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seller etiquette

I have been reading here for a decade, first recent post under my newly found login.

I have contacted a seller about a subwoofer for a fair price. I asked if local pickup was an option. I got a response that it was. I wrote him that I would drive up, from 2 hours away, in 3 days. I told him I don't want to disturb him by plugging it in, I would just pay and pick it up, as I'd trust his word that it works. I was ok paying full price.

I then yesterday afternoon got an email that I needed to pay asap or he'd sell it to someone else as he got another offer. I didn't read the email until this morning when it had already been sold.

Is this normal? Fair? How could I have avoided it? Should have offered to pay in advance?  Should he had been waiting for my response and payment for a little longer?

 

 

parkergetdean
yaluaka
44 posts
 

Maybe someone said this already but if you wanted it and didn’t need to hear it why didn’t you just pay for it? Then he’s just holding your item, he knows it’s sold. If you’re driving up and you see it, maybe you say it has a scratch or something and end up not buying it. Then he’s turned down a sale he had in hand as opposed to one in the ‘bush’.

kerrybh
681 posts
 

well I think what may not have been clear in your original post is whether the seller actually made an agreement with you that you would pick up the equipment at a certain time and place and exchange the money then. You then later said that you agreed with the seller on a time in place. If the seller agreed with you that you would pick up the equipment at his place at a certain time and receive payment then noI don’t think it’s normal. You may or may not have had a legally binding contract, but if someone makes a deal and then fails to follow through, I don’t blame you for being upset and this is not a seller with whom I would want to do business. On the other hand, if you just said hey, I’ll be there in three days and he made no commitment about those arrangements  I think he had no obligation to wait. I think it gets down to your word is your bond. Or it should be
 

parkergetdean OP
1,082 posts
 

@kerrybh 

I made it clear that:

I promised to pay full price

We agreed on a time and place (4 hours drive for me)

I agreed to buy it without plugging it in

The seller agreed to all this. Never said: "if I have another offer", "you need to pay NOW to make sure I don't entertain other offers", etc.

At that point why was I turned down when someone else made an offer? Why wasn't I asked: can you pay, I am waiting for your response.

 

For the record: I conduct myself with the priority of treating others the way I hope to be treated. I would NOT screw a buyer I agreed to meet with in such a manner as described above.

parkergetdean OP
1,082 posts
 

It’s important to understand that you cannot leave feedback for someone until money has changed hands

Never was a question. I have no idea what this comment means.

parkergetdean OP
1,082 posts
 

I think it's fair to conclude that 50 or so % of the commenters here think this is fine.

Thank you for your feedback.

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