FS: Think before you offer to buy

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jim allison
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p.1 #1 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Folks, please think before you decide to buy something and honor your commitment. This is very unfair to the seller and discouarges people from using this forum to offer equipment.I have had three people change their minds and back out of commitments to purchase. I have had several others who just did't bother to answer emails when they requested my address to send payment. This is not a game. Everyone has the right to change their mind but this has become a sort of entertainment for some of the members here. I have seen at least one other complaint from another seller. I'm sure the economy has a lot to do with it, but please don't waste each others time. I was going to post additonal items here. Now I have to really reconsider if this is worth the effort!

Oct 05, 2008 at 05:46 PM

ObservedTrials
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p.1 #2 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I'll take it, PM me your address!

Oct 05, 2008 at 05:55 PM

JustinThyme
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p.1 #3 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I am with you on this Jim. This should go both ways from the buyer and the seller. The way I see it, it is all about ehtics. Dont answer an ad to buy unless you intend on buying it, it does get bothersome to have a buyer express their interest and intent to purchase just to back out later. This of course happens after the seller has marked the item as sold just to miss several days of potential buyers and have to relist. This also goes the other way as well. Dont list unless the intent is to sell. Also once a deal is struck it should be adhered to. I had an instance recently where the deal was made and payment sent just to have it refunded a day later with a lame excuse of how PMs got crossed. Bottom line is seller got someone else to pay more. This was not a small ticket item either. In the end it worked out because I found another seller and the equipment was in better condition for less money, that I was happy for. What I was not happy for was the week that a rather large chunk of money was tied up in the transfer game before it was available. The economy may have a bit to do with people buying less but has nothing to do with backing out on deals. personally I dont shop unless I know I can afford it.

Oct 05, 2008 at 06:01 PM

PrecisionPhoto
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p.1 #4 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I can understand Jim but if not posting a New Topics as: FS (For sale), FT (For trade), WTB (Want to buy) or OA (Outside auction) it belongs in general discussion

You might want to look at Buy & Sell Rules and Guidelines

Oct 05, 2008 at 06:17 PM

Mike John
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p.1 #5 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I think this does belong here at the top of the page. Last weekend I had two "I'll take it, send your PP address", one backed out the other never replied.

Mike

Oct 05, 2008 at 06:30 PM

EOS-1D
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p.1 #6 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I agree with you, Jim.
You post something, someone tells you they'll take it and then they just change their mind. You have to put other people off until you figure what the first guy wants to do.

It's an annoyance, to say the least. Economy-driven or not, it's rude and inconsiderate.

And to address your last point, it IS worth it on FM. For the most part, you'll be dealing with the greatest people here. You're somewhat new here so I understand your trepidation, but I ultimately don't have one bad thing to say about my transactions on the B/S forum at FM. Trustworthy and friendly people.
After all, you can pick and choose who you want to sell to. If the person at hand isn't working out for whatever reason, move on to someone else.

Chuck

Oct 05, 2008 at 06:31 PM

Anon Moss
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p.1 #7 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Jim,
I say this respectfully, as you may be the best guy and seller in the world...but part of the problem may be that you have only been a member here for 1 month and a few days. Sometimes buyers are a bit skittish dealing with a relatively unknown seller.
Still, that doesn't excuse people from backing out after they have given their word.
At the end of the day, you can never count on something being really, really, sold until you have the cash in hand. Buyers and sellers back out once in a while - it happens. Sounds like you have had an unusually bad streak. Most of the folks here are very good to deal with - don't give up :-)
Cheers,
Scott

Oct 05, 2008 at 07:09 PM

vknight
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p.1 #8 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I agree, don't give up. I've had nothing but good experiences here.

Oct 05, 2008 at 07:23 PM

aboudd
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p.1 #9 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Jim, You are absolutely right, but I never consider anything sold until I get payment or have been assured that payments is coming. Scott, I have only been selling on FM for two or three weeks and I have not experienced apprehension from buyers, so I think that argument is not relevant - and Jim does have some good references already . Unfortunately for all, courtesies that the geezers among us (me) considered as part of usual commerce and polite discourse, seemed to have died off with the first cell phones. Hmmm, I wonder if there is a connection?

Oct 05, 2008 at 07:23 PM

PShizzy
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p.1 #10 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I can't stand when it happens. Luckily, my record as a buyer is pretty much spotless, with most people commenting that I pay very quickly after committing.

I think we need to start doing that, not just rating someone for payment, but perhaps for sending an offer but then backing out. Especially with no explanation, that can be a pain.

Max

Oct 05, 2008 at 07:25 PM

cdnguyen
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p.1 #11 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

People changes their mind all the time. As seller and buyer in this forum I run into the same thing. As a rule my rule whoever makes PP payment first will get the goods. I don't hold the item for anyone. I even had a guy made PP payment and changed his mind I refunded the money to him no question asked. I would say try to get used to it.
Cheers.

Oct 05, 2008 at 07:34 PM

milmoejoe
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p.1 #12 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I too feel this board is changing quite a bit with an influx of new folks. Great in some ways, not so much in others.

I have traded here for a good while, and up until recently it was almost too good to be true (problem free). But, just within the last few months, I've encountered a few major hangups. For example: one buyer committed to purchasing, waited a week, then sent partial payment while demanding the item still get shipped. I trade on other (unrelated) boards, and get "burned" quite a bit, and have come to expect this...but not here.

Having buyers bail on you is inevitable, and you can't complain too much. But, likewise the buyers need to provide some respect and not leave the sellers hanging amidst their decision.

Just gotta watch out for yourself!

Oct 05, 2008 at 07:34 PM

Jess Edward
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p.1 #13 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I recently had someone freak out on me for not replying fast enough because of this same problem.

I had asked for a price for a lens shipped to Canada, then left my computer for a half hour to find 3 new messages from the seller. The first was a price with shipping to Canada, the second and third were very hostile messages expressing how angry he was at me for apparently backing out of the deal. The funny part is I was going back on my computer to see if he had replied with a price and I was gonna send him the money right then.

Apparently he has dealt with this problem before so his new solution is to just be a dick so no one buys from him.

I really dont think its that big of a deal. Sometimes people change their minds.

Oct 05, 2008 at 07:58 PM

jim allison
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p.1 #14 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Oct 05, 2008 at 07:58 PM

jim allison
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p.1 #15 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Everyone has the right to change their mind. I just feel that there are people who are using this board for entertainment purposes and that hurts every buyer and seller in the community. All I did was to politely ask to think before they made a purchase.

Oct 05, 2008 at 08:02 PM

jim allison
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p.1 #16 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I agree that respect is a two street. As I said before, I would never treat other people that way. It is a question of ethics.

Oct 05, 2008 at 08:05 PM

bobjames
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p.1 #17 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Use Paypal. Tell the buyer you will hold the item for three hours - if no Paypal email, the item is up for grabs again. Ebay has an "Immediate payment required" option for Buy Now items, precisely to avoid this sort of thing.

Edited on Oct 05, 2008 at 08:13 PM · View previous versions

Oct 05, 2008 at 08:12 PM

Jonathan H
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p.1 #18 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Most of the repsones to this post have been positive. There is always a wise guy in the crowd who things that he is funny. It take it from your screen name"observed trials"that you may perhaps be an attorney. If that is the case I apologise. You couldn't possibly have any understanding of ethical conduct.

"Observed trials" is a niche discipline of of mountain biking, not law. Taking a misinformed stab at someone's [perceived] profession is not much better than a humorous response to an absolutely unnecessary post on this board. This is the "Buy and Sell" board, not "Buy, Sell, and Occasionally Complain" board.

And making a post like yours on the interwebs invites sarcasm - always has, always will.

I've bought and sold probably $40K of gear here. I take the good with the bad. Haven't even looked at my eBay account since I found FM two years ago. Some people are on the ball, others are just kicking the tires. That's the way things are. The state of the economy has little to no bearing on it.

If you're unhappy with the state of sales here, I encourage you to try eBay, where the fraud levels are so low as to be imperceptible and funny business never occurs.

No transaction is complete until you've been paid. First buyer to send money gets the item. If your first potential buyer flakes out, another buyer steps up and pays, and then finally buyer A sends money after all, just refund him. Problem solved.

Oct 05, 2008 at 08:12 PM

d. seki
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p.1 #19 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Scott,
I've got to disagree with you on this one.
I NEVER say "I'll take it" unless I know for sure I'll follow through on the purchase.
It's my word I'm giving and I never go back on a commitment.
Too many folks don't take this seriously because, heck, there are no consequences. Sad but true.
Just my thoughts on this.
Dean

Oct 05, 2008 at 08:30 PM

surfnron
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p.1 #20 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Here's a possible solution for you Jim. I will now tell # 1 that it's his if he gets the $$ to me first, but that I am telling the same thing to # 2 and # 3. Tell him the $$ will be refunded if he's not first.
Ron

Oct 05, 2008 at 08:30 PM

jim allison
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p.1 #21 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Hi Surfnron,
I didn't due this because I don't like presuring people. I will have to make some major adjustments in the way I do business here.

Oct 05, 2008 at 08:43 PM

jim allison
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p.1 #22 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

Hi Johnathan,
I consider myself rebuked. Just answer one question if you would be so kind. Why do almost all the resposes seem to agree with me?

Oct 05, 2008 at 08:47 PM

jersey devil
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p.1 #23 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I agree with everything you guys are saying, but the same also holds true for the reciprocal. I've had a couple of instances where I was the first to contact a seller, and while negotiating a price, usually because I prefer to pay by MO so I may ask him to take 3% off the price, the seller then tells me that the item has been sold to someone else. What happened to the idea of being the first to respond ? The least one can do is respond and say that there's another offer for "X" price and if you want the item than you can have the right of first refusal.

You also have to remember that we're located across the country, and in many instances across the continent, so responses may take a while. Just because you may be looking for a "quick sale" one shouldn't disrespect others.

Oct 05, 2008 at 09:01 PM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #24 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

bobjames wrote:
Use Paypal. Tell the buyer you will hold the item for three hours - if no Paypal email, the item is up for grabs again. Ebay has an "Immediate payment required" option for Buy Now items, precisely to avoid this sort of thing.

Ditto to the above.

I will ask the Buyer with the first offer to transfer the money into my PayPal within X hours. If the money is not there, the next Buyer gets the same offer. Once the money is in my account, there is no cancellation available to the Buyer. Just like on eBay, except if the Buyer does not get the money into my account, they get a negative feedback from me because you still have to pay eBay fees.

If you don't adhere to some strict rules, you get all the bottom-fishing Buyers that have no scruples.

Oct 05, 2008 at 09:04 PM

surfnron
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p.1 #25 · FS: Think before you offer to buy

I agree Jim, but the last 2 deals I have made here have taken a week to get the $$ to me. And they were not trying to get out of the deals either. "Things" just happened. So I'm going to change the way I word my listings so that people understand they need to pay when they agree to buy, or it's on to the next person.
I've always paid immediately when buying, and shipped the next day when selling. I wouldn't offer to buy and then leave for vacation. And I wouldn't offer to sell and then go off for the weekend either.
Of course, I'm just another "old fart"....

Ron

Oct 05, 2008 at 09:04 PM


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