Pick up and how secure it is?

[expanded_perceptions]

Hi all.

I have a potential buyer who lives local to me and wants to pick up the item if they go ahead and purchase. They have excellent FB and are a long term member from 2006, I initially had no issues with this, but as a new seller and still under the 21 day rule (for a few more days thank heavens) and the new rules, I wondered what may go wrong? I know I read that PayPal will not cover without tracking etc.. but don't want to trawl through thousands of threads again.

Basically what precautions should I take and what are the pitfalls of a pick up, and when I say pick up, it is already agreed that it would be a neutral venure. Thanks!!

[expanded_perceptions]

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@lotsamagsnbags wrote:

now I'm confused.  I'm all for pickups and payment in cash but you can't list any item (eg in turbo lister) without ticking the box that you will accept paypal (despite the fact buyers aren't covered if picked up etc).  

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Buyer messaged to ask if he could pick up? Also sometimes i offer inspection of items for imperfect or expensive items!

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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@expanded_perceptions wrote:

Once again thanks all for some great replies! You think you have learnt a fair bit, and then something crops up that makes you realize how much you still don't know!

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I have been reading and posting on these forums for quite some time and I am still learning.  Over time you will get to know which posters post the best information on a regular basis.  Some posters will just say it like it is, which sometimes comes across as being abrupt.

There are also some good threads for those that are new to eBay, or new to selling.

[lotsamagsnbags]

I don't follow your reply to my Q ichibans..

[expanded_perceptions]

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@lotsamagsnbags wrote:

I don't follow your reply to my Q ichibans..

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Yeah sorry, I think it was me mistaking what you wrote? I thought you were wondering how my buyer had requested to pay in cash, or how pick up was possible? In hindsight, I think you were more querying the PayPal policy/safety, my bad!

[saarzi]

just going to state the obvious (or maybe not)...

Theres no way in hell Id let a buyer come to my house. Thats an invitation to a stalker psycho who decides they dont like what you sold them.

Pick neutral ground.

[imastawka]

Opening post stated neutral ground pick up was agreed on

[saarzi]

oh.  would have helped if I had read that.  lol

[foundationstation]

I'm always happy to allow pick up.

However if a buyer contacts me requesting it, I just tell them I'm fine with it as long as they pay cash due to not being covered by Paypal buyer / seller protection policies. I think if I point out this it tends to weed out dishonest buyers. I've never had anyone unhappy with this request, quite the opposite as buyers love saving on postage. Also, if they are not happy upon seeing the item, they don't have to go through with the sale...it's a win win situation all round.

I live in a unit block and go downstairs to meet them so they don't know the "exact" address.

[i-love-my-sheep]

I don't allow pick up per se, but I am happy to deliver to local buyers, or meet them somewhere. Normally I will say that I have to go to the supermarket this afternoon, so if they want to meet me in the carpark, I'll see them there. Most of the time we meet in the supermarket carpark, but I have also met people at Bunnings and Officeworks.

Sometimes I feel like I'm doing some kind of illegal deal when I hand over a small plastic bag and accept money!!!!