I am considering using a delivery service listed on gumtree. There are quite a few actually… I would like to buy a fridge of Gumtree and have it picked up and delivered. But I am a bit concerned with paying for the fridge, but never receiving it. At the same time, I would prefer not to offend anyone by asking for their licence, or meeting them at the pick up location (well for my safety also).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am also thinking of using the delivery service for the purchase of a second hand washing machine and other furniture as well… but unfortunately it will have to happen on different days as I won't be able to find everything at the same time…
I wouldn't be concerned about offending them if you are employing them.
You could also use a site like airtasker to advertise what you want. I believe people bid for the job on that site, and you can leave them reviews, so you can read past jobs they've done and read the reviews, to make sure they've turned up in the past. I think they are less likely to be dodgy through a something like that, it would be clear that they do odd jobs to make spare cash and rely on good reviews, they're not out to steal stuff.
I've never used it but have heard good things. I've tried to become an airtaskee to earn a bit of spare cash but it seems people always choose to employee the people already with reviews, so its hard to break into it.