BEWARE OF EBAYS LOCAL PICKUP RULES

[ron802]

eBays new Local Pickup rules will get you suspended if you're not careful. eBay now requires the local buyer to provide a QR code or a 6 digit # at p/u to confirm the item was received. The problem is, many buyers aren't familiar with the rule, don't know where to find these codes or just plain forget them. We've had some swear up and down they never received the code and get VERY UPSET when we persist it's important. Try refusing to release their item if they don't have it! We usually end up protecting ourselves by having them sign a copy of the eBay payment invoice "as received". Easy Peezy right?

WRONG eBay has decided to punish the seller and not the buyer if this number isn't entered to complete the transaction. I've been a Top-Rated seller with a 100% transaction rating since 1998. Now in the last several months I've received so many transaction defects I'm about to drop to a Below Average seller. At this point they can suspend my account or START CHARGING HIGHER FINAL VALUE FEE'S.

I've tried getting these defects removed but eBay's foreign customer service agents, who can barely speak English, and are of little help. The last one could only reply in scripted English responses. And like many sellers, we find the Help pages and Automated Chat apps to be totally worthless. It's like they make it as difficult as possible to get in touch with someone who can actually help. Now we must decide whether to eliminate local sales, lose revenue, upset loyal customers or pay eBay even higher FV fees than they already charge. Or have our account suspended.

[gooseislandcollectibles]

I had the same issue a few weeks ago. The buyer was an older man who was unfamiliar with any bar code or six digit number that needed to be provided. He also paid online but when we met in person, he also insisted on paying in cash. I proceeded with the sale and called eBay when I got home and explained the situation. They told me what to do and documented the incident. Several hours later I received an eBay email through the eBay message system saying to not do any further business with the account as it was a compromised account.  This was only the second time in 20+ years I had a local pickup. Never again even if you live just down the street. 

[kitschy*loot]

If the seller is aware of new local pickup rules and the buyer shows up without the correct numbers to complete the transaction; of course it's going to fall on the seller because they are the one responsible for relinquishing the item.

The buyer can't take possession of the item unless it's given to them or they take it by force, which some psycho might do. I understand being afraid to withhold the item but if you release it without the necessary information; it is what it is. 

[bonanza125]

That rule isn't new it has been around for years. It's for you the seller to prove that the buyer picked up the item. That's like tracking. I have local pick up and have no issue with telling the buyer in a direct message that for me to hand over the item in person they must have the 6 digital code so I can confirm pick up. Every single time they respond that's not a problem and they have it. You personally had to be aware of this yourself. Your lower defects is because you can't provide proof of tracking which is the 6 digital code. I am kind of surprised you didn't know about this. Did you just start back up local pick transaction recently? 

You should look at this as a lesson learned.

[funfactorychannel]

I always tell the buyer to make sure to get the code before coming and if he does not know I show them where it is. Without code I cannot release the item to you.

[luckythewinner]

The problem is, many buyers aren't familiar with the rule, don't know where to find these codes or just plain forget them. We've had some swear up and down they never received the code and get VERY UPSET when we persist it's important.

This sounds like an easy fix. You need to remind them beforehand, and do not set up a collection time unless they confirm they have found the code and have it in hand. Then warn them of the consequences if they cannot provide it. 

Try refusing to release their item if they don't have it! 

I would have no problem doing that. I wouldn't even produce the item until they showed me the code. 

[janet9988]

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@funfactorychannel wrote:

I always tell the buyer to make sure to get the code before coming and if he does not know I show them where it is. Without code I cannot release the item to you.

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How do you cancel the buyers purchase then?

[mr_lincoln]

Hi @ron802 

Where on your account are you seeing defects.  I agree with you 100% on the QR code - 6 digit code.  It is a pain in the butt.  I too have some customers who are like, "what", "never saw it", etc.  I also do NOT use my smart phone so only the 6 digit code works and it is hit or miss on whether or not a customer shows up at the pick up with it.  For those I just go home and mark the item shipped - picked-up.  I do not recall getting any defects for doing that nor have I experienced payment holds. 

I don't do a ton of them but it may be 10 or so a year. 

The really sad part about all of this are the subjective Seller Metrics, they really restrict Sellers from constructing their own deals with their own customers for their own products ... notice eBay was not part of that process.

[ron802]

This has not been around for years, and that's according to eBay in the many phone calls we've had. We've done local pickup for years and the QR code and 6-digit code is a new rule just added this past year. 

[ron802]

As I posted several buyers came to pick it up and threw a fit when we stated they had to return with the code. One buyer has bought thousands from us over the years. Clear back to our antique mall days. Sure, they should think of that before asking for LP/U but as a person above stated some are elderly people and don't live online as younger buyer do. They have no clue what these codes are or where to find them. One bidder printed out and brought the entire transaction and still the code wasn't on any of it. 

[pastimpressions]

Where exactly is this code located?

[ron802]

Go to your Seller Hub and Overview and scroll down to Seller Level. It will show your rating and percentage of defects. Click on the > at upper right to see the details. Since they started this rule, we dropped from 100% to 85%.

Don't believe the users who say this has been the rule for years. We've done a huge number of deals with local bidders since we joined in '98 and only had to start demanding the codes this past year to verify pickup. 

[ron802]

It's a completely new rule according to eBay reps. Just implemented this past year. 

[fab_finds4u]

You and the clueless eBay rep are wrong. The QR CODE has been around since 2020.

I answered a post made on 09-21-2020 at 10:38 AM titled "Don't have a code to enter for local pickup"  with a link to "eBay enhances local pickup experience with tracking" which explains the QR code/6 digit code.  

[ron802]

We always remind them, but some are elderly people and don't live online as younger buyer do. They have no clue what these QR codes are or where to find them.

Why does eBay have to make things so complicated? If it ain't broke don't fix it. We've all picked up items we've purchased throughout our lives. AND WE SIMPLY SIGN FOR THEM. You're asked to sign for an item so you can't claim you didn't receive it. We pick up items at online public auctions all the time. Guess what, the auctioneer simply asked us to show ID and sign for them. 

If you want to refuse to hand over an item for no code when they show up, I'll bet you'll be cancelling the sale and refunding the purchase price on a lot of your local sales.