Let me guess...there is no longer a way to find out what state a bidder is in?

[gretschwhtfalcon]

It appears that by using the Advanced Search tool there used to be a way to do this, but apparently has been removed. Only reason I ask is that I have buyers bidding on a "local pick-up only" item, and I'd be willing to wager that neither of them are reasonably close enough to pick the item up. It happens all the time. I make it a point to use bold, big print indicating 'local pick-up only' - even explained in detail - and it seems that many buyers just don't read the listings. Can't recall  how often I've had to cancel bids, etc. cause the buyer lived in a different state. Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised this time. Will know by tomorrow morning. 🙂  

[femmefan1946]

You can contact each bidder before the auction ends and remind them that this is a PICKUP ONLY item and give them your city and state. Then politely let them know that you would be willing to cancel their bids if this would be a problem, which would have no effect on their buying account.

Sometimes we have to actually talk to our customers.

[mudshark61369]

@gretschwhtfalcon,

Since 99.9% of all listings on ebay are shipped, many people do not notice the small print shipping method under the auction price.  Especially, those buying using smaller screen devices.  

Therefore, the first thing in the description section should be; 

This item is available for for LOCAL PICK UP ONLY.

If you use the advanced editing tool on the listing page you can change the font size and color for the warning.

[gretschwhtfalcon]

Thanks for replies. As I mentioned, I do make it a point to use a different font, size, and color; however, you raise a good point in indicating that it should be listed first. I tend to do the description first, and then add the mention of 'local pick-up' farther down. Especially with the item in question, I had a lot I needed to say about it. Also, of course, it says local pick-up right near the top under 'shipping'. As luck has it, my one bidder is local! 

Here is how I had it listed for this item...pretty well covers it I'd think!  

Also note that the item is being sold local pick-up only. The buyer is responsible for all shipping costs and arrangements which might be necessary. I will be available for local pickup or to meet a shipper but I will not package or box the item, nor do any disassembly of the item which might be necessary for shipping.

[nobody*s_perfect]

That's good news (see, I read to the end of your post!).

I agree with the advice to put the announcement of "LOCAL PICKUP ONLY" as the very first line in the Description section. You should also try to squeeze that phrase into your title.  Based on questions I have seen here, it might also be necessary to explain what "local pickup" is. So I'd add "This item will not be shipped.  You must come and pick it up in (name of location city)."

Edit: You added the second paragraph while I was typing my original response.  IMHO there is a risk of a potential buyer skipping a paragraph because it's too big and detailed.

[atikovi]

The Nordic Track Pro Ski Exerciser? You should have put "LOCAL PICKUP ONLY" in the title, there is certainly enough space, because some people ONLY look at the title and photos.

[7606dennis]

Have you thought about checking the item location on the shipping & payment tab?  That should give you the location from which the item needs to be picked up.

[atikovi]

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@7606dennis wrote:

Have you thought about checking the item location on the shipping & payment tab?  That should give you the location from which the item needs to be picked up.

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 gretschwhtfalcon is the seller.

[adkhighker]

None of my listings have ever been local pickup only, not yet at least, but I will be doing some of them in the near future on some very large items.

What I am going to do is print "This item is for LOCAL PICKUP ONLY!" in big black letters on a piece of paper, and when I am taking photos I will either tape the note onto the item or place it right next to it, especially in the first photo, maybe even all the photos, so that the buyers who only look at the pretty pictures and nothing else will be sure not to miss that important stipulation.

[paradiso*bella*a*venire]

better include that piece of paper with the item when buyer comes to pick up, otherwise they could open up an INAD case stating they didnt get what was pictured 😋

joking...

sort of...

never know what cray crays will do these days

[adkhighker]

LOL, you never know!! I did have something like that happen once when I was selling a small antique and I had placed a quarter next to it for size comparison. Some guy with low feedback buys the item and sends me  a message demanding that I better make sure to "include the silver quarter" with his item (This was in 2011 or 2012 when silver was going high).  I politely messaged him back that the quarter was just for size comparison, that it was something many eBayers do, and lastly I told him that the quarter in the photos was not silver anyway (It could clearly be seen in the shots that the quarter was dated 1972).  From that time on, though, any time I place a coin or ruler or anything next to something for size comparison, I make sure to add a stipulation that says any props are not included.  Now that you bring it up, if I were to write the note on a piece of TP or on a paper towel during these pandemic times, they just might demand I include it!

[paradiso*bella*a*venire]

@adkhighker 

I know, right!  Whew*   It takes all kinds of messed up to come up with these sorts of thing but, there they are!

😆 @ the toilet paper /paper towel comment      but so true!

[soh.maryl]

I believe the OP is the seller, not the buyer.

He is asking because he has the feeling that the buyer is not near enough to his location to do a local pickup and that they apparently were unaware of that when they bid and bought.  

[7606dennis]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

I believe the OP is the seller, not the buyer.

He is asking because he has the feeling that the buyer is not near enough to his location to do a local pickup and that they apparently were unaware of that when they bid and bought.  

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Alas!  There is no way of judging a buyer's mental capacity by simply how they place a bid or click the buy now button.  If the item is listed as being for local pickup only, it is the buyer's responsibility to know what the terms of the sale are.  

[femmefan1946]

On the eBay Canada Boards there is a newbie seller asking what to do about his first customer for a Local Pickup item.

The buyer is in Nunavut.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nunavut/@63.8879773,-123.5859518,3z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4d08...

We suggested that he cancel as "Problem with Address."