Can buyers try before they buy on local pickup items?

[gwzcomps]

Trying to list some stuff as local pickup only.  I have a potential buyer that wants to inspect the item before buying.  The policies don't specify either way whether this is possible.  On other sites it isn't an uncommon practice though.  My guess is even the thought is a crime against eBay's off site selling policy.  Do I have to make the sale before the buyer can look at the items?

[southern*sweet*tea · Accepted solution]

---

@gwzcomps wrote:

 Do I have to make the sale before the buyer can look at the items?

---

Yes, because if you send your contact info before they buy, that can be considered an invitation to take the sale off site.

Make sure you offer NO shipping options - local pickup only.  Tell the buyer to buy but NOT pay. Then send your address or pickup location. He can come look. If he decides he doesn't want it, then do a buyer requested cancellation. No harm, no foul, and your fees will be refunded.  If he wants it, he can hand you the cash. This is the only way I would know of to do that without Ebay thinking it was an off-site attempt.

There may be another, easier way, I don't know.

[gwzcomps]

Thanks I kinda figured that would be the case.  The only downside is they might be willing to pay me more if item is better than I set the expectation to be.

[alcoforever]

There are some sellers that are allowed to put their phone numbers in with the Contact seller questions.  If you are one of them, you will find the setting under Account->Site Preferences->Manage communications with buyers->Manage your questions and answers page.   Put your phone number in if you are one of the lucky ones and then direct your prospect to the contact seller link.

[ctmss4284]

I agree with @southern*sweet*tea

The only experience I have with this is that years ago I sold a barely used pool pump for my father. The buyer was about two hours away. I'm not sure if policy was this way, but this is how we did it. The buyer asked all of his questions before purchasing, he paid maybe $100 out of $250 and I met him half way at a popular strip mall/ movie theater. He inspected and took home the pump. We were straight with each other and he paid the remainder as soon as he returned home. This was roughly 2010 and neither of us had a smartphone at the time.

I'm not sure if there was an option for a deposit or that's what we agreed on him paying. I do know immediate payment was not required in the listing. I remember all payments definitely went through eBay/PP because my father was surprised with the fees 😉

[gwzcomps]

Looks like I can do that.  I find it surprising that is an option considering the threatening messages eBay sends if they think a seller is breaking the rules.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

Hi gwzcomps, there is a number of archived forums on "local pickup" ( type that in) and one has an answer by Trinton, they should prove to be informative. I don't have experience with local pickup on my sellers side but on my buyers side I have purchased a large item for local pickup and since it was 2200 miles away my brother was working near the sellers town. I paid in full via PP and contacted her about my brother/ cell #/ ETA. All worked out beautiful. Just be careful when doing these transactions for you and your family's safety, and don't go off ebay to complete sale, I'm sure the seller in my case would have wondered how I was going to make to Michigan from Nevada in 2 days, so I let her know before I completed the sale. Anyway, the old forums on local pickup are helpful.

[postingid7659]

I don't use Paypal on local pickup items because unless something has changed recently you're open to item not received claims, as there's no tracking to upload you lose the case.