How best to answer

[2106greencat]

Just had a buyer message me - I am after a knife block, could I come and have a look and pick one up at the same time?

I don't want to come across as rude, but I also don't want someone coming to my home to 'have a look see'.

The way I work is that I always have 5 or 6 of each of my items, boxed/packaged ready to go (1 day handling time) at my home, and other stock in a storage unit.

How would you word the reply? I don't want to sound unfriendly but have never been asked this before and would prefer not to do it

[foxette-in-sox]

Tell them your hubby is practising to be a knife thrower in the circus,that he's pretty accurate,is happy for buyers to volunteer however former applicants are no longer in a position to attest to his lack of skills  😄

[2106greencat]

Yo foxy - that is definitely what I will say :^O

Can you see the buyers face when he/she reads that, naughty fox

[bsal6160]

greencat, while i agree with all the comments, look at it from the buyer point of view. What will he/she think if you say no because they obviously know you are local to them, they will most likely think "This person is going to charge me postage just to make a few extra dollars out of me". If they think that way then a sale is lost, if they dont then lucky you.

[2106greencat]

Hey bsal - free post baby, and honestly if the buyer wanted to purchase and pick up - no probs, I have done it before, even delivered, but to want to 'check out and see what I have on offer? '  nah, not comfortable with that. My listings are pretty well described (no problems so far anyway) and if they want to browse, then a B&M store is more fitting.

[leader-of-the-band]

Tell them that pickup is only available for multiple purchases.

[digital*ghost]

Like kopehagen, I always keep it short and to the point. I don't explain or justify my reasons, just a simple 'unfortunately, I am not able to provide pick up on my items' etc is all I say.

Occasionally, I will arrange to meet someone elsewhere, but it's only places I normally travel to in my daily errands. (Had someone ask me to go way out of my way to their work place so they could save on less than $2 postage... Just no. ;\ )

[2106greencat]

Well, went for the 'I apolgise but can not allow pick up yada yada, short and sweet and polite. Got message today - 'well if I can't come and compare I won't bother buying from you, sounds dodgy to me'

pfft - my response - As you wish, but if you are wanting to browse and compare products then perhaps on-line shopping is not the venue for you. Kind Regards etc

then added to BBL

[beach_and_home]

Honestly, some people!! Definitely one for bhe BBL. Luckily I have now have a B&M store as well as online so I don't have to stress. But before that there was no way I would have people coming to my house. Why would I? If I wanted people coming to my house I would have a garage sale. It used to drive me nuts with buyers who wanted to pick things up or view before buying. Pains in the bum. And half the time they do it so they can beat you down in price.

Glad you stuck to your guns greencat. And by the way, I love your signature saying. It comes to mind often when I get those messages needing an item tomorrow for a wedding that was planned months ago.  yup.

[2106greencat]

Okay - that went well. just received another lovely message telling me that it 'smells like a rat' not allowing pickup.

How do you block someone from messaging. I have BBL the buyer, but they continue to message me through 'contact the seller' on my items listing.

Thinking I definitely made the right decision re not allowing them to my home, not a very nice or 'polite' person this one.

[aj111003]

Hi Cat,

Try this...... go to "Site Preferences", select Block certain buyers from bidding on or purchasing your items, select Edit.
Tick the box which saids... Don't allow blocked buyers to contact me.

Hopefully that does the trick and he doesn't contact you again.