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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
loomisjohnson
2,021 posts
 

as others have suggested, there's a different set of unwritten rules for established members, as opposed to new ones--i.e. if my prospective buyer had a long trail of positive feedback i would absolutely feel compelled to honor our deal, whereas if the buyer was an unknown, i'd probably have handle it like the op's seller. no aspersions on the op, who i'm sure is an honorable gentleman, but many of us have experienced phantom offerors who simply disappear.

zigstien
74 posts
 

I have done a few purchases that required a " drive " to acquire the item.

I usually reach an agreement where I will pay a deposit to secure the item and pay the balance upon pick-up..

Otherwise , you're just another tire kicker.

mitch2
4,753 posts
 

You have received good feedback from some experienced members, which I believe was your objective.

  • A private seller is not the same as a retailer or the manufacturer. 
  • At least the seller tried to contact you before selling it and to let you know not to make the drive, which is more than some would do. 
  • Clear communication is important but money speaks loudest.
  • If you want to lock in your sale, a down payment is good and full payment is best.

These may not be the answers you were looking for but many of us have been successfully doing this for many years.  Along the way, we have all learned lessons the hard way.  Good luck on your future endeavors.

rick_n's avatar
rick_n
483 posts
 

Unfortunately, money talks.  There is no way that I would pay the full price and then pick it up at a later date.  That's just asking for trouble.  Perhaps you could have venmoed a small deposit to show your sincerity.  

parkergetdean OP
1,098 posts
 

The seller sends OP email, the OP does not respond, the OP is surprised and offended!?

Not a fact. I did respond, in less than 13 hours. By which time, it was too late. 

Fact: we agreed on something. Seller changes his mind. 

If I were the seller, I would have waited a day at least to give the buyer a chance. 

@mitch2 I understand. The difference in this situation: I have a long established presence on that site, 100% positive feedback. I exchanged over 20 messages about the deal and discussed the details of the pickup.

I guess I have been spoiled by good hearted and generous audiophiles (not represented in many of the comments here - reality check - check)

But I  have learned my lesson. Thanks for all the feedback.

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