Delivery Is Now Expected
A few years ago, a Marketplace buyer picked up the item themselves. Today, delivery is the norm — and the sellers who offer it sell faster. Here's the new standard.
The Buyer's Expectation
A buyer who works can't pick up a couch on a Tuesday afternoon. A seller who offers delivery (or who works with a pickup service) sells the item faster and at a higher price. "Pick up only" listings sit longer.
The Seller's Options
- Deliver it themselves (if they have a van and the time).
- Recommend a pickup service (the buyer books, the service picks up).
- Hold the item for the buyer's own pickup service.
The Pickup Service
A buyer hires a vetted van-and-pro. The pro picks up from the seller, delivers to the buyer, and carries it in. The buyer pays the service; the seller is paid by the buyer (Venmo) before pickup. The seller doesn't handle delivery.
The Same-Day Edge
A seller who can offer same-day delivery (via a pickup service) closes the deal that day. A buyer who wants it now gets it now; the seller gets paid now.
The Cost
The buyer pays the pickup service ($99/hour, 2-hour minimum) — the delivery cost is the buyer's. A seller who builds delivery into the price and arranges it themselves often nets the same.
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