eBay - Buyer Arranged Couriers

[emicen]

My wife’s selling some furniture from her flat and one item (chaise longue) has someone asking some questions.

It’s up as collection only but eBay insists on letting people pay via PayPal. To me that’s already shaky ground as we’ve all heard of people collecting items, claiming they never did and PayPal siding with them.

Now he’s enquiring about arranging a courier to collect. Would a collection note from a courier make the situation better?

[anonymous-user]

Scam.

They make you put PayPal but I've always said cash only for collections and never had an issue

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Nope.

I always say no to people who don't "collect in person". Collect in person isn't send a courier!

If it's low value stuff & she is prepared to take the risk, then go in eyes open.

[DSLiverpool]

You can do it like this.
PayPal a 10% deposit once won.
Buyer pays courier, courier pays you cash.
NO OTHER OPTION - NONE.

[Simpo Two]

No self-respecting courier is going to handle someone else's cash.

But if the courier had online POD (ie to the buyer) then that should cover any claim I'd have thought.

The problem with collection only is that you instantly lose 90% of the market.

Paypal has to be listed but is not compulsory. I might ask for bank transfer - but then they will have to trust you instead

[Mr Pointy]

emicen said:

It’s up as collection only but eBay insists on letting people pay via PayPal. To me that’s already shaky ground as we’ve all heard of people collecting items, claiming they never did and PayPal siding with them.

Not so. You have to list offering Paypal, but you don't have to take take payment using it. If they pay via Paypal just refund them & tell them it's cash on collection only.

[C0ffin D0dger]

I've had this. Not worth the hassle of waiting around all day for a courier to turn up and sometimes they don't (Yodel).

[PF62]

And you get stuck with the hassle of making sure it is packaged suitable for collection by a courier.

Don't do it. Cash on collection. Nothing else.

[mmmunch]

Looks like I'm in the minority.

I've bought a few large items recently that were collection only and used my 'own' courier.

Collection only limits your potential audience as most people can't be arsed to travel to collect, and most are happy to let me arrange- for heavy large items yes you do need to wait in, although there are a couple of couriers that offer timed collections.

For larger bulkier (but lighter items) UPS do a drop service where you take it to a local corner shop or similar.

They get a copy of the tracking info and can enter it in eBay to show that it has been delivered in the case of a claim for non delivery.

A little more hassle I agree but it's worth it- Best Buy was a farmhouse style limed ash kitchen table and benches that was bought for <£20 because no one else bid on it. I did of course ask if they would be happy to let me arrange a courier before bidding, but as they were lazy they didn't update their listing and therefore no one else bid..

[PF62]

mmmunch said:

Collection only limits your potential audience as most people can't be arsed to travel to collect, .

You only need one buyer and I have never had a problem finding that one buyer who would pay the price I wanted on collection only items.

mmmunch said:

for heavy large items yes you do need to wait in

So you found mugs who would waste their time hanging around for a courier.

mmmunch said:

For larger bulkier (but lighter items) UPS do a drop service where you take it to a local corner shop or similar.

And other mugs who paid to package the collection only item and take the time to deliver it to a shop.

Good for you, but for me 'collection only. means just that.

[emicen]

Cheers for the replies all. She’s told him no dice.