Sellers backed out b'cos getting better offer.

[bawang]

This week, two sellers backed out on a deal with me, one in Washington DC (Rolleiflex 3.5F) and another in Sarasota, Florida (Leica IIIf w/Summarit). One seller admitted getting twice the amount he advertised because one buyer decided to 'cut queue' by offering MORE money and, the other claimed he decided to sell locally even after keeping aside the items I wanted and had agreed to ship (my guess is, someone offered more $$$). I almost mailed the payment.

These were from Craigslist ads. I know CL is mostly local, but it so happened I have friends in many of these places who are usually willing to pickup if seller just deal locally.

Tell me what you think or perhaps you have similar stories to share.

 

[iamzip]

Gotta be careful with craigslist. They could've said nothing and just let you send the money.

 

[not_in_good_order]

I'm not surprised, Craigslist is like the wild west...

 

[wgerrard]

I think if a seller agrees to sell at a given price, the seller is ethically obligated to do that, even if a better offer appears.

Obviously, not everyone agrees.

 

[RayPA]

Not sure of the ethical aspect of buying and selling on CL. There are so many flakey people out there and they all some to come out of the woodwork when you post a FS ad on CL. It's kind of hard to turn down twice the amount for something, especially when the hassle of shipping is taken out of the deal. I think most CL users (buyers and sellers) expect and prefer to deal locally, so it's best to deal face-to-face and to act quickly if you want something.

/

 

[Pickett Wilson]

On eBay, they just tell you they found something wrong with the camera after the auction, refund your payment and then sell it to whoever offers them more money. Just part of the game, I guess.

 

[coelacanth]

On ads, I state my preferences and priorities like local, "I'll take it", references, etc and the buyer matches that preferences will get the item even if I have other people talking or negotiating the details before that person reaches me.

But that's before someone (who's not perfectly matching to my priority) and I reaches an agreement. After I put "PENDING" on the ad, meaning the buyer and I decided to go with the deal, I'll honor that offer. I've done so several times in the past.

 

[marke]

I don't sell or buy anything on craigslist unless I can meet the buyer/seller in person, and in a public place. Today I sold a Canon 28-135. We met at a coffee shop, and had a great conversation. Everyone left happy and satisfied. Sorry, but I think to do it any other way is just too risky.

 

[tbarker13]

Unfortunate.
As are the buyers - including several I've dealt with in the past year on this site - who back out of a deal after committing to a purchase.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I think people buy stuff they can't afford then try to find, unsuccessfully, the money after they've committed to buying it. I've had that happen a number of times on eBay, even folks with lots of positive feedback. It happens.

 

[Disaster_Area]

I've had this happen to me after I've sent the money... the seller then refunded... I've had this happen a few times (though not here) and I find it in poor form BUT... and this is a big but... only because I had already sent the money. I try to pay as quickly as possible or let the seller know exactly when I'll be sending the money... it's not fair to doddle around and assume I've got all the time in the world just because I've said "I'll take it" first.

I've been on the sellers side as well... and I used to close the sale with the first "I'll take it"... but on too many occasions I've waited DAYS for a buyer to pay up... or worse... after waiting a few days getting a msg saying they've decided not to buy after all. I now don't consider an item sold until the cash is in my hands... I have a blackberry so I'm pretty much online if I'm awake, after I get an "I'll take it" within 5 min I usually send a message "Please send the money via paypal within a couple hours or let me know when exactly you'll be sending the money if you'll be sending it once you get home from work etc... if you take longer please send me an email before sending payment as I may have accepted the next buyers offer" and I've rarely had trouble since I've started doing this. BUT once the money is in my hand deal is done and I will not accept any other offers... even if they offer more. The quicker I get back to a potential buyer the more strict a timeline I set for them to pay... obviously if I don't get back to them right away I don't expect such speed. I do believe in buy/sell karma 🙂 I try to message quickly... respond quickly... pay quickly and ship quickly and it's worked for me so far.

 

[tedwhite]

There's an M2 on sale in our forum' classifieds right now, and though it seems several of us have said they'd take at the price quoted, the seller is still "considering offers in the order they've been received."

And here I thought I'd bougt a camera...

 

[Al Patterson]

I think if a seller agrees to sell at a given price, the seller is ethically obligated to do that, even if a better offer appears.

Obviously, not everyone agrees.

I agree, although the prior poster who described Craigslist as "The Wild West" isn't wrong wither. A deal should be a deal, and your word should be worth something.

 

[easyrider]

CL is best to deal locally in person. I have bought stuff that way without a problem.

A Rollei 3.5 and a Leica IIIf are readily available. You don't say where you are but most big city camera shows feature many of these. You can also post an ad on RFF. I sold a Contax T3 to a member here a couple of years ago. It was shipped to him and paid for with no problem.

 

[btgc]

I understand OP's frustration, but....second-hand market isn't exactly supermarket?
And sometimes heaven saves us by sending another buyer, you know 🙂

 

[wgerrard]

I still think one's word should mean something though....

My point was that if you agree to sell to Sally at $50, then you don't sell to Bobby if he calls and offers $55 or even shows up with the cash before Sally gets there.

 

[venchka]

"Bust a deal. Face the Wheel."

Except online.