I’m considering dipping my toe into ebay as a buyer. It so happens that some of the sellers of items in which I’m interested live only a few miles away. I’m wondering if they - or ebay - would object to collection and payment there and then rather than delivery? Obviously, I could ask them, but I don’t want to blot my copybook before I’ve started. So, if you were a seller, how would you react to such an inquiry?
I don’t think most sellers have a problem with local pick ups. If they do, they probably have a policy about it indicated in the listing.
I’ve done local pickups a couple of times as a buyer. I’ve checked with the seller ahead of time to see if it’s possible. It becomes a bidding advantage to know that you don’t have to factor in a shipping cost.
One reason that a seller might not be amenable to the idea is that they may have factored in some excess revenue to the shipping price that they would not realize if the article doesn’t ship. Some larger sellers get around this by implementing a pick-up fee.
I don’t think ebay has an issue with this. I don’t think there are any issues with paying outside paypal, but caveat emptor on this issue.
About 10 of my 700 or so sales have been local. I have no problem getting paid in cash on the spot and delivering the item face to face. Saves on packaging materials too. I had an auction end last Sunday and the winner paid right way through Paypal. She was surprised Monday afternoon when I delivered her items to her door and refunded the shipping charges. She live about 5 miles from me and I pass her house everyday on my way home from work. By the time I got home and turned on my computer, she had left positive feedback.
For what it’s worth I have over 600 feedback, 100% positive.
Everyone I’ve asked has been happy to have me pick up the item directly and as a seller I’m the same. The only times I won’t ask are when the seller has explicitly stated no pick-ups in the listing or if they are clearly a large business with mass listings.
Any seller who reacts badly to being asked is not someone I’d want to do business with. (Badly = “How dare you ask that, I’m trying to run an e-business, not a garage sale”. Well = “Sorry I’m not really comfortable with that”)
I did a local pickup recently, as a buyer. The seller had me sign a copy of the receipt when I got there, to confirm that I did in fact pick it up. I chatted with him for a bit when I was at his house, apparently he got screwed once when someone came to pick up a $700 doo-dad, and then later reported it to Paypal as non-receipt of goods. He said that because he didn’t have the guy’s signature, he lost the $700.
Just sharing the story, in case any sellers make such a request. Likewise, I could see why a few might not want the hassle of a pickup but I can’t see anyone being offended by the question.
Aren’t you worried about the fact they now know where you live?
It’s easy enough for a buyer to find out where you live anyway, if you accept payment by cheque.
I’ve had a few transactions finish with a personal collection recently, both as a seller and as a buyer - and it’s been fine. I don’t think it could reasonably be considered rude to ask a seller if it’s possible.
Packages usually have a return address on them, you know.
Officially, eBay doesn’t approve of people making a profit out of the shipping element (perhaps because they don’t get a cut of it), but nearly everyone seems to do it, and get away with it.
Its why I only accept paypal.
Not really - why would I be?
I don’t know what you are selling and how much value the items have, but let’s say you have several high value items that you plan to sell in the future and they are stored in your garage, backyard or even inside your home.
This buyer now knows where you live and could possibly return when you are out and steal the items. That’s all.
Maybe I’m being too paranoid.
I drove from central AR to north LA to pickup a satellite receiver and 8’ dish.
Yes, but the return address on my packages have my business, not home, address on them.
Well, in that case you say “No, I am not able to allow you to do an in-person pickup, sorry.” Or you say “no, but I could possibly deliver the item to you instead of you picking it up.”
Not only is it ok to ask about picking stuff up, it’s also ok to decline.
Well it’s always a possibility. But in all the pick-ups I’ve met the buyer (or been met by the seller) at the front door, item in hand. The buyer would just see my entry hall - the electrician, locksmith, insurance agent, plumber, and appliance repairman all have a better idea of the value of my home and contents.
That’s useful, thank you.
I have had only 2 buyers pickup the items from my house, one was a co-worker’s brother and the other a police officer. The cop bought a table saw and the auction specified local pickup or delivery only. The rest I either delivered or met the person at an agreed upon location. As others have stated, my address is all over the shipping labels if someone really wants to find me.
I’ve bought a few big items for my shop and paid cash and all three sellers were fine with it. Picking up the one lathe led me to ask the guy about some other stuff he had laying around and we traded some equipment.
Even so, I think once someone has entered into a transaction with you, it’s fairly simple for them to get your address and contact details - it’s not something I’ve tried doing myself, so i don’t know exactly how it works, but I’ve seen it recommended nearly every time someone has a query regarding a seller or buyer who is unresponsive to email.