cash on collection scam potential. advice needed

[amf2910]

Asking on behalf of friend cause they dont come on this section. They have done a cash on collection with a guy they are suspicious about cause of various red flags. Nothing major although they did turn up very late and did the whole can I pay by bank transfer instead cause I havent had time to get cash. Plus they came from like 70 miles away and seemed overly keen. But they said no its cash only so he went got cash from cashtill. Paid the money took the small furniture item. it was like 80£. 

The buyer messaged on ebay quickly afterwards that my friend should mark the item as paid. The buyer hasnt marked anything. This is where it gets murky cause my friend doesnt wanna say they got paid when theres no proof that the item was received. Maybe theres potential there for a scammer? My friend did make sure the meeting was arranged on ebay messages for the records cause they did try arrange it by text at first but was told to do it on ebay stating the time of collection. so the arrangements are on record but no acknowledgement of receipt besides them asking for their payment to be marked as received. which isnt technically an admission that they had received the item. They could make up a story they paid the cash then didnt get the item.

So what should they do? Can it just be left with nothing marked like it is now? neither of them can prove anything so maybe thats the best option just to leave it that way? As it was cash am I right assuming ebay cannot really do anything to get the buyer refunded if they tried any scam? as its not on any record besides maybe marking it as paid like the buyer seems to want. They have good feedback and 100% on ebay but theres just red flags along the way and a bad feeling. No trust. 

any advice appreciated. 

[tobiasd4]

As a seller cash is best, no paypal fees, no comeback from buyer.

Your friend needs to mark item as paid for, buyer can't do it.

As buyer paid cash, ebay deem them to inspect item before paying, so can't open bay case anyway.

[john1297576]

The simple answer is that there is no money back guarantee when paid in cash, so safe as houses.

Same applies to Bank Transfer, BUT you would have to go on line to see the money in your bank account before handing over items sold.

The scam of claiming not received only works when paid by Paypal, as there is no tracking to prove delivery.