Selling moral question

[torqueman2002]

On a forum this large you will get many replies pro and con.

I can't second guess what you did.

Only you know what you and the callers agreed to. You don't really need us to tell you the correct thing to do.

I'd say, put yourself in each persons shoes and take it as a lesson learned for the next CL (or any) transaction, whether selling or buying.

Just be upfront and honor your word.
I've had great dealings with people on the Detroit Metro CL.

 

[arrowhead]

I had gotten a heads up about a big storm brewing but it had not hit the news yet. I had been wanting to get a generator so I was lucky enough to find one close by on CL. I called on a Wend night and told him I'd be by on Sat to PU. Well the news broke the next day about the storm and he started getting lots of calls. He called me and wanted to know if I was coming for sure.

I dropped everything and ran over and got it.

Most of the time I'm selling junk no one wants so it's not a problem, but if it's a popular item, I tell them first come first serve and I will call if someone gets there first. I'm not going to hold out for some scumbag to not show up. Happens way too much.

 

[BFBOB]

What's right?
Do I really need to tell you? Keep your word. Do what you say.

IF CL responders are really that unreliable, just don't say you will hold anything. If the first greenbacks through the door will take it, say so. Then keep your word.

Do the right thing. The right thing is not to penalize an innocent person for a bad thing you think someone else might do to you - or what you think said person might do to you.

Require a non-refundable deposit via PayPal to hold an item. Refuse to hold an item at all. Make whatever rules make sense to you, and then stick to them.

Have you noticed that most of the CL complaints boil down to someone not keeping his word? So, don't be that guy. Don't contribute to the problem. KEEP YOUR WORD!

(Gee, was I clear enough?)

 

[Sureshot]

I tell prospective buyers to call me right before they're ready to come out to buy/look at the item. If it's still available I only hold the item for their travel time. (I give them 1-2 hrs)

Other then that it's first come first serve.

If you promised to hold an item you should follow through.

This^^^^^ and I also put firm for the price. When I decide to sell something I want it gone and put a fair price on it. I hate the tire kickers who want it for next to nothing and waste my time. Been burned on no shows etc too many times and I rarely sell stuff. Sold a house once privately and the guy put a stop payment on his deposit cheque after I told all the subsequent calls it was sold. What a PITA.

 

[ez-duzit]

First buyer with cash. I won't hold an item without payment. Instant PayPal works.

 

[jerryd68]

I won't use paypal them and their gun policy **** can FO!! same with Progressive insurance, I don't need to fund somebody that is working against my best interests!

 

[Kevin54]

I've had good luck weeding out the bullshitters and I think a lot of others have too. I know that when I bought my shear, it was a little over a three hour drive for me. I explained to the seller that I had to go to the bank and get the money out and I really wanted it. It was going to be a few days before I could get the free time to get there. I maintained e-mail contact with the seller, gave him my home phone and cell phone number, told him how long it would take to get there according to Mapquest, and guaranteed him that I wanted it and would be there to get it. He took a gamble, but I think he knew I was legit on wanting it and was not bullshitting him.

I know that "it's first come, first serve" and the "first one that shows up with cash gets it". I also understand and explain to some that I will not hold an item for very long. One can usually weed out the shoppers and bullshitters. I've sold a number of items on CL and haven't been stung yet. I try to be just as upfront with a buyer or seller as I hope they are me.

 

[nmk_61802]

I always tell people first come first serve. The only exception made if for larger ticket items or when the person is driving a distance. I generally hold for that due to the logistics.

From my end I only expect a seller to hold an item if I am driving a distance for it. I usually call the seller and tell them when I am leaving and when I expect to arrive, and that I expect the item to still be there for that long or we have problems.

 

[jd_1138]

It's tricky whether or not to hold something for someone. There is a chance that they will flake out and not show up -- thus losing the chance you could have had to sell to others who were ready to come over and buy.

And if you refuse to hold it for someone, then others who claim they are coming to check it out may never actually come. Meanwhile the person you refused to hold it for has moved on and bought someone else's widget.

I usually don't hold an item unless a person is super enthused about an item and then I will only hold for an evening. As in, if they contact me saturday morning, I will hold until Saturday night only.

 

[Falcon67]

You asked.

If you tell a buyer that you're going to hold an item for them, and then you don't. Then you've done the wrong thing. There are no two ways about it, and it doesn't matter whether you've been burned in the past or not. The way to navigate your situation honestly is to tell each potential buyer that the first person to show up with the cash will get the item.

This. I just bought a $300 block off a craigslist ad. I had a couple of conversations with the seller and felt that we could work with each other. Best I could do as a buyer was assure the seller that if the item was as represented I would buy and also called to verify we were on the way with cash. I had to travel 4 hours and 230 miles on 7/4 to pick up the item, I'd have been rather pissed had it not been there when we arrived.

 

[Davefr]

It's tricky whether or not to hold something for someone. There is a chance that they will flake out and not show up -- thus losing the chance you could have had to sell to others who were ready to come over and buy.

It's not tricky at all.

When the buyer says "I'm ready to leave the house and come over and look/buy your widget and will be there by __:__ O'clock" that's when you hold the item for their travel time.

It's fair for you and the buyer. If anyone else calls while the buyer is enroute you simply put them on the backup list.

I won't hold an item until I hear the above words and hold duration is buyer's travel time only.

 

[Chaznsc]

It's tricky whether or not to hold something for someone. There is a chance that they will flake out and not show up -- thus losing the chance you could have had to sell to others who were ready to come over and buy.

And if you refuse to hold it for someone, then others who claim they are coming to check it out may never actually come. Meanwhile the person you refused to hold it for has moved on and bought someone else's widget.

I usually don't hold an item unless a person is super enthused about an item and then I will only hold for an evening. As in, if they contact me saturday morning, I will hold until Saturday night only.

I sell a good bit on CL and have found that 9 out of 10 folks who say they will show up never will. I try not to hold anything unless I get the right vibe. BUT if I tell you I will hold it, come hell or high water, that's what I will do.

 

[J king]

Well the guy called to make sure sale went thru Even tho I sent him an email.he said he understood and it was ok. If I sell on there again I will use some of the suggestions given. Thanks all. Jim

 

[IONH]

I was selling my old Hayabusa a month or two ago. Many people interested, only a few showed up. Long story short, cash is king. I'm honest with everyone who was interested by saying others are also interested. I wouldn't hold it a week at a time for any one person who may not even show up.

I try not to wait more than a day for someone to show up. If someone wants to see it "next weekend" and that's 5 days away, I tell them I will send my address on Friday and if someone wants to come see and buy it before then, they can do that and the first person will miss out.

 

[EOC_Jason]

First come, first served. I tell people I won't hold an item unless there's money down on it and even then I have them agree to a time and date to finalize the transaction.

That's the same for me. If someone says, "I'll come by tomorrow..." I simply tell them to call before they head this way because if someone else decides to come TODAY then it COULD be sold...

*Sometimes* when I get a person that really really wants it, I'll tell them I'll let them get first grabs, but if they don't show up at the time promised then all bets are off. Anyone that calls afterwards I just get their number and tell them if the first person doesn't take it I'll call them and go from there.

 

[rslaback]

As both a buyer and seller I go with appointments. When I tell a person I am interested in something and want to come see it, I make sure to schedule a time when I will be coming to do so. If I can't make it work in the next day or so I tell them I will contact them the day before or so to set up a time that works for both of us. Obviously, the better the deal and the closer the item (I live in BFE) the more I can rearrange my schedule. That said, once an appointment has been made, I expect the item to be there.

As a seller I function the same way. If I set up a time when the buyer will be coming to take a look at it, I will hold it. I will tell other potential buyers about that appointment. If someone doesn't set up an appointment but says "Saturday sometime" I let them know that they should call back closer to that day and make sure it is available and we can set up a meeting time. I also let other potential buyers know that someone plans to come on Saturday sometime or whatever. If they choose to make an actual appointment before Saturday then I go with that.

Bottom line: if there is an appt. I hold it and expect it to be held. If there is not, then I make sure to let the potential buyer know that it may not be available. If I make a bad decision and set up an appointment a ways out for someone to buy something from me and in the meantime someone else wants to buy it, that is my fault, not the buyers and I stand by my word, at the time of the appointment they scheduled, the item will still be available for them.

 

[elterrell]

I was selling a Chevy truck on CL last year -- wanted 2500 for it. Guy #1 came and saw it, liked it, negotiated a price on it ($2200), told me he would call the next day to exchange truck/cash. Told me to pull the CL ad -- I told it ain't over till cash changes hands. Never heard back from him. Sold it to Guy #2 two days later for $2400.
It ain't over till the fat lady sings where CL is concerned.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Depends on what you told the guy in my opinion, I have been burned by people telling me that they will show and never do, but I have also been on the other side of it, call on an item and the guy tells me that he will hold it for me while I drive the 2 hours to get to him and once I do he has sold it, so much for 50.00 in diesel, thanks ****![/QUOTE




I have made those two hour drives also... Called him before leaving my yard to let him know I was on the way .... Called again when about ten miles from his place to let him know I'd be there in about 15 minutes... He replied that I may as turn around as he sold it a half hour ago...



When I sell on Craig's list; I make sure to get the phone number of my respondents... If the first caller says he will be here at 8am in the morning; the second caller will be told about the first caller's appointment ,,,,,,,,,AND,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I will place a courtesy call to the second and other callers to inform them whether the item was sold or not.... I have been thanked for the return phone calls.........



I simply try to treat folks the way I like to be treated...

 

[davewo]

I've bought and sold alot on Craigslist. First come, first served in my opinion. Although I would make an effort to "honor" my "promise" to those travelling a distance. Just be polite. Craigslist is about wants, not needs. No one needs to have an item saved for them. -Dave

 

[december45]

when I am selling something, I always tell who ever calls, first one here with cash buys it. If the guy cant come until the next day, he is welcome to buy the item the next day if the item is still available.
I dont usually make any promises, 1st here with the cash gets it.

 

[slugworks]

In general first come, first served. A majority of my craigslist transactions have been great, but I have had bad experiences as both a seller and buyer.

I had a guy say he wanted something I was selling and would like to meet to pick it up. I agreed and told him to call me when he was on his way. He never called. The next day he said he was sorry he couldn't make it, but really wanted it and would meet the next day. He called and said he was leaving work in 10 minutes and would be there in 20 minutes. I showed up, he didn't. Never heard from him again.

As a buyer, I had been emailing and talking to a guy about a car. He was retired and lived in Florida, but was coming back to MN in a couple weeks and wanted to sell the car that weekend and was making appointments. He assured me that since I was the first one to call him and schedule an appointment I would get first crack at it. I asked him for as early as he could do. We agreed on a time and he even called to confirm the night before. I told him I would pay his asking price assuming it was accurately described. I went to the bank and got cash, began the 45 minute drive only to get 10 minutes away and have him call and say the first guy to come look at it bought it.

I you tell someone you are going to do (insert whatever you tell them) then you should do it.

 

[stonewellmark]

Money talks and ******** walks

 

[NUTTSGT]

They key here is whether the OP told the first fellow that he could have it tomorrow. If so, then pulling the rug from under him wasn't cool. If not, then he owed that man nothing.

You asked.

If you tell a buyer that you're going to hold an item for them, and then you don't. Then you've done the wrong thing. There are no two ways about it, and it doesn't matter whether you've been burned in the past or not. The way to navigate your situation honestly is to tell each potential buyer that the first person to show up with the cash will get the item.

I'm going no farther than the first page. I'll agree with Bull and Jack.

I don't care how many times you have been burned in the past. If you give somebody your word, then you hold it till the next day or agreed time. When you give your word and sell it out from under the potential buyer, you become no better than the no-shows.

 

[mrodgers]

I'm going no farther than the first page. I'll agree with Bull and Jack.

I don't care how many times you have been burned in the past. If you give somebody your word, then you hold it till the next day or agreed time. When you give your word and sell it out from under the potential buyer, you become no better than the no-shows.

Guy 1 is selling, guy 2 wants to buy and makes an appointment. Guy 2 gets in car and finds out 10 minutes away that guy 1 sold to guy 3.

Now guy 2, who use to always keep his word says **** it, I've been burned, I'm not getting burned again. Now guy 2 is same as guy 1. Guy 2 does same thing to guy 4. Now guy 4 gets burned and says **** it. Guy 4 burns guy 5 and guy 5 next time turns around and burns guy 6.

And on and on and on and this is how everyone becomes an ******* about selling stuff.

It's the same way with work. We were 1 man on each crew, 4 12 hour crews. We helped each other out at the end of our shift to set the next shift up. Someone left for greener pasture and replacement doesn't want to work that way. So crew 1 sets new crew 2 guy up. Crew 1 comes back in 12 hours later and new crew 2 screws him. Crew 1 says F that and doesn't help out crew 2 this time. Only, it is a shift rotation, crew 3 is coming on. So crew 3 gets screwed and says F this. Now crew 1 rotates and crew 4 comes on next shift and got screwed by crew 3. It all comes around and now all crews are screwing each other.

The world of individuals will never work together.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Guy 1 is selling, guy 2 wants to buy and makes an appointment. Guy 2 gets in car and finds out 10 minutes away that guy 1 sold to guy 3.


The world of individuals will never work together.

If guy #2 makes appt and Guy1 gives word to hold it then he should honor his word. It's called morals. If guy #2 doesn't show up, his morals ****.

 

[srmofo]

I tell them the first to put that money in my hand gets it. Im not holding items for CL flakes to never show. That usually motivates people to get off their *** and come get it ASAP if they really want it. If someone asks to make an appointment to come see it the next day because of a legitimate excuse and they dont sound like a jackass on the phone Ill make exceptions. If anyone calls after that I simply tell them I have 1 guy coming by tomorrow and I can call them back if he doesnt buy it.

 

[Kevin54]

Not holding an item really puts the shits to a person that lives quite a way from the item. I understand the first come, first serve, but like I said earlier, when you live two, three, four hours away, and really want something, you have to be in constant contact with the person selling. When I first make contact with them, I tell them my name, where I live, and when I can be there. I'll call them before I leave or right when I leave to let them know, and depending on the distance away, I'll call them again to let them know where I am at and how long the GPS states it should take for the remaining miles. Almost everything I have bought has been 1-4 hours away.

I think a lot of it has to do how you come across to a person as to whether they will hold it for you or not. I know when I sell something and a person is an hour or so away, well mainly most people, I will ask them for their Cell number. If they aren't there at the specified time, I will call them to see if they want the item or not. They have one chance to get there afterwards or it goes to the next person. I'll take a chance on people just as I hope they take a chance on me.

 

[Quijote]

First person that shows up with money gets the item when I sell.

This. I am accommodating to have people come and look at it, inspect it, etc. But after a few awkward incidents, the cleanest way is to go with "first one with the money takes it."

I was trying to sell a car (at a good price since I was trying to move it quickly and it wasn't big bucks). Guy comes in on Monday and likes it and tells me he will buy it if his mechanic can check it out Wednesday. I told him no problem but if someone shows up with cash before it's gone. He seemed annoyed and sort of laughed at me as though I was trying to pressure him. A different guy showed up on Tuesday with cash on hand and took it on the spot. I should also point out that the guy who wound up buying the car told me he would show up with cash on hand and I gave the first guy a fair warning that there was a guy showing up on Tuesday (just in case he somehow thought I was holding the car for him). He said he would take his chances. He lost the car.

No way do I give up a sure sale for a guy who has the sale contingent on an inspection. And never take a deposit because that may make you contractually bound and depending on your state you may have to refund it regardless of what you agreed to.

A time before I got burned because I got an offer for 95%+ of asking and agreed to it quickly only to find a guy the next day offering 100% and doing it sooner. I honored the first deal, but learned my lesson.

 

[ajchien]

I don't say that I will hold for them. It's whomever shows up first. Sorry, if you're 2 hours away - start driving.

I'll be courteous enough to text you if its sold on your way, but thats never happened when Ive been a seller. It has happened to me when I was a buyer though, I was happy that the seller was courteous enough to let me know it was already gone before I got there. Can't get too upset. If it's a good deal to me, its a good deal to someone else. Good deals don't wait for anyone.

 

[IONH]

If someone is coming from a distance, I will hold it during their drive. I will sell it before they leave though and send an e-mail to them right away so they know not to make the trip. I always have people e-mail me when they are leaving their house so I know they are on their way. In that window of known travel time (plus traffic/eating pending total time), I will not sell it to someone else.

 

[jwhcars]

I believe honesty and integrity are two of the things that you want to be known for.
If one does not live up to them it very hard to them earn back.

 

[Zeke]

J king's posts don't add up for me. But I can tell you that no shows and people who agree in principle to a price on the phone will want more discount when the get there, if they get there.

I always price things with an immediate 10% discount in mind to show someone I'm ready to sell. Bring the money. I describe things honest and as they are. I get a lot less respect from the buying public than I offer.

So, cash is king and sellers need to be clear on that.

 

[J king]

So what doesn't add up zeke.

 

[Zeke]

I place a object on Craigslist.doesnt matter the item. If someone calls and says they will be able to come the next day to purchase the item should you blow off others that can see the item right away?

I received 4 replys to an item listed. One of the people said he would be right over and buy the item. After a little persuasion I told him to come. I did explain to him I had someone coming tomorrow that said he wanted it.He insisted that he would take it today.I hate to do that to the first caller but I felt that the opportunity to sell now was better than maybe tomorrow. I sold the item and sent the original caller a email that I sold the item.He was very upset and told me that I said he could come tomorrow.I feel bad but cash is king.I really feel bad but it is business...I guess...

What are your thoughts.

No I didn't tell him I would hold it..I sent him a email that it was sold.no reply.

Well, the potential buyer either replied that he was upset or he didn't. You seem to have contradicted yourself.

 

[NorDel Garage]

I was selling two job boxes . A guy calls and agreed to pay my asking price and would definitely be here later in the day. I said that I don't like to hold something because of no shows. I gave him directions ,but said if anyone buys it then I would give him a courtesy call to save him the trip. He agreed. Another guy calls wants the Job Boxes . I tell him that some guy says he's coming over later.So this guy then offers me fifty dollars more ,AND will pay with PayPal right now. So I sold it to him . He came right over and picked them up in his truck. I now call the first guy to save him a trip. He dosn't answer his phone,and I leave him a message. Several hours later he calls a mile from my house to say he is almost here. I tell him that it has been sold and I left him a message on his phone. He tells me that he does not check messages,and that I should have texted him! So, he wasted a trip and I made fifty extra bucks. He probably checks his messages now.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I was selling two job boxes . A guy calls and agreed to pay my asking price and would definitely be here later in the day. I said that I don't like to hold something because of no shows. I gave him directions ,but said if anyone buys it then I would give him a courtesy call to save him the trip. He agreed. Another guy calls wants the Job Boxes . I tell him that some guy says he's coming over later.So this guy then offers me fifty dollars more ,AND will pay with PayPal right now. So I sold it to him . He came right over and picked them up in his truck. I now call the first guy to save him a trip. He dosn't answer his phone,and I leave him a message. Several hours later he calls a mile from my house to say he is almost here. I tell him that it has been sold and I left him a message on his phone. He tells me that he does not check messages,and that I should have texted him! So, he wasted a trip and I made fifty extra bucks. He probably checks his messages now.

What you did was clear and upfront.... Guy #1 goofed when he assumed the boxes were still available and started driving before calling or checking his messages.... His bobo on that one....

 

[OccupantRJ]

I sell first come, first serve. I have them come to a church parking lot a quarter mile from my house, then call me for exact directions. If they can't do that properly, they will never know where I live. I can do a drive-by to look them over If i am suspicious, and they will not even know who I am. I will only hold for drive time. I have been buying and selling for 40 years, and have seen it all, the good, and the bad. Mostly good, with a few flakes along the way. I learned to preserve the critical info until the last few minutes of the exchange, as this keeps you in control as the seller. As a buyer, I have made a few of those wasted drives when someone flakes out in some way. When I had garage sales, I would put directions in the ad directing buyers to a nearby church, directing them to follow signs posted at the church. When time came for the yard sale that morning, I would drive up, hop out and staple an address sign up, then drive back down the street to my house, where things were ready to roll. This technique stumped the hell out of the "early birds" who would show up at 4 am instead of at 7, if you let them.

 

[MarkG]

Make it clear in any ad that 'first come, first served'. Couldn't be fairer or clearer. It may actually work to the seller's advantage-----if someone wants to buy, they're not going to wait around and miss their chance! The seller doesn't have to keep track of who has 'dibs' then either.

 

[Albiemanmike]

Well, the potential buyer either replied that he was upset or he didn't. You seem to have contradicted yourself.

You noticed the same thing I did? What is the story for real? Sounds to me like you did make a promise to the first guy and then sold it to someone else. That just isn't ethical nor honorable. One thing I absolutely live and die by is my integrity and word. Without that I have nothing period! I don't care if nice guys finish last or if I get burned 100 times I will not compromise my integrity for anyone or anything. The second you lose your personal integrity nobody will ever trust you again end of story.

I have sold and bought. I have held things and have had things held for me. So far I am batting 1,000 but that doesn't mean I won't get burned tomorrow on the lawn tractor I have scheduled to go look at. I told the guy I would come to see it tomorrow after 12:00 which is what he told me was the time after which I could see it. I gave him my name and cell number. Told him if for any reason I could not make it or was running late I would call so he wasn't hung up by me. I took the day off to accommodate him. Can't do more than that and all I would expect is a call or text telling me it was already sold.

If you are going to hold for someone then keep your word or don't say you will hold it PERIOD! Not every person in the world is a **** and dare I say it they are in the minority in my experience and I have done quite a bit of CL business. You need to be alert for warning signs when communicating either buying or selling and base your decisions on your gut instinct. I have cancelled deals because it just didn't feel right. If the hairs are standing up on the back of your neck trust your gut and get out before things get squirrely.

 

[holdover]

the only change from 1st person with cash gets it that I do, if a person calls and is the first person to say they want it but they are lets say an hour away I get their name and cell #, I will hold for that person for the hour or so, if some else calls I tell them someone is coming and have first dibs and they can come and look and if the first person doesn't want it the 2nd person gets it. has worked well for years for me. And I only accept cash, a deposit is OK but I expect for them to come back with the cash quickly and then pick up the item.