Regarding Sales in RFF classifieds

[JimG]

I'm not sure how other members deal with this issue or what is most ethical but often several people will want to buy an item at the same time. Some of them have multiple questions that require resurch, taking more photos, or closer examination of the gear for defects.

Since sometimes people change their minds about buying I generally sell to whoever is the first to agree to send payment.

Also I know that sometimes even though I was first to respond to a RFF classified someone else made the purchase, but my attitude is we have a right to sell to whoever we want I should not don't worry about it.

Please tell me what you think. What is fair here at RFF? What are the unwritten rules.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The seller typically sets there own precedence. Some of this depends on how much the seller needs the funds. If its to pay off a credit card from an already made purchase, or to close a deal of their own, its hard to pass up a firm offer.

Best to tell someone making a casual inquiry that you can either hold the item or not. I've done it both ways, sold to a firm buyer to pay off a credit card. Other times, I have separated a package deal just because a buyer asked "please". But, I did not have an "urgent requirement" for the funds.

 

[haagen_dazs]

this scenario has happened to be before
I reserve the item for the first person who replied his interests while holding a few others in queue. The first person changes his mind, and by then other potential buyers have moved on or have bought the same item from somewhere else, I am left stuck no buyers...

people are people.
they always change their minds and so I now just sell to whoever has a firm offer and who IS committed to buying the item.
If I commit to selling it at the price, I will not pull out to entertain a later offer at a higher price. This has happened before and I don't go chasing after more money at the expense of my principles.

 

[Matthew Allen]

I think that if you have what appears to be a firm offer or an expression of real interest (even qualified, e.g. "I'll take it if part x is in good condition") then it's slightly poor etiquette to sell to another party, just because the second person was faster on the Paypal button.

That said, the seller makes the rules and there aren't (and shouldn't be) any contracts involved. This isn't ebay.

Matthew

 

[NIKON KIU]

Ol' saying:
one can NEVER please all the people all the time!
OK,I just invented that one😀

Where is Frank S when you need him?

Kiu

 

[JimG]

"That said, the seller makes the rules and there aren't (and shouldn't be) any contracts involved. This isn't ebay."

Matthew

Matt, This is true but different members have different expectations. One member said he wanted to buy a lens from me and then a 2nd member said he wanted it. The 1st member payed so it was sold 2nd member is unhappy because he feels we had a deal. I guess I should be more clear about how I sell.

Mark, ditto this has sometimes been my experience as well.

Brian, you got it; Thanks to some serious GAS I have a large VISA bill to pay this month and selling my favorite lens is what its all about.

 

[JimG]

Ol' saying:
one can NEVER please all the people all the time!
OK,I just invented that one😀

Where is Frank S when you need him?

Kiu

Yea, FrankS step up and render us your opinion.

 

[CameraQuest]

the seller decides if, when, who, and how much.

other factors may be involved, but the above still stays true, fair or not.

as long as the seller delivers as promised, they are in the clear, though they may burned a few bridges along the way if all the potential buyers don't feel they have been dealt with fairly.

Stephen

 

[Kim]

I'm the one you got screwed on his sale. I had responded on the forum and on pm that I was going to purchase the lens. He responded to me asking me to confirm the sale which I did "so he wouldn't sell it to someone else" and I gave him my mailing address. I certainly would not have given him my address if I knew he was going to sell it to whoever paid first. 😡

 

[kshapero]

Paypal talks, talk walks, as they say. I have lost sales to someone who "wanted" so I turn down other offers, then the first passed. Boom everyone was gone.

 

[Kim]

He agreed to accept a cashiers check which I told him I was going to send it tomorrow. He also asked for my mailing address.

 

[FrankS]

Okay. (Sips scotch from Leafs mug...)

What Brian said. (and Stephen)

When we "do business" we endeavour to do so fairly. This includes being fair to yourself. If a firm offer comes in after a response merely making an inquiry, the seller should be be able to decide, based on his situation, which one to pursue. Sometimes previous deals or relationships can play a determining role. Ultimately it is the seller's prerogative to sell to whomever he wishes.

This is my opinion.

An extreme example to illustrate the principle: In my years here, and many gear transactions, I had one really bad experience as a seller with and unreasonable buyer. Package got hung up in the mail and I had the tracking info to prove it, yet he demanded a refund and instigated a PayPal escalation or whatever. The package got to him in the end. If I were seling an item and this guy was the first to respond, or if he were the only one to respond, I still would not do another deal with him. It's my right, I believe.

 

[JimG]

Thanks' for speaking out Kim. Actually I believe some one else payed me before you confirmed. From what you write I'm assuming you feel that who ever responds first at the ad has the first option to buy? Some people don't respond directly to the ad but only contact the seller directly. Again I'm sorry you had a negative experience. I wish you better luck in the future. JimG

 

[Kim]

He also pm me agreed to accept my cashiers check and stated "since you are saving me the expense of PayPal fees I will include a $50 Heliopan UV filter for free." So, what Jim did I feel was unethical.

 

[jarski]

I satisfy my curiosity occasionally in Classifieds section, but havent bought anything. arent real web auction sites like eBay and CameraGAS much better way to do this ? rules are more clear.

 

[Matthew Allen]

Matt, This is true but different members have different expectations.

Perhaps the best advice then is to state your policy clearly in your ad. That way there's no confusion.

Matthew

 

[JimG]

He agreed to accept a cashiers check which I told him I was going to send it tomorrow. He also asked for my mailing address.

Kim, Somehow I did not get the impression you were ready to buy it. Maybe I just screwed up. Hope a better deal comes along for you. JimG

 

[JimG]

Thank's Matt, In the future I'm going to sell on *Bay. If I gotta p*** someone off hopefully it won't be a fellow member.

 

[FrankS]

That would be a shame, Jim.

Matt, read Stephen's post. The rules are established/clear.

 

[photogdave]

I satisfy my curiosity occasionally in Classifieds section, but havent bought anything. arent real web auction sites like eBay and CameraGAS much better way to do this ? rules are more clear.

Buying here is WAY better than ebay!