Buying and Selling Etiquette

[TimJohn]

Dear Clubsnap Bros & Sis,

Can I ask your advice on this matter?

What are the common practices regarding buying and selling of Cameras.

Do Buyers usually have to go to Sellers locations or do Sellers go to Buyers locations if asked.

Once had a buyer who wanted/insisted on me going to his/her place. I politely declined because I explained that I can't be certain that the Buyer will end up taking the Camera. He somehow managed to persuade me. Eventually I went out of goodwill (got my Dad to drive me all the way to Kallang from Pasir Ris) and the Buyer came almost late by 30 mins and then started to haggle and find faults with the item that I was selling. I ended up not selling to him. Not because HE DID NOT want the item but I DECIDED against selling to him for all the hassle he gave me.

Did I do right? I know it is debatable but I decided then and there henceforth that I will only meet up with Buyers whom I have dealt with in the past at locations that is convenient for both of us.

Recently I had a first time buyer and one who haggled over prices and then location. I clearly indicated in my advertisement that I will only meet up at the location (MRT Station) of my choice but the Buyer wanted to meet up at an MRT station one stop away from my choice. I explained that as I have to ask my dad to drive me there and it would be inconvenient for me to go there even if it is one station away?

I decided not to sell is this OK? I know that as a seller I reserve the right not to sell.

Please advise and comment so all others can have an idea.

Thank You

Tim

 

[limwhow]

Hello TimJohn.
I look at it this way.
The sincerity of a buyer could be vaguely deduced from various signs and symptoms right from the start.
If for some small, insignificant reasons, he started debating on even the location of meeting, then that may just mean that you have to be ready for a whole lot of debating when it comes to the actual process of selling.
Me? I would not do business with him. But I would pollitely decline his suggestion of a new location.
If I have what I think is a great product at a great price, as a seller, then I don't have to be so hard up. There will always be more deserving buyers.
Unless I am desparate to let go and I need the cash... well, then it is a slightly different matter.
.. these are just my humble life experience to share.

 

[lynxiger]

I've also experienced similar situations. It's just part of Buy/Sell.

Majority of people I've dealt with are very nice and sincere buyers. Like limwhow said, watch out for the early signs and don't meet up from the beginning.

On the other hand, there will always be people who haggle, nag and complain about the tiniest dots and scratches and ask to slash the price. Just ignore these low balls and move on. There will always be another buyer.

There are buyers who test you if you're in need of urgent cash, and then they will squeeze you for a good deal. :sweat:

 

[gazkw]

for me i always insist on meeting at my own convenience...

i'm typically willing to meet at a central location - raffles place, city hall, orchard.

if there person cannot even meet at a central location, i won't be bothered.

 

[Xiao_shin]

Meet somewhere both of you can agree on. Also, depends on who is more desperate for the sale then.

 

[catchlights]

when I sell something, I state very clearly in my thread.

Everything buyer need to know is already in the thread
No reservation on item for viewing, first come first serve.
Come to meet me at my convenient time and place.
Fixed price.
No personal warranty

so far all the deals were closed successfully in a very short period.

====================

When I want to buy something, I do my homework to know what are the item I'm looking for, than search the item,
contact the seller asap,
ask what you need to find out about the item.. if the there are something not state clearing in the thread.
arrange to meet up buyer asap, usually I go to buyer.
prepare cash
bring along anything you if you need to test out the item
view the item, if good, take it. if no good, thank for his time and move on.

 

[Simon_84]

i'm only willing to meet at places near my workplace or west area, anywhere else i don't really bother since i'm the seller.

as a buyer, i'm more willing to go the distance because most of the sellers don't bother posting up a picture of the item they are selling, so no choice have to go down to view and test the equipment first before committing to the deal.

 

[John Mama]

You did absolutely right. Those guys were being cheapos. In my case, they go straight into my numbers blacklist and I never deal with them again.

It's still ok to deal with people you've never met but make sure they are on YOUR terms (location, price, non-negotiable factors), and walk away if they try to pull a fast one on those factors. I have no tolerance for people who pull these tactics. You know the type, "expert" equipment appraisers who are nothing but cheapskates looking to make a quick buck.

There are some excellent buyers out there too, and I've met so many: as others have pointed out, you win some and lose some when it comes to your experiences as a seller.

 

[zcf]

If I am selling, it' either by the place stated in the advert, or in middle ground which easy to meet like City hall mrt etc (if seller from the other site of Island). Unless I am on the way or desperate in selling the item, I won't travel to buyer place.

 

[geekbrains]

Usually when I sell, I specify the location and reserve the rights to sell.

 

[ManWearPants]

learn from experience. Usually a vague B&S thread will have funny requests. I once posted a cheap item (can't remember what). And since it is cheap, I didn't bother to write too much in the thread. I have this guy asking me to send to his home for viewing at his convenience. And since I am bored with nothing better to do, I agreed. Bad decision. After viewing and totally satisfied with the condition of the item and unappreciative of the fact that I drove all the way to his house, he bargained for a discount. I am thinking since I am already there, give him $5 discount to get rid of the item. Worse to follow, he changed his mind in a flash and decided not to buy. I am thinking WTF!

So now I post with transaction detail. If any mandatory condition is not met, I won't be bothered to even reply. The conditions include to transact at my place at my convenience. It is not as if I am desperate to sell these perfectly usable items.

 

[Diavonex]

I generally price my stuff below market price and specify the pickup location. If buyer is keen, they'll generally agree to meet up at your specified location.

 

[TimJohn]

Dear Clubsnap Bros & Sis,

Can I ask your advice on this matter?

What are the common practices regarding buying and selling of Cameras.

Do Buyers usually have to go to Sellers locations or do Sellers go to Buyers locations if asked.

Once had a buyer who wanted/insisted on me going to his/her place. I politely declined because I explained that I can't be certain that the Buyer will end up taking the Camera. He somehow managed to persuade me. Eventually I went out of goodwill (got my Dad to drive me all the way to Kallang from Pasir Ris) and the Buyer came almost late by 30 mins and then started to haggle and find faults with the item that I was selling. I ended up not selling to him. Not because HE DID NOT want the item but I DECIDED against selling to him for all the hassle he gave me.

Did I do right? I know it is debatable but I decided then and there henceforth that I will only meet up with Buyers whom I have dealt with in the past at locations that is convenient for both of us.

Recently I had a first time buyer and one who haggled over prices and then location. I clearly indicated in my advertisement that I will only meet up at the location (MRT Station) of my choice but the Buyer wanted to meet up at an MRT station one stop away from my choice. I explained that as I have to ask my dad to drive me there and it would be inconvenient for me to go there even if it is one station away?

I decided not to sell is this OK? I know that as a seller I reserve the right not to sell.

Please advise and comment so all others can have an idea.

Thank You

Tim

Thank You All Bros & Sis,

Think I did roght this ti,e. Since all the advice has shown that I was at least 90% right.

once again Thank You.

I think I will let this thread run for a day ot two more before closing so it will not get too long.

Great Week Ahead to One and All.

Timmy

 

[TimJohn]

Thanks for all the posts and valuable advise. I am closing this thread.