eBay

selective_distribution · ‎09-09-2025

After having a rant on this forum a few day`s ago about selling a COLLECTION ONLY item 7 times, and every time the buyer has asked me to post to them as `I cannot collect`. Which has caused me to have to cancel the order and then constantly relist. It has just happened again! I have a sewing machine for sale that is too fragile to post so it is listed as `COLLECTION ONLY`. The item sold, and then the buyer messages to say `Take it to a postage locker`, I remind them that it is `COLLECTION ONLY`, they then come back and say ` I will send a courier`, and send you the code. I say COLLECTION ONLY! My question is, if I cancel the order and choose the option `BUYER ASKED TO POST` does this put a strike against their account? My feeling is that Ebay really should have a better system for dealing with this issue, and for penalizing buyers who refuse to follow the rules. By the way I received some excellent advice on my previous post which I have put into practice with my listings.

**peaseblossom** · ‎09-09-2025

I'm not certain but I believe "strikes" are reserved for non-payment cancellations.

Although it should already be clear I would also put prominently in your description that due to weight you will not be sending the item, it is collection by buyer only.

Good luck next time.

cobwebcottage · ‎09-09-2025

First, no they don't get a strike if you cancel a collection item which they have asked to post.

I do allow buyers to organise their own couriers to collect items ( yes you need by code on the day of collection before the courier arrives). But in your case, I would stick to your guns as a sewing machine could be easily damaged in transit and they could open an INAD case which would be a nightmare.

This could still happen after a buyer collects from you but you would hope they would be local - ish so a bit easier for you to deal with.

style_wise · ‎09-09-2025

Here is how to ding them for breaking eBay rules:

Report an issue with a buyer | eBay

The Buyer Demanding Something that Wasn't in the Original Listing >

The Buyer Requested a Postage Service That I Don't Offer...

Also add them to your Blocked List here:

Buyer management | eBay

Both should affect their account metrics. If they have 'form' hopefully eBay will step in at some point, but you will never know. So do it, forget about them, and move on. Good luck with your sewing machine!

dancewithadingo · ‎09-09-2025

Good Afternoon SD

I replied to your previous post and made certain suggestions and recommendations. None of which you appeared to have implemented.

If space permits put COLLECTION ONLY in the title. I assume that we are talking about the Brother Sewing Machine that sold yesterday. Again you have quoted that you will combine postage. It is no wonder that you are having problems. This continues to be a self inflicted wound.

I am currently selling some old Crayonne record racks and if you have a look at the listing you will see just how I have incorporated certain relevant features into the description to reinforce that they are collection only. Space didn't permit me to put those two words into the title.

You need to completely re-jig your collection only sales/descriptions or this will happen time and time again. The fault lies at your door.

guymafo · ‎09-09-2025

Sell via the Local tab:

Sell Local

kyanyama · ‎09-09-2025

@selective_distribution wrote:
After having a rant on this forum a few day`s ago about selling a COLLECTION ONLY item 7 times, and every time the buyer has asked me to post to them as `I cannot collect`. Which has caused me to have to cancel the order and then constantly relist. It has just happened again! I have a sewing machine for sale that is too fragile to post so it is listed as `COLLECTION ONLY`. The item sold, and then the buyer messages to say `Take it to a postage locker`, I remind them that it is `COLLECTION ONLY`, they then come back and say ` I will send a courier`, and send you the code. I say COLLECTION ONLY! My question is, if I cancel the order and choose the option `BUYER ASKED TO POST` does this put a strike against their account? My feeling is that Ebay really should have a better system for dealing with this issue, and for penalizing buyers who refuse to follow the rules. By the way I received some excellent advice on my previous post which I have put into practice with my listings.

I also gave advice but it appears I wasted my time too. I advised to put in the 'Seller Notes' before giving the actual condition Collection Only (in caps). But no, the only place is the small print under postage. Same with your sewing machine - you have just relisted it without stating it's collection only in the title or the Seller Notes. You also waste valuable characters with dashes (-) and full stops in your title.

When you do a Collection Only item you need to show it's a different type of listing from your postage items. It does take a bit more effort and time but it may prevent this problem. That is if you want to be clear and concise otherwise you are going to continue to have the same problems.

And for heaven's sake why are you not putting COLLECTION ONLY at the start of the description of the item you are selling?

But am affeared I am wasting my time - again!

selective_distribution · ‎10-09-2025

Thank you. I have never heard of the `Sell Local` option........I will look into it.

selective_distribution · ‎10-09-2025

Thank you. I did alter the template on my previous item `The Teac hi-fi`, as per your advice, but have not (YET) done so with the Sewing Machine, as I was , how shall I put it......a bit miffed! and just relisted it. I will sort it out.....thank you.

selective_distribution · ‎10-09-2025

Thank you for your advice. Please see my reply to `Kyanyama`.

dancewithadingo · ‎10-09-2025

Good Morning Selective

Good luck with the re-list. Have a look at one of my infrequent collection only sales and use some of what I have stated in my listing/description in yours.

Don't overlook that if you do a collection only sale and the buyer collects even after examining the item when they get home they can still claim that something is wrong with it,raise a case for a return and it will be up to you to go and collect it. That is why I have started to advise prospective buyers that if they live more than say 20 miles from me that they buy from someone else. I don't want a round journey of 100 miles to collect a sold item. In that situation if you don't collect you lose the product and your money.

Good luck. What we don't want to see again from you is 'Help sold a Collection Only item and the buyer wants me to post'.

Dingo

PS. All of these problems could be resolved if eBay allowed cash on collection,as used to be the case. Think about an ad in Gumtree.

kyanyama · ‎11-09-2025

@dancewithadingo wrote:
Good Morning Selective

Good luck with the re-list. Have a look at one of my infrequent collection only sales and use some of what I have stated in my listing/description in yours.

Don't overlook that if you do a collection only sale and the buyer collects even after examining the item when they get home they can still claim that something is wrong with it,raise a case for a return and it will be up to you to go and collect it. That is why I have started to advise prospective buyers that if they live more than say 20 miles from me that they buy from someone else. I don't want a round journey of 100 miles to collect a sold item. In that situation if you don't collect you lose the product and your money.

Good luck. What we don't want to see again from you is 'Help sold a Collection Only item and the buyer wants me to post'.

Dingo

PS. All of these problems could be resolved if eBay allowed cash on collection,as used to be the case. Think about an ad in Gumtree.

Agree. But as usual there were those sellers who 'diddled' eBay out of their fees so they, as usual, resolved the problem by painting all sellers with the same brush so removed the option. Cash on Collection allowed the buyer to check the item over on the spot and only hand over the cash once they were happy with it. Sellers didn't have the problem of buyer's remorse 2 days down the line. So much more techy now with sellers still being vulnerable to scammers - yet again!

So I don't allow have CoC as I don't use my phone for selling.