Nosey Craigslist Buyers

plowjockey · #1 10/19/14, 05:57 PM

Maybe a rant, just want to know what others think.

Several times when a buyer comes to barn or garage to look at the item, they start taking notice of everything else around, maybe even taking a quick step back to look inside the barn door and start asking other questions about equipment, etc., that I might have for sale.

I realize that often one bargain leads to another, but I just find this annoying and a bit unsettling, as though they seem nice and usually buy what I'm selling, maybe the are casing me to visit later when I'm not home. I have considered hauling whatever I'm selling up near the road, so they don't get to snoop around.

Am I wrong to be annoyed by this?

Also.

If a potential buyer calls and says they will come and look at an item at 3pm tomorrow, then someone else calls and says they will come at noon tomorrow, is it ok to just go ahead and let 1st come, 1st served? I decided to go for the noon, since he was offering more money anyway, which turned out all right since the 3pm never called back.

Do I just need to tell everyone it's 1c1s?

two_barking_dogs · #2 10/19/14, 06:08 PM

I've always been a buyer and not a seller on CL but I've always assume that it was the 1'st to show up with the money wins.

And before going out to visit I've usually decided and told the seller that I am buying it from looking at the pictures except if something is majorly different with the item and we've also discussed and agreed upon the price. I then call right before leaving to verify all is still on and to let them know I was coming.

But if I were the Seller I would never let someone inside of my home and would have the item outside or in the shed so that there is no snooping around. I've been surprised by some of the people who have let me in their homes.

.

flowergurl · #3 10/19/14, 06:35 PM

As a seller I meet them at a near by small gas station if it's a smaller item. For larger items, I have it in the driveway.
The first person that says they want it, I set up a time/date for them to come look at the item. Then I move on to the next person. If they don't show, they are crossed off the list.
If I am in a hurry to move an item, then I post CLEARLY first come first serve.

I had contacted a man once about a stove and he said I could have it and agreed on the price. We agree for me to come pick it up the next day. It was a great deal and I was really looking forward to it.
I messaged him the next morning and asked for directions. He replied and said sorry I already sold it. That was just plain rude if you ask me.
I don't do that to others myself. That's my 2 cents anyways.

plowhand · #4 10/19/14, 06:38 PM

Well....if you tell someone you'll hold the item till they get there do it.......if not make sure they know it's first come first served
I've been selling some stuff off and on....if it's in a barn or shed I don't want them in, I place it where they won't be going near the rest, and just in case they try to get rowdy....I keep a good friend in my pocket!

People do it, but it's dead common to make a bargain....and not stick with it unless they person you made the bargain with agrees...like agreeing to a price today and then got to have more money when the buyer comes to pick up the item

Ceilismom · #5 10/19/14, 06:45 PM

I don't think it matters if you do first cash gets the item, or agree to hold an item, so long as you keep your word. Personally I think people are so flaky any more that I'd be unlikely to hold an item without cash in hand.

And you should be concerned about nosy people, CL has been used as a means to scope out possible items to steal in the past. Probably could find posts from a victim or to right here on HT.

mzgarden · #6 10/19/14, 06:51 PM

As to them snooping - If we can't meet them in a public parking lot to make the sale, we move the item to the gravel driveway and close up the barn, shop, etc. The less they see the less likely they are to see something they prefer to steal.

for us, 1st come 1st served, unless we promise to hold something. We generally say - if no one buys it before you come, it's yours and we get a phone number. If it sells, we call them and tell them it's gone.

CraterCove · #7 10/19/14, 06:55 PM

Yeah I always meet at a neutral location or otherwise have a larger item separate and alone when someone comes to view it. I don't want people feeling at home on my property or really even knowing where it is most of the time.

OpSec is important. We now have a gate that has a keypad to operate it. I never give the code out. If we have a scheduled guest I change the code for them and when they go I change it back. No one needs to be here when I don't expect them to be.

Awnry Abe · #8 10/19/14, 07:23 PM

When I went to pick up my featherman chicken plucker from a CL seller, I asked him why on earth he would want to part with such a fine machine. "Oh, I'm moving to the city." My sly eye caught on to an enormous stack of poly chicken crates. "Are those for sale, too?"

A) yes, I was very nosy at that point.
B) yes, not only were they for sale but were listed on CL. I just missed the ad.
C) yes, the bargains kept on coming, up until my truck was packed.

As for the timing on selling, yes that is tough, but the best way to go. When I sell a bottle calf, for some reason people call me from all over the map (1-3 hours away). Invariably, they ask if will hold the calf for them. (Sometimes for a week!!) I always tell them that when they call and tell me they on their way and will be there by X:00, I will hold them at that point so they won't waste a trip. Anything short of that level of commitment won't be enough.

DavidUnderwood · #9 10/19/14, 07:38 PM

Plowjocky, you saying that if somebody lets you into a
private lil museum, you don't look around? Bull! Its just
normal to look for bargains and good "stuff".
I swear some of yall act paranoid as all get out.

FakeMountainMan · #10 10/19/14, 08:16 PM

Never hurts to ask. Takes so long to drive anywhere out here, I like to get the most bang for my gas dollar.

rambler · #11 10/19/14, 09:56 PM

I'd be mighty disappointed if I agreed to meet you at 3, and you sold it to someone else that came at 12.

Maybe such 'me first don't care about my word' actions by sellers has led to the problems sellers are having?

If you aren't honest to potential buyers, why should they be any better to you? You all only get left with rotten buyers when that is how you treat them.

I think that was dirty.

Paul

ChristieAcres · #12 10/20/14, 03:58 AM

When I post ads on CL, I follow a few simple rules:

Post my text number for texts only (no calls or emails)
First come, first served, cash only
I don't haggle via text
Never give my address until the Buyer is on his/her way
Insure our dog in the truck with the window open
My DH has a gun handy, just in case.
Yes, insuring DH is always here when a stranger comes (!!!)
The expensive items are NEVER shown at our home, but we will meet Buyers elsewhere for those.

So, Buyer (s) come, our dog barks ferociously from inside the truck, and I explain he is really a very sweet dog unless he has a reason not to be. Then, I let my dog out of the truck, tell him everything is okay. The Buyer (s) always remark how cute he is and ask if he can be petted. Yes, I let them pet him and am sure to tell them that nothing and no one gets past our watchdog. Usually, that gets a comment. I smile and tell them his job is just to let us know, but we are armed and protect HIM! We get compliments on our property and including how secluded and peaceful it is. I always tell them we are sure thankful for good neighbors who watch out for each other... There is no shortage of "stuff" people would be very happy to purchase, not for sale, and plenty worth stealing. We show the item for sale, and if asked about anything else for sale, we only state if we do. In a few short minutes, folks figure out we would be the wrong people to steal from. It hasn't happened in all the years I have been selling stuff on CL.

geo in mi · #13 10/20/14, 06:38 AM

A lot of buyers get "pickeritis" when they show up at a place, especially if it has an old barn and several outbuildings. My sister's late husband had a bad habit of dragging things home with him from his construction trips, and now her barn is full of goodies. I'm advising her to get one small shed, with doors, cleaned up. Then, one by one she can clean up something to sell and put it into the shed for the buyers to look at. Nothing else will be open to view. (And locks on the barn doors....) And, oh yes, that shed is right next to the pit bull's pen.....)

geo

7thswan · #14 10/20/14, 06:55 AM

Yes, we sold something, the creep that spotted something in the barn has come back for YEARS. When he said one of my Rotties was "spookie" that was it, when I told DH. The guy better never come back.
No, I would not sell something to someone else if another person comes earlier, I'd take a name and number.

CraterCove · #15 10/20/14, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristieAcres

When I post ads on CL, I follow a few simple rules:

Post my text number for texts only (no calls or emails)
First come, first served, cash only
I don't haggle via text
Never give my address until the Buyer is on his/her way
Insure our dog in the truck with the window open
My DH has a gun handy, just in case.
Yes, insuring DH is always here when a stranger comes (!!!)
The expensive items are NEVER shown at our home, but we will meet Buyers elsewhere for those.

Agree with everything but that bolded there. I don't have a cell, anyone who posts a number and says texts only has just told me they don't want me to know who they are, not even let me hear their voice before meeting and that seems shady. I can't text, lots of people I know don't have cell phones. An email is a lot less personal than giving out _any_ number. I have a gmail account that is free and used only for CL transactions.

KIT.S · #16 10/20/14, 04:46 PM

Yes, me, too, with the texts. I don't have a cell and can't text you. It would have to be quite the wonderful item for me to bother one of the kids to text for me.

But since I work full time and can't just drop everything and head over, if I find something I really want I offer to pay them right away through paypal, which would reimburse me if something went wrong. Usually, there's no problem. If I offer to pay through paypal, the seller seems to feel I'm committed and will hold until I can get there. And that's all that I wanted in the first place.
Kit

MO_cows · #17 10/20/14, 05:11 PM

I wouldn't have someone off of CL inside any buildings in the first place. Put the item for sale outside in the sunlight so they can see it better anyway.

I do want to talk to them on the phone a few minutes before deciding to give the address/directions. If I detect any red flags, I don't give it to them.

If you want to hold something or not, it's up to you, just be straight with the buyers. Don't say one thing but do another.

ChristieAcres · #18 10/20/14, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraterCove

Agree with everything but that bolded there. I don't have a cell, anyone who posts a number and says texts only has just told me they don't want me to know who they are, not even let me hear their voice before meeting and that seems shady. I can't text, lots of people I know don't have cell phones. An email is a lot less personal than giving out _any_ number. I have a gmail account that is free and used only for CL transactions.

I have had those who don't have cell phones, simply lift the heavy phone and actually call me. I don't mind serious Buyers doing that, but don't post that in my ad. I do not accept emails simply due to the incredible amount of spam, etc...

Quote:

But since I work full time and can't just drop everything and head over, if I find something I really want I offer to pay them right away through paypal, which would reimburse me if something went wrong. Usually, there's no problem. If I offer to pay through paypal, the seller seems to feel I'm committed and will hold until I can get there. And that's all that I wanted in the first place.
Kit

One cannot reverse a cash payment... I never hold anything and don't take or send Paypal for CL items. I only pay and accept cash for obvious reasons. What I tell Buyers is they can make an appt. I simply honor that appt. If they don't show, I text or call the next person in line.

Our Pastor came over as I had to meet a guy to look at a custom steel truck rack my DH had built. He came with cash and tried to talk me down. I told him that I couldn't accept less than full price with an offer for that much or more (guy waiting after him). The guy said that was fair, paid me, and was flat thrilled with his silver powder coated rack! I had another guy want me to lower the price before he came to buy my refrigerator. I was a bit reluctant to do that, but said I may be able to do that. Then, I got a few more texts with one guy offering me full price, asking to come right away. I called back the first guy and told him he still had his appt, but I couldn't sell our refrigerator for less with another offer for full price with people waiting in line to buy it (willing to pay full price). The man thanked me for my honesty, said that was fair, and came rather surprised to find a very clean refrigerator in excellent condition. When he handed me his card, he asked me to stay in touch. Turns out he is an excellent business contact!

There are times when I will absolutely hold something I am selling, especially a higher end item. When I sold our travel trailer, it was grand central station. We wanted to sell it quickly, so I offered it at a good price. Turns out 19' travel trailers in excellent condition with all appliances in good working order (exception of a little damage on one interior wall and also an area of a bathroom closet which was stained due to a prior leak), are not easy to find. The buyers texted me they were 2 hours away and asked if I would hold it. I called them up and spoke to them. I got the feeling they were on the up and up, so I held the trailer (despite a dozen texts). The couple checked in a few times, to insure I was holding it. When they arrived, they complimented me on my honesty on the ad and in person (I pointed out the damage to insure they saw it). We made sure they had all the info we knew about our trailer. She paid me $50 more than asking price ($2,250) and checked in with me afterward to update me on their remodeling of it. I had offers of $2,300 or more for that trailer, but I always keep my word.

I have sold a lot on CL with no bad experiences.

secuono · #19 10/20/14, 05:17 PM

Move what you are selling to the driveway right up front with anything else out of view or you will always have people asking about this and that. That's just how it is.

Always do first come/first served or first cash/first served with no holds w/o cash in hand as a deposit.
Way too many people just pretending and crapping around not to do this.

unregistered353870 · #20 10/20/14, 05:34 PM

Most of the time it's probably innocent, but it would make me uncomfortable too. I don't sell anything on craigslist because it's just too much hassle for me to make appointments and then wait around for people who are late or never show up. Cell phones don't work here except on certain high ridges, so people can't call when they're close. I rarely buy stuff on there anymore either because that's becoming almost as much of a hassle.