buyer picked up, how to I prove, is there a way for them to say they are happy

[ftwig]

OK, so I am selling a rather expensive item to a new eBayer. 

They are driving from London to Bristol to have a look at the item and pick it up. 

So how do I prove they have picked it up and even better is there a way for them to say they have looked at the item and are happy with it.

Basically I am trying to avoid them saying they did not pick it up or if they return it they could just return a simelar sized weight 'empty' box and I am screwed.

[mr_lincoln]

@ftwig  Here in the US Sellers use the pull down menu on the Sold item and select "Mark as shipped".  That alerts eBay that the item has been collected by the Buyer.  Additionally, Sellers can arrange to be paid cash at the time of pick up which would avoid a bogus claim being processed in eBay or PayPal. 

[bonjourami]

Idk about the Uk, but here, delivery confirmation is not required on pick up only items, you just mark the transaction as delivered.

[soh.maryl]

Isn't there something that started recently about a QR Code that the buyer has, gives to the seller and it's then downloaded to the transaction as proof that the buyer has picked up his purchase?

I am no longer a seller, so don't know much about this.  Just have seen it mentioned on the boards.  

[eunster1313]

Offering local collection

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/posting-items/setting-postage-options/local-collection?id=4181&s... 

[ftwig]

Yes, I know how the process works.  But I want the buyer to say they have received the item (and are happy with it).  What you describe gives me absolutly no protextion against scammers.

[bonjourami]

What kind of scammer? If your buyer likes the item, pays you for it, leaves you positive feedback, then he is happy with the item. And buyers cannot file an item not received case with local pick ups, unless the seller refuses to sell the item..at least in this country.

[aproudparent2010]

Did you sell it with the local pickup option?

If so then no worries as it doesn't qualify for protection

[fab_finds4u]

Here's how to prove delivery on a pickup.

www.esellercafe.com/ebay-enhances-local-pick-up-experience-with-tracking-feature/

[*madison]

If the buyer pays cash on pick up, it won't matter what the buyer says later.

Ask for cash.

@ftwig 

[toysaver]

"Yes, I know how the process works.  But I want the buyer to say they have received the item (and are happy with it).  What you describe gives me absolutly no protextion against scammers."

You could take a picture of the exchange but the best advice I have is to cross your fingers.  I don't do pick ups anymore, the time waiting is wasted, and they're always late.  

[glgenterprise]

The above from fab finds is the way to avoid an INR claim. Unfortunately there is no way to force a buyer to say they "are happy with the item". It doesn't exist, either for local pickup or sent items. Positive feedback doesn't even ensure they are happy with it.

[soh.maryl]

Feedback would be the way a buyer can say they are happy with the item.  Feedback, however, is not the way to prove the buyer received the item.  Do some more reading.  

[smabrouk]

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@ftwig wrote:

OK, so I am selling a rather expensive item to a new eBayer. 

They are driving from London to Bristol to have a look at the item and pick it up. 

So how do I prove they have picked it up and even better is there a way for them to say they have looked at the item and are happy with it.

Basically I am trying to avoid them saying they did not pick it up or if they return it they could just return a simelar sized weight 'empty' box and I am screwed.

---

Have you considered writing an agreement — a receipt — for the pickup of the item?  You could include the various points that you want the buyer to acknowledge such as the the type of item, size of item, color of item, condition of item, age of item, ... as well as how the payment was made (cash, check, PayPal, bank transfer, ...), and the amount paid.  For each of these, you could have the buyer sign or initial (signing is better) and you can both sign at the end of the document.  Then, you can take a picture of the document and send it to both of you via email or text message so that each of you have received a copy of the signed agreement; you should keep the original signed copy.  You should check the buyer’s identification before you release the item.

Since you seem to be concerned about problems with the transaction, you could make a video of the buyer’s evaluation, acceptance, and contract-signing and include a glimpse of the buyer’s identification as well; you can share the video with the buyer and you should keep the video for your records.  My one caution is not to go too far as you could make the buyer uncomfortable so that (s)he walks away without the item and without paying for the item.  I would recommend at least a written receipt/agreement as stated above.

Having some sort of acknowledgement for the pick-up and payment for the item will be beneficial for both the seller and the buyer, especially since the item is “rather expensive”.

A basic acknowledgement could be as simple as a text message from the buyer, if you like.

I hope that all will go well with the payment and pick-up of the item.

[ftwig]

This is all very interesting but as ebay seems to almost always side with the buyer there seems really no way to prove picked up in the UK (QR code pickup proof is not implemented in UK).

Therefore for local pickup, the safest thing is not to use eBay;).

The 'scam' I am talking about works like this.

1. Buyer wind auction/select buy it now
2. Buyer pays via PayPal (you have to offer this option)
3. Buyer picks up the item
4. Buyer claims they did not pick it up (even if you have a signed piece of paper how do eBay know it is actually signed by them, maybe take a photo of passport but not convinced.  Video/photograph of delivery, how do you prove it is actually them.

That is scam 1, scam 2 is the buyer returns the item saying it is not as described and returns the same sized box/wright but has something else in it.  This is a scam that has happened even if it is a PayPal sale

eBay sides with the seller so it makes selling expensive items risky.  They should probably try to address this as FB marketplace is becoming very popular and does not have this problem.  I recently sold something on it and the buyer did a direct (friends style) PayPal payment (these can not be reversed).

The second scam works even if you post tracked getting PayPal to print a label.

Luckily I found the person I was selling to (who wants it posting) on Facebook (name correct and town/county correct)., they work for the local council.  So the other piece of advice is to do some research on this new fangled internet thing ;).

The cross your fingers is the best above advice;).