Seller etiquette - Page 2

TKKids · 08-24-2008, 06:31 PM

I have to go for 1st come 1st serve UNLESS you know the person.

I like to try to make appointments and keep items for the person I speak to 1st. Sometimes that doesn't work, especially if you are selling multiple items.

My 2 cents. Only worth that.

Tim

LeftyTom · 08-24-2008, 06:39 PM

If I cannot stop by buy the item the same day I contact the seller, I do tell the seller that if someone comes w/cash in hand before I get there a few days later, sell it.

Travis Porter · 08-24-2008, 08:29 PM

If I want an item I am at the mercy of the seller. If I want it, I need to go over to look at and get it as soon as possible. If I can't make my schedule work out to theirs, I have offered to put down a deposit.

Even with offering a deposit for an item and getting told not a problem I have had items sold out from under me.

Conversely, as a seller, I try to be fair. If someone says they want it, I set it aside, I give them their opportunity, but I don't pull my listing until it is sold.

I have been in Greg's shoes as a buyer more than once, and it is never pleasant. I tried to buy a machine out of state awhile back, but I was out of the country and couldn't get to it for a few days. I offered to send paypal, wire transfer, etc. Got told don't worry about it that they would hold it. I get back in town, call to schedule and get, oh I forgot to call you I sold it. Not fun.

It is up to the seller to set the rules up front. First there with cash, appointments, whatever. Just make sure your potential buyers know what they are up against.

AndyBarnhart · 08-24-2008, 10:01 PM

I have an interesting one that should end in a minor gloat tomorrow. I have been playing phone tag with the lady with the OTT light that I am trying to buy. She has ended up chatting with my wife a couple of times when returning messages and they are going out for coffee tomorrow after they drop their respective kids off (hopefully they will remember poor pitiful me and I will get my light

).

EDIT - One more buyer/seller story that is food for thought. When I was shopping for my sailboat last Summer, I narrowed it down to a handful of models because of my budget, towing capacity and the features I wanted in a boat. Because I was honest with sellers, I had two who were not willing to hold a boat for me while I was driving there (these were 3 hour drives). I have to admit, the thought crossed my mind to tell the next one that I was settled on the model and would buy it when I got there. I didn't, but I do understand how buyers get frustrated and commit to things before they are sure just so the chance won't slip away.

JimmyC · 08-24-2008, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Travis Porter

It is up to the seller to set the rules up front. First there with cash, appointments, whatever. Just make sure your potential buyers know what they are up against.

I'd have to say your right Travis, as long as the rules are stated up front it's fair, this way you let people know what they are up against.

Jimmy

cubicdissection · 08-24-2008, 11:44 PM

That's they way I do it whenever I sell on CL - I put in the text that tire kickers are welcome, but the first one with cash in hand gets it. Been screwed around too much with no-show buyers after holding items. Seems to happen more on big ticket stuff like vehicles.

garymuto · 08-25-2008, 11:19 AM

Thsi is an interesting post and one of the big reasons I visit this site even though I no longer reside in NC. I only lived in Raleigh for about 18 months and I can tell you that people were considerably more friendly than other places I've lived. The previous owners of our house actually hired an inspector and repairman to make sure that the house was in good condition. then they apologized that is wasn't complete while we were looking at the house for the first time. Very unusual, and refreshing.

Living in Western NY and now MI, I've always felt that people were generally friendly, maybe a little guarded or jaded. But business is business and a for sale item would only be held with a deposit. Unfortunately this is my policy too, having learned the hard way. Anyway, I appreciate this post since it reminds me of many of the people that I met while I lived in NC.

DaveD · 08-25-2008, 07:09 PM

I've sold things on craigslist and basically its the first with a decent deposit I'll hold the item for a agreed to time till they get the rest of the funds. I hate 'tire kickers'

If you contact me and say you will be here in x days I'll tell you to call first because I won't hold the item. For people on this board I'd probably hold an item a few days with no deposit.

It amazes me how many people will come to buy something and not have the money (or a check) with them and want you to either be a banker (take payments) or wait till their 'finances get straightened out in the next week or so'.

When I go to buy things I'll always have cash in hand or a substantial deposit.

I typically follow (for buying and selling) the old saying that 'cash talks, B*S walks'.

Years ago I taught my young teenage son a technique I have successfully used to negotiate price to buy something (even cars). Lets say I offer to pay $700 (but will pay up to $900) and you want $1000. I take a wad of bills and count out $700 and put it on the table. Then I tell the seller I'm going to slowly add money to the pile and either he can eventually talk the pile of money and that's the selling price or I'll take the money back at some point and walk away from the sale. BTW my son (13 years old at the time) got a 125CC dirt bike for 25% off that time. I was really proud of him pulling it off. The only guidance I gave him was 'go do what I told you to do' (and I watched from 20 feet away).

I have been able to beat other buyers out by having cash in hand and being willing to drive 30 miles at 9PM to make a purchase on something I thought was a killer deal. Believe me cash (not checks) gets sellers attention.

JackLeg · 08-25-2008, 07:39 PM

This is a tough subject to address. Personally, I'm like Fred, if I tell you it's yours, then it's yours.

BUT, as I've recently found out, some CL sellers don't seem to care. Example, the FAS lumber in Mebane. After one of "us" posted today that the prices are "truckload", I called the guy back. Yep, truckload. This is after I told him last week we needed about 2-300 bf. He told me to call him in the morning and he'd give me the price on the quantity we need.

I went back to the ads and checked; no mention of truckload quantities. I'm sure glad I saw the post, cause it's about 100 miles up there from here.

Bottom line: TELL IT LIKE IT IS!

Thanks to North Carolina Woodworker I may save some gas!!

rcorne01 · 08-25-2008, 08:17 PM

What I have done is to agree to a time for a buyer to come over, but do two things:

1. Explain first one with the cash gets the item.
2. Get a phone number should another buyer set up a time before them, so in the event the item is sold I can let them know and save a trip.

In the case where I have someone coming over fairly soon, within a couple of hours, and another is interested - I let them know what is going on and either get a phone number to let them know, or have them call back shortly after the "viewing".

I have found sharing something as simple as a phone number tends to weed out "tire kickers", while at the same time extending a courtesy to interested buyers to save them a trip and/or give them a chance to formulate a back up plan.

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