collection in person only

[bambuko]

Astro gear tends to be bulky, large heavy etc and a lot of deals (whether on epay or astro buy & sell) are "collection only".

It's fine if you based in the centre of UK, close to large population centres, but bit of a bummer if you live out in the sticks (OK living where I do has a lot of other advantages , but good deals tend to be far away).

Are there any alternatives to "collect only"? Has anybody got any ideas?

After all ease of shifting the gear would work for both sellers and buyers...

[JB80]

This is the only reason I don't have a C11 now, it's even more frustrating than cheques only.

I can completely understand the reason behind collection only though and if you are in the UK then it is possible to have a chat with the seller and they may be receptive to you organising a courier to come and do the collection, to me that meets the collection only criteria.. I think if there is a reasonable solution then it can always be brought up.

Unfortunately being in Spain this becomes even more tricky, I've practically given up hope of getting a second hand scope now.

[DrRobin]

Hi Jarrod,

A cheap flight to the UK and take it back on the plane?  Mind not sure a C11 will fit in the overhead locker.  I recently took my Lunt 60 double stack as hand luggage to Murcia, no problem with the airlines, but that did fit in the locker.

Apparently some airlines allow you to book an extra seat for sensitive luggage, rock stars use it to ship their guitars and the like.  So one seat across on Easyjet/Ryanair/Jet2 and two seats back, should be slightly cheaper than shipping it to Alicante.

Oh and you get a day out in the UK for free, can't be bad.

Robin

[martindale]

If you, or you know anyone who as an account with any courier company (a small business for example) it is very easy and good value, to get the courier company to collect from the sellers address and return it to your address.

They charge the same as they would (approx £10 for up to 20kg) if you asked them to pick it up from your address and send it wherever.

Interesting thought.................maybe.................if someone on this forum opened could open an account............... for members of this forum............ most courier companies will pick up nationwide and deliver nationwide, the only base address they should need is one to send their invoices to..............mmm

[bambuko]

Martindale, this is precisely the kind of ideas I had in mind when I asked this question.

Thanks!!

[Kai]

I've been known to drive from North Devpn to Suffolk for something , just factor in the petrol and if the total price is still acceptable leave early

[brantuk]

A lot of folks insist on collection only cos at least they are handing the gear over in the condition specified in their advert and not reliant on a courier in the case of damage on arrival.

The other reason (of which I'm guilty myself) is that all the original boxes are long gone and they can't be bothered to go get some packaging to wrap it up protected and ready for courier collection - especially if it's a big, heavy, and delicate item.

Both good reasons if you ask me.

[JamesF]

Interesting thought.................maybe.................if someone on this forum opened could open an account............... for members of this forum............ most courier companies will pick up nationwide and deliver nationwide, the only base address they should need is one to send their invoices to..............mmm

There are some companies that do this already I think.

James

[JB80]

Hi Jarrod,

A cheap flight to the UK and take it back on the plane?  Mind not sure a C11 will fit in the overhead locker.  I recently took my Lunt 60 double stack as hand luggage to Murcia, no problem with the airlines, but that did fit in the locker.

Apparently some airlines allow you to book an extra seat for sensitive luggage, rock stars use it to ship their guitars and the like.  So one seat across on Easyjet/Ryanair/Jet2 and two seats back, should be slightly cheaper than shipping it to Alicante.

Oh and you get a day out in the UK for free, can't be bad.

Robin

Hi Robin,

That is something I have thought of and I would consider it if we were making the trip anyway but otherwise it's not the most practical of solutions. On that note we are heading to London next week for a couple of days if one popped up between now and then I'd certainly consider it as an option. I have often toyed with the idea of a US trip and doing something like that.

Alternatively a new model has it's advantages and if I buy in Spain in the next year I get a VAT refund so if I was to find something second hand first it would be a purely opportunistic swoop.

The second hand market here is highly over priced but I never know.

[hazegood]

If you, or you know anyone who as an account with any courier company (a small business for example) it is very easy and good value, to get the courier company to collect from the sellers address and return it to your address.

They charge the same as they would (approx £10 for up to 20kg) if you asked them to pick it up from your address and send it wherever.

 

Interesting thought.................maybe.................if someone on this forum opened could open an account............... for members of this forum............ most courier companies will pick up nationwide and deliver nationwide, the only base address they should need is one to send their invoices to..............mmm

you don't need an account with a courier company, Google Ipost, you book online and pay with your credit / debit card

Leigh

[Lee M]

There are courier bidding sites where you put a job up and see who'll quote for it. I'm not necessarily suggesting this for a set of delicate optics but maybe a big mount or something more robust. Having said that I know there are people who specialise in shipping things like antiques about, who, if they are already doing a trip in a similar direction, may well give a perfectly good quote & service.

[ronin]

What gets me is the number of adverts that say "Collection in person only" but then do not state where they live.

Quite a few on SGL at times.

Even on small items it is useful to know where the person is. I sent 3 or 4 emails once to find the person lived 4 miles away.

[peeceeTal2M]

You will  find that  every courier company will not insure certain items , ie glass, china, so anyone sending a telescope by courier would do so uninsured for loss or damage and they are not prepared to take that risk as a seller.

[pete_l]

A lot of folks insist on collection only cos at least they are handing the gear over in the condition specified in their advert and not reliant on a courier in the case of damage on arrival.

An extremely good point. Considering how it's pretty much impossible for a seller on eBay to defend themselves against any claim, it's a sane and rational thing to do.

The one thing to be aware of if you do buy something "buyer colledt" is to pay by PayPal. That's the only way that the system will know you've paid for it. Some years ago I collected an item from an eBay business and paid cash. Although I got a stamped receipt, somehow the business got it into it's head that I hadn't paid and reported by an a non-paying buyer. Even having a paper receipt from the company was useless in appealing this, as eBay wouldn't accept it. Luckily the company wasn't trying a con, but had just messed up. When I emailed them a scan of their receipt, they withdrew the accusation.

However, it did make me aware that if a seller ever decided they wanted some extra money, I'd have had no way of proving to eBay that I'd paid - as the obly proof they accept is a PP transaction.

[johnrt]

I have sold quite expensive guitars before where the buyer has arranged collection, from memory I think they used parcelforce. Everything went OK, it just meant I had to prepare it for the journey. I'm about to list something large in the classifieds, so when I do I'll make sure to put a buyer can arrange collection option

[bambuko]

I've been known to drive from North Devpn to Suffolk for something , just factor in the petrol and if the total price is still acceptable leave early

Yeah, I have looked at it - it is 640 miles round trip.

At 15p a mile (and that's exactly what it costs me in diesel to run my van) it would cost me £96, plus a whole day .

I am sure the courier should be able to do it cheaper?

[bambuko]

... Google Ipost, you book online and pay with your credit / debit card...

Thanks for that, I've looked them up and my parcel would exceed their limits (both size and weight).

But it might be useful for someone with smaller parcel.

[MontyUK]

Try paisleyfreight.com.

I have used them several times, seem fine.

[bambuko]

Thanks MontyUK, that sounds interesting.

They also sell their service on ebay?

They appear to be another middle-man who has account with TNT and CityLink?

There is quite a few of these brokers on internet (most of them with pretty bad customer service... )

[kirkster501]

I never mind meeting half way or mor ethan half way for piece of mind.  I have bought and sold several items and there has been a 150 mile drive involved from Nottingham.  That's fine with me.  I was going to see a guy in Glasgow for a Tak FSQ-106 but it fell through.  But I would have done all the same.  It's only driving and a few quid on petrol.