Selling etiquette

[WilSurf]

A question regarding selling etiquette.

If I am selling something on a forum and one member post questions and pm me regarding what I have for sale.
That person says that he will come back to me.
A few hours later another member post on the forum that he had pmd me.

Now the question.
Which person has the first choice to buy the item?
1. The one who contacted me first or
2. the one who contacted me secondly telling me in a pm that he will come by and take it.

[tryagain]

Generally, the first one to say they will buy it.

[plusnq]

I would go with the first who said they would take it. I have had a lot of prospective buyers on gumtree have me hold on waiting while they go missing in action.

[JCOJ]

The first that turns up and hands you the cash.

Plenty of people say 'they're gunna' but I wouldn't be relying on that. Is someone makes the effort to come and view it and then says yes then that's your buyer.

[xcvator]

money talks

[BaseCamp]

Sometimes some people will try and jam a foot in the door by stating up front over the phone:

"I'll take it"!!!

But sometimes they are just trying to sound positive/keep you in a holding pattern....

Keep positive and polite to all comers..   mention to them all that you have had some calls about it already...   so the "I'll take it caller" is welcome to put deposit in your account....   "up to you"?

Then the first one to actually walk through your gate with the right cash - GONE!!

Money talks - BS walks...


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[nab]

As above, the first one that gives a definite "I'll take it". Then give them a time limit to pick it up or sometimes they take the piss with the excuses or non contact.

[Bird]

Its a hard one.
I believe its first one to say I'll take it.. but as mentioned that doesn't mean you'll ever hear back from them and others will buy elsewhere.

If someone says I'll take it they have first dibs... but give them bank details - and tell them 24 hrs if the cash aint there, next in line gets it.

[ibrew09]

The one who says I will take it, I have borrowed a ute to come and pick it up now.

Not the one who says I am interested and is still researching the item in question

[D4D]

The first that turns up and hands you the cash.

x2

Cash talks, bullsh!t walks

[GBC]

Let them both know the situation. First to place the deposit wins.

[Bird]

The first that turns up and hands you the cash.

so #1 has to drive 4 hours, and #2 drives 10 mins.. pretty ****y to say to #1 after hes had a 4 hour drive bad luck its gone.

[Jeepers Creepers]

Well, what about some buyers etiquette?

Nothing to stop the guy 4 hours away, getting ya bank details and bunging the money in the account.
Take a pic of the transaction completed and send it to the Seller.

[Bird]

Well, what about some buyers etiquette?

Nothing to stop the guy 4 hours away, getting ya bank details and bunging the money in the account.
Take a pic of the transaction completed and send it to the Seller.

yea thats what I said in my first post, but apparently cash talks.

[D4D]

so #1 has to drive 4 hours, and #2 drives 10 mins.. pretty ****y to say to #1 after hes had a 4 hour drive bad luck its gone.

That's the way it used to be in the old 'Trading Post' days, first to arrive with cash owns it. Don't see why that needs to change.

You just need to watch the local BSS pages, too many tyre kickers out there.

[Rumpig]

First person said he's get back to you, didn't say they are buying it and hasn't given you money or arranged a time to buy it I assume...if that is the case, id sell to the second guy and message the first person out of courtesy to let them know somebody else has already bought it now.

[rockrat]

It really depends on the situation and how you want to deal with it.  If you think the first person is serious and you are prepared to "hold it" for a few hours while they make up their mind, then that is your choice.  On the other, if you get the feeling the first person is tyre kicking or you don't want to run the risk of missing a sale, then offer it to the 2nd person. 

But above all, just be honest and don't mislead anyone.

[Nomad]

I've sold a few things on Facebook lately......you get the usual "I'll take it" and no shows or response to messages. I have also had the "i'll take it and turn up and try and negotiate a lower price. So I just put no holds on my posts now so whoever turns up and pays the price first gets the deal. I treat real estate the same way, when I sell stuff for other people. The vendor usually doesn't care who the byer is as long as their money is good

[KevG]

I don't sell that much online. When I do it is usually pretty local.
If the first person who contacts me first is doing the I'll get back to you thing, I tell them that it is still on the market and I'll let them know if someone else has come up with the cash and also wants it.
The chance of missing out is often a pretty good motivator.

[Rodt]

The first person hasn't committed to buy so go with the second who has.

Would be a different view though if the first had committed.

[Beachman]

A couple of years ago I had a car advertised for sale and get a call from a guy saying he is prepared to drive 5 hours for a test drive. An hour later a get a call from another guy  who is also keen and also comes from the same town 5 hours away.

I was upfront and honest with the 2nd guy and told him I've already got someone coming the next day but if he don't want it I would call him back. He did say he would have a bank cheque to secure the deal. I resisted and said I've already given my word so happy to wait.

Next day the first guy turns up and a really nice bloke and after the test drive is happy to buy it, but then says he needs to approach the bank and organise a loan. I think he was legit but just wasn't thinking ahead. I told him I'm worried that the loan could take a week to arrange and no guarantee the bank will approve the loan. I then told him about the 2nd guy who is also keen and he could have a bank cheque the next day so I'm going to give him the opportunity to look at it. First guy was a little disappointed but understood.

Phone the 2nd guy back who was still interested and the next day he also drives 5 hours and looked at the car and within 30 minutes I had a bank cheque in my hand and he drove away with the car.

Phoned the first guy back and again understood, but turns out both guys actually knew each other but neither had spoken to each other about the car.

[rotare]

I just make it clear in my adverts or when I'm dealing with inquiries on items I have for sale that I won't hold anything unless a deposit is provided.  If someone is keen enough to tell you you they'll take your advertised item by phone, FB message or text, then they shouldn't have any issues forwarding a deposit to your bank or paypal account to hold the item. 

If someone isn't willing to give me a deposit that's fine, but I politely advise any interested parties that it's sold to the first person that lays down some cash.

Been jerked around too many times in the past by people who are quick to tell you "I'll take it - sold", then drag their heels paying or just become total no shows.