I am well and truly foxed
I have used LBC on and off for years to sell things, with no problems. I haven't used it for a while and something seems to have changed.
First of all it took me a moment or so to work out how to remove the "livraison possible" thing.
Am I right in thinking that the buyer now pays LBC who pay me, minus 4% ??
Oh yes, are you expected to do the transaction on your mobile phone ? How do you get your dosh ?
Hello Blaze, I used it to sell quite a bit last year but haven't used it since last autumn.
Yes it is evolving. It's a bit like the low-cost airline sites now and more about opting out of default settings than choosing your own parameters. I don't know about levying a commission but if they are, they'll lose business. Being able to choose the payable options was one thing....that's entirely another! No doubt as it's so huge they feel they can get away with it. Never done a transaction on the phone either...much too fiddly!
We have used it a lot over the years for buying and selling cars, campervans, furniture even an apartment, but this latest trick of the default shipping is a pain in the ass, the times I am looking for something and adverts keep listing stuff from all over the country, becouse it says shipping, but nine times out of ten, the seller puts collection only in the text.
I was looking for some paving slabs the other day, there was an advert for twenty slabs the other side of the country with 10€ shipping, its a nonsense.
Although I have bought quite few things that have genuine shipping options, and it has been very successful.
As far as comunicating you should be able to communicate via their online message system, or phone. For money transfer, at least their online payment system has security, the seller only gets their money after the buyer has received and satisfied with the item.
This has come in because of too many scams, the best way is to pay cash on collection if it is practical.
I had a buyer around on Thursday via LeBonCoin, it is a faff and I don't even bother now to get rid of the Livraison facilities offered on there. I always put a comment in the text that it is collection only from ??? Whenever I receive an enquiry the first thing is to check the profile of the buyer, if they are on the other side of the world you know it is a total waste of time. Dining table and six chairs last month, can I deliver, locally, turned out to be a good 90 minutes each way, wanted me to pitch up blind and then possibly start haggling so I told them no. Then she would get it picked up by Colissimo, don't think so, any damage and it's my fault. She said they were at Laval, so forget it, another enquiry the next day from another interested party, they could come the following day with 2 cars and take it, which they duly did, strange that both cars had number plates with garages at Laval printed on them. Wont use the assured payment from Le BonCoin, I tell them too many scammers, cash and collection only. TBH I have not a clue how to send a parcel here in France, wouldn't know where to start
Thanks for the comments, folks. I managed to get rid of the livraison thing but still put collection only in the ad. It's ridiculous that you have to do that. You have to be careful these days because of having to opt out .... and that's generally in small print or difficult to find.
We looked at a Troc shop - they had some good stuff - but they want ...... 40% commission !!!
People are not prepared to pay a reasonable price for goods, but the levying of a commission only makes sellers ask for more, so the selling price goes up ..... and no-one's a winner.
We'd deliver if it was someone local, and that would be arranged at the point of sale. We've happily given away stuff that we've had good use out of but sometimes it would be nice to get some dosh ....
I have stuff, mostly car parts, on LBC on a permanent basis.
Contact is only by the messagerie; no emails or telephone. Telephone is only revealed if I think it appropriate.
I have not paid any commission on sales. The online payment system has worked ok and the package label for Mondial Relais which is sent to you works well too.
OH buys and sells stuff quite regularly. Mostly using the delivery box system. It's so efficient and quick. We've only had one problem. A tool arrived damaged once. (The seller didn't pack it adequately enough. )
We got a refund. When we receive a parcel, if it looks damaged in any way, we take a photo of it before opening.
All conversation is done through the messaging system only.
Like I said, never had a problem.
Larger items from distant places. we've met halfway in a supermarket carpark for. Our last car we bought from the north of France. ( We're in the centre. ) Sometimes it worth travelling for.
I haven't bought anything there for a couple of years but yes I have noticed it seems to have got complicated.
For selling anything I generally use a local FB group which is friendly and usually no hassle.
How do people live without at least one dog in the house?
Drop in for a natter about anything French related.
