seller etiquette

[Hooked_on_HP]

This could also apply to tractors. I am going to buy a newer motor home. I found one on CL Wed. night. I called the seller and asked a few questions. I was happy with the answers so I asked when I could look at it.He said to call him thurs night at 5 when he got off work. I went to the bank and got the cash. I called him at 5 and he told me he was working late and call back at 5.30. I called him back at 530 and he told me it was sold. I was PO'd and asked if I was the first caller. He said I was but the other guy got there first with cash. OH well at least I didn't waste a trip.
Sat. night I found another motorhome about 1 1/2 hrs away. I called the seller and asked when I could come and look at it. I didn't want to get beat out again. They said after they got out of church on Sun. and to call at 1pm. I called at 1 to get directions and told them I would be there by 2.30. The motorhome was at a gated storage unit and they would meet me in the parking lot. When I pulled in the parking lot the was another truck there. I asked if he was the seller and he replied he was here to look at it also. Not good. As we were talking the motor home left with a car behind it. We waited about 10min. and I called the seller. He informed me the first looker bought it. I came unglued. I informed him that if he would have told me some one else was looking I would have waited and not wasted 3 hrs of my time and gas(not in such nice words).He could have cared less. Do they do business this way where you live. How could I have done things differently. When I sell something the first caller has first dibs if we can work out a time to meet.

 

[kyspartan]

it really sucks, but the first person with the cash wins

 

[two_bit_score]

>>>When I sell something the first caller has first dibs if we can work out a time to meet.<<


That is just common courtesy.

 

[marimus]

it really sucks, but the first person with the cash wins

Yes, its sad but this is how it works now. Buyer etiquette is nearly non-existant. This has forced sellers into the current situation.

 

[jcims]

The thing with Craigslist and other classified type ads is that the seller is essentially anonymous and has no 'reputation' at stake. If they are selling something under financial duress, it's going to be very difficult to turn down cash-in-hand for the sake of etiquette. To marimus's point, they may also have had a lot of browsers/no-shows/etc.

It sucks, for certain, but maybe the answer is to be clear about expectations while you're talking prior to the visit. Doesn't mean they still won't sell it out from under you, but at least now you can legitimately call them a liar.

 

[Skyco]

There is also a problem with buyer etiquette as well. 3 times now I've sold something, or at least in my mind. Seller states- I'll take it-sold. In 2 cases they go to their bank and come back with the cash- then try to negotiate the price down. To me saying "Sold-I'll take it" is final meaning the price was set at that point.

The other case they never came back. When I called them they said they couldn't get the money, would have been nice to just let me know. Then again before saying something is "sold- I'll take it" finances should have been prearranged.

Dealing with both buyers and sellers can be a real PITA.

Now if I have multiple people wanting to look at something I inform each one someone else is coming if they want to take their chances...they can either come too or I'll call them back if they aren't the first. It is the right thing to do.

 

[radman1]

>>>When I sell something the first caller has first dibs if we can work out a time to meet.<<


That is just common courtesy.

That is also how I handle it. However, I won't wait very long to meet with the potential buyer. I won't wait 2 days until it fits the buyer's schedule because I have gotten burned on those kind of arrangements. I would however, recommend the buyer calling before he drives a few hours to see an item. If the potential buyer is already on his way a lives a few hours away, I would never sell the item during his trip time. I have also learned if I sell something and the buyer does not have the money with him, to at least leave a deposit. If no deposit, the item remains for sell to the next potential buyer.

In general, I like it when buyers drive 2-3 hours to see something. It usually means they will likely buy it and pay full asking price. Most people don't like to drive that far and leave empty handed. It does not bother me if they want to renegoiate the price. I can always take it or leave the offer. I have driven 2-3 hours to see something that IMHO, was not as I expected. In those cases, I renegoiate or just turn around and go home. Pictures seem to make an item look better than what it is. The sellers idea of "excellent condition" may be my idea of "good or fair condition". For me, excellent means near new condition with little age and few minor cosmetic issues and operates/runs like a new item.

 

[dooleysm]

I had a guy try to offer me $40 for a rabbit hutch I was asking $50 for. But, this was after he had driven two and a half hours (calling me 3 times along the way, not following my directions, and wasting a solid 45 minutes of his time) towing a trailer to pick it up. He pulled up and tried to tell me my wife had indicated I might take less over the phone.

I would have given the thing to him if he had arranged all this before he came. My wife wanted it gone and I had no use for it. I knew what he had gone through to get there though, and I was a bit confused as to why he kept calling for directions and then not going the way I told him.

He had a 7' trailer and the rabbit hutch was close to 8' long (I gave exact dimensions in my listing). We loaded it in upside down (4x4 legs sticking up in the air) and I asked if he had straps or bungee cords to tie it down. He had them, but didn't think he needed them, and again asked what I thought. Well, it might cause a problem for the person behind you, but you should be ok, so off he went.

I don't know what this story says in regards to the original poster's questions, but I found it odd, and not all that atypical of my craigslist experiences.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I've only tried to sell a couple things on CL, and I've set up a few appointments for people to come look, and no one ever came and looked. The people setting up the appointments wasted my time. i haven't tried CL again.

 

[Bird]

When I listed a ZTR mower and a trailer to haul it, I got a call within an hour of listing it, the guy said he'd be here with the cash on his lunch hour from 20 miles away, and he was.

When I listed a boat, it was on there 2 or 3 weeks. I had 2 callers who said they were going to come look at it and never came, never called back. But then I had a guy call from 3 to 4 hours from here and he did come with the cash and took the boat.

 

[LD1]

It is very sad indeed and I think the seller did you wrong. I have been on both sides of that situaton before. I buy and sell on C-list quite often. When I buy, If I am not able to show up, I'll usually tell them I'll call back tomorrow, or this weekend, to see if you still have it for sale. If the weekend rolls around and I call, and they still have it, and I say I am on my way, I EXPECT it to still be there when I get there. But before I say "I'm on my way" alls fair. If the seller has someone else planning to come take a look around the same time I am, I expect to be informed.

I had a similar experience to the OP only I was the seller. As many who have dealt a lot with c-list know, you take a lot of calls and a lot of "Ill call you back" or I'll be there this weekend's, etc. I had a transmission for sale. Had lots of calls the first week. Mostly from people 2+hrs away. Several of the "Ill call back this weekend to get directions" type calls. (Like I said, unless you call and tell me you are ready to head this way NOW, or give me a set time, all is fair).

The weekend rolls around, one guy called back, asked me the best I'd take, I gave him a price, he said he'd be here in 2 hrs. OK, Item is sold. Guy shows up, loads the tranny, pays me and is on his way. 30 min later, I get a call from another guy that called earlier in the week and he said he was on his way and wanted directions. I tell him it is sold. He got very upset and said he has already drove 1 hour my way (he lives 2hrs away).

I explain to him that we didn't have a set time or a deal on the phone 6 days ago. He told me (6 days ago) that he would get back in touch with me to come see it and get directions. I get the feeling that he was under the impression that I was going to hold it for 6 days for him and hope he would call back. Not going to happen. TOO many people say that and NEVER call back.

 

[Skyco]

I've only tried to sell a couple things on CL, and I've set up a few appointments for people to come look, and no one ever came and looked. The people setting up the appointments wasted my time. i haven't tried CL again.

I've never tried to sell on CL but have been puzzled many times trying to buy something..
Put an ad in the "wanted" part of CL looking for some forklift forks. Got a nice email back from a guy that had two sets, different sizes. No price given, tried for days to get up with him to maybe buy them, never got another response, despite repeated emails to him, the only way I had to contact him
I've often responded to a CL ad with interest in an item for sale, don't get a call or email back, so one would assume it is already sold, yet the item continues to appear and be relisted for weeks sometime
I've yet to buy anything advertised on CL but I keep trying

 

[GT2]

I feel for you, but as a potential buyer YOU should have asked those questions before driving all that distance.
Most sellers I talk to (and my self) have been burned so many times by no shows that its first come first served!

 

[LD1]

Since this is kinda a c-list etiquette topic, I'll throw out some things that I have seen or that people do that just drive me crazy.

1. I HATE when people list something forsale and put $1 in the headding and then later put the actual price in the add. It makes you actually have to click on the add just to see what they're asking.

2. I hate when I am selling something and someone texts me. UNLESS an ad says call OR text, DO NOT text someone. Especially to ask multiple questions. I sold a truck a while back and had one guy text "how many miles" (even though it was in the add). I responded with the miles and then he texts "what shape is it in". Even though there are pics in the add. I texted him back and told him "not to text again if he wanted to know about the truck, re-read the ad or call me".

3. I hate when people dont give a Phone #. I have bought and sold a lot on c-list and I can't even begin to count the thousands or spam e-mails I have gotten. But have yet to get one spam or telemarketing call. I hate e-mail and don't check it that often. Phone-calls are so much more personal and quicker.

4. I hate when someone over-hypes the price about something they have done to what ever they're selling, hopeing someone won't know anybetter........For example, I just saw an add a few weeks ago for an 8n ford for sale. In the description it says "new rear tires (over $1100)." When in fact in my area a set of 12.4-28 tires run between 500-600 mounted. And I see this type of "marketing decepion" on several other things as well, this is just one example.

Alright, done hijacking now

 

[GT2]

Pictures seem to make an item look better than what it is. The sellers idea of "excellent condition" may be my idea of "good or fair condition". For me, excellent means near new condition with little age and few minor cosmetic issues and operates/runs like a new item.

Isn't that the truth!
But the other day I went to buy a used orchard ladder that the guy said was in good shape ( no pics). I went in ready to offer a lower price expecting a piece of crud, and to my surprise it was like brand new!
Gave him full asking.

 

[GT2]

Since this is kinda a c-list etiquette topic, I'll throw out some things that I have seen or that people do that just drive me crazy.

1. I HATE when people list something forsale and put $1 in the headding and then later put the actual price in the add. It makes you actually have to click on the add just to see what they're asking.

2. I hate when I am selling something and someone texts me. UNLESS an ad says call OR text, DO NOT text someone. Especially to ask multiple questions. I sold a truck a while back and had one guy text "how many miles" (even though it was in the add). I responded with the miles and then he texts "what shape is it in". Even though there are pics in the add. I texted him back and told him "not to text again if he wanted to know about the truck, re-read the ad or call me".

3. I hate when people dont give a Phone #. I have bought and sold a lot on c-list and I can't even begin to count the thousands or spam e-mails I have gotten. But have yet to get one spam or telemarketing call. I hate e-mail and don't check it that often. Phone-calls are so much more personal and quicker.

4. I hate when someone over-hypes the price about something they have done to what ever they're selling, hopeing someone won't know anybetter........For example, I just saw an add a few weeks ago for an 8n ford for sale. In the description it says "new rear tires (over $1100)." When in fact in my area a set of 12.4-28 tires run between 500-600 mounted. And I see this type of "marketing decepion" on several other things as well, this is just one example.

Alright, done hijacking now

Good ones!
I hate it when someone says" don't try and haggle, I know what this is worth".
When clearly they don't!

 

[dfkrug]

It is very sad indeed and I think the seller did you wrong.

I agree.

I am also a many time buyer and seller using Craigs, and newspaper ads
before that. (Anyone remember newspaper ads?)

There is seller etiquette and buyer etiquette, and I have seen buyers and
sellers who break all the "rules".

Most of the buys and sells I do go smoothly. I understand as a buyer
when there is a popular item that suddenly comes up for sale, I had better
move quickly. If I elect not to go get it NOW, and pay full price, I risk
losing it. Conversely, if I list a popular item for sale, and I get a lot of
callers/emailers, I want to be as fair as I can. Probably 50% of folks who
say they are coming to look at something do not show. If you are a
buyer and you call and swear you want to buy what I am selling at the price
I am asking, then that is nice, but in general, I am not holding it for you.
If you are coming out now, and you are a hour or so away, I won't sell
it to someone else first. If, on the other hand, you swear you want it,
and you are not coming right away, how can I risk turning away other
buyers? I always tell buyers to call me first before they drive over here,
and I do not want someone to drive a long distance and risk losing to
another buyer. If you are so sure you want something before you see it,
you can use PayPal to send a deposit. As a buyer, I would not give
anyone a deposit.

I sold a popular item recently (3-pt rototiller), and I had one
unhappy potential buyer who made the mistake of waiting a full day
until he got off work. Another could not imagine that I would not
budge on the price, but he bought it anyway.

Since HOOKED came as soon as the seller was supposedly available,
and the MH was sold earlier, that's dishonest.

 

[hawkeye08]

I understand the OP frustration. It takes all kinds. I try and stay nice, not get into battle of wits with someone unarmed.

Last month when I was looking for a finish mower, I found one on CL and emailed (no phone number given) with some questions. The ad had one bad picture, the only information was "good shape". The title of the ad said "Land Pride 72" finish mower $650" but nothing else.

I wanted to know what model, there are several. I wanted to know how old it was, what shape the blades were in, how the belt was, etc. Normal questions you would have buying a used finish mower.

The seller did not respond, so I emailed the same email again (I use hotmail and figure some of the no responses are because hotmail is often treated like spam). I got a response that I should read the ad and that it is in good shape.

I put together an email with my original questions, then provided answers, such as, I don't know, but it is in good shape for each question. I sent that to the seller. He responded saying he thought I was a spammer and apologized, but made sure to mention that he was apologizing for thinking I was a spammer, not because he wanted me to buy or that he needed to sell.

I wanted to look at it so emailed him to set up time and get directions. He could not be bothered, he was going to the lake for a week. I replied to let me know when he got back and I would come and look at it. I had the cash, was ready to buy. He never replied. In the meantime I have purchased a new finish mower from dealer.

I search CL for deals all the time and notice his ad is still there, 4 new pictures, same comment (good shape), he added "remove ad when sold".

Landpride 72" Finish Mower

 

[bp fick]

Buy and sell off CL all the time. Big ticket and small. Beats the heck out of paying eBay fees, imo.

It just is what it is. I don't get upset if I am the buyer or the seller. You just cannot. It is no different than something being parked out front of someone's house, really. It is first cash that buys or sells. Period.

I gave up a long time ago with making appointments and trying to keep appointments. I tell every potential buyer the truth. "First come, first served." " No, I won't hold it for you." "You are an honest person, I am sure, but I cannot do appointments, as if that implies I am holding it for you."

When I am the buyer, while it is frustrating to drive somewhere and find it sold, that is the just the way it is. You cannot get emotionally invested until the deal is over and done. I know of no other method that is going to work these days.

 

[arrabil]

I wanted to know what model, there are several. I wanted to know how old it was, what shape the blades were in, how the belt was, etc. Normal questions you would have buying a used finish mower.

Hawkeye, there is something I've learned about selling used stuff that no one here has mentioned.... I don't deal with buyers that ask that many questions. The buyer who needs to know every little detail is rarely satisfied after buying something well-used. Case in point, you purchased a new one from a dealer in the end. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being picky, I'm picky myself, but selling something to someone who nitpicks over the details, when the item is clearly well-used as in that ad, is way more hassle than its worth. In the end its those of us who are most picky who are the ones that want the transaction "rectified" in some manner because of something we missed while looking at it. While the less picky person just says to themselves, "Well, I bought something well-used, I got something well-used."