Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Just rambling a bit here, but need to get something off my chest. Some time ago, there was an item posted in the classified section. I have some experience with similar items, so I was very keen. I have been beaten to the punch several times, so I sent a PM saying "If it is still available, I'll take it". Not expressing general interest, but a firm, "I'll take it". I then had to go to work for a few hours. When I came home, I found 2 PMs waiting for me. The first said "Yes it is". So, I figured this treasured artifact would soon be mine... The other PM said "It's sold". Huh?

Now, I accept that the seller can deal with whoever they want, but I always understood the process to be first firm offer takes it. I have to admit to feeling a mite cheated in this procedure... I can certainly continue to live my life unfettered by the object of my desires, but it would have looked *so* nice sitting on my shelf alongside its brothers and sisters...

I am not looking for a fight here. I have left out so many details that the only person who could possibly recognize the transaction would be the seller. I just wondered, is there an actual expected etiquette on here, or have I simply jumped to the wrong conclusion? I have bought a bunch of stuff on here, several cameras, lenses, speedlites, and have always had a very pleasant experience. The sellers have always been a treat to deal with. This was my first disappointing experience, and it doesn't rise to the level of buying something which was not 'right', certainly. I just felt a little miffed, is all...

CaptainBobBrown

Seems to me that the seller did what any reasonable person would do in the absence of a quick response from you due to your being at work. Seller couldn't know that and would have been unduly trusting to turn down another more immediate transaction with someone else. Internet (and world) is full of people who say one thing and do another so why would you expect to be trusted to fulfill your commitment when he didn't get immediate response after your initial "I'll take it."

I would have in first acceptance message asked for payment details and followed through immediately instead of delaying until it was convenient for you after work.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

I agree with CaptainBob.

tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

I personally feel that the item isn't sold until I have received payment. Perhaps in your case monies arrived between the first and second message. Some of these listings are probably also available through local sources (Craigslist, camera store, antique mall, etc.) and could have sold between the yes I have it and sold messages. At least the seller was kind enough to let you know it was sold.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Not terribly likely, I wouldn't have thought. There were only about 3 hours between my original message and my reading the 'its sold' message; don't remember how long that message had been waiting for me. Unless the eventual buyer lived next door to the seller, he would have been hard-pressed to pay up in that time...

tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

But to what advantage is it for him to not sell to you if the item were not unsold? I think something happened in that three hours, regardless of whether you think it is likely or not. Or another scenario, he discovers another agent (sales clerk, wife, child, etc) had sold the lens and hadn't informed in yet.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

That isn't really the point. I have attempted to buy items on here, where the seller has come back and said something along the lines of "I already have a buyer posted, but if he falls through, I will get back to you."
That is what I would have expected them to say to the other fella, at least until I had a reasonable amount of time.

Let's face it, I don't know that you are sitting at your computer waiting for messages to come in, and you don't know that I am. How fast should we expect a response to come back from a message? This setup is offline, in the sense of email rather than chat...

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

For what it's worth, I agree with you. I've not sold on UHH, but have sold several items, boats, motorcycles, RC aircraft, etc. I generally price things to get rid of them, so they always go VERY quickly. If someone emails me wanting to negotiate, that's one thing, but if someone says "sold at asking price," I will tell further callers that the sale is pending, but I will get back with them.

Sometimes I think it is a generational thing, or maybe even the difference on if you were raised in a small town environment vs. big city, but to me, the "sold" statement, is like a handshake.

All you can do is keep trying. Everyone doesn't share our point of view. Not sure if that makes us right, or wrong.

tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Unless your "it's sold" is out of context, isn't it possible he was confirming that you had bought it? (saying it's yours?). Wouldn't it be hilarious if he is waiting for you to send payment!

dljen Loc: Central PA

If this should arise again, maybe it'd be a good idea to tell him that you have to leave for ___ hours and will return to finish the transaction. I hope you don't have this problem again.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

:-D

Would be funny, but can't imagine why they would PM me saying it's sold. If it had been a post to the forum, perhaps...