Minor problem (but a SERIOUS one to me)

[Colorado Luckydog]

As soon as they don't do what they said they would, you owe them nothing. Even if they had some kind of emergency, it's okay for you to move on. If the emergency was so bad they couldn't contact you, buying something is probably not on their mind. If it's someone I know, I'll give them all the time they need. If I don't know them, they better do what they said or I'm out.

The other night I had a guy offer me a deal. I contacted him back within a few minutes. He said he just made another deal and didn't have the money for both deals. I didn't give him a hard time but darn, it just pisses you off.

[rockhound]

you are more patient than I

[BigBear]

It's the age of complete connectivity (the internet)... 48 hours, then move on. Family emergencies, other excuses happen, life goes on, better luck next time. 48 hours tops.

[roberth]

48 hours is enough.

[AR_ART]

what everyone said. When I deal with someone, I give them a time-frame to complete the deal or contact me next. If that time comes and goes, it goes back up for sale or to the next buyer.

If the buyer says they are sincere but I suspect they may back out, I ask for a non-refundable deposit.

[Tweety Bird]

I know a lot of you hate it, but PayPal can be your friend here if you don't have a business and a merchant (CC) account.

If somebody really wants something, but can't meet you right away, tell them to put a down payment on it via PayPal. 10% would be enough to give them some skin in the game. Tell them that the deposit is refundable only if they show up at a scheduled time and place to look at the goods and then decide they don't want it. Otherwise, they lose the $$. If they're not willing to do that, just keep trying to sell it to someone else. This will keep them from just "forgetting" about it, or screening their calls.

It's your sale. YOU set the rules, they don't.