the joys of selling online

[masraum]

I'm off this week, getting some work done around the house. Since I'm around, we figured we would get some stuff sold that was hanging around the house. I put a couple of things up on Craigslist and a couple of spoons up on texasguntrader.

For the CL stuff, I got responses on all of it within an hour or the next morning. I had a couple of people who were "on my way over" or "hold it for me for this afternoon" that never showed. I did one item picked up the next day, and the other item got picked up after a couple of days. But since it was just me at the house anyway, it at least didn't put me out whether they showed or not.

For the spoons, I had one that is one of the better tupperware guns that I was selling for a decent price. The other gun is a little 22 single action revolver that is only $189 new at Academy. I've heard that it goes on sale for closer to $150. I got it as part of a package deal. I didn't really want/need it. I put 50 rounds through it and cleaned and oiled it so I figured I'd sell it. I put it up for $100. Within 1 hour of putting the ad up I had 3 or 4 emails. I exchanged a couple of emails with a guy. He was driving down from the North side of town in the morning to pick it up. I was only going to have to drive about 10 miles to meet him. He picked the spot, I gave him a time range and he picked the time. I got to the location 10 mins early, and stuck around until 30 mins after. He was a no show and didn't call.

The next guy, I spoke to on the phone. He was a 71 year old guy that is retired, but picks up the occasional job guarding gates at oil drilling locations around Texas for a little extra money. He was also coming from the far side of town, but sounded genuine and honest. I figured he was a man of his word, so I agreed to drive farther into town, 25 miles or so to meet him the next morning. He had my phone number, so I figured if nothing else, he would call to tell me if there was a problem. You guessed it, another no show. But I was able to get in touch with him. He apologized profusely and said something had come up which I understand does happen some times, but I had still wasted a bunch of time for nothing.

I've still been getting emails on the gun, but it seems like everyone is on the far north or west side of Houston and I'm on the southeast side. I'm done driving more than 10 miles or so to sell this gun. I don't need the $100 that bad.

This morning, I responded to an email about the gun. I'd like to add that I did include the general area where I live in the ad. The guy said he wanted me to meet him on the North side of town, about 45 miles away. I told him that I wasn't interested in driving that far. He said that he would drive to downtown which would put me back at 25 miles. I told him thank you, but no. His response was hilarious, "Well I guess you don't want to sell it then because I can't go to someone's area to purchase a firearm how do I know you could be setting me up so I'm sorry but I guess I'll just have to report this issue as suspicious". The weird thing is that he said that he's driving from a town that's 70 miles (on way) from downtown Houston. Clearly, his text was supposed to have the effect of coercing me into making the drive. I responded that I had already driven to meet a couple of folks that were no shows, and I've wasted too much time and gas for $100. "Report whatever you want". He responded again trying to pester me. I told him about getting screwed around, wasting my time and how for the distance he'd have to drive, the gas money alone would make it worth it for him to just buy the thing new. He texted back "how about if I through in $20 for gas". He's on ignore now.

I guess the low cost brought out all of the crazies.

Still, 3 things down, 1 to go, and another guy that should be driving through my area today, so it may work out, but jeez.

[id10t]

When I sold my Nissan on CL, I had a few emails that I answered and never heard from again. Ended up selling to a friend of a friend.

Just yesterday, at 3pm I saw a Browning SA22 posted on a local spoon tradin' FB group. Posted a Contender in trade, guy said yes, called him, we agreed to meet at 8. Wife didn't get home until 5 til 8 (I had the kids) so I called him at 730 and said I'd call when I knew I could leave. Wife got home, called him, we each drove about 10 min, made the trade, and I got home 45 min after I left.

Guess it takes all kinds, and you just got "unlucky" ...

[stomachmonkey]

I've posted this before.

Best thing I've found on Facebook are local trading posts.

They're like virtual garage sales and the way the ones in my area are set up the rules generally include a defined geographic region so the farthest I have to drive is maybe 5 miles, sellers have to sell in order of expressed interest, buyers have a max window of time to complete transactions or seller can go on to next interested party. No public haggling on price.

The benis are the people are local and known since an admin needs to let them into the group and can kick deadbeats.

We also do a lot of Porch Pick Ups. Seller PM's you their address, you drive over, item is outside the front door, leave cash, take item.

I've scored all manner of great deals.

Just last week picked up a truckload of landscape rocks from someone in the next development who had it left over from a backyard redo. Did a nice walking path from my patio out to my Pergola with it.

Free.

[Paul_Heery]

I don't sell on CL often. But, when I do, I don't go out of my way. The standard reply is. "I will meet you at x o'clock in the parking lot at the police station". It is less than 5 minutes for me and I wait no more that 10 for them to show up.

[masraum]

So far, the 3 successes that I've had have been smooth and very nice people. It's just this one silly little gun that seems to have brought out the flakes. Oh well, still not too bad so far. I've got 2 bites for today. One guy that is working a little south of me, but lives way north, so he should be driving through the area when he's done, and another guy that says he lives in the area. Hopefully, today will be the day, and then everything will be sold.

[wdfifteen]

I feel your pain Steve. Some people just don't get it.
I tried give away a trailer full of surplus construction material on CL last week. I got a dozen responses to the ad. I called the guy who sent the first email , set up a time for him to come pick it up the next day - nothing.
I emailed the next person and they couldn't come for a couple of days and I said I'd get back to them if it wasn't gone by then. Third email in line set up a time the next day, but I told them I would give them one hour after the appointed time before the deal was off and I was calling the next person in line. I finally got rid of the stuff, but what a pain.
A couple of years ago I gave away a kit-built patio that was on my house. I had to have it gone in one week and I told everyone who came to look at it that it was free, but they had to give me $100 deposit that I would return when they removed the room it in the allotted time. Ended up with a real sincere guy who was very grateful for the room and stuck to the deal.

[masraum]

Whew! Sold and done.

[johnsjmc]

I feel your pain. It,s kind of like online dating. There are many good buyers out there but lot,s of flakes too.