]

DonkeyApple said:

So this is now all kosher and eBay will get their fee for sourcing the buyer and the buyer can pay cash without any issues?

Indeed. But be prepared for buyers who ignore that and use PP anyway. You'll then have the tedious task of refunding and drawing their attention to the cash thing.

[FRG0]

DonkeyApple said:

This is the route that I think will cause issues as the eBay fees are on the sale not the listing so if I remove the listing then I would be defrauding eBay.

Or have I misunderstood?

I didn't realise that the fees are on the item.

[TonyRPH]

FRG0 said:

DonkeyApple said:

This is the route that I think will cause issues as the eBay fees are on the sale not the listing so if I remove the listing then I would be defrauding eBay.

Or have I misunderstood?

I didn't realise that the fees are on the item.

You pay a listing fee, and then commission on the final sale price (around 10% IIRC).

If you don't offer free post, and Ebay think your postage charges were too high for the item in question, they charge commission on the postage too!!! (yes really - I've had this happen to me three times now).

[RicksAlfas]

DonkeyApple said:

Perfect. Thanks. If I remove the PayPal option and then go back in I see all the others. I’ve selected PayPal, cash on collection and see description where I have added a cash on collection requirement.

So this is now all kosher and eBay will get their fee for sourcing the buyer and the buyer can pay cash without any issues?

Yes. When the buyer has collected and paid you cash, you can mark the item as "payment received" and "dispatched" and it's a done deal.