Prefer local pick-up SA, but interested buyer wants to freight to QLD

[crafteecc]

Hi there sellers

I had a gopher/mobility scooter listed - several listings actually, each time relisted for a slightly lower price, (latest listing for $3,000) with a 'make an offer' option selected.  The gopher seemed to have lots of visits, and some people asked questions, which I answered to the best of my ability.  The listing was noted as 'local pick-up' only, however, a possible buyer from QLD seems very interested.  He has made an offer, via a message, of $2,250 and wishes to arrange freight.

First up, I realise that no sale can be finalised unless I receive and accept an official 'offer'.  However, in the first instance I responded that I would have to check with another family member before accepting the offer and that the freight would have to be organised by the buyer at his own cost and at his own risk - which the buyer acknowledged.  I also received another message from the interested buyer asking if there was a counter-offer.  After several discussion with family, we decided that we were uncomfortable with utilising the services of a freight company on such a large and expensive article and we advised the interested buyer of our decision.

I received another message from the interested buyer saying "Whilst I appreciate your concerns, surely, once I have purchased the item the responsibility for shipment to Brisbane is all mine. Maybe you have a contrary view of which I am unaware."

The listing has now expired, and may be relisted in the future ..... so my question is What protection do I have when buyer wants to freight.  What steps can I take to ensure that the buyer won't claim a refund from me after goods have been damaged, or worse lost, in transit?  

[digital*ghost]

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@crafteecc wrote:

so my question is What protection do I have when buyer wants to freight.  What steps can I take to ensure that the buyer won't claim a refund from me after goods have been damaged, or worse lost, in transit?  

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If the buyer pays via PayPal, they will not have buyer protection because by them arranging freight, they void their protection - this means they can not open a PayPal or eBay dispute for item not received or item not as described (or, at the very least, it should mean that they won't be able to win a dispute if they do open one).

If they fund a PayPal payment with a credit card, then they may be able to raise a chargeback with their card provider - the buyer arranging freight on their own doesn't affect your eligibility for seller protection against chargebacks, but in order to qualify, you need to give PayPal valid proof of shipment, which you likely wouldn't have unless you can get a copy from the buyer or freight company. 

[crafteecc]

thanks for that 🙂  

so providing proof of pick-up by freight company (photographic evidence & documentation) may not necessarily provide protection for the seller if the buyer pays via paypal with a credit card 😞

I have been reading several other posts in this forum relating to cash on pick-up and seller protection and I must say, it is hard going wading through all the information, but I thank you very much for your response.

cheers

[phorum_junkie*]

As DG says you will void your protection against chargebacks if the buyer uses a credit card with Paypal, the only way I would agree would be to arrange the freight myself making sure it was a service that gave on line proof of delivery, add the cost to the invoice as a shipping charge and then I would be covered.

The only other option would be if the buyer agreed to pay by bank deposit but you would be on sticky ground asking them to do that through ebay if they reported you.

[chameleon54]

I send and recive a reasonable number of large items each year in similar circumstance to you. ie. I dont use a single company, buyers "organise" freight etc. It is often stressfull, things often go wrong, items often arrive damaged etc. Trucks arrive without tailgate loader, so no method of loading, trucks arrive unannounced or dont arrive at all. I once towed a large air compressor over 100 km. to a transport depot for a customer, only to be told they knew nothing of it and for good reasons could not accept delivery into their storage facilities. I do this for a business so factor it into the cost of everything I do. If you are a private person or family with mums gopher, I definately would not reccomend it. If you want to keep your sanity stick to the local pick-up only. Good luck.

[crafteecc]

thanks chameleon54 🙂   I think I will take your advice and stick to local pick-up with cash only 🙂