Beware - Buyer Did Not Tell Me About Code for Collection from McColls

[sidewayssyd]

I am so cross with a buyer. I am aware of the new eBay code which appears in the address in the packing slip and do not write this on the address when I send an item.

Two weeks ago I sold a big heavy book which cost £9.99 to send signed for via Royal Mail. I took a picture of the package and within 30 minutes of posting it, I had listed it as dispatched and sent a picture of the package and address to the buyer.

The address gave his name, followed by Martin McColl and a list of random characters which to me was just a mistake so I didn't put these in the address. I was confused as to why there were two names, but then realised McColls was a newsagent,..I just assumed he worked there and wanted it delivered to his place of work.

About 10 days later, I was contacted by the buyer to say the book hadn't turned up and that I hadn't put the right address on because I'd missed the code out..the code was the identifier for McColl's delivery and collection service, something I knew nothing about.

I went to the Royal Mail Track and Trace site and found the package had been refused by McColls and was being returned to me (it still hasn't turned up but Royal Mail  says there are delays). 

I am absolutely furious with the buyer...he didn't tell me he was using a collect service and had a photo of the package and address on the day I sent it. It could easily have been sorted if he'd contacted me then. 

He accepts no responsibility at all for this and expects me to post it back at my expense or to return his purchase price and P&P.

This is a long winded way of warning sellers to look out for these non-eBay codes which now appear on the address.

I've sold loads of stuff on eBay and never come across this before. Funnily enough, my next sale had a similar code, for collection from a Spar store. I wonlt get caught again.

[john1297576]

If you offer Click & Collect, then you need to understand the system.

Why should a buyer be expected to know that you don't understand what you are offering?

Buyers don't need to know how selling works, it is up to the seller.

[tsmgmd]

Did you offer Click and Collect on the sale.

If you did then I'm sorry to say it is your fault not the buyers if you failed to fill out the delivery address and code in full.

The shop was quite correct in returning the item because the buyers collection code was missing.

And yes, you should refund your buyer in full Inc p.p