Just to provide a little pep in your day I’d like to share a hilarious interchange I recently had via chat with a website “help” representative. Names have been changes to protect the ignorant innocent.
ebay user
Initial Question/Comment: Completing a Transaction
15:51:10
System

Thank you for contacting eBay Live Help!
15:51:10
System

Agent P. has joined this session!
15:51:38
Agent P.

No problem. Would there be anything else?
15:51:48
Ebay User

Hi, I just sold this item as a local pickup and have a question about payment. The buyer wants to pay me in cash because they say their paypal account is messed up.
15:51:54
Agent P.

Hello, thanks for waiting and welcome to eBay Live Help! My name is Cyrus. Can I have your first and last name please.
15:52:02
Ebay User

Sure its Ebay User
15:52:54
Ebay User

I want to know if it ok for me to accept cash for the item instead of paypal even though the auction is closed. How do I mark it as paid if I do it this way?
15:54:00
Agent P.

I see. It would be a pleasure to help you with this problem.
15:54:08
Ebay User

great
15:54:46
Agent P.

Are you now on your sold items?
15:55:16
Ebay User

yes
15:55:46
Agent P.

Perfect.
15:56:01
Agent P.

Are you seeing now the item that was paid by the buyer?
15:57:10
Ebay User

what? no the item has not been paid for yet. That is my question. The buyer wants to use a different payment method than I have as an option and I want to know if it is ok to accept the alternate payment and how to mark it paid once I have payment.
15:58:42
Agent P.

What payment method that the buyer is asking you?
15:58:49
Ebay User

cash
16:00:03
Agent P.

I see so he want it to give you in cash.
16:00:08
Ebay User

yes
16:00:28
Agent P.

Is he going to send the money through what method?
16:00:39
Ebay User

we are meeting in person and he is going to give me cash
16:01:25
Ebay User

if that is ok with ebay that is
16:01:48
Agent P.

Actually it will not allow the system
16:02:25
Ebay User

ok so it is against ebay rules correct?
16:02:44
Agent P.

So even he paid it in cash. It won’t let you mark that item as paid. That’s why we have payment methods for both buyer and seller to have protection.
16:03:12
Ebay User

Ok that is what I was asking from the beginning. thanks
16:03:47
Agent P.

No problem.
16:03:55
Agent P.

Would there be anything else.?
16:05:14
Agent P.

I suggest that you asked him to pay
END OF CONVERSATION