Just wondering what you all thought about personally delivering orders to buyers who live locally. Is it something you would do or does it look unprofessional? I’m tempted to deliver one of mine (I’d just pop it through the letterbox), especially with the post being so unpredictable, but I don’t know if it’s the ‘professional’ thing to do?
2 Likes
I have hand delivered an order which was only a few streets away which was ordered from folksy and the customer did buy again i think as the post is at the moment it would be a good solution
1 Like
Hand delivering is a good idea. For this time of year and for items which are time sensitive such as gift purchases for birthdays or anniversarys.
I would definitely put a hard limit on what you constitute as ‘local’ though.
Offer hand delivery only as a special service once other avenues are exhausted.
1 Like
Yes it does make sense in some ways but I suppose the other thing I would be concerned about is if it got into the wrong hands I would have no proof of postage 
2 Likes
It’s a judgement call really. You can mitigate risk by taking photos or a video of you posting packages through the letter boxes.
Better to arrange a delivery time when someone is in.
Again. Set hard limits and if it isn’t right for you then that is down to the client to accept their item being delivered the normal way
1 Like
Just be aware that if they’ve paid using PayPal that hand delivering gives you no proof of posting so they could in theory make a fraudulent claim for ‘non-receipt of goods’ via PayPal.
2 Likes
tbf a committed fraudster can do that on a posted order.
You can mitigate by placing delivery info i.e to be hand delivered in person on the order or paypal invoice.
1 Like
Andy @ChompStomp to be honest if I was going to hand deliver I’d just want to pop it through the letterbox and slink away rather than hand it to them face to face 
Diane @HandmadeByDiane it was actually paid by Stripe but that’s definitely a good point and worth remembering for the future!
Definitely don’t think it would look unprofessional and would be more reliable than the post right now so only concern would be the proof of receipt aspect. Would play that by ear based on the value of the order. Maybe you could sing them a carol too - all part of the service
4 Likes
I’ve hand delivered several items locally, and recipients have been delighted with the personal service. So I’d do it!
3 Likes
I’ve contacted my customers and asked if they’d like me to deliver by hand, or meet me. One said please post, one met me in town and other said please deliver. Upshot is I would ask 
2 Likes
@aamjewellery, All of my local customers pick up from me direct, I have also delivered a few (I no longer drive) when I could.
I spent the first 4 years selling 95% of my items to locals from FB and most people collected from me, When I started on Folksy those customers wanted to continue doing it the way they always had. Recently (covid) I have still had pick ups but only from local villages, it’s not the same as it is Iiterally a pick up, no popping in for a coffee and chat, I have told those further afield that I am posting only at the moment.
My customers prefer the personal touch, I have a customer in York and one in Scarborough (50 miles away) that would rather pick up (in normal times !) they see it as a drive out
5 Likes
Your customers sound lovely Debby @Bearlescent 
Most of mine are too but I don’t have that sort of close relationship with them…sometimes I’m lucky if I can get them to just respond to emails!
1 Like
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I decided in the end to post it first class signed for so at least I’d have proof of postage and a tracking number. It is worrying though, I sent an order to Oxford on 7th Dec., again first class signed for but it still hasn’t turned up although I also sent one to Milton Keynes at the same time and that arrived 2 days later! Luckily my Oxford customer is being very understanding
I had to walk past the street of one customer on my way to the post office, so I put the postage cost in the package as a refund and hand posted it. I have hand delivered a few others if they are within cycling distance, a good excuse for a short ride.
1 Like
I’ve hand delivered a couple of times when I noticed that the address was local, I emailed the customer first and asked if they wanted me to hand deliver and refund the postage and they were happy to do so. I also have repeat customers from FB and from when I used to do craft fairs and I either arrange delivery or pick-up. I’ve never had a problem with this.
1 Like
I would exercise caution when offering to deliver, meet up or allow people to collect from your home. I had a nasty experience from a ‘gentleman’ who was very insistent that he came to collect from me personally. I had to block his messages in the end as his persistence was becoming unnerving and upset Christmas for me some what ! This was through Facebook but I which I appreciate is slightly less regulated than Folksy but it was certainly a wake-up call for my own personal safety.
2 Likes
I would be delighted as a customer if someone took the trouble to hand deliver. Just popping it through the door. Nobody wants unnecessary contact at the moment. Definitely not unprofessional, just caring for your customers.
3 Likes
I have hand-delivered many items locally and received great feedback on the service. It has resulted in repeat business. I generally just drop the package through the letterbox, but when I have met the buyer they have always been grateful and pleased.
If it is a larger item I may give a couple of pounds discount, depending on whether I am making a special trip out or if the delivery can be tagged on to a trip to the supermarket.
1 Like
That sounds like a very scary experience Stephanie @stephanielondon . I definitely wouldn’t want people coming to my home to collect but might consider meeting them in a safe place.