Why am I always first to say I want something but then someone else gets it?

[Rodney Nelson]

Something I have noticed that goes on in the classifieds section is that you will say you want something and are first in line and then you PM the person listing the item. Then you hear back someone else PM'd the seller first.

I think it would be a lot better for everyone if sellers would just respond in order to who ever says they want it first on the actual ad instead of PMs because the buyers have no idea if they were first but then someone comes in behind them via PM and tells the seller they will give them $100 more for it.

This has happened to me numerous times where I am selling something and someone already was first inline and someone comes in after saying they will give me more money, very unscrupulous if you ask me.

The last few items I have tried to purchase, I was first in line on the Ad, but then somehow lost out...

What are your thoughts?

[mrbogangles]

Why not just do both.

[Rodney Nelson]

Love the username Mrbogangles, I always do both. And still lose out. I think there is funny business going on.... on the other side of the bogangles...

[Arne2]

From the side of an occasional seller, I get lots of PMs from people who don't post in the thread. I personally do both as a buyer, but many people don't. And I doubt you will get that practice started. Way too many people don't want to publicly share what they are needing.

[mgro1959]

I recently posted a WTB. Instead of pming me the person replying posted it on the thread. A day later I see the reply telling me to pm them. Why could they not pm me. They went dead inspite of several PM's. I assume this was a ploy to advertize what they had and the highest pmer would get it. Could be wrong but when I am on the hunt I am a buyer and pay a fair price. Dont dangle a RSR in front of my nose and then disappear. Just my whine for the week. Thanks Rob.

[gsxrken]

Haha. People must either live on this page and just hit the "refresh" button for a living, or they have some sort of instant notification that something has been posted to the WTB/FS section.
And don't forget how many people just suck. That's truer and truer as time goes on.

[alwaysflat6s]

Sadly, I agree with gsxfken's conclusion. SAD

[mgro1959]

Thats the problem. I have a second residence on this forum and still seem to miss whats going on in the neighbourhood. Oh well I should not have followed the wifes orders and cut the lawn. Vacuemed the pool and filled the waste bins with garden debris. At least I am social distancing. Thanks Rob

[mercury-us]

this forum is for selling parts not for opinions.

[zundfolge]

Originally Posted by mercury-us

this forum is for selling parts not for opinions.

You selling something? LOL

[dwelle]

huh.

i'm personally of the opinion that the seller should simply honor the first communication to buy said item. PM or direct post.

i'll often post both to the FS thread and PM if i want something. sometimes i'll simply PM as it might drive interest if i post to the thread.

if the seller honors the first "i'll take it for your price" wherever it comes from, i don't see a problem...

[Rodney Nelson]

I think I was not very clear in my post....

What I am saying is I think there are people making offers higher than what the seller posted the item for. And they are doing it via PMs. I know this to be a fact as I have been a seller and have had people ask me to sell to them for more...via a PM. They do this after they have seen someone else already say thy will take it.

Instead of saying next in line, they pm the seller offering more. That is what I think is shady.

[Malaga76]

Sellers would be smart then to list their for-sale item as "$X.XX Or Best Offer" (OBO) which would make a bidding war legit and fair. While we usually think of OBO as a lower price than asked, there is no reason it couldn't be a higher price if there is high interest in a for sale-item.

[ian c2]

if you want to conduct an auction for your parts, please do not use our forum and use an auction site instead.
A bidding war would not be legit ...

Originally Posted by Malaga76

Sellers would be smart then to list their for-sale item as "$X.XX Or Best Offer" (OBO) which would make a bidding war legit and fair. While we usually think of OBO as a lower price than asked, there is no reason it couldn't be a higher price if there is high interest in a for sale-item.

[jac1976]

Originally Posted by ian c2

if you want to conduct an auction for your parts, please do not use our forum and use an auction site instead.
A bidding war would not be legit ...

This. And adhering to the forum rules ain’t that difficult.

[rgofast]

I have sold a lot of parts on Pelican, over the years, and have never had someone in line try to bump to first place, by offering more than my asking price. I have had numerous buyers who were first in line by saying “I’ll take it”. Then totally disappear, when I ask for payment. Who ever performs first with payment is the one that should get the part. I recently rebuilt a rare shifter for someone who said “I’ll take it.” When It was done,a few days later, they were no where to be found. I contacted them several times, and they didn’t even have the courtesy to say they changed their mind. It works both ways.

[targa72e]

My experience is similar to rgofast. I have never had someone offer more. I have had people say I am interested in a part and then ask for more pics, shipping, etc,etc . Many time these people back out.
When I am making a purchase and I want the item I make it very clear. I pm seller with "I will take it let me know how to pay you".

john

[speedster911]

Originally Posted by rgofast

I have sold a lot of parts on Pelican, over the years, and have never had someone in line try to bump to first place, by offering more than my asking price. I have had numerous buyers who were first in line by saying “I’ll take it”. Then totally disappear, when I ask for payment. Who ever performs first with payment is the one that should get the part. I recently rebuilt a rare shifter for someone who said “I’ll take it.” When It was done,a few days later, they were no where to be found. I contacted them several times, and they didn’t even have the courtesy to say they changed their mind. It works both ways.

^^^ +++ yup. ghosting very common. I have never had some try to offer more, have had a few folks say I am not asking enough for the part I am selling but I take that as a comment because they are upset someone beat them.

Also have many respondents to WTB posts say they have emailed me photos never to be heard from again.

Bottom line- you win some you lose some.

To the OP, what are you looking to buy? I am sure many of us have stuff sitting on shelves or boxes we will sell.

[Marks77]

Works both ways. I recently asked a seller if he would post a small item to Auckland New Zealand and if so how much? He asked a question to clarify which I answered. Never heard back. I assume he wasn't happy to post to New Zealand but I never got the opportunity to tell him I also have an OC address. The items continued to be offered for days after this.

[Rodney Nelson]

Well it is good to hear that some sellers have not experienced buyers offering more via PM to jump place in line. I don't mind losing out if I'm not there first.