Large item delivery risk

[jvb0310]

Hi, I have a buyer interested in a furniture item that’s listed as collection only. They are unable to collect and have asked if I could arrange delivery. I could deliver but it’s some distance away (150 mile return trip) and I have a concern that if I took the item to them and they than said it wasn’t the colour or size they expected (or something else, even though it’s all clear in the listing) then what would my options be?  They have good feedback and seem keen (happy to pay for delivery) but I still feel that all the risk is on me? If they paid in advance through eBay for the item and delivery what would happen if on delivery they rejected the item even though it’s as described? Any advice would be much appreciated!

[**peaseblossom**]

They would still be able to claim their money back via ebay.   If they're that keen suggest they hire a van to come themselves to pick it up.

[moonlight-rhapsody]

They could even have buyers regret and not be in when you arrived, but they could tell ebay that they *were* in and that you never turned up.  They might be as nice as they seem, but the risk is still on you.

If they can't drive themselves to collect, I'd tell them to organise a courier.  Years ago I sold a large item to someone at the other end of the country and they sent a courier.  Fortunately everything went smoothly and they were happy with the item.  I think I'm right in saying that if a third party collects an item, the buyer loses their right to a refund.  Hopefully somebody will correct me if that's wrong.

[dancewithadingo]

Good Afternoon JV

Don't do it. If they want the item badly enough they are going to have to travel and collect it or organise their own courier.  

There is a danger in selling to someone who lives far away and that is if they come and pick it up ( ie non courier) should they find a fault with the chair (real or imagined) on raising a claim with eBay to return it you would be responsible for it's return,in other words you would have to go and collect it or organise your own courier, at your expense.

In your position I would politely decline any overture from this prospective buyer. Tell them that if there isn't another seller offering an identical chair, then very soon you are confident that there will be. They will just have to wait.

Finally for future reference if I am selling a Collection Only item I suggest that if a prospective buyer lives more than 30 miles from me then they look elsewhere. The last thing anyone wants is a high mileage trip to go and collect someone's unwanted  impulsive buy.

Good luck and remember tread carefully.

One last bit of advice try an ad in Gumtree etc. In other words an outlet that allows you to accept cash for collection only items. Although a buyer has to bring the QR code with them unfortunately just recently there has been a spate of crooks and tech savvy people manufacturing and manipulating there own QR codes.

They present these to you and you scan them in all innocence and the next thing you know is that they are claiming never to have collected the item and make a claim for a full refund.

Just be careful. It was indeed a black day when eBay stopped allowing you to accept cash on collection. Shame on you eBay.