Common Courtesy

[OneGuy67]

WARNING!!! RANT AHEAD!!

I'm going to put this out here for the forum members to read and decide if I am in the wrong or not.

There have been some previous posts concerning buying and selling etiquette here on the forum. I'm not trying to resurrect those posts, but I've had two experiences here lately that have me a little steamed. I'm not going to name names here, but I'm sure those that I refer to will jump in and post their side of the story, if there is one. I'm sure the back and forth will provide some with cheap, popcorn entertainment.

I have been a forum member here for about a year and have bought and sold about 15 items over that time. All of the transactions have gone well. All of them have started with a PM of interest, followed with either a PM or a phone call to schedule a time and place to meet. The seller then holds the item, possibly even marks on their posting -SPF to indicate the item is no longer available.

One deals with a new guy and another deals with someone who has been a member for a year, but only posts stuff he is selling.

#1 - A new person advertises a gun for sale and mentions he is interested in trades. I PM him a potential trade and do not receive a response at all. A few days later, I then post on the forum if he read his PM's to which he sends me one and asks for the value of the potential trade. Since I have several of the potential trade rifles, the value would be determined by the components and I send a lengthy PM describing the different conditions, components and potential value of the different rifles. Again, no response. I believe Common Courtesy would dictate at least a short response of "No thanks, not interested." or a "I got a better deal from another party." Something like that. I got nothing as a response.

#2 - Forum member here to sell stuff offers items for sale. I PM him on two items I would be interested in. He PM's back stating one was sold and the other was still available. I PM him back and again express my interest in the unsold item. I ask what his schedule is to meet on Friday, my next day off. He responds at 3:51 AM asking me if we can meet that night (not sure which night he is referring to) and then at 8:02 AM, I receive a PM from him indicating he sold the item. Now, I will accept the fact my language of "Being interested in the item" isn't as strong as "I want that" or "Please sell me that", but I've used that language with others and they didn't seem to misunderstand.

The question on this one is, does cash in hand and the immediate ability to meet trump a person's PM of interest, cash in hand and a potential meet a day later? Does the ability to get together sooner override a person's statement of interest?

Am I wrong? Am I wrong to think both of these people lack common courtesy? What say you, forum members?

RANT OFF...

[rammit]

I prefer to do transactions with people who have more most then just adds, I have some flakes, but never a real bad experience.

[CrufflerSteve]

I do think there needs to be an understood way to deal with this. I've sold, traded & bought here. When I'm selling I honor the first full price PM and can wait until convenient for both of us. The PM takes precedence over when I can meet the person. I did PM that I wanted to buy an item and didn't hear back for a long time and was told it was sold.

If I'm PM'd an offer I tell the person that his offer is first but full price will beat it.

One forum I'm on has the rule that if you want it post a reply "I Want It" and then PM. The problem is that enforcing it would mean more work for the mods.

Steve

[StagLefty]

I have been lucky enough to have zero problems on here buying items.
I do believe that common courtesy is becoming a thing of the past.
It's going the way of "your word is your honor".
It's seems that I began my own rant mmm [Beer]

[Tweety Bird]

I can't tell you how many times I've talked to someone who wants to buy something I'm trying to sell, but they then never show up and don't call. So I've changed my way of advertising things.

Whenever I sell something (I don't sell my guns so I haven't done it for them), I make it very clear that the first one with the $$ gets it; I won't hold it for a "maybe" buyer. So I generally offer to let them put down a refundable deposit via PayPal (let's not get on a PayPal rant here). I simply say that without a deposit, I won't hold the stuff if someone else comes up with the dough first. It makes the "buyer" put some skin in the game if they can't hurry up and be the first one to look.

But like I said, I'm very clear about it in the ad. Works for me. YMMV.

[SideShow Bob]

I am interested -vs- I'll take it !
I am interested loses.
I have missed out on a few deals due to "being interested" and PMing the poster to death with need more information and lower than posted offer PMs.
The OPs at least notified me that they had a cash in hand I'll take it, and gave me first option at posted price.
Now that is what I call courtesy.

[ChunkyMonkey]

I have always gone with the most convenient (closest, soonest, cash) buyers. Period.

Obviously, don't commit selling your item to a person then change your mind either.