Confused about mixed messages

[jayla128]

Could I ask please ?....In a recent response to "Buyer not Paying" 29/06/25, there were a couple of responses given different information. ..One saying Cash on Collection  was the only way to pay.. and another saying Must pay through Ebay before viewing.?

Could you clarify please as I would really like to view a (very expensive) settee before parting with over £1k.?

Thank you for your help.

[papso22]

Cash on collection is the only way to pay for certain items such as vehicles.  Where that is the only option there will be no payment methods on the listing itself.

Sofas do not fall into that category and you will see a  number of payment options on the listing.  You need to pay before the seller can provide you with the address for collection. 

[jckl1957 · Accepted solution]

I think I responded to the post you mention.

The item that was listed was listed in the 'caravans' category so was cash on pickup only.

As advised, the vast majority of other items sold as collection only have to be paid for through Ebay.

Once you have paid you get a collection code.  If you arrive to collect the item and it isn't what you expected, you don't hand the code over and you walk away from the deal.

Buyers who pay cash do not get the benefit of the Ebay Money Back Guarantee - also, if you send a courier to collect your item, you lose the protection of the MBG.

[jayla128]

Thank you very much for helping to clarify  this problem. I think I will have to steer clear of buying the settee as it may not be completely as described and I am too risk averse to have £1.3k floating in the ether, waiting to be refunded.! 

Thank you again.

Kind Regards

[jayla128]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to this confusing (for me) issue.

It is clearer now but I still think that the majority of Buyers who wish to buy an expensive (over £!k) item would prefer to see before paying. I will have to look elsewhere methinks for a settee.

Thank you again

[papso22]

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@jayla128 wrote:

Thank you for taking the time to reply to this confusing (for me) issue.

It is clearer now but I still think that the majority of Buyers who wish to buy an expensive (over £!k) item would prefer to see before paying. I will have to look elsewhere methinks for a settee.

Thank you again

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I am sure they would.  I think it was a mistake for ebay to remove cash on collection as a payment option for all collection  sales.

[jckl1957]

I agree - there are a lot of things I would never buy online, from small things like shoes and pillows to big things like a sofa.

[jayla128]

It is a shame though , when you see what you want is local but cannot go and view beforehand. 

Ebay seems to be killing off  private sellers of large expensive items.

Thank you for replying.

[jayla128]

Thank you for replying and I totally agree. Ebay is killing off those potential buyers of large expensive items for some unknown and illogical reason. 

Kind Regards