"Local pick up only" (Reverb) rant...

[COYS]

Local Pickup Only signals to people that if you're local, you can probably find this item advertised on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace as well, which will save you the taxes and shipping fees.

As far as shipping things, I don't do it unless it's a pedal or a last resort. Shipping a bass insured can cost you $100-$150, and buyers will balk at that amount. And if you've ever had an item damaged in shipment, you know that trying to get a shipping carrier to pay a damage claim is like squaring the circle. You practically need an act of Congress.

No thanks. I have hundreds of transactions on Reverb but shipping costs and unscrupulous buyers who claim damage and want discounts after the sale have left me selling anything bigger than a pedal locally.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Local = Craigslist

 

[Barmy]

OP Apologies if you’ve already seen this
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Well, the shipping costs went up, USPS keeps loosing my packages, and buyers return items for no real reasons so I understand why people won't want to deal with the shipping hassle.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Whats with the trend of everyone making all their reverb ads "Local pick up only ?
I'm assuming its the ever rising Fees involved ,but man Its really preventing my deals.
I really want a second Jazz 24 to back up my #1 . Theres 4 on reverb that have been there a while. One is too expensive ,the other 3 are "Local pick up only " . I am in upstate NY and no where near any of these guys . I have messaged 2 of the sellers saying Dude I'm Legit ,will you ship the thing ? and they both said "no local pick up only " . I mean do you guys not wanna sell these things ?? If not dont list it .

Sell non-locally and internationally for some time and see if you would still want to ship items.

 

[Doug4321]

Yeah, I thought it weird to have local pickup only on Reverb. Maybe makes sense in New York City etc. but you are setting up on an international web site then blocking off almost all your customers. Anyways that’s what Craigslist is for.

No big deal though.

 

[beaglesandbass]

But price it up and let the buyer choose.

One seller did. OP decided it was too expensive.

 

[DrBnz]

I kinda "get it". If I was to ever sell anything, I'd like a face to face encounter, I want you to inspect and try it to ensure you're happy. I wanna be holding money before you walk off with my bass and after that I don't ever wanna hear from you again. But I think I'd use Marketplace/Craigs list vice Reverb

 

[JimmyM]

I shipped a bass Tuesday, and until I unbolted the neck, it was going to cost $160. That is what’s up with that.

 

[fhm555]

It takes 5 minutes to put up the ad. I've actually bought and sold several items face to face via Reverb. If it doesn't sell you've wasted five minutes; if it does sell then it worked. I don't see the downside. I also don't see why so many people are complaining about what someone else does that doesn't affect them in the least.

Not complaining, just offering my opinion.

 

[BobKos]

The problem is twofold. Shipping does suck. What sucks worse is the notification from Reverb / PayPal etc that there is a microscopic scratch on the headstock that wasn't disclosed so the buyer wants a return. Now the seller eats 2X shipping or enters into a price re-negotiation. No thanks. The way to persuade the seller to ship is to make ALL packing / shipping arrangements in advance so he / she can simply drop the unpacked item off at a local FedEx / Kinkos or UPS Ship Store.

 

[johnh89]

Whoever decided that the customer is always right has never worked in retail . The customer is very rarely right . I don't deal with the public much any more . I leave that to the wife .

 

[Acoop]

I wouldn't purchase a 'good' instrument sight unseen so, I make the time to take a trip to where it is and if I like it I buy it.
"Local pickup only" ... Isn't personal, it's just what the seller prefers and the seller gets the last word. ... If the seller 'decides' to drive and meet you half way then drop the price that's 'his' decision to make. ...

 

[2F/2F]

I find local things on Reverb frequently.

I have sold things locally that the buyers saw on Reverb first.

If you want to list it for local pickup only, fine. It's your thing, and you have that option, without needing to tell anyone why, or even knowing exactly why yourself.

If you want something that is far away, and the seller doesn't want to ship, then oh well. Pass, or get your ass over there to pick it up. Nobody owes you a sale of their property on your terms.

 

[DoctorZee]

I’ve sold several basses as “local pickup only.” In fact, I’ve never shipped a bass. Here’s why. I am typically not in a rush to make a sale, so I can wait for a local buyer. I don’t usually have bass shipping boxes laying around and the risk of damage/return isn’t worth my time. Most of all, I know I’d make much less money on a shipped sale than a local one. I hope that helps you understand the other side’s perspective. So to answer your question, yes, I want to sell the bass, but no, I’m not desperate to compromise. I’ll make the sale I want eventually. Probably not what you want to hear, but that’s what it is.

 

[jimmyb]

The one from atomic music is kinda near me. I could pick it up and ship it to u. Pm me

 

[lbbc]

The last bass I shipped was almost $200 to Boise, Idaho (granted it was a heavy bass in a flight case plus insurance). To add shipping to the price of your bass will certainly turn many buyers off. I can see where "local pickup only" would benefit both the seller and buyer. If you really want a bass that's local pickup only...offer the seller a higher price to offset the cost of shipping. Just my 2¢

 

[Lovep]

I wish you could sort items in Reverb by US state. If I want to shop local, there should be a way to do that on the platform.

 

[lfmn16]

I wish you could sort items in Reverb by US state. If I want to shop local, there should be a way to do that on the platform.

Have you never noticed the sort by feature???? The within 50 miles makes more sense, especially for those of us that live near three or four states.

 

[two fingers]

Whats with the trend of everyone making all their reverb ads "Local pick up only ?
I'm assuming its the ever rising Fees involved ,but man Its really preventing my deals.
I really want a second Jazz 24 to back up my #1 . Theres 4 on reverb that have been there a while. One is too expensive ,the other 3 are "Local pick up only " . I am in upstate NY and no where near any of these guys . I have messaged 2 of the sellers saying Dude I'm Legit ,will you ship the thing ? and they both said "no local pick up only " . I mean do you guys not wanna sell these things ?? If not dont list it .

You've got one shot at getting one of those basses shipped. And it will be expensive.

You can offer for the seller to be able to simply walk into a UPS store with bass in hand and YOU pay for that UPS store to do everything else....pack the bass, box it up, and ship it. It will cost extra for the packing and everything.

Otherwise, there is zero incentive for the seller to want to ship.