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I have my Orbea Rise up for sale on eBay and a potential buyer would like to arrange their own courier. They have good feedback and want to pay through eBay.
Is there anything I should be concerned with? Never done this before and it’s quite a high value item.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4949988/collection-only-items#post65282064
In short, yes its a common scam. I would avoid.
Maybe they're legit, but the issue is that technically they can claim they never collected it and chargeback via paypal. It's their courier, so you then have no proof of despatch. You can have pics of the 'courier' loading it into the back of the van, but they can say 'wasn't my courier...'.
If they are prepared to pay upfront via bank transfer, maybe, but I wouldn't be relaxed doing this for a high value item.
Sounds iffy to me. I can see problems on route and him putting in a refund via ebay/paypal. Who is the courier ? one of his pals - you never can say.
If its collection only, its collection only. Cash on the barrel.
I would insist that they send you a message via eBay that they are accepting the condition of the item at the point of collection and that you are subsequently not responsible for any damage that occurs in transit. It needs to be clear that they would need to make sure that the consignment is appropriately insured for loss or damage. Do not accept their assurance that if damage were to occur they would get a refund via eBay and then reimburse you from the claim. Also video the whole packing and collection process. <br /><br />
Or say no which is what I would do.
Nope, unless it's a bank transfer or cash in your hand walk away.
Know of two cases of this being done with accounts with "good" feedback on them
Even if legit, make sure you take some Money for packaging and the Faff.
I lost out when someone bought a Children's High Chair from me and arranged there own courier as mine was too expensive...
Know of two cases of this being done with accounts with “good” feedback on them
Yup, very common for scammers to use hacked accounts to place bids and win the auction.
Don’t do it - scam all the way. Arrange your own courier if you’re happy to package the bike up.
Is he arranging courier as you wanted to sell collection only?
For me this is key.
Selling collection only massively reduces your market and hence the likely value of your item for the benefit of not dealing with a distance sale, safely packing up a high value item, couriers and potential dispute. If you now are willing to accept this offer and the need to have it couriered (no matter who is arranging - you've got to pack it up etc with the significantly increased risk of getting scammed) , then I'd recommend cancelling the auction/sale and advertising with delivery as an option and getting financially rewarded for the risk/faff.
People who suggest couriers for collection only items can get in the sea.
They have good feedback and want to pay through eBay.
Could easily be using a hacked eBay account with good feedback to make it look legit.
And booking the courier bit is the easy bit, the hard bit is the faff in boxing a bike up properly and safely to avoid damage which you'd still have to do.
Collection only is collection only. Stick to it or be prepared to send yourself so you have control.
just insist you arrange courier yourself via paisley freight or such like
Do not, under any circumstances allow them to do this.
If you want to pack it and ship it, do that. If you don't want to do either or both of those things don't do it.
I'd be wary about "posting" a bike in any case, too much opportunity for the buyer to not like it, say you've not photoed a tiny scratch etc.
An ebike? Not a chance.
I’ve arranged my own courier to pick up an eBay collection few times 🤷♂️ Obviously I ok this with the seller if they don’t mind boxing up etc.
Guess some folks can scam but the dialogue from the buyer/seller is a good indicator !!
Pure madness to do this with a high value item like a bike. You'll have no proof it was collected it as they arranged the courier.
Not worth the risk.
Thanks everyone, sounds like arranging my own courier may be the best way then.
On Collection Only purchases the buyer has a code to give to the seller on collection to prove it. If you do let them arrange a courier I would be insistent that you will not hand it over to the courier until you have the code (and entered it) - after that it will have been marked as collected and it's their problem.
Get one of you mates, to dress up as a courier and collect it 5 mins before?
I had the same recently when selling a bike - very clearly marked as collection only (or I'd deliver within a reasonable radius). First question was "can I arrange a courier to collect it, I live [somewhere too far away]".
Nope, collection only. That's why it says "collection only, don't ask for courier arrangements" on the advert.
It's a well known scam - the "courier" turns up, collects the bike, the buyer claims they never received it, you've got no proof either way.
ebay refunds the buyer.
My eventual buyer was absolutely sound - paid within seconds of winning the auction, good email chain in actual proper English, met up and he presented his phone with the QR collection code for me to scan. Auction complete, good feedback all round.
I got scammed once on ebay - looking back I should just have cancelled the winning bid and told him to **** off but thankfully it wasn't for a huge amount of money.
Now I don't give any chancers the time of day to discuss it. Delivery / collection is clearly specified in the auction and I never deviate from that.
ebay/paypal have a thing where you only release an item for pickup when the person picking it up gives you a code
if the buyer is happy to get a courior who can provide that code (or they email you the code in advance) then its fairly risk-free imo
I'd ask them what courier/service they plan to use, then book it yourself at their expense. That way it's their choice of courier but you've initiated the booking and the resulting protection/reassurance etc.
Assuming it wasn't a collection-only sale in which case they can GTF.
I've arranged a courier for a bike that was collection only before. So I wouldn't assume it's 100% likely a scam.
However if you're gonna be boxing it up anyway, you may as well just add courier to the buying options and send it yourself.
Get one of you mates, to dress up as a courier and collect it 5 mins before?
Genuine LOL.
if the buyer is happy to get a courior who can provide that code (or they email you the code in advance) then its fairly risk-free imo
Of course they'll agree to all that - then 'courier' will turn up and code won't be working or they'll have no knowledge of it and give a whole list of reasons why it's all 'OK'. People then feel obliged to hand over parcel and scammer has won.
Either send yourself or not at all.
if the buyer is happy to get a courior who can provide that code (or they email you the code in advance) then its fairly risk-free imo
For a few quid worth of stuff? Maybe I'd risk it, for several grand's worth of bike? Not a chance.
The whole point of those codes is to get rid of this nonsense. For genuine buyers it sucks but frankly no worse than it must be to be an actual Nigerian Prince who wants someone to handle the cash to buy a new house in London.
If the bike is for sale at a sensible price you'll find another buyer. If they're offering enough more than you think you'll get from someone else to make it worth your while, it's not a gift horse, it's a Greek horse.
I've been the buyer in this scenario before, relatively low value though (~£150) and I arranged the freight via one of the big pallet distribution companies.
But yea, I'd not sell like that unless they could as good as put the cash in my hand.
Thanks everyone, sounds like arranging my own courier may be the best way then.
only if you have relisted the item offering delivery. If not you are no better off.
i would wait until an 80% off offer comes around then relist
only if you have relisted the item offering delivery. If not you are no better off.
Absolutely, price up shipping, include it in your sale price, offer free shipping, and get %%% more than a collection only sale.
Collection = lower sale price but less faff, less chance of "not as described" etc, less chance the carrier loses it and so on.
Shipping included = Higher sale price, more faff, more risk.
The whole point, for me, of collection only is "I can't be bothered to package this". I've never gotten the "use your own courier" thing.
I used to do it a lot buying car parts, I would ask if the seller was willing to wrap seats, wheels, car bumpers etc in bin bags and stick on a label if I organised a courier. I bought a lot of stuff for a good price as it was collection only, Paisley freight used to be good as they were flat rate for loads of bulky items.
As a seller through ebay I would be very wary of a scam or dispute.
I brought a chair collection only and arranged my own courier.
Worked out fine.
It could be completely fine. I've asked a seller if they are happy with me arranging a courier through shiply a couple of times. Both were large items of furniture.... basically their collection only limited potential buyers to people with a luton or bigger and friends with muscles to load!
Thanks all. I’ve contacted paisley but unfortunately they don’t ship e-bikes.
Struggling to find anywhere that will, has anybody shipped a ebike?
The battery explosion risk pretty much rules out shipping second-hand Ebikes I'd have thought.
There you go, if you can't find a courier then how the hell can they?
Don’t get the issue as the courier is collecting in person. No more likely a scam than a buyer paying via PayPal and then turning up to collect.
I’ve sold loads of things that have been collection only and then the buyer has arranged collection. The exchange happens at your doorstep and that’s all that matters as the courier is an agent acting on behalf of the buyer. Just make it clear to the buyer if the courier loses or breaks it it’s on them.