Hi, If the buyer arranges own carriage, who is responsible for the costs if returned?

[lemon_cluster]

Hi,  i have a couple of items on auction that i have described as "for collection only".    I have had many enquiries about this and have added that I am happy to allow buyers to arrange and pay for their own carriage. I will be happy to pack and take to a collection point.  

In the event that it must be rerturned (could be damaged during transit or found to be "not as described"), who is responsible for the carraige costs?  

Regards, 

[red_magpie · Accepted solution]

In the event that it must be rerturned (could be damaged during transit or found to be "not as described"), who is responsible for the carraige costs?

As has been said, if the buyer sends a courier, there is no buyer protection, so you don't have to accept the return.

However, eBay's money back guarantee does apply if the buyer pays by paypal and collects in person.

In that case, your question - who would pay for the return - is not explained anywhwer! The buyer can't just return it themselves, as eBay requires tracking proof of delivery. Whether the buyer or seller pays for a courier isn't stated. But it's a fair guess that, as in the case of items that are delivered, eBay will make the seller pay for the return if they want it back.

If so, it's likely to cost more to pay for many items to be returned than they sold for. Which is the second, very good reason why you should try to get payment in cash when items are collected. (The first is that, without any postal proofs, there's an easy scam by which the buyer can have a paypal payment reversed, and still keep the item.)

For full details of eBay's money back guarantee see: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/money-back-guarantee.html

[rusticrye]

If the buyer arranges their own courier, they lose all buyer protection. You and they can read this information in Ebay's Help pages. Any loss or damage in transit will be between the buyer and the couier to sort out, as the buyer's contract will be with their courier.  You are only responsible when you arrange the courier - you refund the buyer in full, and then lodge a claim with the courier for your loss.

Allowing a buyer to arrange their own courier is a very bad idea. But if you do, note that there is no option for the courier to collect the package from a collection point. Collection points are for sellers to drop off packages that they themselves have paid the shipping costs for. Collections arranged by buyers mean collection from your actual address.

If you're happy to take  items to a collection point, I don't understand why you haven't added a delivery option and shipping costs to the listings. That's the way it's done.  So I'm not surprised you're getting enquiries from some very confused folk! And just think of all those who won't bother to enquire, and will simply move on to a seller who knows what they're doing.

Everything you need to know about selling on Ebay, including how to list for collection or delivery on the same listing, is in the Seller Centre, so have a good read before you list anything else for sale. 🙂

(And note that collection items should only be paid for in cash or by bank transfer, once the buyer has fully examined the item and is happy with it. Do not accept PayPal - it is unsafe for sellers of collection items.)

@lemon_cluster 

[plpmr]

Why even think about that when

“eBay Money Back Guarantee does not cover cash on collection transactions, or transactions where the item was not collected by the buyer.”

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/buying/postage-delivery/changing-delivery-address-method/collection-pers...

[roger_roger_over_and_nowt]

it is never a good idea to let the buyer arrange collection as you lose full control if any claim is made.

If you are willing to package the item then how much more difficult is it to actually get it posted yourself ?.

You can arrange collection from your end and pay for it all online.That way you get the tracking number etc.

I would never ever laet a buyer arrange their own courier,there is too much that could go wrong (especially at this time of year) and selling on this site is diffficult enough already.