FabSwingers.com forum: eBay etiquette

By *achel Smyth OP TV/TS
over a year ago

Farnborough

Hi Fabbers .... I’m after some advice ...

I’ve just sold something for the first time on eBay for local collection .... a bike. On the listing I published 4 good quality pictures of the bike so what is on offer is very visible.

The winning bidder hasn’t paid yet but contacted me wanting to collect it. He is saying he will either pay cash or or PayPal .... once he has viewed the bike!!!

I always thought once an item was sold they were compelled to buy the item ... not once they’ve seen it?? Is this usual?!!

Should I allow him to view and possibly walk away ... in which case I will have to re-list, or insist he pays upfront??

Thanks for your help

Rachel xx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Let the guy look at it but don't let him have it for any less than the agreed price. It's the decent thing to do and potentially saves you relisting.

If he's an arse about it and picks tiny faults or bids you down then report him

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Hi Fabbers .... I’m after some advice ...

I’ve just sold something for the first time on eBay for local collection .... a bike. On the listing I published 4 good quality pictures of the bike so what is on offer is very visible.

The winning bidder hasn’t paid yet but contacted me wanting to collect it. He is saying he will either pay cash or or PayPal .... once he has viewed the bike!!!

I always thought once an item was sold they were compelled to buy the item ... not once they’ve seen it?? Is this usual?!!

Should I allow him to view and possibly walk away ... in which case I will have to re-list, or insist he pays upfront??

Thanks for your help

Rachel xx"

If he has bid on it he must buy it unless the item is not as described - you add that you don’t accept returns on your listing so they can’t back out.

However EBay makes it hard now with their automatic listings that make it impossible to reflect if someone doesn’t pay. I had an item that sold for collection only and the buyer did not contact me or pay. I couldn’t report them and just had to re-list it after 5 days.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Let the guy look at it but don't let him have it for any less than the agreed price. It's the decent thing to do and potentially saves you relisting.

If he's an arse about it and picks tiny faults or bids you down then report him

Impossible to report now with their automatic replies only.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

From my experience they pay via PayPal before collecting or give you cash when they collect.

I wouldn't let them view it and then walk away. It's either a sale or it isn't.

If they take it away and aren't happy then there are procedures on eBay to deal with it.

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By *elloWoman
over a year ago

alpha centauri

Personally I only buy and sell inexpensive stuff so don't mind cash on collection,

However if it is an expensive bike be careful they don't just steal it right from under your nose.

If it is you could suggest they pay by PayPal and you'll refund it if they aren't happy with the condition and felt your photos did not give a good representation of its condition

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sounds like a timewaster. I would insist on payment in advance and if he refuses then report and relist.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

I wouldn't buy something like that without actually seeing it. I'd let him look at it

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

They are supposed to go on the pics, else you may have well have sold it in free ads.

Be wary of trying it out (and never seeing it again) and don’t hand over unless cash or cleared funds in bank.

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By *umalotagainMan
over a year ago

a town called malice

eBay has become full of stuff lien this recently, normally people wanting to chance it and make you a low ball offer when they get there, knowing that you want rid of the item and will accept what we they offer

Unfortunately not a massive amount you can do, other than smile and say no you agreed the price and let him walk if needs be

Recently I have had better success on local Facebook selling groups

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You can peddle anything on eBay.

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By *heVonMatterhornsCouple
over a year ago

Lincoln

"eBay has become full of stuff lien this recently, normally people wanting to chance it and make you a low ball offer when they get there, knowing that you want rid of the item and will accept what we they offer

Unfortunately not a massive amount you can do, other than smile and say no you agreed the price and let him walk if needs be

Recently I have had better success on local Facebook selling groups "

Same here actually. Stuff seems to fly out the door within a day or two from FaceBay

But yeah OP, if they've won the item, they should be paying up front. You wouldn't send the item by post before someone has paid would you? Like others have said, sounds like they may try to low ball you once they're there

LvM

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It might be a good idea to view the buyers feedback, see what other sellers have to say and if you are still unsure then cancel the sale. As mentioned previously , it is a bike and the buyer may want to double check their purchase, just don't let them out of your sight with it though.

I've sold lots of items on eBay and not had issue thankfully but I'd not be comfortable with anyone wanting to came round though. Best of luck with it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"You can peddle anything on eBay. "

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It might be a good idea to view the buyers feedback, see what other sellers have to say and if you are still unsure then cancel the sale. As mentioned previously , it is a bike and the buyer may want to double check their purchase, just don't let them out of your sight with it though.

I've sold lots of items on eBay and not had issue thankfully but I'd not be comfortable with anyone wanting to came round though. Best of luck with it. "

Good point about their feedback.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've sold lots of items on eBay and not had issue thankfully but I'd not be comfortable with anyone wanting to came round though. Best of luck with it.

Good point about their feedback.

Seconded

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By *layfullsamMan
over a year ago

Solihull

"Hi Fabbers .... I’m after some advice ...

I’ve just sold something for the first time on eBay for local collection .... a bike. On the listing I published 4 good quality pictures of the bike so what is on offer is very visible.

The winning bidder hasn’t paid yet but contacted me wanting to collect it. He is saying he will either pay cash or or PayPal .... once he has viewed the bike!!!

I always thought once an item was sold they were compelled to buy the item ... not once they’ve seen it?? Is this usual?!!

Should I allow him to view and possibly walk away ... in which case I will have to re-list, or insist he pays upfront??

Thanks for your help

Rachel xx"

It could obviously be a genuine person but be careful with the PayPal on collection, there used to be a lot of scams around and I'm not sure if the loopholes have been closed.

And if they offer to transfer funds into your bank account, check it's in before letting items go.

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By *achel Smyth OP TV/TS
over a year ago

Farnborough

Ok so just to let you know how this panned out.

I emailed the buyer and said he was welcome to come and view it, but there is no price negotiation and wanted paying by PayPal.

He turned up, and bought the bike. Turns out he had a bad experience recently when buying something similar, that was broken.

Thank you fabbers for the advice

R xx

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By *arkus1812Man
over a year ago

Finedon ,

When dealing with Cash on Collection items I always make the buyer sign a copy of the order to confirm he/she has taken the item, a friend of mine takes a photo of the buyer holding the item.

We have both been caught in the past where the buyer claims they did not collect the item and we have had to refund monies.

Not a fan of the present Ebay set up, not very user friendly.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I wouldn't buy something like that without actually seeing it. I'd let him look at it "

I agree me too but thats not how eBay works though. If he won the auction he should pay.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Ok so just to let you know how this panned out.

I emailed the buyer and said he was welcome to come and view it, but there is no price negotiation and wanted paying by PayPal.

He turned up, and bought the bike. Turns out he had a bad experience recently when buying something similar, that was broken.

Thank you fabbers for the advice

R xx"

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