While I find it baffling that sellers advertising on a national forum rather than a local group would assume that collection is likely, let along the default scenario.
Or that they'd ask the buyer what courier they'd prefer to be used, given that the risk of posting is entirely on the seller, as is the contract with the courier.
Should I ever go insane in the membrane and buy used again - and this discussion is an exemplar of why I probably won't - the only thing I'd be asking a seller to do is to send me a PayPal invoice for goods and delivery, then deciding whether I want to pay that or not. The logistics and costs of posting is something that the seller should know before advertising the items, not after hearing from an interested buyer.
I mean, that's if they want to get a sale. It's no skin off my nose if they want to make it easier to just buy new.
It seems you potentially did not read or understand any of my points.
To reiterate -
What the seller is offering is an item, NOT a sales package, unless they state otherwise. Therefore the price you should see is for the item only. The buyer should expect that the expense of getting the item to them is an extra charge. It is no different whenever you buy anything online or in any transaction where extras are offered.
I never assume collection is likely at all. I'm simply advertising the price of my item.
I never suggested I'd ask what courier to use. Yes, onus is on me to ensure the goods are dispatched adequately with sufficient insurance, but the buyer can have the choice to modify the delivery of the goods; they may ask for next day delivery, a Saturday 1pm delivery or any other option that is more expensive than a standard courier option and, as such, it affects the final price.
The postage costs are variable. It is an extra cost on top of the item for delivery. The buyer can influence this cost.
EVERY remote transaction is handled this way. Why on earth should it be any different for advertising used items? I'm afraid it is you who has the flawed idea of how transactions work.
You say that, should you go this route to buy again, you would just ask for an invoice that includes postage. This is hilariously ironic, seeing as this is no different to asking about the postage cost in your initial enquiry and questions about the item! Seriously, if someone really cannot be bothered to ask me questions about my item, discuss preferred delivery and negotiate, then they really aren't that interested in my item, and I would rather not waste my time trying to deal with them. As I said earlier in the thread; that money is worth less to me than that held by a genuine enquirer.
And I iterate again, regarding other posts since my last;
PayPal fees are never acceptable to pass on to the buyer. Ever. You have chosen to offer that option to the buyer, as a backup or not, so it is your choice, not that of the buyer. If you do not wish to incur potential transaction fees in your sale then only offer options that do not include fees.
...Don't forget the 'how much would you take CASH for this' as if cash (in capitals for effect) is somehow worth more to a private seller than bank transfer etc.
I get this A LOT in my line of work. Seriously, cash is my LEAST preferred option!
The only time asking for a price 'for cash' is when you think the seller would likely prefer this transaction off-the-books, for whatever reason.
Asking the same thing in an online transaction is laughable!
