posted on February 3, 2001 01:58:28 AM new
One time I bought something from a lady who happened to live in a town we had just moved from and we were getting ready to go back for a visit. I emailed her before I bid and asked if I might make arrangements to pick up the items (it was a large box of toys) rather than pay shipping. She was very nice and agreed to meet me at the wal mart in the town we visited. I wound up bidding a little higher than I might otherwise have to get the stuff since she was nice enough to do that and then on top of that I also pay pal-led her a few extra dollars for her time. (She didn't ask for that-- i just wanted to since I knew she was still saving me a little money.) All in all it was a good experience.
On the other hand I can understand how the answer might be "no" and as a buyer I would respect that too. Interesting thread.
posted on February 3, 2001 04:24:49 AM new
Like most others I have had customers want to pick up at my home. I agree...so no. But if they want to meet in a public place I have never refused, especially if the distance is close to the same as going to the post office.
One trend I see on these boards is many sellers with the attitude that they are doing the buyer a favor by allowing the product to be sold. With all the complaints about the way Ebay, Paypal, USPS treat us sellers, you would think WE would strive to increase our treatment of our customers instead of being hypocrates.
Our customer is the most important person in our business.
Our customer is not dependent on us ... we are dependent on him.
Our customer is not an interruption of our work ... he is the Purpose of it.
Our customer does us a favor when he contacts us ... we are not doing him a favor by serving him.
Our customer is a part of our business ... not an outsider.
Our customer is not someone with which to argue or match wits.
Our customer is a person who brings us his work ... it is our job to fill those needs.
Our customer is deserving of the most courteous and attentive treatment we can give him.
Our customer is the Lifeblood of our business.
While there are customers who will take advantage of you, I few simple safety precautions will prevent many problems...and increase your business.
While we can't change they way we are treated, we can change the way we treat our customers.
posted on February 3, 2001 07:13:26 AM new
Picture this scenario: Buyer comes to your house to pick up an item. Your dog, Ralph, decides the Buyer is a threat, and bites the Buyer. Buyer files a claim with your homeowner's insurance company. Your insurance company contacts the Buyer, and s/he mentions that s/he was picking up an eBay item at your house. BANG! There goes your insurance coverage. Your insurance company will claim you are conducting business at your home, and since you do not have a rider covering that sort of activity, they are not responsible for Buyer's claim. Buyer now turns around and sues you personally for pain, suffering & medical bills. Wins a judgment. Gets to file a lien on your house. Talk about a Nightmare! Let's face it, we live in Litigation Central, and people are as likely to sue you as look at you.
If anyone insists on picking something up, I tell them nope, my insurance company won't allow it. If I get an OK feeling about the person, I agree to meet the person at the post office. No exceptions.
posted on February 3, 2001 07:50:33 AM new
I've let people pick up boat motors. I glad not to have to pack them up.
I charge $20 to pack a boat motor, but trust me, it's $20 that I would just as soon not have. After materials, I get about $4 per hour for my time. If some one is half way local, picking a boat motor up saves them 40 to 50 dollars. Of course I'm not "the sweet lookin' thing" that has to worry about strange men either.
posted on February 3, 2001 09:05:48 AM new
I can't believe this...after posting to this thread last night about a buyer who just came over without even calling, I got an email from the same buyer. He didn't read my post or anything but was writing because I had sent him a request for payment (auction ended 14 days ago and I give everyone 10 days to get payment to me).
He insisted he had sent the payment to me right after the auction ended and complained of having nothing but problems with ebay. I wrote him back and told him I was sorry he had some bad experiences but assured him that I go to great pains to make sure my customers are happy with the whole process etc. By the way, in this email he gave his money order info and suggested that I "track it down". I told him in my reply (nicely) that it was up to the buyer to trace money orders since I didn't purchase it and didn't have all the particulars. So this made me start going through my manual records checking to make sure that his payment had not somehow slipped through the cracks.
Then I get a second email from the guy saying he was the one who came over without making arrangements etc. and far from being apologetic, acted like I was somehow in the wrong for not accomodating him in this direction. I told him that I was raised differently and in both business and my personal life, would never just go over to anyone's house without calling first. He also said he was mistaken and had not sent me a payment yet. What a pain...
He is luckily in the minority as far as buyers go but the amount of time that his ilk takes away from filling orders for good, normal customers can be detrimental to a small business.
posted on February 3, 2001 11:37:30 AM new
I'd say a resounding NO to people who want to pick things up at my house, BUT - I've done a lot of buisness with folks who let me do it - including books. I buy lots of books from a local guy who offered to meet me at a local school when I sent him my address for the first shipment...said it would save me $. Took DH the first time. Since, I've bought tons of books and wait til I get a few & then go pick 'em up. Saves lots on shipping - although I give him a bit extra. Have also picked up heavy books from one seller's daughter's place of business several times, again, her offer when she got my address for shipping, also gave her a bit extra than the cost of the item. Those two turned me into a repeat buyer from them. And have had a suit delivered by a gal who - again, after she got my address for shipment - said she was going to be within a block on her way to grocery and would drop it off. Offered to meet her there - but she said just as easy. So - my experiences have all been at the seller's suggestion - and all positive although I'd never suggest it! I'd say leave it completely up to your comfort level and what works for you!
posted on February 3, 2001 01:10:01 PM new
This is definitely a question that each individual has to weigh, and to make their decision based on their own particular situation!
We have a farm, and regularly have visitors to look at the stock for sale. If we didn't allow this, we'd be eyeball deep in animals as we'd never sell anything! So the once-a-year ebay shopper who wants to drive out here for his widgit is a non-concern. We've had only 2 or 3 that I can remember. All of them smiled, thrust cash into my hands, and took their purchase and drove away. One of them did buy an additional item. None of them looked like axe murderers or asylum escapees. I suppose it's appropriate to say we don't look like victims, either...nothing of great value lying about, a snarling dog locked in the BR, and an obvious alarm system on the house. (Mr. loaded shotgun is there, too, but not in plain view!)
Having an eBay buyer stop by is no more profound than having a yard or garage sale. If you'd never consider doing that, or perhaps if you live alone in an apartment in a large city, it's probable you would feel less secure and wish to remain anonymous.
Do what makes you comfortable, but don't assume your situation and comfort level apply to everyone else.
posted on February 3, 2001 02:01:39 PM new
Well, we took a leap of faith and had a buyer come by today to pick up his item. We arranged it so that we would both be home when he arrived. It was a relatively pricey electronics transaction with free shipping. The emails between us and the buyer went very smoothly and the transaction in person went just as well. This person turned out to be a very nice regular guy. We decided that it would be ok for us because we are old hands at hosting yard sales (together), so this seemed to be relatively similar.
I certainly learned alot from everyone's posts here. I looked at the situation in ways that I had not thought of before. After this deal, I fully agree with everyone that it is a decision to be made on an individual basis depending on the circumstances at the time. I expect that I will still decline at home pickups most of the time, but this time it worked out well. Thanks to everyone for their advice. I will certainly put it to use in my future sales.
posted on February 3, 2001 03:47:33 PM new
I have had at least a dozen people come over to pick up items and have enjoyed it enormously. But then, I sell expensive porcelain boxes and the buyers tend to be a very high class, and female. BTW, I have had 4 ebayers stay with our family when they visited town, and I have gone to visit 5 when I was travelling in their area!!! We had a blast on all occasions, and I consider them all very good friends.
Di
On a scale of 1 to 10...we'd all weigh a lot less!
posted on February 5, 2001 07:46:16 AM new
BE SMART,BE SAFE,THINK FIRST-
How can anyone be assured that stalkers, psychos and nutjobs don't lurk @ eBay or online....where else can those types "lurk around" w/o being discovered? We get this request all the time, and we politely tell the customer, "sorry, for security reasons, we are unable to honor your request." If they're not a nutjob (and god knows there's enough of em out there, believe you me!lol)they don't mind....and, PLEASE people...I don't think it matters if you live in a large metropolis like LA, NYC or whatever...crime happens everywhere....why wait for something bad to happen before you do something about it? Be smart and prevent it before it can happen.
posted on February 6, 2001 11:04:45 AM new
Happened once before, very respectable lady bidder, no problems caused.
Today had an item returned 'not known at this address'. The buyer had previously said she worked in my town, so I have mailed her and asked her if she'd like to come and pick it up.
I also advertise in our local paper with a phone number, buyers always come to collect, no other way to do it!
I can't help but be slightly amazed at some of the earlier paranoia in this thread - Thank God I live in the UK where I don't have to worry about this sort of thing! We obviously have a lot less nutters over here.
In any case, even if I used a PO Box number, anyone can phone the Post Office and get the address behind the box number without even giving their name. A PO Box number is not intended to be a smokescreen.
Living in a rural part of the UK I do not find I have many bidders living locally!
