Adding postage compensation for sale value

[raitei90]

Hi

 I’m currently selling a limited edition collectible in at what will be a significant increase in price to what I paid.

 I’d like to send it to the winner with some assurance that they receive it, and if not the value of the item is covered, not just the price I paid initially.

 Is there any option or service that’s recommended to achieve this.

 It looks the be selling in the region of 2.5-3k if that makes a difference

[the-layer-laboratory]

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@vintique*violet wrote:

That is why you protect yourself as much as you can.

Even with postal services it is out of your control once in their system. 

List items  with full description... ( no flowery  A.I. ) use postage with tracking where applicable. 

I have mentioned other ways in previous responses ie buyer signs sales receipt, video, etc etc - personal collection and/or delivery counts on people being honest and with integrity. There may be some " scammers" out there and those who have no morals, but we shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush.

 " trust , morals and honesty count for nothing"... They absolutely do  count especially to those who have integrity. 

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The OP could end up in a world of hurt if they follow your advice. Ebay doesn't operate on any of those well-meaning principals. It runs using acutely defined systems and provable data. Nothing else matters.

[myriad*seller]

It doesn't matter what the buyer signs

Without tracking proving  delivery, the buyer gets their £2,500 back! 

The item is not sold as collection only - eBay WILL require tracking to prove delivery 

And that still leaves the problem of the buyer returning an empty box for a full refund, claiming there was no console inside! 

[raitei90]

Well, I’m suitably spooked. Considering ending the listing because it feels like from the above there’s really no safe way of doing this?

 I’m a novice seller who picked up this item for myself but now need a little extra cash, so didn’t think through the scariness that seems to be selling a higher priced item on eBay

[vintique*violet]

Then the seller needs to contact eBay direct and clarify his position.  The seller can also edit their listing by adding to the description ( this can be done even with bids as it opens a new description section) and change it to collection only, and apologising to those who have bid and offering for them to cancel their bids. 

We can all offer  well- intentioned advice and have our own opinions of what is necessary or not as an extra precaution whilst following  eBay protocols. 

Whether an item is 3k or 99p if eBay deems a non delivery without tracking or a buyer claims Not as described, and those same rules apply, then eBay need to re- look at how sellers can protect high value items. 

Otherwise this is a free for all  platform and anything goes? 

[vintique*violet]

Give eBay customer service a call and discuss your concerns and ask them. 

I can understand you being " spooked" it is a very high value item, one that I would think anyone could not afford to lose, item, funds or both! 

Protect yourself and your item, take everything into consideration.  Even if you end the listing to think it over and decide to list it again ( or not )....

Good luck. 

[the-layer-laboratory]

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@raitei90 wrote:

Well, I’m suitably spooked. Considering ending the listing because it feels like from the above there’s really no safe way of doing this?

 I’m a novice seller who picked up this item for myself but now need a little extra cash, so didn’t think through the scariness that seems to be selling a higher priced item on eBay

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No need to worry. You've already been provided with the solution in this instance - Royal Mail Special Delivery. See the section 'Consequential loss cover' in the following link:

https://www.royalmail.com/sending/uk/special-delivery-guaranteed-1pm

[myriad*seller]

The bidding may have been pushed artificially high too, as scammers know they will get a full refund, so it doesn't matter what it costs when you will be getting the Playstation for free anyway

I would sell it locally for cash on collection only 

[vintique*violet]

That could be happening, it is a very sad world we live in that some people purposely bid on items such as this only to be dishonest by trying to getit for free. 

Cash on collection is no longer an option  via eBay ( as I understand it has to be paid prior and a collection code used via the system, I think I read that on here somewhere?)  

[myriad*seller]

 I didn't say via eBay....

[the-layer-laboratory]

I've been thinking about this overnight and have since revised my earlier advice. Royal Mail Special Delivery w/ consequential loss cover would probably not protect you in the event of a SNAD case. It would only be of any use in the event of an INR case, at best.

[vinylscot]

There is a lot of bad advice on this thread.

I do wish posters would refrain from posting unless they actually KNOW what they are talking about. So many threads are ruined by people saying what they THINK it should be, or using naive common sense, when there are strict procedures in place, some of which admittedly seem a little unintuitive. However, that's what we need to go on.

I see the seller has cancelled the original listing, but failed to take account of the good advice which has been provided (possibly swamped by the bad).

There are some items for which eBay is not a suitable platform for sale. This isn't a criticism of eBay - there are some items which B&M auction house aren't suitable, and some where a card in the newsagents' window just won't do.

This is one of those items. Both the seller and the item are scam magnets, but the seller is allowing his want (need?) for the sale to cloud his judgement and is now taking unnecessary risks. I would urge him to have a re-think.

[rjwilmsi]

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@the-layer-laboratory wrote:

I've been thinking about this overnight and have since revised my earlier advice. Royal Mail Special Delivery w/ consequential loss cover would probably not protect you in the event of a SNAD case. It would only be of any use in the event of an INR case, at best.

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I agree. Consequential Loss has to be something secondary to the item itself and something you can prove the cost of e.g.  if documents sent to a solicitor arrive late then a house sale is late, somebody pays for another night's hotel, additional hours of legal fees, another day's interest on a loan. There will be paper evidence of those costs. You cannot simply make up a number, insure for it and claim it.

[vintique*violet]

If that is the case, then it affects every single item being sold and purchased whereby anyone can claim " item not as described" ... 

If eBay is going down the road of being operated by robots, automated, A.I , whatever they name it, etc with no Human conscience or thought, then their policies mean nothing and aid the potential "scamming." 

What a sad world. 

Edit - spelling. 

[the-nutwood-collection]

If you decide to go ahead with the sale and use RM SD with consequential loss, you may be best to use a large PO.  I use a small PO in a convenience store, and a customer asked for consequential loss insurance of a couple of grand.  The guy behind the counter insisted that such insurance didn't exist.

Interfering person that I am, I told the customer that it did exist, and to use a larger PO.  After much dithering, the customer decided to send it without insurance because he hadn't time to go elsewhere.

Whatever it was, it had an eBay label.  Trouble brewing.

[vinylscot]

I wonder if the seller will cancel the sale now, that a £2k bid has nullified his "Buy It Now" figure (although at least this bidder has a feedback score of 65).

[martmarg41]

Hi Raitei90,

I notice that you have now re-listed as Collection Only, a wise choice I think.

Earlier advice about photos/recording serial numbers is still valid plus make sure that your buyer brings the eBay collection Code with them before you part with the goods. Would also be a good idea to make them check the box contents with you.

Good luck.