How to choose Local Pickup on Facebook Marketplace

Quick steps: Turn on Local Pickup (mobile)

1) Open the Facebook app and tap Marketplace, then Create new listing.

2) Fill in category, title, price and photos.

3) Find Delivery method (sometimes under 'Item details') and toggle on 'Local pickup' or select 'Pickup only' if you don’t want to offer shipping.

4) Add clear pickup instructions in the description (see later section).

• If you don’t see Delivery method, check 'More options' or update your app.
• Location is set by your profile; you can add suburb details in the description for clarity.
• Buyers will see Local pickup as an option when searching.

Quick steps: Turn on Local Pickup (desktop)

1) Go to Facebook.com, click Marketplace > Create new listing > Item for sale.

2) Complete the listing form (title, price, photos).

3) Under Delivery method or Shipping, choose 'Local pickup' or uncheck shipping so only pickup is offered.

4) Add pickup instructions in the description and publish.

• Edit an existing listing: Marketplace > Your account > Your listings > Edit listing > Delivery method.
• If shipping is enabled by default, explicitly set pickup-only to avoid confusion.
• Use suburb names and a short meeting-window to reduce back-and-forth messages.

When to choose Local Pickup

Choose Local Pickup when the item is large, awkward to post, fragile, or when buyers prefer to inspect before paying. It avoids shipping costs and transit damage and speeds up the sale.

Consider offering pickup-only for single, bulky items (furniture, appliances) and offering shipping for small items if you want to reach non-local buyers.

• Good for bulky, heavy or fragile goods.
• Good when buyer inspection reduces returns and disputes.
• Not ideal if you want national reach or if a buyer cannot travel.

What to include in pickup instructions

Clear, short instructions reduce confusion and wasted trips. Put essential details in the listing description and repeat them when messaging the buyer.

Give a meeting suburb or landmark, available pickup days/times, a preferred public meeting point, whether the item is downstairs/upstairs, and your preferred payment methods.

• Example: 'Pickup in Ponsonby near the supermarket. Available weekdays 5–7pm or Sat 10–2. Cash or bank transfer only. Please message before arriving.'
• Avoid posting your exact home address publicly; share a specific meeting spot after you’ve confirmed the sale.
• State whether you’ll help load heavy items or if the buyer needs to bring tools/vehicle.

Payments at pickup (practical options in NZ)

Common payment options in New Zealand: cash, bank transfer (via buyer's bank app), or card using a portable card-acceptance solution. Each has trade-offs—cash is immediate but carries safety considerations; bank transfers are traceable but check the funds have cleared or ask to confirm immediately in the bank app; card acceptance avoids carrying large amounts of cash.

In the listing, tell buyers which payments you accept so they arrive prepared.

• Cash: inspect notes and receive payment before handing over the item.
• Bank transfer: ask buyer to send payment and show the cleared payment screen or wait for the transfer to appear in your bank app.
• Card: use a secure portable card reader or a smartphone-based service so people can pay by debit/credit card at pickup.

Safety checklist for pickups

Prioritise safety when meeting someone you found online. Keep meetings public, let someone else know where you’ll be, and use Marketplace messages to keep a record of communications.

If the buyer requests unusual practices (overpayment, courier collection, or to pay off-platform), treat it as a red flag and pause the sale.

• Meet in daylight in a busy public place (e.g. mall, café, police station safe exchange area).
• Bring a friend or ask someone to wait nearby for heavy or high-value items.
• Do not hand over the item until you’re satisfied payment is made and irreversible.