Third Party Shipper on Local Pickup item

[smostroske]

Hello,

I just sold an item that I had marked as local pickup only. The buyer is from a different state in the U.S. and asked me if I could provide my tel # to arrange a meeting with his 3rd party shipper in my area. I've never had a request like this before so I want to make sure there's nothing shady going on.

Is there a way to prove that I've delivered the item to the shipper? I fear that it would be easy for the buyer to turn around and say they never received the item after it's no longer in my possession. Is the buyer's message asking me to deliver it to the shipper enough proof to argue my case if any issues come up? Or should I be wary of this/consider cancelling the order?

Thanks!

[jmcdj]

NO  Cash only upon pickup.

[corvettestainless]

What the previous poster stated, plus you don't appear to be selling anything that someone would want to pull any shenanigan's. 

[a_c_green]

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@smostroske wrote:

I fear that it would be easy for the buyer to turn around and say they never received the item after it's no longer in my possession. Is the buyer's message asking me to deliver it to the shipper enough proof to argue my case if any issues come up? Or should I be wary of this/consider cancelling the order?

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There's nothing wrong with a buyer arranging for someone to pick up his item from you, as long as the guy brings cash like anyone else. You have your buyer's phone number already (it's part of the purchase details visible for the item on your Sold page), so you can phone him if necessary to talk about details.

Local Pickup Only listings are not expected to have tracking (obviously), so although it's not impossible for him to file an Item Not Received dispute, it would be tough for him to prove. (eBay has said in the past that at minimum, there'd have to be some evidence of the seller not cooperating with the pickup. Communicate through eBay messages rather than telephone as much as possible.)

[pburn · Accepted solution]

@smostroske 

Contrary to what some of the previous posters advised, you are REQUIRED to OFFER and ACCEPT a form of electronic payment for the purchase of your item. You CANNOT require that a buyer pay cash for the item. You can state that you PREFER cash, but you cannot REQUIRE it.

Requiring cash is common but incorrect advice in threads about local pickup.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/local-pickup?id=4181

If your buyer pays in cash, mark the item as paid. When the buyer's freight company picks up the item, marked it shipped. Discussing these arrangements via eBay messaging will document the details of the transaction.

As for turning the item over to a shipper, a buyer loses protection under the Money Back Guarantee if they arrange for shipping.

Not covered

• Items damaged during local pickup
• Local pickup items that were not collected by, or on behalf of, the buyer
• Items not delivered, damaged during collection, or damaged during shipment when the buyer arranges pick-up or shipping of the item (for instance, the buyer arranges freight)

[gracieallen01]

Personally, were I to go through with this type of deal, I would ask for the 3rd party shippers number (contact information, company name, etc.) and call them. 

If the buyer didn't see fit to provide the info. I would seriously consider that it is a scam, especially if it is a higher value item.