Buyer Makes No Sense with this Request

[goldunltd]

I've been on Ebay since 2005...I got this strange email message today about a book I have for sale:

"....Hi, I am very interested in purchasing this book and I was wondering if you could revise the checkout system to Pay On Pickup as a select payment option? All you have to do is add it where it says Pay With right at the top of the screen where it has the payment selections and above my name and address too. It is easier for me and it usually works for me too to purchase this book...."

Buyer emailed me in July, asking to buy it with a Money Order, and never sent one. Ebay auto-opened an unpaid item case, then closed it.  I relisted it  a week ago.

This Buyer lives in Virgina and I'm in California, so (at first glance) her "Pay on Pickup" request is ridiculous.  I was going to reply to ask what the problem is, but decided to block her instead.  I don't need this hassle.

What bothers me is "It is easier for me and it usually works for me too" comment.  By having  someone lie at checkout? In an email sent an hour before, she claims "My account was hacked."   I'm thinking I dodged a bullet.

Anyone else ever get this type of message?  What did you do? 

Thanks,

Dawn

Northern California

[ekmadonna]

I have a better one. A customer sent me a message yesterday asking if I would do a LAYAWAY for her. She said she would pay 1/3 Now 1/3 in October and 1/3 in November! the item was a painting listed at $189.00. She was not new either she had a few hundred feed backs!

[disneyshopper]

Paypal had an option for Pay on Delivery, but it was discontinued awhile back.

[montana_echoes]

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@ekmadonna wrote:

I have a better one. A customer sent me a message yesterday asking if I would do a LAYAWAY for her. She said she would pay 1/3 Now 1/3 in October and 1/3 in November! the item was a painting listed at $189.00. She was not new either she had a few hundred feed backs!

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There did used to be a layaway thing on ebay, it wasn't an ebay program, just some sellers that opted for it. It was before we'd get hit with the "you stated you'd mail in 3 days... and its been 4...!" type requirement and no exchanging of email addys or address... you'd never be able to do it on ebay today. 

The way it went was that the buyer signed an agreement (messages exchanged) that they would click BUY IT NOW... and then pay 1/3. (or whatever the term of the seller was) then, if they didn't make another payment, that payment was NOT refundable and the seller would relist.

So your buyer might not be crazy, just a long time since she used ebay...?? There's no way to offer such a thing now.... although a buyer can go to Paypal and apply for the pay in installments feature, (I forget what PP calls it) which would be invisible to the seller as they still get all their money upfront. 

[ittybitnot]

 A customer sent me a message yesterday asking if I would do a LAYAWAY for her.

Actually, years ago I did some "layaway" sales.  These were typically for items over $1000 over three months time.   PayPal was NOT in the program, and we could take money orders, cash, or checks.   When the third payment was made, the item was shipped, and all was good. 

Since accepting multiple payments for the same item is a sure lose for any paypal claim against a seller, and ebay's shipping metric requirements and dings, the layaway plan simply does not work on ebay.  It still does  elsewhere if you so choose  in places where old school MONEY is still a viable payment option.