My latest experience on Ebay involves foreign buyers, who insist on paying in cash, rather than obtaining a sterling cheque through their Bank. I always insist that any money is send by registered post. There are some people who will just slip the money into an envelope and post at the cheapest cost to themselves hoping to save money.

Recently I opened a dispute with a buyer in France for non payment of a painting which he bid on and won. I insisted on payment by sterling cheque issued through his Bank. He told me that this was not possible and if I could reveal my bank details so that he could make payment by this means. I decided against this. ( There are many horror stories circulating about people draining accounts after obtaining your banking details. ) As an alternative I agreed that he could pay me the equivalent in euro and it should be sent by registered post. About ten days later I received a registered envelope posted from France. I was not at home when the package arrived and  it was posted through my letter box, even though I was supposed to have signed for receipt of the same. Had I signed for this envelope I would have been scammed because it contained no money, just the ebay receipt and a postcard. I immediately contacted the buyer by telephone in France and forwarded him an email through the ebay system explaining the situation. The buyer informed me that registered mail in France is not insured against loss, if money is sent abroad in this way. He insisted that the envelope contained 140 euro in notes. He then asked me if I expected him to pay twice for the painting. In the meantime I had already closed the dispute thinking that the money was forthcoming. The buyer has not communicated with me since. Be WARNED do not allow anyone to send you payment in cash through the postal system. It is so easy to get scammed in this way.