eBay Question

[Lauren25]

I sold my dining table and chairs on eBay yesterday! I sold it for £250 and its collection only!

The person that won it on their information it says they are from London which made me start thinking straight away, I'm really not sure why you'd bother coming from London to Coventry (West Midlands) but then I thought the address may be old or they might be buying for someone else!

Then this morning they messaged me saying as I said I wanted paying it cash on collection could I tell them how and when to collect it, I didn't anywhere say I wanted cash, it says pay by PayPal, I also wondered why they were asking how it would be collected because that's up to them! I messaged back saying I didn't say that, I only accept PayPal payment and once they have done that we can arrange collection to suit them!

They have just messaged back saying thank you for my response and can I send them my number!

I really don't feel comfortable about doing that, they haven't even payed yet, I don't understand why they would need my number at this stage when they haven't even payed! I'd much rather sort this over email atleast to the stage where it's payed for and a time to be collected is sorted!

Am I right to refuse to do this or am I just being silly?

Any help with what to say or do would be great

 

[shortie1990]

It does sound a little strange, I prefer email co tact, a) because I'm shy!! B) the. You have a record of what is said by whom, I'd just make up an excuse (your toddler broke the speaker in your phone, so can't accept calls ) and just say the best/preferred way of contact is through eBay messages

 

[shellie]

I think I'd message them back and say something to make it clear thatyour details will be given when payment is received. I'm not sure what exact wording I would use though. Hope fully someone else will be able to help with the wording. xxx

 

[weewdy]

I sell alot on ebay and i find cash on collection is better as you get the full price. Youve sold it for £250 but you wont receive that due to paypal fees. I also give my number out as i feel its easier to arrange collection by phone than sending messages back and forth. If your unhappy with giving your number why dont you ask them for there number and you call them. I can see why you would be wary.

 

[suzib76]

I don't think it's strange that they want your number to make arrangements really

I would be a bit annoyed that they didn't read the listing re payment methods though, but as pp said cash is better anyway

 

[embo216]

If they are collecting I really wouldn't ask them to pay by paypal, if they pay you and collect then you have no proof they've got their item and can claim their money back through paypal.x

 

[Lauren25]

I'd rather have to pay the PayPal fees than have someone do me over tbh with you!
I don't mind giving my number out, I did when I sold a treadmill a few months ago but this was after she had payed, after everything was arrange and just because she was sending her husband so he wanted to let me know when he'd be able to make it! This person hasn't payed and I said pay me through PayPal and then we can sort it, they ignored what I said and just asked for my number!

 

[suzib76]

I don't know how you can be done over with cash on collection?

Like someone said previously it is possible they could claim back through PayPal as not recieved, you can't do that with cash

 

[weewdy]

I understand what your saying. Why are you against cash on collection? Everyone i have dealt with do cash on collection. How do you think youll get done,do you think they are going to come collect and not pay? If thats the case you dont let them in until you take the money. I dont think the purchaser is meaning anything tbh

 

[Lauren25]

Hmm okay then maybe I'm just being silly over wanting to be paid by PayPal but that wasn't my point, i put pay by PayPal so they should surely!
I've sold stuff before and people pay, we arrange collection, they collect sorted! I was just wondering if it was Normal for them to hold back paying and asking for contact details before paying!

 

[weewdy]

When i buying an item thats collection only i always ask payment preferences before bidding,which is what the purchaser should have done. If you want paypal then thats what he should do. I would ask for his number then you can call him and arrange collection.

 

[shortie1990]

Maybe s/he wanted to ring to persuade you to cash on collection, as you get more money that way! But yes, if you stated PayPal then fair enough but he's probably just trying to explain the benefit of cash,and you can't get done over, take the money before they take the item

 

[Piggywinkle]

On high value items especially (and I consider £250 to be high value) then you should really, really avoid payment by paypal. I understand that this is what you asked for, but it is all too common for scammers to do what is known as a 'chargeback.' I'll explain it like this - they pay by Paypal and collect the item. 2 days later, the money disappears from your account - they have filed an 'item not received' claim with Paypal. Paypal ask you to supply tracking details to prove that you have sent the item - you don't have any, as they collected. The buyer keeps your table and chairs and the money.

Because I sell on ebay quite often and I've seen this happen to a friend (with a £400 ipad ), I find it really difficult to understand when people are so adamant that they will only accept Paypal. Maybe your buyer is thinking the same thing? If they give you cash and then take away your table, then there is very little possibility of any scam occurring.

As for them wanting your number, I find this is much easier when organising cash on collection as sometimes ebay messages don't actually get delivered and that can be a nuisance when they're going back and forth arranging times/dates of collection etc.

Sorry for the blunt sounding post, I just wanted to clearly explain that you're at risk of a chargeback when asking for paypal on collection items.

 

[maryp0ppins]

I know most sellers want cash for collection items but I usually pay paypal for more expensive items as I can use my credit card (eg oh just bought a new scooter for £550 and it had to be put on paypal credit card as we wont have the cash until the 24 and it was a good deal) we always sign a receipt saying we have collected the item.

If you only want paypal then tell this person that. Please make them sign something stating they have collected on x date and its final sale.

 

[Mummytobe85]

DH and i sold some internal doors, so i messaged the buyer after the auction and he gave me his no and asked for our contact no. i think sometimes its easier for people for to discuss plans by phone than by messages especially if they're not on the computer all the time.

 

[Piggywinkle]

I know most sellers want cash for collection items but I usually pay paypal for more expensive items as I can use my credit card (eg oh just bought a new scooter for £550 and it had to be put on paypal credit card as we wont have the cash until the 24 and it was a good deal) we always sign a receipt saying we have collected the item.

If you only want paypal then tell this person that. Please make them sign something stating they have collected on x date and its final sale.

Just for info, paypal will not accept signed receipts as proof of delivery - they will only accept proof from Royal Mail or courier companies using trackable delivery methods. You can still be subject to a chargeback when you pay with your credit card.

 

[maryp0ppins]

I know most sellers want cash for collection items but I usually pay paypal for more expensive items as I can use my credit card (eg oh just bought a new scooter for £550 and it had to be put on paypal credit card as we wont have the cash until the 24 and it was a good deal) we always sign a receipt saying we have collected the item.

If you only want paypal then tell this person that. Please make them sign something stating they have collected on x date and its final sale.

Just for info, paypal will not accept signed receipts as proof of delivery - they will only accept proof from Royal Mail or courier companies using trackable delivery methods. You can still be subject to a chargeback when you pay with your credit card.

I did not know that--its good to know. Im an honest person so that doesnt really affect me as a buyer. The way i see it is that when you list something you should be willig to accept paypal,if not dont put it on ebay use gumtree. Nearly all ebay listings tell you when you list it that you must put paypal as a payment option. Id rather pay by paypal and protect myself incase the item is not what it should be or working properly.

 

[Piggywinkle]

Paying with paypal will always be the better method for the buyer. However it doesn't help sellers when ebay insists on paypal as a method of payment for every listing.

There's more info here on what can happen with paypal and collection items.

https://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/jan/27/is-paypal-safe-protection?mobile-redirect=false

 

[embo216]

I did try and explain Chargeback on my previous post but not sure OP saw- your explanation was a lot better Piggywinkle

 

[Lauren25]

Thank you everyone for the advice, I don't mind being payed with cash, I just always thought the safest way was PayPal! The thing that got me was this person telling me I put I wanted paying by PayPal when I didn't and also the fact that they've ignored anything I've said to them!

I've mentioned it to a few family members and they said this person sounds a bit dodgy so I guess that's just got me over thinking!

I messaged them and just said I don't currently have a contact number and they could have my private email address to sort things, once things are sorted they can have my OHs number but I would rather get the ball rolling over email so I have something in writing because so far they've ignored everything I've said!

Thank you all for your advice re payment though, I never even thought