How do I safely offer local pickup on Etsy without tracking or delivery proof?

Hi! The safest way to do local pickup on Etsy is to treat it like a normal Etsy order (paid on Etsy), but document the handoff really clearly: create a “reserved for [name]” listing with $0 shipping, meet for pickup, then complete the order selecting “This order doesn’t have tracking” → “local pickup,” and get the buyer to confirm in Etsy Messages (or sign a simple pickup receipt). That gives you a clean paper trail inside Etsy even without carrier tracking.

Here’s a setup that works well for most sellers:

1) Create a “local pickup” version of the listing (or a custom reserved listing)

• Duplicate the item listing (or create a custom listing) and title it something like “Reserved for [First Name] – Local Pickup.”
• Set shipping to free (since there’s no postage), and clearly state in the description: pickup location area, pickup window, and that it’s local pickup only.
• Ask the buyer to purchase that listing so the whole transaction stays on Etsy (don’t take payment off-platform).

2) Keep all pickup details in Etsy Messages
Before you meet, message something like: “Confirming you’ll pick up your order on [date] at [time]. Once you have it in hand, please reply ‘Picked up—received in good condition.’”
This matters because Etsy Messages are time-stamped and attached to the order.

3) At the handoff, collect “proof of pickup”
Pick one (or do two):

• Best/easiest: Buyer replies in Etsy Messages right there: “I picked this up today, thanks!”
• Stronger backup: A quick signed pickup receipt (paper is fine) with: date/time, item(s), buyer name, and “Received in good condition.” You keep it.
• Optional extra: a quick photo of the item at pickup (not of their face/ID), or the packaged item in front of a recognizable public meeting spot.

4) Complete the Etsy order correctly

• Mark the order complete using the pickup date as the ship/dispatch date.
• Choose “This order doesn’t have tracking” and select the reason for local pickup (wording can vary slightly by device/app).
• Add a short note like: “Local pickup completed on [date]. Thanks again!”

Metrics / Star Seller / protection (important)

• Local pickup orders generally don’t help your shipping stats the way tracked shipments do, and they can count as “no tracking” for Star Seller shipping requirements. If Star Seller is a big goal for you, consider limiting local pickup to occasional requests (or be okay with the tradeoff).
• Also, assume you may have less protection than a tracked shipment if a buyer later claims non-delivery. That’s why the Etsy Messages confirmation (and/or a signed receipt) is so important.

Quick safety tips for the meetup

• Meet in a public place (coffee shop, police “safe exchange” area, busy parking lot) and preferably daytime.
• Don’t invite strangers to your home unless you’re truly comfortable.
• If the item is high-value, bring someone with you and keep the pickup quick and simple.

If you tell me what you sell (price range + whether it’s bulky/fragile) and whether you care about Star Seller, I can suggest the cleanest workflow for your exact situation.