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Local pick up and paying for an ebay item - Buyer's protection or not?

cchean

cchean

Super Member
I am not sure if this is the right forum to place this thread, please feel free to move it if that's more appropriate.

I bought an expensive pair of BBC speakers on ebay UK, condition is that they would have to be picked up.

A friend of mine that lives in England will pick it up and pay cash to the seller. Problem is, seller is unwilling to take cash and wants a bank transfer 2 days ahead of the pick up date. I talked to my friend and he told me that, as long as he has input the seller's bank account as one of his recipients, the transfer can be made on the spot and funds available immediately.

So, if I transfer the funds 2 days ahead of pick up date, would I be completely unprotected as a buyer? Worst case scenario, what if he never shows up? Should I use Paypal instead and pay him previously? By using Paypal, the exchange rates are much worse, but then that's a separate matter. But then, wouldn't Paypal hold the funds anyway, making it unavailable to him before the pick up date?

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
 
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What legitimate seller would not take cash?
ultimatum: cash on PU or forget it
 
I concur, this isn't aboveboard. Cancel the sale. Or have your friend use his/her paypal account (presumably they have one) to pay, then reimburse them to avoid exchange rate hassles.
 
I hate cash. Especially in times of covid. If I sold an expensive item I'd do all I could to get paid via PayPal or Venmo or some other digital transfer. I don't think I've spent even $500 in cash over the past year. My banking is done online, so no easy way to deposit cash. If someone gave me a thousand bucks in cash, it would be a pita to spend.
 
Would the seller let your friend inspect the speakers before any funds are transferred? Why transfer two days before the sale?
 
As mentioned above it's Covid, and ultra picky English (I added the last part)

I had a UK buyer purchase a single, 45 for $300, I shipped it, and he was inquiring about waiting to ship, he had a UK, and Los Angeles address. I shipped the record to his LA address with sig confirmation before he asked. I was not waiting months to ship him a record....

I had a local sale for an unusual Speaker. Buyer paid via PayPal, and did not pick up the speakers for 4 months. And sent his wife. He lived north of Philly, and I am in Baltimore County North. I contacted him several times with no reply. A*s hat!
He wanted to land a plane here like there is an air strip near by? F*cking nut!

I have had a handful of local pickups and they have been mostly fine. There was another goofball non audio related, not worth the effort to type it out.

But yeah. Seller is Covid scared.
 
I have done two local pickups using the auction site.

Used PayPal and my credit card obviously and the pick up was the following day in both cases. No problem at all and with your CC you are protected.

One transaction was for a Gibson guitar, not a cheap transaction. That one I went to the sellers house and picked it up. The other was in a Starbucks parking lot.

Have also taken Venmo on the spot for another expensive item I sold and verified the money was there before he left. Thats a good option these days.

Only way I would pay before pick up is with a credit card if they don't take cash at pick up. Venmo on the spot where you walk out with your purchase would work for me. Trust your gut too, its usually right.
 
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