I want to sell a few bike bits, I've posted them on pinkbike, I'd much prefer collection so the buyer can look at the item and I can get paid in cash.
Lots of people want me to post but I'm a bit sceptical due to the amount of PayPal horror stories.
Can I list an item as collection only and say if the buyer wants to arrange delivery they can, obviously I'll package it properly.
Am I missing something obvious?
I've sold quite a few smaller bike bits via ebay recently.
Make sure you take lots of good photos and detail any marks or issues properly so there is no comeback.
For smaller items I always send via RM 2nd class signed for (costs £3.90). Anything bigger, or over 2kg, goes via DPD (costs about £7). This way you're covered for delivery as it has to be signed for.
You'll sell for more, and quicker, if you offer delivery.
Thanks perhaps I'll box everything up and get postage prices, as occasionally I've paid more for delivery than eBay list the prices.
ebay makes it pretty easy for postage as long as you know roughly the weight and size, they can print off Royal Mail, Collect+, Hermes, DPD labels for you, you just stick it on and drop it off at the local shop.
Buyer arranging delivery is a minefield, and one most won't want to bother with.
The key to successful Ebay selling is plenty of good photos so that buyers can't complain about the item. I've sold some pretty rough and worn-out kit and people have been happy to buy it for a few quid for their commuter. That's got to be better than throwing it away.
you'll get more for you item even with the postage than if you list them pick up only (unless you're very lucky).
The 'horror stories' are just the ones you hear about - there are millions of items sold without any issues whatsoever.
Anything I sell goes by MyHermes - it's a cheaper than other couriers and more convenient to drop stuff off at a shop. You hear horror stories about Hermes too, but I've never had an issue.
Collect only really restricts your buyers to local people (for local things) and you'd probably get less for the items, or not sell em.
Signed for doesn't really add anything IMO. NO more compensation.
Ebays delivery charges are cheaper than RM too.
Whilst there are many horror stories, there are way more happy ones as Dezzer says.
The ‘horror stories’ are just the ones you hear about – there are millions of items sold without any issues whatsoever.
Exactly. I have sold £10,000s worth of items with no issues on any of them.
Bike parts are easy as they are not fragile and although I have sold a few acoustic guitars I am more nervous about sending them
Just make sure whatever service you use has enough cover for the cost of the item you are sending. A few times I have had to claim back from RM when an item went missing. It's a bit slow but you get your money back.
Standard second class covers up to £20, just make sure you get proof of postage and a receipt.
Most of the time things go fine whenever I've shipped things (I sell quite alot of stuff via both Pinkbike and EBay)
I have had a few issues recently (got scammed with a GoPro I sold, jersey I sold was lost in the mail (currently awaiting a Royal Mail claim) and a shifter which was sent fully working, then reported as faulty on arrival)
I usually try to make sure that whatever I send is covered by compensation just in case (£20 cover is standard for 1st/2nd class RM, which rises to £50 if recorded. Hermes give cover to £20 at no extra cost and you can pay for extra cover)
What happened with the Go Pro?
Do you have to have a photo of the packaged item to claim? How quickly is it processed?
