Seller Protection with a buyer arranged courier

[jfmgray]

Hi all

I am selling an item around $900 as a pick up only however a buyer has contcated me asking if I would sell if he arranged a courier service.  Just want to make sure I would still have seller protection in this scenario.  The alternative of course is I arrange the courier and bill the buyer the additional cost.  Any advice would be appreciated.

[kopenhagen5]

If you arrange then buyer has normal protection as you are in effect posting the item.

If the buyer arranges, it is a pick up item and any damages in transit is between him and his carrier.

More difficult for a buyer claim in eBay.

[digital*ghost]

You would likely be ok with regards to defending any attempts at an INR or INAD claim (via eBay or PayPal, as long as the invoice clearly indicates pick-up as the only option), but you would not usually have proverbial Seller Protection (that is, against something like a credit card chargeback). 

For a $900 item, in order to qualify for Seller Protection against a chargeback, you must have valid proof of shipping (unobtainable generally, unless the buyer gives you a copy of the proof I suppose), using a signature on delivery service. 

[designers*n*more]

Ask the buyer to send you a copy of the consignment note!

[allfixelectrical]

You should get a copy of the consignment note at the time of pickup which should be sufficient for seller protection to be valid in the event of any future claim.

As it is a pickup only item, any claims for NAD or damage after the buyer receives the item should not be able to be opened with ebay as it is the responsibility of the courier acting as the buyers agent to ensure the item is in good order at the time of pickup just as if the buyer themselves were picking it up.

[phorum_junkie*]

The only way I would allow them to arrange the courier is if they did not pay with Paypal. As, for that amount, chances are that is the only method they will use I would tell them you are happy to send it but only if you arrange the courier and add the cost to the invoice. I would make sure I chose a fully tracked and insured service, probably pack & send as they do the packing so cannot say it wasn't good enough.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

I would reply with:

Courier pickup only available for bank deposit payment.

If the buyer complains that this offers no protection then just point out that he would have no protection with PayPal payment if he arranges courier anyway.  This would protect you against a chargeback.

[jfmgray]

Thanks all - some excellent suggestions