As a buyer, what are the benefits of searching regionally?
By conducting a regional search, you can find items closer to your own area. For example, it's much easier to shop for a car or dining room table locally instead of halfway across the country, or even the other side of the world. Benefits include saving in shipping and handling costs, even for many smaller items. Your delivery time might also be faster since your item doesn't have to travel a long distance, or internationally, to reach you.
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I have concerns about trading with someone locally. What if the buyer/seller wants to meet in person to see the item?
Whenever you do business with a new trading partner, it is wise to be cautious. Here are some tips that apply to all situations, as well as regional trading:
For sellers, always be sure to clearly state your inspection, shipping, and payment terms in your item listing. Some regional buyers may legitimately hope to save money on shipping costs by picking up your item instead of paying for shipping costs across town. This can be to your advantage since buyers may actually bid higher if they think they can save on shipping. However, if you do not wish to meet buyers in person, say something like, "No pick up, will ship" in your listing. Be clear about this!
If you decide to meet with the other person, pick a public place. It's always a good idea to bring a friend, too.
Rest assured that eBay does not give your street address out to anyone. If you choose to give someone your address, consider using a work address, a PO Box, or some other address other than your residence.
For buyers, always check with a seller before you bid if you're unclear about delivery terms. Don't assume that you will be able to pick up the item, even if it is in the same town. And don't assume they will ship. Some sellers will say: "Will not ship" or "Pick up only."
And, last but not least, check their Feedback Profile before you trade! |
Will my region selection appear on the item listing?
No. The region you select will not appear on your item listing. Instead, your item will be automatically included in regional search results. If someone searches your region for your type of item, your listing will appear in their search results.
However, you can always specify a location when you fill out the Sell Your Item form. For example, you can pick the Maharastra region, and then put "Mumbai" in the location window of the Sell Your Item form. If you do this, your item will appear in search results for the Maharastra region, and your item listing will say, "Mumbai" under Location. This might entice buyers closer to Mumbai to place a bid. |