Cash on pick-up; PayPal for pick-up; Inspect pick-up items; PayPal protection for pickup items
In lieu of replying to an old thread which has recently been bumped (and which contains old outdated information that's no longer correct), starting a new thread with current information seemed like a good idea.
eBay's help page for Buying with local pickup states:
VERY IMPORTANT: both buyers and sellers must avoid any suggestion of exchanging/offering/asking for phone number, address, email address, or any other contact information before a sale is actually made on eBay. This is to comply with the current Member-to-member policy, in which it's stated:
The consequences of violating this policy are serious, and can get both the buyer and the seller into real trouble with eBay.
It is clear that buyers cannot inspect items before bidding or buying now on eBay. Contact information can only be asked for and given after the item is "sold" through eBay.
In the Buying with local pickup page, eBay say "After making your purchase, contact the seller to arrange a time and place to collect your item, and agree how you'll pay for it." The most sensible method of payment for pick-up items is cash on pick-up, as this allows the buyer to inspect the item to assure him/herself that it's undamaged, as described and as wanted, before handing over any payment. (Seller should give the buyer a receipt and mark the item as paid in their ebay account as soon as the payment is made. Buyer should ask for receipt if one isn't forthcoming.)
If a buyer pays by PayPal or by credit card, and collects the item in person, it's "covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee." However, if the buyer doesn't want to go through with the sale, it's going to take the usual amount of time to receive a refund. Also, the cover for pick-up items is very limited. There is NO COVER under any of these circumstances:
- if the buyer simply changes his mind on seeing the item (known as buyer's remorse),
- if the item is damaged during pick-up,
- if the buyer sends someone else to pick up the item on their behalf, or
- if the buyer arranges freight for a pick-up item.
Only if the pick-up item is significantly not as described and the buyer picks up the item in person will the buyer be entitled to a refund for a pick-up item under eBay's MBG.
That means that logically speaking, there is no advantage to using PayPal for pick-up items. If the item isn't as described, the buyer would simply tell the seller, "I don't think this is as described, so I have decided not to go ahead with the purchase and pay. Can you send me a cancellation notice now, and I'll agree immediately so that you can get back your final value fees straight away?" That leaves both the buyer and the seller whole. No need to open a claim, no need to wait for a refund.
westerntiers
·3 years agoBuyer sent message to seller (me) wanting to pay and pick up but sale not recorded beforehand. I have asked buyer to use ‘buy now’ option and he says he has done that but item still showing it is available for sale. How do I advise eBay item has sold now?
*sons_n_daughters*
·3 years agoI'd be more concerned that you are selling items where you will LOSE money from the sale, rather than make money. Why are you selling items at a loss? That is completely ridiculous.
Unless the item is in your sold section, the item hasn't been sold in ebay's eyes. Is the buyer trying to conduct a sale outside of ebay?