Buyers asking to view before buying....Whats going on?

[jennysue_1]

Has anyone else noticed the rise in buyers asking to come and view before they purchase the item?

I have been selling on here for years and might have the odd person ask from year to year but this week, I have had 4 messages all worded very similar but from different buyers, all asking to view.  When I explained this is not possible unless you purchase and pay for the item, they seem to not understand with one buyer saying 'she has never heard of this before'...and she appeared to have been a member for years....it all seems very odd to me.

Is anyone else experiencing this?

[lucy_farmer]

That's a bit weird......

Do you mind me asking what it is you're selling?

[jennysue_1]

All different things from my home...the requests to view are very random!

[lucy_farmer]

That is really odd...... If you were selling one large, unwieldy or technincal thingy , well maybe....

I might be getting a little bit spooked.

Have you had a look at the accounts asking to visit? Are they new or established ? feedback or none?

[papso22]

Without wishing to be alarmist, I would only list items for collection that you can't actually post, I would also remove the evidence that you are female, such as your username and profile pic.

[dancewithadingo]

Good Afternoon Jen

One way of hopefully not getting pested in the future is to incorporate a paragraph in your description to the effect of under eBay's new regulations viewing is NOT possible pre- sale.  Obviously the item can be examined on collection.

Good luck

[jma2815]

I think they’re hoping to do a deal when they meet you to avoid paying the BPF. 

Also your stuff is very…feminine. Although its unlikely, the reasons for wanting to visit could be nefarious. I’d start listing everything you can as postage only. You can’t be too careful when it comes to putting your home address out there. 

[jennysue_1]

Thank you for all your help and thoughts on this matter...I have been on here for a very long time and never have I come across this before, so I will think about what's been suggested and make some changes.  I agree that it does place me in a vulnerable position and can hardly believe how times have changed....it can be a scary world out there! 

[craddockcourtsales]

My neighbour had same problem, selling her old wedding ring. When she told potential buyers that she would only meet them at the cafe in our local Morrisons, they decided not to come.

Be very careful. 

[akemp1]

Yeah weird be very careful - I'd say they have to buy it first just to put them off. If they do proceed have a friend with you the whole time and meet somewhere public and neutral if possible. Similar to others I'd suggest removing the profile pic just incase. I haven't checked your listings but try and photograph things with a solid or generic background incase they are interested in your home. Hopefully it's fine but too weird for my liking.

[wintersdawn1]

I've had people wanting to come to my home to collect an item and its turned out they just wanted to see my gerbil, when I tell them the picture on my ebay profile is old and that gerbil is no longer alive, they leave.

Therefore thinking about updating my profile picture, you just never know 🤣

Seriously though I agree with the other comments, it's best to do everything you can to be safe.  

[crn303]

Please be careful and safe.
Better to lose an offer than take any chance.

 It’s a sorry and sad world out there.

[edwardian-dreams]

You items are shown clearly in the photos

what do they want to inspect?

What items were requested for inspection? I see you have a sculpture , maybe that might be a reasonable request

but all your glasses  clothing eg theyre  just like a box standard everyday listing 

just block the people that made you uncomfortable and as others said change all listings to postage only unless there’s any that are un Postable 

[*guinevere*]

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@wintersdawn1 wrote:

I've had people wanting to come to my home to collect an item and its turned out they just wanted to see my gerbil, when I tell them the picture on my ebay profile is old and that gerbil is no longer alive, they leave.

Therefore thinking about updating my profile picture, you just never know 🤣

Seriously though I agree with the other comments, it's best to do everything you can to be safe.  

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😅🤣

[patrickbegood]

I can't think of a single reason for this increase which isn't extremely creepy, so echo the suggestions to rule this out in your listings and/or alter your username and profile photo. And remember other people's online appearance of being a sweet frail old lady or busy young mum, who lives nearby and just wants to pop in, could itself be false.

Normal people have to be careful all the time - creeps and criminals only have to get lucky or catch you with your guard down once. 😉