Customer returns with Local Pickup Only

[bigbluecrab-us]

I have a large heavy table that I'm selling using Local Pickup Only as I don't want to have to deal with with shipping something this big and heavy. I was contacted by a prospective buyer that live many states away. They want to pay the listed price for the table and have a shipping company pick it up, this would be at their expense. They would also be paying via eBay.

I know that eBay allows the seller to return an item for many reasons. If they do decide to return the item, who is on the hook for the shipping fees, me or them? This is an expensive table, about $1,500. If I go this route, is there a way for me to get scammed out of my money? I've already had some shifty folks contact me regarding this table and they all want to pay with a check, wait for it to clear, then send a shipping company to pick it up, I refused. This person, however, is fine paying via eBay. How safe would I be in going through with this transaction?

[comics-scifi-collectibles]

@bigbluecrab-us   Do NOT release the item until the buyer provides the QR code or 6 digit code that shows proof of pick up.  This is your protection for not received refund requests.   You need to enter the code into the app>

Proof of pickup is required to protect you against item not received cases. 

For proof of pickup you can:

• use the eBay app to scan the QR code the buyer received through email
• use the eBay app to manually enter the 6-digit code the buyer received through email

To scan the QR code:

1. Go to Selling on the eBay App.
2. Go to the Sold tab.
3. Select the Arrange Pickup banner.
4. Tap the Scan to confirm pickup button.

If the buyer doesn't have the QR code available, ask them for the 6-digit code they received through email and manually enter it in the app.

Per the eBay Money Back Guarantee the buyer loses their MBG protection when an item is picked up by a third party.    You can see the Exclusions sections for not as described returns and not received refund requests.   You still need the Local pick up code to prove you turned it over the third party though. 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

EDIT TO ADD>>> That is a VERY cool table I can see why they'd be willing to pay the expense of Freight shipping to a third party.  

[bigbluecrab-us]

Thanks for the response.  So eBay will email the buyer with a code, both a QR and a six digit code as proof of pickup. I'm not sure how this proves that a pickup occurred since it will be a third party that does the pickup. How does me providing the code actually prove that it was picked up? Do I ask the buyer for the code well ahead of pickup then enter it when the pickup company actually picks up the table? For the sake of argument, couldn't I just enter the six digit code the buyer gave me then not ship the item?

Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just a bit unclear how this works and as there's a lot of money involved here, and I've already had so many shady characters try to scam me out of this, I'm a bit overly cautious.

Thanks again for your assistance.

[comics-scifi-collectibles]

@bigbluecrab-us   eBay doesn't KNOW who picked up.    The code is your proof of delivery and protection for not received cases. 

I would also get a copy of the receipt for pick up from the shipping company so you can prove a third party was used.  

You can never be too cautious with a high priced rare item.  I totally understand.