Person wants to see item first before pick-up

[petrance]

Hi, I want to check what I should do for my case.

I have an item for sale (telescope) and a buyer communicated with me but he wants to see the item first (I think it is fair as it is a telescope).

I have marked the item for pick-up only since it is quite heavy.

What is the proper way to do this ? I tried to send him my address but it is against ebay's policy.

Can he click buy on ebay and then on pick-up if he is not satisfied "cancel" the purchase?

Thanks for your feedback,

Petros

[johnrj1226]

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@petrance wrote:

Hi, I want to check what I should do for my case.

I have an item for sale (telescope) and a buyer communicated with me but he wants to see the item first (I think it is fair as it is a telescope).

I have marked the item for pick-up only since it is quite heavy.

What is the proper way to do this ? I tried to send him my address but it is against ebay's policy.

Can he click buy on ebay and then on pick-up if he is not satisfied "cancel" the purchase?

Yes but  for your protection the buyer needs to pay for the item before you let him/her  have possession.  I would suggest that you ask the buyer to pay for it up front (it takes  it off the market), with a contingency that you will refund if it is not as described.  eBays Money Back Guarantee has  the buyers back.

I have sold a couple items under these conditions.

eBay is just making certain transaction are not  being made outside of eBay (against eBay policy)- they want their fair share which is understandable - FVFs is eBay priamary income.

Thanks for your feedback,

Petros

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[jayjaspersgarage]

This could be a total waste of your time. I consider this a scam. Do not give your address to anyone that won't pay for an item before arranging to pick it up. That's what photos are for. If you can't move the telescope have a tall neighbor on hand when the buyer arrives so they can load it quickly.

[johnrj1226]

If you can transport it in your vehicle, schedule a meeting at your local police/sheriff department for the "show & tell".  Of course, let the law enforcement  folks know what you are doing.  The are open 24/7/365.  Should solve any paranoia /security issues.

Have had buyer come to my house to buy  large items, camper shell, outboard motors, etc.  Never had an issue but had a S & W ready for  as an equalizer.

[jayjaspersgarage]

Oh, you had strawberries and whipped cream as an equalizer? Very creative.

[johnrj1226]

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@jayjaspersgarage wrote:
Oh, you had strawberries and whipped cream as an equalizer? Very creative.

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Hmmmm?  Been to 3 county fairs and  a goat roping contest & I ain't heard nuttin' like this.

[jayjaspersgarage]

Where I come from S & W has nuttin' to do with guns. 🙂

[johnrj1226]

Well where I come from S & W  does and  have been since 1852.  They are now a part of American Outdoor Brands Corporation but still headquarter in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Not certain what  point you are trying to make.

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@jayjaspersgarage wrote:
Where I come from S & W has nuttin' to do with guns. 🙂  ?????? What mean???

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[jscar59]

The problem whit a transaction like this is if you cancel the sale you now loose Pay Pal fees.

[eleanor*rigby]

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@johnrj1226 wrote:

Never had an issue but had a S & W ready for  as an equalizer.

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You  had a gun available for an eBay local pickup transaction? 

[slippinjimmy]

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@jscar59 wrote:
The problem whit a transaction like this is if you cancel the sale you now loose Pay Pal fees.

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It's Local Pick-up, buyer needs to complete the purchase but not pay until the time of pick-up. They can check the telescope at that time, if they like it hand over the cash, if they don't like it the seller can cancel as "Buyer Requested" (which is what it would be).

At the very worst the seller would be out a listing fee and a bit of wasted time. Of course wasted time of this nature is simply a fact of life. I'm sure you have taken time away from a retailer by asking a few questions but not actually closing the deal. I did just a few days ago, went to a store, tried out a couple of pairs of shoes, didn't like the fit and left without buying.

[chrispycritter007]

It's been my experience that people that want to "see something in person" usually bottom feed the price while they are at it. Leaving you paying full fees for a negotiated price.

As someone else said, that's what photos and a good description are for. YMMV, but I never agree to deals with the noncommitted. This isn't CL or a yard sale where tire kicking is expected.

[rixstuff]

I have also done many pickups but always got payment in cash and in a public place.  The Chipotle down the street works great (all he local cops stop there for lunch).

[slippinjimmy]

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@chrispycritter007 wrote:
It's been my experience that people that want to "see something in person" usually bottom feed the price while they are at it. Leaving you paying full fees for a negotiated price.

As someone else said, that's what photos and a good description are for. YMMV, but I never agree to deals with the noncommitted. This isn't CL or a yard sale where tire kicking is expected.

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It's a telescope! Optics are tricky even when a seller is 100% honest. I would never buy a telescope, camera or similar (used) without examining it first.

When you list something like a telescope as Local Pick-Up only it IS exactly like CL or a yard sale.

[tools*]

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@chrispycritter007 wrote:
It's been my experience that people that want to "see something in person" usually bottom feed the price while they are at it. Leaving you paying full fees for a negotiated price.

As someone else said, that's what photos and a good description are for. YMMV, but I never agree to deals with the noncommitted. This isn't CL or a yard sale where tire kicking is expected.

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If the person turns out to be a bottom-feeder, you say no and move on with your life. And always require cash for an in-person pickup.