Prodding Facebook/Gumtree/Etc. Sellers?

[highlandsflyer]

Had my hopes up for a rare find, for which I was told I'm second in line. Out in the sticks, so quite possible buyer 1 won't turn up. Three days in, seller tells me they are not even expecting buyer 1 for a few days yet. It's a cash sale, so I feel there is no need to let someone dibs it for a week. I would be there in a matter of hours. I've made it clear I'm keen as mustard.
All that's left is to either wait and hope, or caveat my offer with a time limit, on the basis they didn't let me know how long I was going to have to wait from the get go. This would be a little pressure. Might work.
I just don't get people putting something up for sale, then giving so much slack to a buyer who is tardy. Never mind the ones who advertise something on a Sunday night, and then let you know they are off on holiday for a fortnight..

 

[Scott-S]

Thats crazy, money talks and if the first one with cash cant get then there tough shit who's next in line to give me their money.

The world really is a strange place the way sellers behave these days

 

[The History Man]

If I remember rightly that’s called integrity.

I have offered deposits to hold items while I arrange collection without knowing how and when it would happen. This is usually refused but the seller is patient. Similarly, I have held items for a month or so for a buyer to get things together. Just posted one of these today.

You wouldn’t be complaining if the situation was opposite.

 

[highlandsflyer]

If I remember rightly that’s called integrity.

I have offered deposits to hold items while I arrange collection without knowing how and when it would happen. This is usually refused but the seller is patient. Similarly, I have held items for a month or so for a buyer to get things together. Just posted one of these today.

You wouldn’t be complaining if the situation was opposite.

I agree to some extent. I am glad you have affirmed my tendency to keep it chill, and let things happen as they will happen. Ferking nice thing though. Hard to be patient!

 

[pigman]

If I remember rightly that’s called integrity.

I have offered deposits to hold items while I arrange collection without knowing how and when it would happen. This is usually refused but the seller is patient. Similarly, I have held items for a month or so for a buyer to get things together. Just posted one of these today.

You wouldn’t be complaining if the situation was opposite.

Problem is when the buyer you've been holding it for either disappears or changes his mind and those who were in reserve have moved on. You're then left with starting the sale again. For some sellers, they'll just chalk it to experience. For others, they needed that money to settle a debt. Whoever the seller is, their faith in trading integrity has just gone

 

[d8mok]

Many times it’s happened to me. I just be polite , tell them I’ll collect quickly and leave it with them.

Sometimes even I’ve had messages a month later to say come get it as the buyer hasn’t turned up.

Seller sounds honourable so let it play out.

Oh and don’t be that guy who offers more and guzumps the buyer , or tell the sellers it’s worth a million quid like some buyers do when they miss out.

 

[The History Man]

Problem is when the buyer you've been holding it for either disappears or changes his mind and those who were in reserve have moved on. You're then left with starting the sale again. For some sellers, they'll just chalk it to experience. For others, they needed that money to settle a debt. Whoever the seller is, their faith in trading integrity has just gone

If you’re relying on an informal arrangement to settle a debt, you deserve to go to eBay and sit in the corner until you’ve come to your senses.