Buying from the forum classifieds.....or not as the case may be!

[-Ju-]

So it goes like this,

I see an ad in the classifieds for something that is on my wish list
It's from a long term member
I make an offer by PM
The seller accepts that offer
I make arrangements to collect and rearrange my day to suit
The seller doesn't mark up the ad as "provisionally sold"
A few members express a strong interest
The seller goes to ground and stops replying to my texts
The ad is removed.

Am I missing something here or have I been gazumped and the seller has sold to a higher bidder.
It's one thing to go back on a deal, but at least man up and let me know so I'm not left hanging all Saturday

Rant over

 

[joinerman]

Name & shame !

 

[voorhees]

Did you put a deposit down ?

 

[-Ju-]

No money changed hands so no issue there and tbh I don't even think the item would fit my car. Even so I was prepared to do a 120 mile round trip to collect because I had agreed to buy it.

 

[SootySport]

Your fault I'm afraid, don't agree a price over the phone, however far away you are.

 

[-Ju-]

Your fault I'm afraid, don't agree a price over the phone, however far away you are.

So how would you buy from the classifieds? Price was agreed by PM and collection provisionally arranged for the weekend.. I fail to see how it's my fault if the seller goes back on the agreement. Surely there is an element of trust involved when using the classifieds from both sides?

 

[voorhees]

Surely there is an element of trust involved when using the classifieds from both sides?

I would treat anyone selling jn the classifieds (unless I know them personally) as a stranger,all paypal transactions should be for goods so you have back up.

 

[sidibear]

I am with the OP on this one, its a bit ****** to agree to sell something and then go back on it without letting the buyer know, gentleman's agreement and all that.
I like to think the vast majority of our members are more respectable than that.

 

[SootySport]

I'm old school, if I want to buy a car I'll scan the ads and go and see it, if I want it I put an offer forward and usually haggle a bit, pay the dosh and drive it home.
As you found out Ju, dealing over the phone goes wrong, I rest my case.