Local Pick-ups are not a terrible thing provided you are cool with that and accept CASH ONLY for the item. But do make arrangements to meet someplace very public if this is a person you don't know and have never done business with before.
Is this a big-ticket item we're talking about? If so, I'd actually have a buddy come too. And maybe hide in the car so I don't get jumped on the way to my car in the parking lot without having someone to turn to for help. And ask for small bills (nothing bigger than $20) so you don't get paid in counterfeit hundreds. Of course, I mean if it's an item that sells for hundred and hundreds of dollars. Before you think I'm paranoid, this is really what police say to do when selling stuff through the classifieds or whatever. Like the other site owned by ebay, kijiji. There have been instances of people being robbed for cash or goods when selling or buying iPhones etc. With me, selling diecast cars and LEGO it's not so cutthroat. Usually.
Don't accept paypal for any Local Pickups. While there is considerable debate amongst us here on the discussion board whether the last round of updates allowing paypal Seller Protection to cover point-of-purchase payments means Local Pickups on ebay or just merchant services like some of the brick-and-mortar boutiques or pop-up stores might use, think of it this way: how would you prove to paypal the buyer got their goods without tracking from a third party? You'd have nothing on your side in a case of Item Not Received 170 days later. No proof of delivery means you lose.
For the record, however, it's rude for a buyer to make a purchase and assume they can just come and get it instead of pay for shipping. Those questions really should be asked first. If you cancel, be certain to call ebay to make sure they've got your back and you don't end up with a defect for it.
