Why is my listing limited to local only?

Sounds like yet another great idea Trade Me haven't thoroughly thought about roger_269. 

Yes, I have many larger items that are collected on behalf. So the actual buyer lives on the other side of the country, but they're in town now on holiday or have a relative or friend living here who will collect it. 

Have you actually confirmed buyers from outside the area can't purchase your item? 

If it's the power chair it seems I can bid or buy, even though I am 100s of Km away. 

Yes, I only started seeing that message today. I asked TM and they say it will not stop views country-wide. But is a bit disconcerting. Yes, the chair would be one that is happening with when I relist. Thanks for your thoughts.

Yes, this is very poor thought out idea,

You should never restrict pick ups for locals only!, 

Years ago when I allowed pick ups, I sold a good barely used awning off my Classic Beach 70's (Inherited) Caravan (no longer Road worthy, would never be moved either), as was never used, no space to even put it up, just took up storage, But the buyer who was after that brand and size drove all they way up from New Plymouth, as a rare find, they had other trades to pick up also en route, so they had a good weekend on the road collecting there trades, another fragile Item I had, buyer drove hours to pick up as Vintage photo frame with domed glass, been in family for years but no one knew who the soldier even was, 1st world war? it just kept getting passed on until I got it, family agreed sell, it as people after these old frames, so it went to a history buff, who was also going to do some research on the soldier, so yes went to good hands, 

People have links and family in other areas that can pick up on their behalf, some things that come up are rare finds, and people who want them will drive to get them, like my buyer did,

I want to know what planet some of these people with these ideas are born on?, they have no idea how to think about outside the box, not thought at all goes into these things, Why??, they seem to be stuck with blinkers on?, 

Is it just a warning with the intent of telling you that if you dont ship then your potentially limiting buyers from only local buyers?

Oh yeah that would make more sense AJ. I first read it as Trade Me had ACTUALLY restricted the item. 

that sounds extremely frustrating, hopefully they understand people are happy to travel for items (I have done so myself many times)  

Kia ora roger_269, thanks for raising this, you can pass on your feedback directly to the team via "Tell us what you think". Your pick up only listings still appear in searches, a buyer outside your area could still buy it and arrange to collect. As AJ said, the message is letting you know you might be limiting your listing to local buyers. 

Thank you Michelle. I still don't really understand why you say "the message is letting you know you might be limiting your listing to local buyers"? If it is visible outside the area then surely no problem? Or, am I missing something. By the way, the item in question is simply too large, and too heavy, to use the 'Book a Courier' facility. But no reason why a person buying, say, in Otago, could not get a family member to pick up.

Because you are limiting buyers - there will be some people who will have no option to buy your item if you cannot ship it. If there is an item in Invercargill that I want but they dont offer shipping, there is no way I can get it so yes it does limit buyers. I dont see the problem here. I sell a few large/heavy items with pick up only. I realise most people out of my region wont want to buy it and totally understand. I also understand that some might.

I suspect the message is more geared at items that can be sent where people dont want the hassle. But just treat it as information and do what you want. The message doesnt affect your sales at all

THanks for the detailed explanation and advice AJ. Appreciated

You're welcome, happy to help

I was getting more than 30 watchers on my listing every time I relisted and since the change I only get a few now so not a fan of this change.

Appreciate those thoughts. Thank you

That's crazy roger_269

Some people use places like Backloaders or Empty trucks or similar such services that will pick up items along there way across the countryside.

Great way to get items picked up and delivered.

We include in our listings for items that may be say fragile or larger that we are open to them being picked up at a later date by mutual arrangements if the person is from a different location in NZ than our own.

Open lines of communication through message systems is 101 of good customer services.