- PPU is a very common acronym when we talk about electronic commerce, which can refer to a reserved product, whose seller expects the buyer to pick it up imminently, and therefore its offer is, for now, suspended
- Alternatively, it can be an acronym used in the computer world universe, as well as to talk about consoles. It all depends on the context in which it appears.
- What are some of the phrases where we can include PPU and make it look good?
When we spend a lot of time every day connected, immersed in emails, WhatsApp messages and other communications that have the premise of being immediate and demanding as little time as possible, we may come across some acronyms whose meaning we ignore. For example, if you have ever come across this combination of letters while browsing the Internet, you will surely wonder what PPU means and how to use the phrase ..
The first thing you have to know then is that PPU refers to “pending pick up” , so it is likely that you have found this acronym on an online store page or similar, where it is a phrase widely used by sellers. In the following lines you will find out the basics about this online market acronym.
PPU or Pending Pickup, in Spanish
PPU stands for “Pending Pickup”. Sellers use this acronym to mean that a product is not currently available for purchase because someone is about to pick it up . It already has an owner, of course..
Alternatively, it will be used in direct messages or feedback responses to inform potential buyers that the item is no longer for sale , in which case it will function as "reserved" or "on hold".
The truth is that we are talking about an acronym that is very common in Internet markets that are not so structured. We can discover it on Facebook Marketplace , to mention a very recurrent space where you will see it..
Pickup transactions are settled with cash or direct transfers instead of credit cards and checks, and some sellers may require a non-refundable "holding fee" for holding an item.
Other meanings
PPU has a few other meanings besides “pending for collection”. It could mean "please pick up." You have to be careful, because in that case you may have bought something, and if you don't remove it as soon as possible, it will go back to the sales circuit and someone else will take it away. If in doubt, always ask the seller about it.
Alternatively, in the world of hardware enthusiasts, it could mean "physics processing unit." It is a rare type of processor that handles physics-related tasks for computers.
Also, PPU is the name of the Image Processing Unit inside the NES game console.
The origin of PPU
PPU is a fairly recent acronym. A decade ago, you would expect one or two people to respond to a product listing. Nowadays, you can get dozens of inquiries on an online product sales listing. By responding to PPU, interested parties are immediately alerted that they cannot acquire it.
The first definition of PPU in the Urban Dictionary dates back to 2018 and says “pending collection” .
PPU is especially common in product lists that have more than one item, like garage sales . Since these usually have a wide variety of products, the acronym is used to help keep track of products sold, available and PPU, solving any doubts about it.
Just because an item is marked "PPU" doesn't mean it can't be made available again later. Since a PPU usually comes without any exchange or payment, there is still a chance that the buyer will regret it or not pick it up, and the seller will bring it back to the interested public.
One thing to consider, however, is that if a product is open for negotiation or bidding, the seller will often pass on to the person with the second best offer or, failing that, the second one who asked.
Finally, how should I use PPU?
If you want to be fashionable and use this acronym in your daily life, there are some opportunities where you can do it. Above all, obviously, if you are a seller who wants to keep your buyer aware of the situation.
You can use it if you have a buyer who will collect the product, to alert that it is no longer for sale .
Here are some concrete examples, to give you an idea about it:
- “Sorry, this item is PPU. You can see my other products if you are interested”
- “Excellent used copy of the Lost series. Currently PPU”
- «PPU article. More units next week»
