Buyer has paid but refuses to collect

[john_lu6]

I sell computers and gift the proceeds to charity. Couriers don't cover my items for damage in transit so I list them as COLLECTION IN PERSON. I make this very clear but offer to meet up or deliver up to 30 miles if they cover my petrol. However, I keep getting buyers who pay and then insist that I send the goods by courier to distant locations. Given that they have entered into a legally binding contract, can I insist that they collect from me? Is there any legal reason why I should cancel the sale? I'm not interested in moral arguments, just the stituation within eBay rules please. Many thanks!

[red_magpie · Accepted solution]

Certainly couriers have their problems, but if anything there are even more pitfalls when selling for collection.

For a start, remember that items for collection tend to sell cheaply, as you're limiting bidders to your local area only. Not that this will stop some buyers from bidding, and then demanding that you arrange delivery. This is a regular question here.

As you've discovered, some buyers will pay by Paypal and then wait for weeks to collect it. Cancelling the sale is very risky for the seller, as if eBay classes it as a seller-initiated cancelaltion you will bepenalised with an account defect, and forfeit any return of fees.

If the buyer wants to pay by PayPal, you have to accept it. This means that eBay's money back guarantee applies, so you can't just say "no returns please". The buyer can find any reason to claim their money back for up to 30 days. No proof is required - eBay will take their word. You may even be required to pay for the return delivery, although eBay's new rules don't make this 100% clear.

The above will also apply if you deliver items yourself.

For anything of value, without no proof of posting you are exposed to a simple and well known scam, whereby the buyer initiates a credit card chargeback against Paypal. The seller has to reimburse Paypal, and to pay their admin costs. The buyer keeps both the item and the refund.

Personally, I wouldn't list anything for collection today except bulky, low value items which are too big to post. In your position, I'd think seriously about offering delivery, but using Royal mail and not a budget courier.

[john_lu6 · Accepted solution]

My issue is that couriers (including the Post Office) have a "restricted liability" list which includes laptops, monitors, televisions and (usually) PC base units. They do not cover damage in transit. Those who do cover damage have small print in their conditions. For example, UPS only accept liability if the packaging is sufficient to fully protect a computer from a 2 metre drop onto concrete. That sort of packaging would cost a fortune! Thank you for your response and I agree with just about everything you say!