eBay seller etiquette, what do you think?

[Miss_Dee]

It could be that they misread your message, but it's definitely not unreasonable to want to see something before purchasing it.

[LuluHB]

When I've sold big items on ebay in the past I have offered inspection prior to bidding

[Rouge]

Clearly I don't use eBay enough. Heheheh. So in that case it sounds pretty normal. Maybe this person doesn't realise? Or is happy to let the current bidders fight it out without people coming into his home?

[LimeSlice]

Sounds to me like she just misunderstood what you were asking.
I have had buyers try and pull all sorts of "word games" to get me to sell before the auction ends. Wait and see what her response is to your clearer message. If she still refuses to let you view it, shrug and move on. I probably wouldn't let randoms from EBay come to my house either...

[Floweryfields]

Recently there was a thread ooposite to this one - that a buyer wanted to come and look at a pram or something before bidding and the seller at the time was reluctant to let a stranger in their home. So I guess everyone has their own viewpoints.
I would personally like to view a large item like a couch before purchase.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

With an item like a pram or a car, you can take it to a nearby area such as a park or carpark so that people can see it without coming into your home.

With a sofa/couch, I would want to see it if I were spending serious money on it if the description wasn't up to much. I know when DH has sold small things some people ask for a photo of a particular aspect or for more details, which are usually supplied promptly.