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.
[ol]
[li]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.[/li][li]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.”[/li][li]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.[/li][li]If you say, “I’ll Take It” send a PM right away to establish communications.[/li][li]Be prompt and accurate with you address.[/li][li]Send a PM right away when the funds are sent.[/li][li]Send a PM right away when the funds are received.[/li][li]Send a PM right away when the goods are sent. If you have a tracking number offer that also.[/li][li]Send a PM right away when the goods are received.[/li][li]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.[/li][/ol]
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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,[i] they may well have lost the interest of other, serious buyers.
[/i]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.
I’ve had only one buying experience here on FAOL and that one, shame on ME, was for a bamboo pole mainly suitable for staking tomatoes ( luckily, it was a 3 piece). My expectatione ,at $50, were not that great but somewhat greater than the product I received. No reflection on the seller but I did re-learn a “pig in poke” lesson. Since then, I deal with Amazon etc.exclusively. I DO at times buy and sell on the Smith and Wesson forum where the purchased items and payment for same often cross in the mails ( much like dealing with Conranch) but the consequences of default are much different there :).
What did you really expect for $50.00?
The vast majority of these lower end bamboo rods are p.o.s.'s.
You have to do some study and due diligence when it comes to vintage bamboo.
Seems everyone wants to own and fish one but they don’t have a clue when it comes to buying?
And here, it seems if you ask a fair price nobody will buy it??? Everyone wants a good, fishable bamboo
rod but no one wants to pay the price they would pay for a less than good carbon rod?
There is a vast difference ( at least to me) in buying a fifty dollar bamboo pole and paying fifty dollars for a bamboo pole. And I have absolutely NO interest in “vintage bamboo” and even of this one was one of THOSE it would have blown waayyy over my head. . My fishing conversations are of the fish I catch/caught and never of what they were caught with. But we’re drifting from the original topic.
I agree with Joe. I also think this all boils down to a lack of respect for others. Along with throwing respect out we have also done away with certain other things like good manners, dignity, tact and etiquette along with common decency.
Years ago a man’s hand shake was his word and he was only as good as his word. You didn’t buy things that were listed for sale, no matter the wording of the listing, unless you already had the funds and sent them out to the seller. It was unconscionable to even contemplate purposely telling someone you would buy the item knowing full well you had no funds and or intention to buy. Out of respect for the other person you just didn’t do it. Doing otherwise shows a terrible lack of tact and shows that you are a liar.
Along the same lines you would never, ever call some other person’s fishing rod a “tomato stake”. If the owner of the rod chooses to do so that is fine as it is their rod. However the non owner should have enough respect for the other person to find a tactful way to tell them that there are better rods out there for but normally not in that price range. Whether or not the person can afford or wants to spend more is non of your business. Telling them that rods in that price range seldom fish well, suggesting that they convert it to a banty rod, or suggesting that if they can spend a few dollars more a better rod can be had are fine because you are being respectful, using tact and allowing for dignity. I got to tell you that statements along the lines of “What did you really expect for…” right away show a lock of respect for the other person.
When we became a society of instant gratification and the “Me” crowd we started down this slippery slope. All we have to do is follow a little Bible verse that tells us to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
Arms aching, back screaming, rant over. I want my old, respectful America back!
Well, I guess you told me! And in a way that to my thinking was not very respectful!
For the record I don’t recall labelling the rod a tomato stake. I believe the owner did?
The simple truth is that a bamboo rod for $50.00 is 99 times out of 100 just not a good fishing tool.
I only suggested if you want a decent rod to do a little due diligence on what you are contemplating buying and expect to pay more.
Respect had nothing to do with it! I don’t disrespect Marco. Heck, I don’t even know him except for what he posts here.
I also had no problem with his reply. That’s his opinion and I respect it, just as I hope mine would be respected.
As an aside, I don’t know if I’m being labelled a drunk and a bad apple??? but that would appear to be of the utmost
disrespect?
All opinions are just that, take them or leave them.
NO WAR, POLITICS, RELIGION, OR FLAMING.
