How to make Facebook Marketplace pickup only (New Zealand)

Quick steps to make a listing pickup only

On the Facebook Marketplace app or desktop site, start a new listing and look for 'Delivery method' or 'Pickup' options. If a 'Pickup' or 'Local pickup' choice is available, select it to indicate you are not offering shipping.

If your account doesn’t show a pickup toggle, or you want to be extra clear, include 'PICKUP ONLY' in the title and repeat it at the top of the description. Buyers read the title first, so make the restriction obvious.

• Create listing → Photos, title, price, category.
• Select delivery method = Pickup (if available).
• If not available, add 'PICKUP ONLY' to the title and first sentence of the description.

What to include in a pickup-only listing (practical wording)

Give buyers the exact location and a realistic time window. Saying 'Central Auckland, CBD, pickup between 10am–4pm weekdays' is better than 'near me'. If you’re comfortable, name a safer public meeting spot like outside a supermarket or community centre.

State your payment preference clearly up front (cash only, bank transfer before pickup, or card accepted). Also list condition, dimensions, and any non-refundable deposit policy if you require one.

• Location: suburb and a specific landmark or street corner.
• Availability: days and hours when pickup is possible.
• Payment: 'Cash only' or 'Bank transfer before pickup — send screenshot', or 'Card accepted via mobile reader'.

Handling payment at pickup (New Zealand practical options)

Cash on pickup: the simplest option. Count cash yourself and, if possible, have someone with you. For higher-value items, consider a bank transfer instead.

Bank transfer before pickup: ask the buyer to transfer funds and show a confirmed transaction screenshot from their banking app. Confirm the money has arrived in your account before handing over the item. This avoids carrying large amounts of cash.

Card payments at pickup: if a buyer wants to pay by card, use a secure mobile card acceptance method rather than taking card details by message. Solutions that let you accept contactless or chip card payments on a smartphone can be convenient for market-style pickups.

• Cash: meet in public, count cash, prefer daylight.
• Bank transfer: verify funds in your account, ask for transfer reference that matches the listing.
• Card: use a mobile card reader or app to avoid handling cash or card numbers.

PocketMoney — short note on card payments for NZ sellers

If you want to accept card payments at pickup without carrying a traditional EFTPOS machine, PocketMoney is an option that lets New Zealand sellers accept card payments using a phone or tablet. It’s useful for market stalls, pop-ups, or buyers who prefer to pay by card at collection.

Use it alongside clear pickup instructions: state in the listing that card payments are accepted and whether you charge a processing fee. Make sure you know how to confirm a successful payment before handing over the item.

• PocketMoney allows contactless and chip payments on a mobile device (short setup required).
• Tell buyers in your listing that card is available at pickup to avoid confusion.
• Always verify payment success in the app before releasing the item.

Safety and handling buyer requests (extra tips)

Always prioritise safety: meet in busy public places, bring someone with you if possible, and avoid inviting strangers to your home. For large or valuable items, consider meeting at a police station or bank carpark during business hours.

If a buyer asks you to deliver or ship despite your pickup-only listing, you can decline or ask for secure payment in advance and use tracked postage services — but be aware that shifting to delivery increases risk and should be handled with caution.

• Prefer daylight and public locations; avoid isolated areas.
• Confirm payment before handing over the item.
• If you change to delivery, use tracked services and confirm payment first.