ebay question... potential buyer wants to pick up the item locally

[Kiyo]

I've never sold anything on ebay before, and I finally put something up for auction. I have a question from a potential bidder asking if he can pick up the item directly from me since he/she lives in SoCal too. His rep and feedback look okay to me.

What do you think? Would you feel comfortable with this?

[pseudonym]

It depends on a lot of things. Is it a big ticket item? Are there a lot of bidders? What are you charging for shipping and handling?

I wouldn't do it personally, unless doing so allowed me to get a much higher bid than normal shipping would, or it was the only way I could sell the item. Not because of safety reasons; this kind of deal happens everyday in public, neutral locations. It just wouldn't be worth the hassle, as far as I'm concerned.

[Kiyo]

It depends on a lot of things. Is it a big ticket item? Are there a lot of bidders? What are you charging for shipping and handling?

I wouldn't do it personally, unless doing so allowed me to get a much higher bid than normal shipping would, or it was the only way I could sell the item. Not because of safety reasons; this kind of deal happens everyday in public, neutral locations. It just wouldn't be worth the hassle, as far as I'm concerned.
It's an old computer, but apparently still has quite some value to it (someone else sold one a couple of days ago for just over $1k). My shipping is $45 flat rate, I didn't want to have to hassle with random shipping costs.

[betamax]

I could see meeting at a Starbucks or some public place to deliver.

[Kiyo]

How would you do this? Stipulate a paypal transaction only? I'm considering it, but I don't want to be rash with a decision.

[pseudonym]

It depends on a lot of things. Is it a big ticket item? Are there a lot of bidders? What are you charging for shipping and handling?

I wouldn't do it personally, unless doing so allowed me to get a much higher bid than normal shipping would, or it was the only way I could sell the item. Not because of safety reasons; this kind of deal happens everyday in public, neutral locations. It just wouldn't be worth the hassle, as far as I'm concerned.
It's an old computer, but apparently still has quite some value to it (someone else sold one a couple of days ago for just over $1k). My shipping is $45 flat rate, I didn't want to have to hassle with random shipping costs.
Would you prefer to let him pick it up himself? If so, as long as the item is paid for and you're meeting someplace public, I don't see why you shouldn't.

[JoeyJoJo]

is she hot and does she have weed?

[Jobeth66]

I've picked stuff up before, especially if I can save shipping costs, it's totally worth it. Meet in a public location and do a cash deal - I wouldn't mess with paypal if they're picking up, tell them you want cash only. Much easier.

[markymark_ctown]

i sold some old speakers on ebay (pick-up only). i left them on the front covered porch and told him to leave the money ($5 i think). he left $10. :)

i just wanted them out of the house.

[HeyItsCory]

How would you do this? Stipulate a paypal transaction only? I'm considering it, but I don't want to be rash with a decision.
Paypal only, or cash on delivery would be good. I would make the transaction near your bank.

[Makita]

How would you do this? Stipulate a paypal transaction only? I'm considering it, but I don't want to be rash with a decision.
Yeah, Jobeth said it best. Cash only. Treat this like you were selling a car. Meet at Starbucks or something and let him test drive it.

[Sue Ann]

Meet in person, cash only & , if possible, bring a friend.

[Adam1115]

How would you do this? Stipulate a paypal transaction only? I'm considering it, but I don't want to be rash with a decision.
Paypal only, or cash on delivery would be good. I would make the transaction near your bank.

No way! That's crazy. All the buyer has to do is tell paypal they didn't receive it and they reverse the charge.

Local pick up is fine, but CASH ONLY, no paypal, no cashiers checks, no money orders.

[HeyItsCory]

How would you do this? Stipulate a paypal transaction only? I'm considering it, but I don't want to be rash with a decision.
Paypal only, or cash on delivery would be good. I would make the transaction near your bank.

No way! That's crazy. All the buyer has to do is tell paypal they didn't receive it and they reverse the charge.

Local pick up is fine, but CASH ONLY, no paypal, no cashiers checks, no money orders.
So when you're at starbucks, you get a peice of paper with their signature on it, and a photograph of them with the item. Just for good measure, get their drivers license number.

[Adam1115]

Paypal only, or cash on delivery would be good. I would make the transaction near your bank.

No way! That's crazy. All the buyer has to do is tell paypal they didn't receive it and they reverse the charge.

Local pick up is fine, but CASH ONLY, no paypal, no cashiers checks, no money orders.
So when you're at starbucks, you get a peice of paper with their signature on it, and a photograph of them with the item. Just for good measure, get their drivers license number.

Paypal doesn't care, they only accept proof of shipment from a trackable shipping service.

[evizzle]

Why not do 50% paypal, 50% cash?

[sonnik]

I've actually presented this question to a seller (for an old Apple IIGS). Once I asked the question, he was happy to have me stop by - as he only lived a few miles away from me in Ahwatukee.

He was apparently making a good deal of extra cash via Ebay (relatively new at the time) - I started talking to him about the vintage computer equipment he had, and he wound up making some extra cash selling some other equipment (an old plug in card for the GS and some software).

So in my case, it was actually a benefit getting a contact for this type of hard to find equipment. Maybe he's thinking that you'll have other old items you'd be interested in selling.

[Mysteryman]

For a couple years I was selling moderately on ebay. I artificially inflated my shipping costs but only charged a flat fee for shipping anywhere. I sold to two different folks doing local pickup before I rejected it altogether. I lost money and time driving there, once had a buyer be a no-show two times in a row.

Unless it's a big ticket item I usually reject local pickup. The security would be another concern.

[pgogborn]

Most of the few times I have bought stuff on ebay I have bought it because the vendor has agreed that I can do a local pickup.

From the point of view of the buyer I think it is more honest/secure that way - I make absolutely sure that the goods are as described and that I get them.

(I once bought something on ebay from Hong Kong and paid a few dollars extra because the vendor did NOT say he would make an artificially low declaration of value on the customs form - I was totally pissed that when the items arrived the customs declaration provided by the vendor was a low one anyway)

[pseudonym]

No way! That's crazy. All the buyer has to do is tell paypal they didn't receive it and they reverse the charge.

Local pick up is fine, but CASH ONLY, no paypal, no cashiers checks, no money orders.
So when you're at starbucks, you get a peice of paper with their signature on it, and a photograph of them with the item. Just for good measure, get their drivers license number.

Paypal doesn't care, they only accept proof of shipment from a trackable shipping service.

You guys are pretty effectively demonstrating why I think it's too much hassle to have the guy pick it up.

[Adam1115]

You guys are pretty effectively demonstrating why I think it's too much hassle to have the guy pick it up.

Well maybe, but it's also a hassle shipping crap. I've never had a problem with cash only deals.

[retrodog]

I'd offer to go with you but I can't take any of my "good" weapons to your state. See if he/she will meet you in Vegas. ;)

[stevel]

I've sold with local pickup a few times, and it has worked fine. One guy drove 2-3 hours from Maine to pick up a home gym (that I had bought used from someone else). Another time I sold two large pieces of furniture and a third time a waterbed frame and headboard. Never a problem with the transaction.

The receiver I have listed now I have flat rate shipping, but also offer local pickup. Given that the shipping weight is 60lb, this could be attractive!

[Kiyo]

I appreciate the advice, folks. :) I ended telling him that I'd do it, but he didn't win the bid anyway.

[markz]

I have picked up stuff three times. Once the seller turned out to be in my small town. They had me come to their house. One time It was the next small town over. They had me pick up the stuff at their wife's business. Once I met the guy in the mall parking lot in Cincinnati. All three times, I paid them cash.

On the first two, when I got their addresses to mail the payment (before PayPal was big), I realized how close they were and just asked if we could meet somewhere. The third one was required to be pickup only because of the size of the item.

[JYoung]

I appreciate the advice, folks. :) I ended telling him that I'd do it, but he didn't win the bid anyway.
This way, there's less chance of you waking up in an alley with your pants around your ankles.
;)

[markz]

I appreciate the advice, folks. :) I ended telling him that I'd do it, but he didn't win the bid anyway.
This way, there's less chance of you waking up in an alley with your pants around your ankles.
;)

Not that there is anything wrong with that!

[Gai-jin]

I once drove 3ish hours to pick up a cell phone I bought on ebay. Knocked on the guy's front door, paid cash. It was a decent deal on the phone, and I tend to be big on immediate gratification. I didn't want to wait days for shipping. (IIRC, it was a thursday or friday, I wouldn't get it until at least monday if he shipped it.)