eBay collection only. How do I do it safely?

I’m selling a bike on eBay as collection only.

Assuming it sells, how do I do it safely without the buyer claiming they didn’t receive it? Is there a code that they give me?

usually with collection the buyer will have a QR code that you scan on the ebay app to confirm the goods have been collected.

They will always have a code.  If they don’t bring their phone or the number (as can do it without a phone) then don’t let them take it away.

Great thanks

Yup, there’s a QR code to scan to confirm it’s been collected.

Even for low value stuff make sure you do it otherwise ebay will message you belligerently to say “you need to ship xxxx” and it won’t let you just tick a box to say done anymore 😂.

Even for low value stuff make sure you do it otherwise ebay will message you belligerently to say “you need to ship xxxx” and it won’t let you just tick a box to say done anymore

Strange, doesn’t happen for me.  I sold a few things for a token amount just to get rid of them and never bothered with the code but I just marked the item as collected which set it to the correct state.

Use cash and don’t give out your address. Done a few sales and aranged to meet in a public place like a supermarket carpark. Didnt even know about the QR code thing as never needed it.

The collection QR code, also comes with an associated numerical code which I think you can put in on the desktop app.

Last time someone collected something from me, the app on my phone was playing up & wouldn’t allow me to scan the code.
The buyer just let me take a photo of their screen as proof, just in case I needed it.

Use cash and don’t give out your address

Not particularly easy for buyers to negotiate their way past the “pay now” before being able to contact you these days so don’t expect them to be able to pay cash & I’m pretty sure eBay will give out your contact details/address once a collected item is paid for through their system.

I’ve never managed to find that bloody code on the app as either a collector or dispatcher!

The code didn’t work when I collected a bike last year, but seller was OK about it. No issues. I think I was able to mark it as collected afterwards.

Not particularly easy for buyers to negotiate their way past the “pay now” before being able to contact you these days so don’t expect them to be able to pay cash

You can send photos, so write your number/email on a bit of paper, send them a picture of that and then talk to them normally.

Cash on collection, then cancel the sale, so no fees.

👆All of which is obviously totally against eBay terms and conditions and basically a dick move. 🙄

It may be against their policies but they do kind of bring it on themselves. If they chose to be less greedy on the fees then I’d imagine fewer people would try to circumvent the rules.

I don’t dispute that the fees are high and they add various “uplifts” like adding VAT afterwards etc but if you don’t like it then don’t use it. You are using their services after all so expect to pay for it. Thinking it’s too expensive wouldn’t be an acceptable defence if they took you to court. I only ever sell higher value items when it’s 80% off as the fees make it far less attractive otherwise. It’s quite clear that loads of people use the phone number in a picture tactic to get around their text analysis software though. I wonder how many they catch.

80% off selling fees has pretty much gone now. I’ve sold quite a few bits recently, probably £800 worth and haven’t had an 80% off code for about a year. I generally start off selling somewhere else, here or pink bike then if it doesn’t sell after a couple of weeks sick up the eBay fees. Stuff pretty much always sells as the market is just so much wider. QR code works as well, I always state for collection that the QR will be needed.

I get 70% off selling fees promos every fortnight at the mo.

Yep, so do I.  Just sold a few items last week at 80% off.   At those prices I clearly have no problems with the fees…

Bummer, dunno what I’m doing wrong then. Honestly haven’t had one for ages. It’s cost me a fortune in fees. Stuff needed selling though, at least it’s out of the way….

I don’t get any notifications for them. Have to check messages manually then click through the link. Happen every few weeks though.

Yeah, I’ve been checking messages desperatley hoping for one to come through but nothing for months. 😥 I must be on the naughty step or something!

Got another bike to sell (well probably split and sell) so hopefully one comes through soon….

Try and leave feedback for purchases and sales and your member rating will increase and you may get more offers.  Ebay tend to offer discounts to good sellers as it’s easy money for them and its the algorithms which determine what a good seller is dispatch, feedback, comms, etc.

Ironically, I think you may need to stop selling things on ebay to get targeted with the discounts, as they try to lure you back.

I find the opposite.  The more I sell, the more offers I get.

I’ve just sold a bike with 80% off final value offer, collection Saturday.  They’ve already paid me and eBay took £35 on a £1250 sale, which is OK by me.  They have a code to prove they picked it up.  Pretty easy IMO.

80% off selling fees has pretty much gone now.

They happen fortnightly. Last weekend was one. You need to keep on top of your messages, as one will be sent to you on the Friday. It also appears on the selling home page.

I only ever list on those weekends, and have done for the last year or so. Sold some Mavic wheels this week for £250, grand total of £8 in fees, which is completely reasonable.

They happen fortnightly. Last weekend was one. You need to keep on top of your messages, as one will be sent to you on the Friday. It also appears on the selling home page.

Nope! Like I said up there, I must be on the naughty step or something as I haven’t had one for months, maybe over a year. I’ve been checking messages regularly. I’ve been selling a fair bit so seeing messages every few days/every week. Just not getting any 80% off anymore. No idea why. I’m doing everything that has been said above. I have perfect feedback, I always leave feedback as well, but I’ve obviously upset the ebay gods in some way.

I want to sell a drum kit and a bike but really don’t want to give more money to Ebay at the moment….

I collected a bike this week. The seller was able to scan a QR code on my phone and the app then confirmed the collection.

Echoing others-

I used to think the 80% off promo was linked to infrequent selling but I’ve sold a few items this year and now seem to get the offers more often.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s indeed more about fast dispatch, good feedback, comms etc and perhaps factors indicating you’re just a small private seller.

Also, nowadays I never sell unless there’s a good offer on- they might be tracking that too.

Its not just me, I’ve googled it and it seems that some get the offers and some don;t, just seems random. I’m obviously on the worng side for some reason. Oh well…