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What does your common sense tell you?

Hi,

I just want to check with fellow audiogoners regarding the sales practice or sales etiquette here.

When you are a seller: Someone sent you an email saying he is interested. You kindly reply, "thanks for your interest. If you would like it, please let me know how you want to pay." A few hours later, other person contacted you saying he would like to buy. You kindly reply, "there is other person showing interested. If he backs away, I will contact you. Thanks for interest. Blah, blah, blah". Now you wait for the first guy to reply. After a while, you email to the first guy, "now, some other person is waiting for your decision. Please let me know of your decision as soon as possible by tomorrow morning."

OK, here is the question. The first guy never replied by the time you designated. Then, would you allow yourself to start contacting the next guy because you waited long enough? What if you close the deal with the second guy and the first guy comes in after two days and says, "I want to pay by MO and send it to you tomorrow."?

I don't want to piss anyone off here, let alone be sued on "Dispute" section. Please let me know how you would behave in one of these situation.

Thank you.
Ken
khokugo
clueless
763 posts
 
Hi Ken:
Sell it to whoever wants to BUY it. You are not obliged to hold it for someone who is "interested." What does that mean? I'm interested in the Taj Mahal. You have done all you can and have been fair in my book.

Cheers
I remain,
fatparrot
1,314 posts
 
Usually, I also look at feedback rating. Someone who has lots of (positive) feedback and has been a member here for a year or more usually knows whether they want an item and is just trying to haggle price. New members can be "tire kickers" or just trying to get info about your item for sale. It should take no more than 2 or 3 emails to get a commitment for payment. Furthermore, a contract requires an offer and an acceptance. There WAS NEVER an offer and acceptance with buyer #1, just an "interest". Hey, I'm "interested" in a Ferrari, but that doesn't mean that I intend to purchase one! Further, you had added a time specific option for acceptance which was ignored by buyer #1. As I understand, he never accepted your offer (asking price) or presented a counter-offer (what he was willing to pay). You were VERY ethical by informing him that you had another potential buyer, and giving him a deadline to complete the contract. Hey, "You snooze, you lose!" It's happened to me, as both a buyer and a seller.
pmotz
409 posts
 
This is a tough one! I had a similar situation as a buyer and asked the forum here how to handle, the majority opinion was the seller makes the decision. As a seller I would be inclined to honor the first person to respond if they were serious. A serious buyer could have a question on the item and needs an answer prior to making the decision to buy. I would give them the benefit of the doubt and answer the question and give them a short time to answer back if they wanted the item. Others here would say the heck with that, I'll take the first buyer willing to commit to buying the item. I think this is a position taken by those that have been burned by tire kickers. Can't blame them for that. My suggestion is, if you see something you want make a committment on the first contact with the seller.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
You're right on. Call the second guy and, hopefully, close the deal. The first guy: Interested? If he was really interested you wouldn't be contacting him, he'd be contacting you. Interest is a feeling, not an obligation or commitment Means nothing. You may piss the first guy off, but that's his problem. You have been fair and square. peace, warren
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Interested means nothing, if there is no offer of money then move on to the first person that makes an offer that you can live with. When I want something...I make an offer. Don't waste your time with tire kickers.
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