Meeting Buyers in Person
Self-arranged pickups let you hand items directly to buyers. While ShopBroker protects your payment, a few best practices make the experience smooth and safe.
Choosing a Meeting Spot
Great Locations
Police station parking lots - Many have designated "safe exchange" spots
Coffee shops - Public, well-lit, with seating
Shopping mall entrances - Cameras, people around
Bank lobbies - Secure during business hours
Community centers - Public and accessible
Avoid
Your home (unless you're comfortable)
Isolated areas
Dark or low-traffic spots
Stranger's homes
If You Must Meet at Home
Have someone else present
Meet outside (driveway, porch)
Don't invite buyers inside
Scheduling the Meetup
Be Specific
Agree on exact:
Date
Time
Location (specific spot, not just "the mall")
Choose Daylight Hours
When possible, meet during the day. Well-lit public places work for evening if needed.
Confirm Before Meeting
The day of, send a quick message:
> "Hi! Just confirming we're meeting at [location] at [time]. See you there!"
During the Meetup
Bring a Friend
Having someone with you:
Adds safety
Provides a witness
Makes you more comfortable
Let the Buyer Inspect
Give them time to look at the item
Let them test functionality
Answer questions honestly
Be Patient
Don't rush. A satisfied buyer leads to:
Payment released promptly
Positive ratings
No disputes
Watch for Red Flags
Be cautious if the buyer:
Wants to change location last minute
Asks to go somewhere private
Is significantly early/late without communication
Brings unexpected people
Payment Reminder
Don't Accept Cash
The sale was made through ShopBroker. The buyer's payment is already authorized.
Payment Gets Released Later
After the meetup:
Buyer opens their order
Taps "Pay Seller" to confirm receipt
Funds are captured and sent to you
Remind the Buyer
> "Once you've inspected the item, just confirm in ShopBroker so I get paid!"
What to Bring
The item, obviously
Your phone (to show listing if needed)
Patience and a friendly attitude
A friend if available
After the Meetup
Wait for Confirmation
The buyer needs to release payment through ShopBroker. This usually happens right away or within hours.
If They Don't Confirm
If it's been more than a day:
Send a friendly reminder
Contact support if needed
The payment authorization has a 7-day window
Handling Problems
Buyer Doesn't Show
Wait 10-15 minutes, then reach out. If no response:
Document the attempt
Contact support if a pattern emerges
The hold on their card stays active
Buyer Wants to Negotiate On-Site
The price was set in the listing. You can:
Stick to the original price (recommended)
Agree to a change (would require new listing)
Something Feels Off
Trust your instincts. You can:
Suggest a different location
Bring more people
Postpone or cancel if needed
Cancelling a Self-Arranged Order
If things don't work out:
Either party can request cancellation
Payment hold is released
No harm, no foul
Self-Arranged Pros and Cons
Pros
No delivery fee for buyer
Flexible scheduling
Buyer sees item before paying
Works for any location
Cons
Requires meeting strangers
Scheduling can be tricky
Your time investment
Final Tips
Be communicative
Be punctual
Be prepared
Be safe
Most meetups go perfectly smoothly. Preparation just makes sure yours does too.