Potential buyer of a pick-up only item said he wants to make payment when he comes to pick up...

[gretschwhtfalcon]

I need some advice on this. I wrote back to him and said I would not be comfortable with that at all, mentioning that any purchased item is paid for prior to shipping, so why would a pick-up only item be considered any differently? I suggest the usual format - payment made and deposited in my PayPal account BEFORE any pick-up date is arranged. Am I right?  This suggestion of  his makes me very uncomfortable. This is an eBay buyer with a very good track record, but I'm extremely wary of what he is suggesting. Thoughts???

[gretschwhtfalcon]

I'm only trying to understand the best way to handle this. If cash is the best and safest way for both buyer and seller, I'll go with that. From what I've read here, though, you can't require cash payment BUT must offer an electronic option - so it sounds like it boils down to an individual case-by-case situation / agreement between both parties. 

[bonjourami]

you are allowed to say in your listing to please contact you for payment options. Then you are allowed to tell the buyer cash preferred. Which I did with all my local pick up items. And two buyers paid with PP, which was fine, with no problems. I would say cash is the best way to go for you.I had no problems with the pick ups as my husband moved the item out in the garage for the buyer to see, it was an antique barber chair which sold . And he was home during the transaction,and showed the chair to the buyer out in the garage..the transaction was very smooth and that buyer paid cash..

[Anonymous]

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@gretschwhtfalcon wrote:

I'm only trying to understand the best way to handle this. If cash is the best and safest way for both buyer and seller, I'll go with that. From what I've read here, though, you can't require cash payment BUT must offer an electronic option - so it sounds like it boils down to an individual case-by-case situation / agreement between both parties. 

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If the buyer chooses to send an electronic payment you have to accept it, but if the buyer is willing to pay cash always say yes! Sellers are not allowed to discourage electronic payment methods, but they CAN encourage other payment methods such as cash. Add this to your listing: Please contact me for payment methods on pickup.

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@gretschwhtfalcon wrote:

I get all the points mentioned here and am starting to think also that cash is probably the best way. Still, if an INR case would be decided against me, couldn't eBay then simply deduct the purchase amount from my PayPal account as they do with any other fees?

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No! If no electronic payment is made the buyer cannot get a refund through an electronic method.

[marinermikes]

I have sold hundreds of items local pick up. I have always taken cash at pick up or delivery. I cant believe how many users are paranoid about meeting some one!  I refuse to live in fear!

Most of the pick ups have been at my house! My brick and mortar business is here.  Occasionally I have met the buyer at a mutual place.  

The buyer is the one who is at risk. They are carrying the cash!

Some have traveled a long way. I have met them at the local restaurant and have shared a meal with them. Some have even had a beer with me! Most just pick up thank me and head for home. 

Most of the items I sell for local pick up are quite pricey and I sure do enjoy no pay pal fees. Saved thousands over the years.

Yep I have met the nicest people and a lot of them turned into repeat customers.

[Anonymous]

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@gretschwhtfalcon wrote:
What protection do I have by not having the item paid for before some stranger appears at my door - he might pay, he might not. Scary really. Maybe overly paranoid,

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Meet at the local police station parking lot to arrange the sale.

[gretschwhtfalcon]

Lots of great replies...I really appreciate it and have a better understanding of the whole thing, especially having only sold on eBay by shipping smaller items. Will add an extra statement regarding being contacted to arrange a payment method. Thanks to all...

[gretschwhtfalcon]

Forgot to add...would it be ok to also add to the listing something like.."if the item is being picked up rather than shipped, a cash transaction is preferred" ?

[bonjourami]

Technically you are not allowed to mention anything about cash in your listing.

[Anonymous]

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@gretschwhtfalcon wrote:
Forgot to add...would it be ok to also add to the listing something like.."if the item is being picked up rather than shipped, a cash transaction is preferred" ?

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Yes, that is ok. I highly suggest you read the threads linked in posts 7 and 12 as eBay staff addressed this question and many others that were presented in this thread.

Quoted from trinton@ebay: I also want to clarify that a seller is not allowed to discourage a buyer from choosing a payment method in the listing. While a seller can say something akin to "Cash upon pickup preferred" they cannot make statements such as "I only accept cash upon pickup" or "I will cancel any order paid through PayPal".

[bonjourami]

yes the seller can say cash preferred when contacted by the buyer about payment.But I was told by Ebay that you cannot say that in your listing as it discriminates against the PP payment, if thats what the buyer prefers.

[Anonymous]

It's your choice to disregard the quoted text from trinton@ebay. I have found that he's very thorough when it comes to policy nuances and I would take his word about how a policy works over that of a phone CS rep any day of the week and twice on Sundays. YMMV.

[bonjourami]

True enough, tho I do think Trinton was referring to the buyer contacting the seller for payment methods, and the seller responding 'cash preferred'.

[gretschwhtfalcon]

Maybe the best I can hope for is for someone to buy it who is not close enough to drive....then a shipper has to be arranged for. Certainly nothing wrong, though, with avoiding the 3% PP fees 🙂

[bonjourami]

For sure, but you are still hesitant to take cash on pick up?

[gretschwhtfalcon]

Well....if it's the best way. I'm just hesitant for local pick-up period...having heard such horror stories about craigslist transactions and so forth. Will talk to my brother - far more experienced eBayer than I am - has sold several large items local pick-up.