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

@speedthrills 

It's called your word. Either you believe in a man's word, or you don't. It says a lot about a person.

Road:

  • Genuine meaning: 

    A quick, positive "uh huh" can simply mean "yes," "I agree," or "I understand". It can also be used informally to show you are listening and to imply that a favor was no big deal. 

  • Sarcastic meaning: 

    Saying "uh huh" in a flat, drawn-out, or exaggerated tone can be a way of expressing disbelief, annoyance, or that you disagree with what is being said. The sarcastic use implies the opposite of the literal meaning of the word.

DeKay

Why would you think a seller would hold his sub for you without receiving either a sizable deposit or payment in full from you?

At this point I keep repeating myself and it feels like kindergarten with "Uh huh"s and reading/cognitive issues

I would think the seller would hold it for me because we agreed on a time and place and there were no ifs and buts. Full asking price. Just a pickup. No listening. If there were ifs and buts, it should have come up in 20+ messages. It's how humans communicate. On the planet where I live. 

But I understand: he did nothing illegal. My question was: how could I have avoided it. 

“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.” 

@rick_n - That is exactly how sales work on this site, USAM, eBay, and a bunch of other sites.  You pay first, and then trust that the seller will ship your purchase to you.