Former_Member
Not applicable

The weirdest thing happened...

I had two sales today: two items bought by the same person. The crazy thing is that when I saw the shipping address, I realized that she lives 2 blocks from my house! What are the chances? I find it funny because my very first sale was to a person in Australia (as far as it gets for me) and now I sold to someone around the corner and there's no many sales in between since I'm new to Etsy. Has this ever happened to you?
Now.. being so close: should I offer to take the items in person or ship them anyway? In any case, I will let her know of our proximity since she will see my address in the package anyway and I think it'd be rude if I didn't. Maybe let her decide?
What would you do?
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

i would hand deliver it! one time i had an order and my customer was near by where i would be passing by and she had no problem with me delivering it! she was very happy!
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ModernHermine
Inspiration Seeker

Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I don't know maybe she's private person or busy or she will talk your face off. I'm not sure if I would want someone to drop something off at my personal home but I might just be nuts....

Congrats on the sale either way !! The shipping should be super cheap
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ModernHermine
Inspiration Seeker

Re: The weirdest thing happened...

Again I think it might depend on what kinda neighborhood you live in too LOL
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

That's cute. I'm pretty sure that it's possible to search for people who live nearby, so maybe she already realizes you're in the neighborhood. I think I would ask her which method she would prefer. I'd appreciate the personal delivery. :)
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

Thank you! I'm not just gonna show up in her door of course. I'm gonna contact her and let her decide what she wants to do. I think it might be a good thing if she wants the items hand delivered... it could lead to more local sales, a steady costumer or even a friendship. She lives SOOO close is uncanny :) I'll keep it professional but amicable. It can't hurt.
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

My profile says Miami, Fl. I'm sure she knows we're in the same city but what I find striking is how close. Very cool coincidence. I just find it amusing.
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

Also offer to meet her in a public place. Just to protect her and you. Like a local coffee shop. You could still chat but not uncomfortable about meeting someone new.
You just never know these days!
Congrats
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ElectronicGirl
Inspiration Seeker

Re: The weirdest thing happened...

i would just send a convo telling her how close you are and if she would like to save $ on shipping and have you deliver to her.
i would be all for saving $ if i was that buyer. :D

if you don't hear back from her in a reasonable amount of time..then just ship..whateves
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WolfandFirefly
Inspiration Seeker

Re: The weirdest thing happened...

Oh that's cool :) I live in Miami half the time too. :) I'd ask her, to save her the shipping, and yes, it may bring you more sales from her friends too. win/win :)
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I agree with ElectronicGirl. I think that is the best approach.

My second sale was a hand delivery :) The person who bough the item lived in my hometown and it just so happened that I was going there the next day, so I decided to offer a hand delivery. It saved them on shipping and I didn't have to go to the post office.

The thing is though, is that my hometown is about 5,000 people so we like that kind of stuff :)

Good Luck!
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I would just ship it and include a note that says "Hi neighbor! Next time, I will hand deliver if you prefer as I live just around the corner. Thank you!"

I would be worried if someone out of the blue that I ordered from tried to hand deliver to my door. But then again, I live in a major metroplex. Maybe I have a major Metroplex complex. LOL.

Congrats on the local sale!
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I'd mention that you live nearby and offer to save her the shipping costs. You could offer to meet somewhere nearby, or to drop it off for her since you have her address already. It's so silly to mail it when she lives so close.

I once had a customer order from me because I live in the same town. I packaged her order very nicely, and she picked up her item without incident. It was pretty neat to see who was getting my item for a change.
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I'd make the offer. If she's uncomfortable, she can just make an excuse. It's not like craig's list where you're expecting payment in person; you're delivering something she already paid for. I hope it grows into more sales from her!
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I think it depends on how long the mail would take to get to them. In my city it is crazy - it might take a week because they have to send it to another city for processing before getting it back here for delivery.

I gave my customer the option to pick it up, have it delivered or send it by mail.
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I vote to give her an option! I once had an order from someone who lived right by my church. I literally drove by her house often, so I offered to hand deliver. She preferred it mailed. Some people are private and that is to be respected.
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HBMUSE
Post Crafter

Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I would send email and ask if she wants to save on shipping since you live down the street and if it's all right to hand deliver to mailbox or front porch? And of course remember to credit back her shipping fee!

All my customers from shows always prefer to meet halfway or have me drop off if it saves them paying the shipping charges.

I rarely sell to anyone locally..so I too am excited when I get a local sale..let alone down the street!
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

Yes, I live in france and all of my orders have been to the US, Australia, or other mainland europe countries, but never in france until last week. I got an order for two sets of gloves and a newsboy cap from Ile de Vassiviere, which is just a little way from us, so I contacted the client and arranged to hand deliver the items. She was over the moon and I got some really nice feedback from her.
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

wow, that is so great! I have never experienced before but if I had the same experience, I will be so excited the fact that my neighbour will carry around the item that I made!
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

Haha, that's pretty cool! I think you could probably just drop by to hand-deliver it. :)
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

Personally, I've always daydreamed about that happening. I've always toyed with the idea of delivering it by hand and refunding the postage (or part of it. Etsy demands that you charge for your time as well as for profit, and you'll be walking or driving around to their house yourself). I don't know that I'd ring the bell, though, unless it won't fit through the door. But imagine their surprise! They purchase something at 9am, and it's through their door by 1pm -that same day-. I'd be dead impressed.

But that's just me, and I don't know if Etsy has any policies about it or not. I'd say, in this case, play it how you want.
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LeNidDeFleurs
Inspiration Seeker

Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I would so love for that to happen to me... actually have an opportunity to meet a customer, so I truely know all my efforts aren't in vain... and I get to see their reaction :-)...

But yes ask in advance what she would prefer...
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I've had people order locally, with one sale coming from a place near the post office I used to use. I reduced their postage fee and hand delivered the package, making them most happy.
if you can get to their place on foot/by car without too much personal expense, reduce their shipping price, sending them a message as to the reason why, and then deliver it. If that's not appropriate to do, just do the usual shipping process :)
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

I live in Miami half the time too, so I think you buyer will appreciate the suggestion of saving on shipping. You are right, you never know if you will gain a friend, life long customer or a host of both!

Congrats, and continued sales!
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Former_Member
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Re: The weirdest thing happened...

Thanks everyone! I'm giving her the option and waiting to see what she says. The two items she bought were free shipping within the US to begin with because they are small and lightweight. Shipping would be about .50 cents plus the cost of packaging materials. I don't think I will offer any shipping refund because there was no explicit shipping charge. What I'm gonna do instead, is add a little something extra to her order. Right?
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