Hi,

 

Been lurking for a few years and generally came here to keep up to date with the latest developments. Also appreciate the information and opinions given by the many obvious experts here.

I'm retired and have two e-bikes, one of which is a folder. I got my first bike in 2017 and I feel the time is right to upgrade to a new model. It is my intention to offer the bike for sale in the classified ads here, rather than take on the risk of an auction site and the potential scammer chargebacks that can happen.

 

So I have a quick question. Does a new member need a minimum number of posts before being allowed to post and advert?

 

Thanks.

I doubt it, you'll soon find out when you try and post the advert on here.

 

EBay provides good protection for both the buyer and seller, when you buy or sell elsewhere you generally have zero protection. If you were really worried about selling on eBay you could always specify "collection only".

Thanks. The problem with Ebay is you have to offer Paypal. I would want to be paid by bank transfer. Scammers could use a stolen card to pay and I'm not so sure a seller is protected in that event. There is also the "not as described" scam and returns that are not the item sent. I know it's rare but it's a high value bike and I don't want to take these risks yet.

Thanks. The problem with Ebay is you have to offer Paypal. I would want to be paid by bank transfer. Scammers could use a stolen card to pay and I'm not so sure a seller is protected in that event. There is also the "not as described" scam and returns that are not the item sent. I know it's rare but it's a high value bike and I don't want to take these risks yet.

Paypal also gives good protection, just insist it's collection only and communicate through the eBay message system so they can see what's been agreed.

Hi welcome

 

EBay will get you the best coverage

It's only as risky as you make it

As above basically use common sense to protect yourself

According to Paypal, items collected or delivered in person are not covered by seller protection. Nor items paid for directly with a card, e.g. guest checkout. I'm not sure if that would be available to an Ebay buyer or if I can refuse. I've sold loads on Ebay and never worried about it but when you look into it as far as I can see you can be ripped off, despited the protections.

Quote:

1. Items that you deliver (or are picked up) in person (except for items for which you received payment through the PayPal Location Based Payments Functionality).
   
2. Transactions processed otherwise than through the buyer’s PayPal account. For example, if the payment was received as a direct card payment (including through Zong, Website Payment Pro, Virtual Terminal and PayPal Here) or as a PayPal guest checkout transaction, then it is not eligible for coverage.
   

According to Paypal, items collected or delivered in person are not covered by seller protection. Nor items paid for directly with a card, e.g. guest checkout. I'm not sure if that would be available to an Ebay buyer or if I can refuse. I've sold loads on Ebay and never worried about it but when you look into it as far as I can see you can be ripped off, despited the protections.

Quote:

1. Items that you deliver (or are picked up) in person (except for items for which you received payment through the PayPal Location Based Payments Functionality).
   
2. Transactions processed otherwise than through the buyer’s PayPal account. For example, if the payment was received as a direct card payment (including through Zong, Website Payment Pro, Virtual Terminal and PayPal Here) or as a PayPal guest checkout transaction, then it is not eligible for coverage.
   

If you've got the money why do you need protection?

 

Lots of cars are bought and sold on eBay for a lot more than your bike is worth.

I stand ready to be corrected but as far as I know if a buyer wants to pay with Paypal you can't stop them. You have to offer it as a payment method, whereas with cars Paypal is not compulsory so no problem.

I stand ready to be corrected but as far as I know if a buyer wants to pay with Paypal you can't stop them. You have to offer it as a payment method, whereas with cars Paypal is not compulsory so no problem.

Why not use the "Receive payment on collection" option, you don't have to accept a Paypal payment.

You can add as many permitted payment methods as you wish in adddition to compulsory Paypal. It would be fine if you could refuse a Paypal payment but as far as I know you can't. Can you show me where in Ebay's terms it states that we can refuse to accept a Paypal payment, I may well have missed that. I hope so.

Thanks.

I agree you are right to be suspicious of ebay and particularly Paypal.

 

You've nothing to lose, other than a bit of time, by trying it on here.

 

Small audience, but expensive bikes have been sold on here in the past.

I agree you are right to be suspicious of ebay and particularly Paypal.

 

You've nothing to lose, other than a bit of time, by trying it on here.

 

Small audience, but expensive bikes have been sold on here in the past.

Thanks. I will certainly give it a go.

You can add as many permitted payment methods as you wish in adddition to compulsory Paypal. It would be fine if you could refuse a Paypal payment but as far as I know you can't. Can you show me where in Ebay's terms it states that we can refuse to accept a Paypal payment, I may well have missed that. I hope so.

Thanks.

Sure, from the options available when you list an item on eBay:

I'm not trying to put you off offering it for sale on here, please give it a try before trying to sell it elsewhere.

Yes, it looks like you can omit Paypal but when you submit the listing without Paypal checked it gets rejected and you are told you can't list without it. I often wondered why that box even existed but it could be because the same form could be used for the rare listings for which PP is not compulsory, such as cars for example.

Interesting, thanks, but what problems do you envisage if the bike was bought using Paypal and collected with everything documented using Bay messaging system?

I've used eBay and PayPal a lot to buy and sell many things and have found them both to be very supportive when items have turned out to be faulty in both respects, the problems I've read about seem to occur when fraudsters ship or receive goods and would not have occurred it the items had been collected.

Items collected or delivered in person are not eligible for Seller Protection so if the payment turns out to be from a hacked account or stolen card you are on your own. No money and no bike. Even with seller protection (i.e. shipped item) "item not as described" cases are not covered. Paypal have a reputation for siding with the buyer in disputes like this. The other scam is return some old rusty hulk or a box of bricks.

It's the high value stuff that attracts the fraudsters.

Items collected or delivered in person are not eligible for Seller Protection so if the payment turns out to be from a hacked account or stolen card you are on your own. No money and no bike. Even with seller protection (i.e. shipped item) "item not as described" cases are not covered. Paypal have a reputation for siding with the buyer in disputes like this. The other scam is return some old rusty hulk or a box of bricks.

It's the high value stuff that attracts the fraudsters.

Collection only and demand cash or a bank transfer.

Ideally, but you've got to offer Paypal remember. You can't stop a buyer using it.

You can't stop a buyer using it.

Refund payment and cancel the sale, if the buyer is genuine, then they will except your terms, or maybe just don't use Ebay

Not using ebay is my suggestion, having had an ebay account hacked in the past.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've learned some new stuff from the discussion.

In the classified advert there is a field for "alternative means of contact". Does anyone know how that works? If I don't put something there is the only means of contact by replying to the post?