How does local pickup work?

[funfir_14]

I'm interested in offering local pick up for some of my items.  I tried it once and ended up having to ship for free to someone out of state when I did not intend to offer free shipping.  How can I offer pick up and not get stiffed on shipping by nonlocal buyers?

[soh.maryl]

The words "Local Pickup Only" have to be in your listing in all caps in at least two places, preferably more.

If a buyer buys and expects the item to be shipped, you can cancel, citing problem with buyer's address.

There's no reason in the world to "get stiffed on shipping" if you have your wits about you.  

[stainlessenginecovers]

Can also add $500 handling to calculated shipping; this will make buyers look/think twice.

As already suggested: I would put 'Local Pickup Only' in the Title. 

[aeparts1]

l had listings that had LOCAL PICKUP ONLY NO SHIPPING!!! in big red type in the item description 20 times & still had people buy the item & ask how much to ship. I cancelled with problem with shipping address. The IQ of some buyers is pretty low.

[caldreamer]

I agree with you...nobody reads anymore.   Since everyone loves photos....perhaps taking photo of sign that says "local pickup only" would work.

[soh.maryl]

Of course there you run into the possibility that someone would bid on or buy the sign.

[bimmerpc1]

1) turn on the Local Pickup option for the listing.

2) if you do not want to ship it, remove all shipping options from the listing.

3) once the buyer has purchased: on pickup, require that the buyer provide the pick up confirmation code (sent by eBay to the buyer in the sales confirmation email) - you can scan the QR code on the eBay mobile app or enter it manually.  This counts as confirmation that the buyer received the merchandise as far as eBay is concerned.

[smacktx222]

Use Craigslist

[mapl-4617]

My order went through with Local Pickup  after I the purchase page.   I have no way of canceling.  I do not live in the Local Pickup area.  This is a scam.

[bonjourami]

So because you bought something with local pick up, that was out of your area, this is a scam? Thats on you.

[soh.maryl]

Wait a minute -- you "do not live in the Local Pickup area".  In other words, the item is in a city some distance from you and you evidently missed the Local Pickup message in the listing.  How does that make this a scam?

And you could ask the seller to cancel, but he isn't required to do so.  

[lesegouts]

I was selling 55 gallon fibre drums in NY and got orders from CA and other states. I can't even explain the buyer's thought process. Cancelled as "problem with address".

[aproudparent2010]

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@mapl-4617 wrote:

My order went through with Local Pickup  after I the purchase page.   I have no way of canceling.  I do not live in the Local Pickup area.  This is a scam.

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It's not a scam, you needed to pay attention to where the item was located.

[tabitha1944]

As a frequent seller of local pick up only items I am 100% certain you were not “scammed.” You did not carefully read or understand the listing. It’s impossible for a seller to manipulate the eBay selling platform that way. And if it’s a “scam” by all means report it to eBay and see how they respond. They won’t because it wasn’t.

As a seller I am constantly having to cancel orders from  buyers across the country who won’t or can’t read local pick up only. This is despite capitalizing it IN THE LISTING TITLE.

[tabitha1944]

As a frequent seller of local pick up only items I am 100% certain you were not “scammed.” You did not carefully read or understand the listing. It’s impossible for a seller to manipulate the eBay selling platform that way. And if it’s a “scam” by all means report it to eBay and see how they respond. They won’t because it wasn’t.

As a seller I am constantly having to cancel orders from  buyers across the country who won’t or can’t read local pick up only. This is despite capitalizing it IN THE LISTING TITLE.