Seven failed collections....and counting.

[selective_distribution]

What is wrong with people who it seems cannot read or understand the simplest information? I have had an item on sale for `COLLECTION ONLY`, and have just had to cancel the sale for the SEVENTH time due to people buying this item and then asking to cancel because `I CANNOT TRAVEL TO COLLECT IT` .....This drives me crazy! For heavens sake, if you are going to purchase an item why can you not make sure that you have read ALL the conditions of the sale  BEFORE you purchase it? ......Rant over! 

[thepillenwerfer]

Not reading, or reading and not understanding, things is a very common failing.  Then there's the minority who seem to think that rules &c don't apply to them — in your case that you'd send whatever it is to them.

The Collection Only problem isn't helped by there being no way to filter such things out, though you CAN choose to only see items that can be collected.

I've had the same problem, or a Buyer casually tell me they'll be sending a courier even though I'd no means of packing a large item.  I now say COLLECTION ONLY in the body of the description as well but it isn't a total fix as "You can't fix stupid."

[porte2425]

It looks like this is another area where eBay have dropped the ball. Before with cash on collection you could just wait a few days then report them as a non-payer. Now payment is only electronic and taken beforehand, there needs to be a non-collector option!

You should really do as @thepillenwerfer has mentioned and make it very clear in listing though.

If it is the hi-fi you are talking about, then there is plenty of room in your title to add "*Collection Only". You also do not mention collection only in the description, but do mention about things being well packaged – so possibly sending mixed messages.

As you have experienced, assume buyers are idiots and only skim-read things – so make anything important easily stand out.

[guymafo]

@selective_distribution  
Just an idea top left of the home page there is a ‘Local’ button, never tried it but maybe list from there so you have the right eyes on it?

GM

[ile136yz]

Hope you are Blocking these eBayers at least until the item is sold (as they will try again).

[971397id]

block them forever, makes life easier 😂

i has someone claim a not delivered on a collection only item, why is that ever an option...

[dancewithadingo · Accepted solution]

Good Afternoon selective

I am assuming that we are talking about the 'Teac system' that you sold again this morning.  While I can sympathise with you to an extent,as I have over the years have had similar problems. That said you have not done yourself any favours as your description wording is misleading.

You mention that you take care care in packing and that you will combine postage in other words you infer that you will post. You go on to mention that batteries will not be included to conform with postage regs. Additionally you say that if more than one purchase is made then pay for them separately and you will make the appropriate refund.

You should re-word that description to make it clear that the sale is COLLECTION ONLY with pick-up required within 7 days of the auction end.  State where you live approx 10 miles from Leeds., or the exact mileage figure involved.

Finally in the title in capitals put  COLLECTION ONLY.  You could also mention in the description that you will require the QR code before releasing the item, consequently please bring your mobile phone with you.

Just scrap all of the current wording which only applies to stuff that you will post and re-jig the description, incorporating the points I have mentioned.

It's self evident that after 7 failed sales on this item that your wording and not the prospective buyers is at fault and needs attention.

I hope that this helps.

[kidmore_kats]

My thoughts exactly.

[ile136yz]

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@971397id wrote:

block them forever, makes life easier 😂

i has someone claim a not delivered on a collection only item, why is that ever an option...

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eBay thinks they have got everything covered, but a scammer always con.

[zoomingmouse]

Wow! seven is a lot 🙄 - schools go back soon so hopefully you'll have more luck.

As a side.... I noticed the other day that 'location' had been removed from each item page & replaced with a link to a map <it seems to be back to location today, checking your listing>. 

The item I was interested in showed a map of the entire London area.

I know that before this change London would just be London with no hint of which part of the city, but having added a map link you'd have thought that the opportunity to highlight a more detailed area would be an improvement.

I actually sold a pick up item the other week <after a long sulk following cash removal😁>.

I normally just give my town in the title & the first part of my postcode for anyone who might be seeing it last minute, but yeah, very annoying if you get a no show, let alone seven.

[porte2425]

As I recently discovered, you can just click to Contact them (you don't need to go as far as sending them a message), and you can see their postcode!

https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Technical-Issues/Simple-Delivery-with-Click-amp-Collect-is-revealing...

[kyanyama]

That must be very frustrating but nowadays folks are a bit more 'shellfish' and believe everyone will fall over themselves to get the item to them and they won't have to lift a finger.

I usually use all the characters in the title but if you don't you could put 'Collection and first part of your postcode) if you have space.

Otherwise there is the section underneath for condition.  Put it in capitals COLLECTION ONLY and your town then the actual description.  It will show more easily for those who skim titles.

Also you have the description section.  Put the first line in caps collection only IN PERSON and your town so it will show up clearly.  You could even make an Item Specific yourself and put it in there collection only.  You also need to make sure you state No Courier Collections.  Cos some will think they can over-ride your preference and expect you to package it for some stranger to collect.

I didn't read the full listing (I just skimmed as well🙄) cos I'm not buying.  But you need to ensure collection only items have no mention of packaging, etc.

Hopefully your next collection only item will be collected by the buyer - cos miracles happen every day!

[zoomingmouse]

I would be really worried if I was selling something expensive & anyone could just click on that & see my full postcode. Blimey!

There will be some people, who for very serious reasons, do not want any link at all to the area they live in.

[honeymonster007]

Wonder if its people buying whilst using a mobile phone, they just see your picture and price and.. boom..just click on buy it now. Guess the only way is to put collection only in the title.

[insidethe93]

Unfortunately it's little wonder that buyers don't read things, or they do and forget. Buyers might be tired and/or in a hurry, have too many tabs open and get confused, other may be demanding their attention such as young children (who don't understand the concept of "not now"), they may be multi-tasking (not a good idea when shopping) - those have all been me at times, but I've since tried to take care to concentrate properly. Many buyers browse on their mobile phones, perhaps while commuting or walking or while in a pub with others - small hard-to-read screens and lots of distractions around them.

It'd mean extra work for you but maybe consider contacting buyers as soon as they buy to double-check they know it's collection-only? (Sorry, I've never bought a collection-only item so don't really know how it works.)

[porte2425]

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@insidethe93 wrote:

It'd mean extra work for you but maybe consider contacting buyers as soon as they buy to double-check they know it's collection-only? (Sorry, I've never bought a collection-only item so don't really know how it works.)

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I'm not sure why you’re responding to me with this. I haven't had any issues with collection. It was the OP.
But I would add that by the time they have already purchased the damage has been done. So contacting them straight away wouldn’t help with them not being able to collect and complete the purchase.

[selective_distribution]

Thank you, that is very useful. You are correct that that was the item. I very rarely have anything `Collection Only`, but this item is too bulky and intricate to send by post. I use a standard template for listings which was written some time ago before all the maddening changes from Ebay. This template has not been updated for this item, and does mention combined postage, which I can see would cause confusion. This is my error, and thank you for pointing it out.  I still think that the buyers have not even read the details about collection and have just blindly ordered the item thinking that it will be posted. Thanks again for the advice.

[insidethe93]

I apologise, I meant to reply to the OP.