Non local bidders for local pickup only items.

[kan-book]

Is there any way to prevent non-local bidders on local pick up only items?  In the past, there were no problems, but the last 3 items I have tried have been won by non-local bidders.  I have tried large bold letters stating "no shipping: Local pickup only" in the listing in addition.  This is in addition to shipping information being local pickup only.  Seems at least part of the problem is that when you do this, the shipping info shows up as "Free local pickup."  Seems like the buyers just see "Free ..." and the rest does not matter. Why not change that to "No Shipping, Local Pickup Only."  Also would be nice to exclude bidders who are not local.   

I have given up on selling non-shipped items until this (At least the shipping description) changes. 

[evelyb30]

One reason I've never sold local pickup items.  All you can do with the folks who can't read is cancel "Problem with buyer's address", i.e. they're not local, and relist.  Or not.  

[Anonymous]

That would eliminate people that are picking the item up while visting family, friends, etc.

About 25% of my local pick up sales in the past have been this.

[monster-deals]

Oh sometimes...like a lot of times, it just shows up as "free shipping"

[kan-book]

Good point. But would be nice to have the option.  Would be worth it for some. Lately has been 100% non-local winning bidders and most don't pay. The latest paid, but does not reply to communications, so will have to refund in the dark.  Very frustrating and potentially ruins a good deal for real local bidders.   

[Anonymous]

You may want to put something in your ads like:

I prefer that buyers be within reasonable distance of (city, state), however, if you will be making special arrangements to pick up my item and will be in the area temporarily, please message me and we can possibly work something out. 

This may weed out the serious from the suspect, although I'm not naive enough to think that it is a 100% guarantee.

[bonjourami]

Ive had several local pick up items with no problems. But when I ran auction style listings, I did check the bidders location with their bids,if out of state..I emailed them asking if they knew the item was not located in their state..if no answer, I canceled with address problem and blocked.

[dryophelia]

@kan-book 

Local shoppers are not often on eBay. They are on local sites. Craig has a list, there’s a marketplace on FB. 
Just because an item CAN be listed on eBay doesn’t mean eBay is the BEST option. 

[katzrul15]

The guy who bought our huge lego set in December, took it back with him to Denver.  People shop where they are evidently.

We have only done a few of these, so never really thought about the issues of doing it frequently selling items.

Title space is precious space - am guessing not enough room to work something in there?  Buyers just do not read - especially when viewing from a mobile device it seems.

[slippinjimmy]

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@dryophelia wrote:

@kan-book 

Local shoppers are not often on eBay. They are on local sites. Craig has a list, there’s a marketplace on FB. 
Just because an item CAN be listed on eBay doesn’t mean eBay is the BEST option. 

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Depends what you mean by "local", there are about 7 Million people who live within a 2hr drive of my location, more than half of that are less than 1 hour away.

[kan-book]

Tried that but could not see their location until auction was over.  How did you check?

[kan-book]

Yes, but in the past I had better experiences with ebay buyers, even with limited bidders.  I am in a heavily populated area so there are plenty of people who at least see the item.   In my experience, this is a relatively new problem.  

[forward-motion]

I had the same problem, so I quit listing those items on ebay. There are selling platforms that are geared more toward local pickup and they work great.