viewing an item in person

[pigeon396]

can potential buyers view an item in person before committing to buy it. how can this be done without ebay messages blocking out contact information to arrange a viewing. 

[papso22]

They can't view before paying.

[pigeon396]

so pay first then have the viewing and if the buyer doesn't want to buy the item after seeing it then the buyer can get a refund through ebay? im not sure how this can be done but I'm sure there's a correct way of doing it through the appropriate channels. it makes sense to do a viewing first before any money changes hands. 

[tressygirl]

Even though there are no selling fees for Private sellers there are for Business sellers, so if viewing was allowed say for a item being sold by a Business seller before payment,  then cash could change hands and this would be an off eBay sale no fees to eBay so of course, against the rules.

Cash is not allowed for Private selling for collection items too and this could not be stopped if viewing was allowed before paying.  Also the buyer would not receive a QR code,  which when scanned by the seller is the only proof the seller has,  that the item was collected.

So,  long winded it may be,  but the process is this .... Buyer buys the item,  and pays through eBay checkout.  Only then, can full contact details be exchanged.  Buyer comes views,  and if they like the item they hand over that all important QR code to the seller.

If they don't like the item , do not wish to buy, Seller cancels order citing ' Buyer Requests to Cancel'.  This fully refunds the buyer and seller's selling performance is not affected.

@pigeon396 

[pigeon396]

thank you for this answer. it sounds very comprehensive. i would have to try it a few times to understand how the process works. as a potential seller, you would need to give the potential buyer full confidence that their money would be returned without question. as a potential buyer you would need to understand fully that your money would be returned without question. it doesn't seem normal for people to part with any money unless they have agreed on a sale so im finding it hard to understand the logic that should apply in these scenarios. and possible legal ramifications should there be a misunderstanding between the potential buyer and seller. I think it's something I'm going to have to try out so I can see how the process works. 

[tressygirl]

I agree it may not look easy to understand the process ' on paper' , but once tried  it does work well, and yes,  explaining to the buyer that these are eBay rules and money would be refunded. 

It has to be refunded, because if the QR code is not handed over,  this is proof the item has not been collected, and if the seller doesn't cancel to refund the money, buyer opens an unpaid item case and money is returned under eBay's 30 day MBG Money Back Guarantee policy.

A buyer's money is safe.

@pigeon396 

[pigeon396]

I'll have to look up unpaid item case examples to understand how that works as I've not heard it before and it sounds like something that sellers would use to guarantee the sale of an item. 

you could have a situation where the potential seller thinks they've sold the item and doesn't augment a refund. so its important for the buyer to understand the process there. 

[tressygirl]

An unpaid item case when opened by a seller does not guarantee a then payment,  but gives the buyer an unpaid item strike on their account.  Two of those and the buyer will not be able to buy from the majority of sellers for a full 12 months.  If they keep gaining these eBay will boot them off their site permanently.

You should always block a non payer from returning to your sales in your Site Preferences,  see here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/bmgt/BuyerBlock?

@pigeon396