Who's done local pickup of Ebay merchandise? Pros/cons

[Cindy B]

We are in the midst of selling about four laptop computers. One buyer wants a local pickup, but I am uncertain how to handle it.

1) Its a larger ticket item $350/375
I just have a vision of me giving him the PC and him (the customer is male) mugging me afterward. --(I must watch too many Lifetime movies)

2) He's in PA, and I'm in a neighboring state. I'm sure he wouldn't mind paying the bridge/highway tolls to come here, but I don't want to be wandering around in iffy parts of Philly wiht me and my kids!

3) Why does someone want local pickup. This buyer states that its "safer for him". When does local pickup seem "safer" than mailing?

Personally, I like the idea of cash on hand --who doesn't? The laptop would be in a box, packed up.

My DH said it seems like a drug deal. (now who's been watching too many COPS shows? )

This buyer wants an answer today.

 

[nuzmom]

I did a local pickup one time, but the buyer was close to my area. I met him at a McDonald's and everything was fine, but I was nervous anyway.

I'd tell him your concerns (you DON'T know him!!!!) and ask for some more information as to why he wants to do that.

Also, check his feedback. If he hasn't bought much stuff and doesn't have much feedback, I would NOT meet him anywhere.

If you're going to do this, then you pick the location and make it a very public place. Don't have the item in your car, have it on you. If he wants the two of you to go out and get them money, don't. Keep the item, he goes and gets the money and comes back in.

I'm assuming your listing had a mailing fee or shipping information and you didn't say "local pickup available". If so, if the deal falls through and negative feedback is left, no one will hold it against you if you reply to the feedback with "wanted local pickup, I wasn't comfortable with that, he backed out of deal".

Hey, it may be "safer for him" to do a local pickup, but your time is worth money!!! And your safety isn't for sale. You could always offer to pay the shipping insurance for him if it comes to that.

good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[PatriciaH]

DH had one guy pick up an item since he was from this area. Our friend has sold several large/live items (fish tanks, fish, corals, etc..) and had many people pick them up at his house. We are going to be selling an old Old Town canoe before we move and I think we will list as a no ship/pick up.

 

[ceecee]

I have met two of my buyers (smaller items, but they lived nearby). Both were women and I met both of them at McDonalds which is right off the interstate near our house at lunch time. I handed them a doll and they handed me cash! It did feel a little shady (HAHA) but all went well.

 

[Cindy B]

Well, checked his feedback and the most recent one was that he was "flaky". That was from two weeks ago.

Hmm... not sure If I feel safe doing that.

Still waiting to hear from him.

 

[Sarangel]

I've done local pick up a couple of times - once for a desk & once for a brio train set for my little girl. Both times were fine. It is safer for both parties, since you don't have to worry about the money going MIA & the buyer sees the item (which with computers is huge). Checking his feedback is a good idea... If you're still worried, take someone with you. Otherwise, think of it as a mobile garage sale.

Good luck,

Sarangel

 

[Cindy B]

I don't have a problem with it as long as its a public place. I live near a pretty huge mall, so I can meet him inside of it. I can say something like "in front of the godiva store, near the kiddie train".

My DH is still very worried for me.

 

[my3kids]

Send your husband with the computer.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by my3kids
Send your husband with the computer.

The thing is he doesn't want to do it. To me its like cash is cash, and you wouldn't have to do the paypal mess. (Paypal take of 350 is pretty high)

I would send him in a heartbeat. I'm the one who lugs all the stuff to the PO, so to me, I'm like sure, I'll take NOT standing in the PO line!

 

[cinlee3]

I have met a seller once. I was buying fabric and it turned out she had a warehouse full of fabric and she was so close. I brought a friend of mine and between the two of us we spent around $100.00 with her. She never did leave me feedback though.

I met a buyer too who was very nice and lived just down the road. We met in a the parking lot of her kids preschool - no problems.

The part that would concern me is the feedback comment that he was flakey. I would not meet the person alone and I'm sure my DH wouldn't let me either.

 

[VintageKnight]

good you and him save on fees and shipping.

cons possible scam.

may want change

make sure your in a public place. malls are good beacuse of the area survalence.

be careful, i did it once, but im also a guy that weighed 330, and can take anyone down unless they use bullets.

DisneyVK

 

[LisaRay]

this may sound crazy but i like the idea of a mcdonalds type of place where you can actually see him get in his car and drive away! I would feel uncomfortable leaving the mall thinking maybe he was watching me still or something. ( yeah, too much tv for me also!!) It's just that in a mall you wouldn't be visually seeing him get in his car and leave.

i'm weird i know!

 

[mamalle]

I have done local pick up as a seller along with dh and I will have dh be the one to be home to meet the buyer. I havent had any problems.

 

[VintageKnight]

i picked an outside area that i knew many cameras would pickup all ins and outs of the area so if something did happen they'd see it.


DisneyVK

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

If your buyer lives within the city he may not be comfortable, or have a safe area, to have such an item delivered to his door. Is there another individual who could go along with you to meet the buyer at the time of exchange?

I'm considering listing a few extra dressers and chairs ar regional/pickup, but haven't gotten the nerve to list.

 

[summerrluvv]

I think most buyers and sellers on ebay are like "us" in that they aren't serial killers, rapists, burglers, etc. I too watch way too much TV (Law and Order) and am constantly saying "what if."

With that said, I have had several people come to my home to pick up items and I'm still alive! I have also met people at public places as well, which is a pain since I have to lug the merchandise there, so I prefer the pick up.

I don't let the people in my house, the transaction is done outiside and I have came across some very nice people!! Mostly it's mom's and older folks, I did have a guy come once who was alone that made me kind of nervous, but he was picking up a basketball set for his child.

I live in a busy apartment complex, have an alarm, so I feel pretty safe. I'm not sure it's any different than if some wacko saw me at the mall and decided to follow me home and "get me" LOL

 

[ceecee]

It's not a lot different from advertising an item for sale in the newspaper. You still get strangers coming to your house. I have not done that, but I have had a lot of garage sales.

 

[Deb T.]

I've done it once with an eBay transaction. I chose a highly trafficed McDonald's at lunch-time. I arrived early, and in a different car than what I told him I'd be driving. I backed into a parking space so that I could observe him when he pulled in. This way, I felt I could easily drive away un-noticed if I had any last second bad vibes. It turned out that the guy was very pleasant and had the cash in his hand when he got out of his car, so we made the transaction with no problem. Then, I waited until he drove away before I left, to make sure that he wouldn't be following me.

I think that having your husband meet the guy in a public place would be fine. Let us know what you decide to do. Good luck!