Let local buyer try on item before purchase?

[atmwhs2007]

I received a message from a potential buyer who lives nearby asking if I’d let her try on a dress before buying it. She won’t be in town until early December. I’ve been casually selling on eBay since the early 2000s and this is a first.

I really don’t feel comfortable meeting up and was wondering if there are eBay policies against this type of thing that I can reference? Thanks!

[tools*]

In my experience, people who propose such things are never heard from again. I would tell her that if it hasn't sold by early December, you would be happy to have her come by and try it on. But if she wants to buy it in person, you will require cash.

[mtgraves7984]

Heck... do you feel comfortable waiting until December to (possibly) sell the dress? Although, with your expensive dresses, a 'try on' request makes sense... 

I'm with you as I don't list Local Pickup simply because I don't feel comfortable with strangers at my home. I can't think of a policy you could cite, but you don't really need one. Think long, think wrong and all...

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@tools* wrote:

In my experience, people who propose such things are never heard from again. I would tell her that if it hasn't sold by early December, you would be happy to have her come by and try it on. But if she wants to buy it in person, you will require cash.

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@atmwhs2007 I agree that this most likely will not come to fruition however i would let them know you would change the listing if not sold to local pickup, so the deal would still be processed through eBay.  

That being said, if the sale is less than $100, i would not offer local pickup with the understanding they want to try it on. JMO

[janet9988 · Accepted solution]

There would be no way for you to share personal contact info BEFORE the buyer actually buys the item.

I would just say no.

[legalbeagle52]

A big no from me as well.    In all my years here, I've never used local pick-up.   Also, I'm in Chicago, so enough said there.  🙄   In my early days on ebay I used to come up with reasons, but the truth is you don't need a reason.   In general, many of us trip over ourselves making excuses for everything.  It just isn't necessary in this case.  Trying on a dress, no, you're not a store. 

But I still want to be polite so I just say something like I have a very irregular schedule so I'm not able to accommodate local pick-ups ... and that usually ends it.   My schedule is irregular, but there's no need to bring up ebay's policies or anything else.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

My answer would be the same as my answer to a buyer who asks to pick up a purchase.

NO!!!!

Done enough Craigslist and Freecycle in the past to know that they may not show up or may show up late. They will waste my time and will try to haggle.

They might even case the place for a break in.

Sometimes human contact is best avoided.

[simba6]

Say no you don't offer public fitting rooms.   No way.

[tinsoldierunderground]

Hell no.. The last thing I'd want is someone I've never seen nor heard of coming into my home in those circumstances.  You have absolutely NO idea who you're dealing with.  WAY too many safety issues as far as I'm concerned. 

[nyr134]

She lives nearby but won’t be in town for a month? It doesn’t sound right.  No need to cite an eBay policy - it’s your home.

[reallynicestamps]

I dislike Local Pickup, and discourage it by suggesting that we meet at the Friendship Hour after Sunday service at my church.

Noting that it is open to all, and that we serve tea and homemade cookies and bars.

And of course , if I were selling clothing, there is a washroom for changing.

So far no one has taken me up on this.

Generally though, it would be less work to buy- ship- try- reject- reship- and refund, than to set up an appointment a month in the future which may or may not come to anything.

[inhawaii]

Do you really need to ask?

Just say no.

[mam98031]

You have the right to say NO @atmwhs2007 .  You don't need an Ebay rule to fall back on.  Simply let them know that the item is currently up for sale, period.

I'm with you, I'm not meeting up with someone for a sale.  You have every right to feel that way and to do so without feeling bad telling someone NO.  It was a ridiculous question for them to ask in the first place of an on line seller.

Don you dare feel bad saying no.  And you don't need to give them a reason.  No is enough.