No QR code unless purchase made via the eBay App - Seller can mark as collected via desktop version?

[cliveski2004]

I'm hopeful someone 'in the know' can confirm my understanding on this.

'Collection Only' item paid via Paypal - what a Seller and Buyer need to do

It is important for a seller to be able to prove when a 'collection only' item, paid for via paypal, has been collected *

The QR code provides this proof but from experience not every buyer will have a QR code to hand over at collection. 

My understanding is that a buyer will only receive a QR code if they make their purchase using the eBay App.

If the buyer retrospectively goes into the eBay App, perhaps after downloading it for the first time, and clicks on 'Get Collection Code' it will not generate the code.

In a situation like this - the seller should ask the purchaser (at time of collection) to send a message via eBay (linked to the specific item) confirming they have collected the item. This will suffice.

A seller using the eBay App will not be able to mark the item as despatched/collected without a QR code but if they go into the Desktop Version of eBay they will be able to mark the item as despatched/collected.

Sellers should note that first-time sales, or infrequent sales, could see eBay / Paypal put their payment 'on-hold' - and that this is not the buyers fault. 

 * The reason it is important is to prevent a buyer collecting an item they have paid for via paypal, then later claiming the item was not as described and/or they never collected it - and so request a refund. In this scenario paypal will always side with the buyer and will refund them - leaving the seller out of pocket.

I'm really hopeful I have understood this scenario correctly and so, at my next collection - when I don't have a QR code to hand over, I can show them this post - and the comments that follow to re-assure them that it's okay so long as I send a message via eBay confirming collection instead.

In my opinion the whole QR code system, and the lack of guidance for sellers and buyers, is really poor from eBay.

[cliveski2004]

Thank you both for your replies.

ruby*tuesday - you have to offer PayPal as a payment option (and people want the security that brings) so there isn't a great deal you can do to prevent someone paying via paypal.

john1297576 but I don't think you have understood my post - it was not about the reasons why a payment might be on hold (we are both on the same page about that) it was actually about what a buyer and seller need to do when a 'pick-up only' item is paid for via PayPal - especially where one person is using the App and the other the normal Desktop Site.

My statement "Sellers should note that first-time sales, or infrequent sales, could see eBay / Paypal put their payment 'on-hold' - and that this is not the buyers fault" was merely a useful footnote as I have experienced some sellers believing their funds are on hold because they haven't received a collection code from me.

In answer to my first post - it's clear confusion and a lack of understanding prevails and eBay really need to provide clear guidance to buyers and sellers and have consistency between what happens when someone buys/sells on the App and what happens when someone buys/sells on the desktop site.

Anyone who sells on a 'pick-up' only basis and accepts PayPal is at risk of being defrauded unless they get proof of collection linked to the item they have sold. This can be achieved as follows:

If the buyer has a QR code -

- if you use the App then scan this in / make a note of the 6-digit code to input manually.
- if you don't use the App then you could photograph the QR code or make a note of the 6-digit code . . . or . . . ask the buyer to send you a message, via eBay (and linked to the item they are collecting) to confirm they have collected the item - before they leave with it.

If the buyer doesn't have a QR code -

- if you use the App then ask the buyer to send you a message, via eBay (and linked to the item they are collecting) to confirm they have collected the item - before they leave with it.
- if you don't use the App then, as above, ask the buyer to send you a message, via eBay (and linked to the item they are collecting) to confirm they have collected the item - before they leave with it.

It's a bit of a pain but as eBay will, by default, refund a buyer who claims they never collected the item (or who claims they turned up to collect the item but then walked away as it was not described) a seller needs to protect themselves from abuse of the system.

It would be great if someone could share their experience with this scenario.

[john1297576]

Your understanding of the "hold" is completely wrong. This is nothing to do with collection, it is to ensure that new sellers establish a record as a good seller, before being let loose and able to instantly have access to money paid for sales.

If there was no "hold" a new seller could list items, sell and never post, just disappear with the money, leaving ebay to foot the bill.

Go to HELP & CONTACT at the top of page and enter Hold and read Ebay's explanation.

As far as the codes go, I am sure it could be made easier without using the App. Message to buyer with code would serve, which could be passed on verbally to the seller when collecting, to enter on the item to prove collection would serve.

Probably ebay's way of getting members to use it. However not everyone has a smart phone or would want the App. which I have heard has many faults.

[ruby*tuesday]

Your better off not using PayPal for Collection Items. Go and inspect the Item first, especially if it is a Vehicle. If happy with the Item hand over the Cash or use a Bank Transfer. If you decide not to Purchase the Seller Cancels through More Actions to the right of the Sold Item selecting "Buyer Requested Cancellation.". That Closes down the Sale. The Seller receives an EBay Fee Credit and can then Relist.