what are the rules for local pickup?
I sold an engine block, which is a fairly spendy item. It's on local pickup. The buyer paid for it, but there has been no communication from him at all over a couple of days, which I think is odd, particularly because it's over a thousand dollars.
The description is clear about it being local pickup. I could have sold this locally on Sunday, but because it was already purchased on ebay, I declined the sale to a local cash customer. I'm not saying that he thinks shipping was included, but it seems that nobody reads anything anymore, so it wouldn't surprise me if he thinks it was.
If push comes to shove on a deal like this, (buyer is about 6 hours straight south of me), what are the rules?
In my mind, it's his and he's obligated to come and get it or at least arrange his own shipping.
silverstatetreasureboxes
·3 years ago@casl-patr
This is about the only written rule I found on local pickup.
 Generally when you offer local pickup, ebay steps aside and the rest of the dealings are between you the seller and your buyer.
Granted most buyers who paid this much for an engine should be in contact with you. It was the weekend when you attempted to contact buyer so possibly he was busy.
Good luck with this.
the_fancy_fox
·3 years agoEbay has sent your buyer a code. You need to scan that code into your transaction. This proves the buyer picked the item up.
Should the buyer come and pick up, without the code, do not give him the block.
to figure out what this buyer is doing, I would send him a friendly email telling him that ebay will have sent him a code and that he needs to bring it with him when he comes and picks it up. And oh by the way, does he have any idea when he’s going to be around so that you can schedule time to be there
casl-patr
OP3 years agoNo answer of messages within the ebay system as of yet. I messaged him twice.
slippinjimmy
·3 years agoAt the time of your post it had only been 36 hours since the sale. The buyer has paid, I'm sure at some point they will make contact if for no other reason that to cancel so they can get their money back.
I don't see anything in the listing about a time frame when you expect to conclude the transaction.
luckythewinner
·3 years agobut there has been no communication from him at all over a couple of days
today is Monday, so "a couple days" essentially means "over the weekend"? You know what I do over the weekend? I spend time with my girlfriend and the rest of the world can get in line.
I could have sold this locally on Sunday, but because it was already purchased on ebay
In the future, heed that lesson.
If push comes to shove on a deal like this, (buyer is about 6 hours straight south of me), what are the rules?
The rules are that the buyer can file for non-delivery and get his money back. So don't spend it because you may have to refund it. Other than that, the rules are what rules you established in the listing. If you did not specify a deadline, there isn't one.
casl-patr
OP3 years agoHow is it non delivery, if it's on them to pick it up?
soh.maryl
·3 years agoAgain, I stand by my reply: Continue to try to contact him to make sure he is planning on making the pickup. And then give him a reasonable deadline to do so. That is usually done when first purchased BTW.
If unable to contact and he still does not arrive, you can give him as many days as you like, but don't go past 30. No contact ever? cancel, refund and block.
If they don't pick up, you certainly don't want to keep the money AND the item, right?
casl-patr
OP3 years agoI'm going to wait until tomorrow and call the buyer. It could be he's somewhere else, a swap meet guy, etc.
My thoughts were that since he's straight south of me on highway 75 in Oklahoma, that he did intend to come and get it.
I still don't understand how he could cancel for non delivery, when it's his responsibility to pick it up. Can you show me the policy on ebay's website that states that?
soh.maryl
·3 years agoCan't tell whether or not you have attempted to contact the buyer.
It seems like the seller either (a) did not read that it was local pickup and is just awaiting its arrival or (b) is still trying to round up someone to come with him to pick it up since the sale is now only two days old.
Personally, I would continue trying to contact the buyer for the next few days and would be prepared if you get to day #4 and nothing is happening to refund him in total, explaining the reason for cancellation.
casl-patr
OP3 years agoAgain, I'm looking for the policy here. If I don't refund, and they don't pick up, what happens? That was the question.
stuff4divas
·3 years ago@casl-patr here is the policy> https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/local-pickup?id=4181
casl-patr
OP3 years agoI read through that, and it says that to receive seller protection on a local pickup item, you have to have proof of pickup.
If they don't pick it up, I guess that means you don't have proof and your item you want to sell is placed in limbo by the buyer at his discretion? Seems like a catch-22 situation to me.
My buyer paid, it's local pickup, and if he doesn't pick it up, then I am forced to refund and I lose value, IE "time is money" and vice versa.
Hmmmm.........
stuff4divas
·3 years ago@casl-patr did u put a time frame for pick up on your listing?
casl-patr
OP3 years agoNo, there is no time frame for pickup. He can store it as long as needed, but I just thought that spending 1450.00 bucks and then not messaging the seller or answering my messages was odd, but maybe it's not much money to this particular person. I dunno.
I'm going to try and call them tomorrow. I messaged twice and no answers.
It appears to me that if they don't want to follow through, then at some point I have to refund. I will not disperse those funds to my checking account, and I'll just see what happens. I've sold local pickup before on big items, and even one of them went to an international shipper. All of those situations had good communication. This one is only the chirping of crickets so far. Usually, you get that when they don't pay. This is different, they did pay and no communication.
stuff4divas
·3 years ago@casl-patr
from the link i gave u >
Arranging pickup
In your item description or checkout instructions, specify when and how the buyer can collect the item. Don't add your full address, just the area will do. You may need to get in touch with them after the listing ends to confirm the details of the pickup.
Read our article on listing tips for more on how to list an item.
monroe67
·3 years ago"No, there is no time frame for pickup. He can store it as long as needed, but I just thought that spending 1450.00 bucks and then not messaging the seller or answering my messages was odd, but maybe it's not much money to this particular person. I dunno.
I'm going to try and call them tomorrow. I messaged twice and no answers."
I found your sold listing which does say: "It is local pickup. I will crate the engine, but you have to arrange and pay for the shipping. It has to be paid for within 3 days of purchase. I can hold it as long as you need it to be held. "
That highlighted sentence kind of locks you into the "storage" business. You are on the receiving end of a very expensive failure, by that buyer, to communicate. I sincerely hope you can get in contact with that buyer. The ball is really in that buyer's court.
As others have said, he may be trying to line up people to help him move that heavy and expensive engine block. A more polite person would definitely tell you that.
All that said -- I agree that eBay's User Agreement and policies and guidelines are lacking when it comes to "What Happens When a Local Pick-Up Does Not Get Picked Up?"
ms.rodriguez*
·3 years agoThe best thing that this buyer can do for you is to NOT pickup the engine block. I would immediately refund with the excuse problem with buyers address or buyer requested. It does not matter if it's a lie in this case. He should have arranged to pick up the item immediately and he failed to do that. Go ahead and cancel. The reason I say this because guess what this buyer is going to do if this engine block turns out to be defective? He is going to request a refund. Then YOU and 2 good friends of yours will have to drive 6 hours to pick up. This is one item that should ONLY be sold for CASH. You really canNOT guarantee that the engine block will work perfectly. Goodluck.
casl-patr
OP3 years agoI think you are wrong there because the classification of the block is for parts or not working.
frodobagginskennedy
·3 years ago@casl-patr OMG...parts not working is a nightmare category. As you said most people do NOT read. He may have read it after the purchase and is thinking of how to get out of it. If he does not respond in four days I would refund as @ms.rodriguez* said. Sell locally for CASH only.
This is a mess waiting to happen!!
casl-patr
OP3 years agoIf it's a "nightmare" category, then why does ebay use it? I mean really?
I've not received one answer on here stating what the actual procedure or rules are concerning ebay's policy on parts sold on a local pick up that don't get picked up. When someone contracts to buy something, and they pay for it, then there is a purchase. If it's local pick up, it's up to them to come and get it. If they don't, then what does ebay do?
That's what I want to know. I've been told to refund people when somebody steals their shipment, I've been told to refund somebody in all types of situations, but I don't anymore, because I hold up my end on transactions. I live by rules, and I expect my buyers to do the same.
Does anyone know that answer to this quesiton?, or do you just wring your hands on every situation and tell somebody to refund their hard earned money?--- that can't be the answer every time.
ms.rodriguez*
·3 years agoThe buyer can claim that a part is missing. Maybe he bought the wrong part. Maybe he tries to rebuild his engine with parts from your and the darn thing still does not work. DO you think he is going to let 1,000 dollars go down the drain? You as a seller, have very little protection if the buyer decides that he does not want this part anymore or does not need it anymore and wants a refund. That was my concern for you. I tend to side more with sellers than buyer because I am a seller here. Do not judge me by this ID.
silverstatetreasureboxes
·3 years ago@casl-patr
Oh give buyer time to respond, he's paid and he probably is lining up a couple of dudes and a boy to help him load.
casl-patr
OP3 years agoThat's kind of what I was thinking since he's a straight shot south of me. I did message him though and he didn't reply to the message.
ms.rodriguez*
·3 years agoIf I bid and won that engine block, I would not be ignoring your messages if I really, really wanted that engine block. Your buyer does not want this item . Give him the refund. Sell this item elsewhere and local pickup. Goodluck.
casl-patr
OP3 years agoWell, he's not you, so I guess that's that.
ms.rodriguez*
·3 years agoIf he was me, he would not be buying engine parts from someone who is not local.
soh.maryl
·3 years agoDo people actually spend that much on something that's listed "for parts only"?
Wonder if there was a lot of non-reading going on here on the part of this buyer.