Online Selling Practices - Craigslist etc. Rant!

[Beltzington]

I spend way too much time "shopping" on the internet and have found some great deals but not sure I would want that legacy written on my headstone. My question is why so many sellers seem incapable of posting a clear listing, is there a reason or is it just stupidity?

There are three basic pieces of information most people need to determine if they are interested, how old is it, what shape is it in and how much is it. Disregarding the ads from scammers and commercial salespeople 90% of "by owner" ads are missing some or all of this information. Do people like twenty questions before a deal is even in play or are 90% of the posters just stupid?

My second issue with WTS postings is the seller asking a ridicules amount for the item which I believe drives everyone to respond with "what is your lowest price" before even knowing the value of what they are buying. Of course the seller has every right to ask what he wants, but do people really ever pay these inflated amounts and if not ,why start with them? Do they like the lets make a deal banter or again, just stupid?

For what it is worth if when I have found something I am looking for in excellent condition I consider a price 2/3 of new a fair deal and 1/2 of new a great deal. I also do not like to dance which may explain my irritation. :laughing:

 

[RickB]

Hope you feel better now. If it bugs you that much, shop differently.

 

[davrow]

If it bugs you that much, shop differently.

No, the world revolves around me and I want everyone to do it MY way! :laughing:

I do agree with Belzington though, a LOT of ads on Craigslist leave out some pertinent info.

 

[George2615]

I agree 100% with what you say. I see the same types of ads all the time. No price, no clue what year it is, condition, location (at least give a town it's near), no contact info, no pics etc.
There are others that post a price on a used item that is more than you can buy it new for. I guess they are hoping for someone who doesn't shop around.
Here's one example. I was looking for a used salamander heater on CL. I found several used 125,000-135,000 BTU heaters with asking prices of $300-400. I can buy those heaters brand new at Tractor Supply on sale for $269 (regular price $300 not on sale). I figured a used one should be around $100.
There are some realistic people who do provide decent items at a decent price and I have purchased and sold many things on CL. If the price looks good I'll call and set up a viewing time to go look. Once I've seen the item I can dicker price from there.

 

[mx1alex]

The best is car ads where they don't put the mileage.

 

[Beltzington]

The popular person texting all the time - Here is the conversation

2005
Blue
110,000 miles
4 Door
no damage
$10,500
Atlanta
This weekend
around 11am

I think I just answered my own question. The current generation has been texting for so long they do not know how to compose a complete thought. Not stupid just distracted.

 

[HybridVigor]

Maybe I'm not jaded yet but I think half the fun is the hunt. Most adds are worthless and I think both parties would be better served by adding the right info and better pictures. (Seriously two pics is good enough for a $10k tractor?!)

That said my best finds have been from folks liquidating machinery, maybe for personal reasons, and so the seller doesn't always know what I'd like to find out. If that's the case I just try to be polite and offer to help them through finding out or offer to visit. At least three times I've been given first option on something that likely could sell for more if I turned it down. Met some really cool folks too in the process.

 

[George2615]

<<<<<<<<<<<<Or HoW abOUt ThE GUy wHO TyPeS LikE THiS iN hIS aD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I Emailed a guy selling a QA front mount hydraulic snow blower. Told him I was very interested and willing to pay his asking price (which was a good price). He claimed it was Low flow pump which is what I would need but he is a 2 hour ride away. I didn't want to drive all the way there and back without knowing for sure. All I asked him to do was get me the hydraulic pump info off the tag so I could look it up to see if it was a Hi or Low flow pump. Never heard from him again and ad is still listed 3 months later.

 

[Beltzington]

Maybe I'm not jaded yet but I think half the fun is the hunt. Most adds are worthless and I think both parties would be better served by adding the right info and better pictures. (Seriously two pics is good enough for a $10k tractor?!)

That said my best finds have been from folks liquidating machinery, maybe for personal reasons, and so the seller doesn't always know what I'd like to find out. If that's the case I just try to be polite and offer to help them through finding out or offer to visit. At least three times I've been given first option on something that likely could sell for more if I turned it down. Met some really cool folks too in the process.

You make a good point, I should lighten up and enjoy the ride. But in my defense it took four emails, a text and a phone call to determine if the pallets were hardwood or soft.

 

[HybridVigor]

You make a good point, I should lighten up and enjoy the ride. But in my defense it took four emails, a text and a phone call to determine if the pallets were hardwood or soft.

Haha I've had some exasperating experiences though. My worst was one time I tried to give away some poor quality dusty hay that was in the barn I bought. I specifically said in the ad it wasn't horse quality if they were my animals. I had four people ask me if they could feed it to their horses! I ended up giving up and took the ad down actually. I may yet put it back up once I start to pitch it into MY own manure spreader.

 

[blueriver]

I sell alot on CL .. I'm very detailed in my listing. What gets me is ... "where are you located" ... I've got the zip in ... the town listed.

 

[bcp]

Implement in the weeds so you can't see it.

Implement in photo covered with other junk.

Fir trees in one background, palm trees in another, tire tread different. (Photos taken from internet)

No photo at all.

Years worth of dirt and @$#^&%*& on it from barn storage.

Several very closeup photos, no over-all photo.

No size given, especially common on rear blades.

Ran when parked, 17 years ago.

Tires hold air.

Call for price.

Several visible bends, but described as "heavy duty."

"I think I have the missing part somewhere."

 

[caver]

When they inquire with "what's your bottom dollar" I assume they learned their haggling skills from reality TV and usually don't respond back.

 

[davrow]

... if the pallets were hardwood or soft.

Hmm, and what did you want pallets for? Have you been putting them in fields? :laughing:

Okay, so I'm not taking this thread very seriously.

 

[caver]

Fir trees in one background, palm trees in another, tire tread different. (Photos taken from internet)

I had a variation on that theme years ago shopping small local used car lots for a specific car I wanted.
Their price was above blue book but it was a decent car. This was in a bigger town about 30 minutes away. Turns out the one salesman the lot owner had working for him lived just down the street from me. I dealt with him on the phone after visiting in person earlier. I throw him a fair price expecting him to counter. He wouldn't accept the price and never countered. He calls me back about 15 minutes later and said "where did you come up with that price"? I did my homework etc. and went into detail. I made the comment that it's obviously overpriced because it's been sitting on your lot for over 6 months. He disputed that and I countered with "buddy there are leaves on the trees in your photos like it's summer" it was late winter at the time. I think he was at a loss for words. I moved on and found another used car dealer that wanted to deal with me and was pretty honest to the point of showing an area on the door that showed a discrepancy with a paint thickness meter. I still have that car 7 years later.

 

[Beltzington]

Hmm, and what did you want pallets for? Have you been putting them in fields? :laughing:

Okay, so I'm not taking this thread very seriously.

Isn't Everybody??

 

[Buggs67]

I was looking on CL and came across a TSC box blade. He said it was only used to level his new lawn. He wanted TSC price for new. And at that time we had a TSC coupon for 20% off. I was tempted to send his a message but I figured why bother. If he asked for 60-70% I might have called.

 

[Beltzington]

When they inquire with "what's your bottom dollar" I assume they learned their haggling skills from reality TV and usually don't respond back.

This was not original, read it somewhere, may have been on TBN but I used this on one of those "bottom dollar" negotiators.

The price was well below fair and the ad said the price was firm, I just wanted to get rid of it, they asked if I would take half my asking price. I said no but the price was now doubled, very confused they wanted to know why and I said, "oh sorry I thought we were back in negotiations." Their look was well worth the lost sale.

 

[Sprinklerman]

when I sell something I get as descriptive as possible and price it to sell . I always love when the person wants to negotiate on the phone , with out seeing the item .

 

[2458n]

Old farmer told me if that was the price I would take I would have put it on the window. I wanted that truck bad,but walked. Twenty years later I still wanted that truck.