Postage Charges

[garethld]

I have recently sold an item as collection only. Buyer didn't realise this and has asked me to post it and he will repay the charges. Total cost is around £30.00. How do I get payment of the cost before posting please? Thanks

[tressygirl]

Best way forward is to cancel the order with the buyer's permission, so ' Buyer Requests to Cancel'.  This refunds the buyer and your seller performance is not affected.

Relist with the correct postage charge for the buyer to buy and pay again,  this way you'll have the all important tracking for the item when dispatched.

@garethld 

[garethld]

That's really helpful, thank you. Just one thing - how do I make sure that the buyer remains committed to complete the purchase - if we cancel the order, does that open uip the possibility of him just walking away?

[tressygirl]

You cannot, that is the danger here that you could well lose the sale.

Do they know the cost of posting will be £30 ?  It's pretty steep.  Perhaps sending a message explaining the cost and the process before you proceed.

If they decline you cancel the order the same way relist the item perhaps with a Collection and the cost of postage option.

@garethld 

[garethld]

Thanks for this - I really appreciate the help - this is the first (and at this rate the last!!) item I will ever sell on Ebay.
The postage costs are hefty because the item is bulky and heavy - it is a digital piano. It was listed as collection only for that reason. The buyer seems genuine in his apology - and he has agreed to reimburse postage costs - I have told him what they are likely to be.
I really don't want to lose the sale - but am I right in thinking that it would be unwise to conclude the sale for the item via Ebay and come to a separate arrangement with him for the postage?

[papso22]

It would be very unwise to stick with a collection sale but post it.

That's because you would be unprotected from an ebay claim, or payment dispute chargeback, for item not received. 

[garethld]

So the best option as I was advised previously would be to cancel the current sale - and trust that the buyer will go ahead when it is re-listed with postage costs?

[papso22]

Yes that's the best option. 

[garethld]

Thanks everyone - I really appreciate your advice on this one.