Common Courtesy

[Lotech]

Common Courtesy

I've been trying to sell a fly reel for over 2 weeks now. About 45 minutes after I posted it for sale someone said they would buy it. I have received 2 promises of funds in the mail and so far nothing. I've only heard from the buyer once in the interim. If I don't receive the funds for the reel by the end of this week, (maybe sooner depending on my anger) I'll re post it for sale. I'm offering the reel for less than 1/3 of the retail value and I feel like I'm getting my chain yanked. For these reasons I'm suggesting some common courtesy steps in buying or selling something online. I know some of my suggestions are basic internet procedures, but I feel compelled to offer them anyway.

1. When you offer something for sale, give all the particulars. PayPal, Money Order, Postal Money Order, Personal Check or whatever, including shipped or + shipping to.
2. When you see an item you want to buy, use the words "I'll Take It." Be definite in your response rather than something like "That will look good in my quiver."
3. When you get the "I'll Take It" send a PM (Private Message) right away with specific directions as to where to send the funds.
4. If you say, "I'll Take It" send a PM right away to establish communications.
5. Be prompt and accurate with you address.
6. Send a PM right away when the funds are sent.
7. Send a PM right away when the funds are received.
8. Send a PM right away when the goods are sent. If you have a tracking number offer that also.
9. Send a PM right away when the goods are received.
10. There is nothing wrong with waiting 3 days to decide if the goods are indeed what you want. There is also nothing wrong with sending a PM right away if you know you will be happy with your new purchase.

This last attempted sale and the sale before this one have really frustrated me with promises and statements that just didn't pan out. It shouldn't take more than 6 weeks to sell a rod and reel. Thanks for listening to my rant.

[Goduster]

I'd go ahead and repost it now. When ever I agree to purchase something, I send the funds immediately. I have only had one person back out on the sale of a rod, but I had a deposit on it, and he agreed to forfeit it,( got into some financial difficulties) which was his loss, but in turn I was able to actually sell rod since I had already purchased the components, and actually refunded his deposit less the freight I incurred in the purchase. That same individual several months later wanted another rod, and sent the full payment this time.

[billhouk]

I appreciate your frustration but, from the other end. I sent a message asking if the seller accepted PayPal. By the time they replied they did not and I replied I would send a PMO, they sold it to someone else. I was on-line while this PM exchange took place (a matter of minutes)...

In the sellers defense I guess I should have included the phrase "I'll take it."

[bobbyg]

I sympathize Lotech.
I listed a rod for sale and within a couple of hours someone responded that they would
take it, they just needed to get the money together. We're talking $160.00, including shipping.
I patiently waited a couple of weeks before asking the buyer how he was coming along on
getting the funds together for the rod. He advised at that time that he had forgotten all about the rod!!!
Too bad because he had the money but now did not. I patiently awaited payment for another 2 or 3 weeks.
No payment. I eventually becamed tired and frustrated with the chain jerking and just told him to forget it.

Well, that's my sad story. What are you gonna do?

[Lotech]

I sympathize Lotech.
I listed a rod for sale and within a couple of hours someone responded that they would
take it, they just needed to get the money together. We're talking $160.00, including shipping.
I patiently waited a couple of weeks before asking the buyer how he was coming along on
getting the funds together for the rod. He advised at that time that he had forgotten all about the rod!!!
Too bad because he had the money but now did not. I patiently awaited payment for another 2 or 3 weeks.
No payment. I eventually becamed tired and frustrated with the chain jerking and just told him to forget it.

Well, that's my sad story. What are you gonna do?

Sometimes it can be trying for sure. At least your guy got in touch with you. I'm not even getting communication. I'm going to re-post the reel for sale today. I'm sick of playing the fool.

[Fatman]

I know I haven't been on much in the last year with all my med issues but I've tried to at least look in. We never used to see all these problems before.

[popperfly]

I appreciate your frustration but, from the other end. I sent a message asking if the seller accepted PayPal. By the time they replied they did not and I replied I would send a PMO, they sold it to someone else. I was on-line while this PM exchange took place (a matter of minutes)...

In the sellers defense I guess I should have included the phrase "I'll take it."

I agree, this goes both ways.

I had the same circumstances happen to me, I posted "I will take it PM sent" got a reply "OK" next thing I know he turned around and sold it out from under me between PM's exchanging payment details, this was all within an 1/2 hour. So the other side of this, if you're selling something and you have a committed buyer stating "I will take it" then sell it to that person and not the next guy. Also you should read back on the post and see who posted first.

[Uncle Jesse]

It would seem that Common Courtesy, like Common Sense, is not that common anymore.

[Dave E]

Having sold, traded and given away a thing or two here, I'll take a shot at this one. The downside of going with the first " I'll take it " is, that there are a few folks that:

A: Get excited by an offer and forget that this is not the home version of Jeopardy and that ringing in early without regard for expeditious payment or the terms of the sale, doesn't entitle them to the item.

B: In the time it takes the seller to figure out that the first " I'll take it " hasn't got their act together, they may well have lost the interest of other, serious buyers.

C: Would be " I'll take it's " need to remember that it's not their property until it's paid for. The seller sets the terms of the sale in their listing. Which can easily mean, the seller may choose to go with a buyer with whom they have a positive track history or anyone else they choose, for nearly any reason they choose.

Chiming in with an " I'll take it " and then sending the seller a p.m. stating that they are not in position to pay for it, or any note that runs contrary to the terms of sale, nullifies the would be buyers request.
　
While communication is the key to the deal. Sellers need to remember that the communication on every listing starts with how well the listing, including the terms of sale are written.

Now if someone adds to their listing," the first I'll take it, gets it ". Well then buddy ole boy, I can't help you there, you're on your own.


Dave