A bought a welder on Craigslist

[Kubota L39]

I am currently looking to replace my older Ford TLB with something more up to date.

I am looking in the used $30,000 range.

Currently thinking about one that is 350 miles away. Cannot plan a trip yet due to scheduling constraints.
Seller is asking about 10% more than I am willing to pay.

I would absolutely not drive 700 miles round trip, dragging my 14K trailer, prior to negotiating a price by phone.

Recently bought a 2011 Nissan 5000 lb. forklift 250 miles away.
Negotiated price by phone, prior to the trip.

When you get there and find it's not quite as nice as you thought, do you re-negotiate or pay what you agreed to. As a seller, I find buyers always want a better deal - why should I give you my best price sight unseen, when you just want to use that as a new starting point when meeting in person.

 

[jaxs]

When you get there and find it's not quite as nice as you thought, do you re-negotiate or pay what you agreed to. As a seller, I find buyers always want a better deal - why should I give you my best price sight unseen, when you just want to use that as a new starting point when meeting in person.

No by cracky,fried1765 is a man of his wordath::salute: and if he's agreed to the price,he will pay up and take it. This horse poo of having to look at stuff before making up your mind is fool's play.

 

[Ritothebull]

Buying and selling used stuff is always an adventure and every deal is different. Technology should be making these type of transactions much simpler but unfortunately it's a bit too complicated for some people.

 

[ArlyA]

Ritothebull got this right :thumbsup: I deal with CL a bit, and I'm always amazed when some people want to sell something on it, but don't know how to add a photo, or even send you one. Yes I need photos or I hear, "trust me, it really is Blue paint" then you show up at there house and its clearly red in color and in poor condition. Many don't expect questions or even post details in the ad, or negotiation its price! Only a few people post that there price as "firm" but inevitability, we find wherever they're retailing condition, is much more rustic, than what they'll willing admit to. So yes, its an adventure.

Buying and selling used stuff is always an adventure and every deal is different. Technology should be making these type of transactions much simpler but unfortunately it's a bit too complicated for some people.

 

[looch]

Ritothebull got this right :thumbsup: I deal with CL a bit, and I'm always amazed when some people want to sell something on it, but don't know how to add a photo, or even send you one. Yes I need photos or I hear, "trust me, it really is Blue paint" then you show up at there house and its clearly red in color and in poor condition. Many don't expect questions or even post details in the ad, or negotiation its price! Only a few people post that there price as "firm" but inevitability, we find wherever they're retailing condition, is much more rustic, than what they'll willing admit to. So yes, its an adventure.

Exactly why I started this thread. A Craigslist (or whatever classified system) transaction that happens without any snags is something of a rarity - for me at least. Of course, if you find that wherever you go smells bad, it might be you (me) - a valuable lesson that one of my dogs taught me when he smeared poo on my face without my knowledge.

 

[RNeumann]

Two types of buyers- those that want the item you are selling and those that look for “deals”. I want buyers who want what I have and have found that if I don’t negotiate outside of in person I eliminate those who want a “deal”.

People who seek deals- whether purposefully or not, are predators in my eyes. Looking for the guy who lost his job or the widow who doesn’t know what she really has. They tend to get a thrill for saying “I only paid $5 for that and it’s worth $50!!” I know these people, some are family, some were co-workers and some are friends.

I am also a seller who knows how to attract people who are looking for the item I have. Good photos and an accurate description. I also take the time to answer questions etc. But remember (and many deal seekers forget this) I am no more obligated to sell the item than you are to buying the item.

OP and seller obviously had a good transaction and both parties were happy. That’s the way all transactions should be! Hopefully we get some photos of this welder AND some photos of the work it does! Haha

 

[fried1765]

No by cracky,fried1765 is a man of his wordath::salute: and if he's agreed to the price,he will pay up and take it. This horse poo of having to look at stuff before making up your mind is fool's play.

Yup..... exactly correct!
"fried1765 is a man of his word".

And Fried1765 expects a seller NOT TO LIE ABOUT ITEM CONDITION!
If the item is NOT as described, Fried1765 will NOT BUY it, at a prior agreed price, and the long drive will have been a total waste of his time.

Obviously, you believe that Fried1765 is a 78 year old TOTAL FOOL!
When defining fools,.... you really should look in the mirror!

 

[Kubota L39]

Yup..... exactly correct!
"fried1765 is a man of his word".

And Fried1765 expects a seller NOT TO LIE ABOUT ITEM CONDITION!
If the item is NOT as described, Fried1765 will NOT BUY it, at a prior agreed price, and the long drive will have been a total waste of his time.

Obviously, you believe that Fried1765 is a 78 year old TOTAL FOOL!
When defining fools,.... you really should look in the mirror!

The thing is - the seller may not be lying about the item condition. They say Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder, it's sometimes hard for a seller to look objectively at whatever he's selling and recognize it's faults.
Maybe it's pride of ownership, or just flaws he's learned to live with - I wouldn't want to base my offer on the owner's perspective of something, sight unseen.

 

[fried1765]

The thing is - the seller may not be lying about the item condition. They say Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder, it's sometimes hard for a seller to look objectively at whatever he's selling and recognize it's faults.
Maybe it's pride of ownership, or just flaws he's learned to live with - I wouldn't want to base my offer on the owner's perspective of something sight unseen.

My point here is that a price can be agreed to PRIOR to making a LONG trip.

Then: If in the opinion of the buyer, the item is NOT AS DESCRIBED, the offer can be modified as appropriate.

Driving several hundred miles, to look at a $2000 listed item, described to be in excellent condition, and having agreed by phone to pay $1800, only to find that the item is a POS, is what I am referencing.

An agreed OFFER over the phone, in my opinion, is NOT an outright COMMITMENT to buy.
It is an OFFER on price, pending viewing the item.

Question to the seller: I know you are asking $2000, but will you sell it to me for $1800?
Answer from the seller: Yes!
Response from buyer: I will be there tomorrow (logically understood: intending to buy for $1800, if item is as described).

Unless the seller is armed and dangerous, the prospective buyer cannot be forced to purchase anything.

 

[Kubota L39]

My point here is that a price can be agreed to PRIOR to making a LONG trip.

Then: If in the opinion of the buyer, the item is NOT AS DESCRIBED, the offer can be modified as appropriate.

Driving several hundred miles, to look at a $2000 listed item, described to be in excellent condition, and having agreed by phone to pay $1800, only to find that the item is a POS, is what I am referencing.

An agreed OFFER over the phone, in my opinion, is NOT an outright COMMITMENT to buy.
It is an OFFER on price, pending viewing the item.

Question to the seller: I know you are asking $2000, but will you sell it to me for $1800?
Answer from the seller: Yes!
Response from buyer: I will be there tomorrow (logically understood: intending to buy for $1800, if item is as described).

Unless the seller is armed and dangerous, the prospective buyer cannot be forced to purchase anything.

I'm not saying what you're doing is wrong, however as a seller- say I priced it at $1800 to begin with? Would you then only offer $1600 - to which I would respond "I'm asking $1800, come take a look & see what you think".
Why is the burden on the seller to arbitrary lower his price without the offered price being set in any way? Should I initially price it at $2200? Or wait until you get there & If you're interested say "I can't do $1800 like we discussed, but i'd take $2000" ? This may sound silly, but it's what you want to do. In reality, once the seller comes down - he can't go back up.

I don't mean to argue, but I've been frustrated by this type of thing as a seller and don't know if there is a right answer.
If I'm selling something - I'll research what similar items are selling for, maybe talk to a dealer or someone that sells that item & see what they think it's worth, & I try to be realistic with my price.
I'll set it (depending on how expensive an item) within $50 or $100 bucks of what I'm willing to take - just because every buyer wants to knock something off so they can feel better about it. I'll answer questions, post good photo's, etc - but I'm not going to entertain any lower offers without you there, cash in hand.
As someone else said - there are serious buyers & people looking for a deal. I'll respond to the serious buyers.