I'm surprised that we have "Timewasters" on BassChat

[KevB]

The last bass I sold I initially tried on here, not an expensive bass by any means. Got so fed up of the tyre kickers I put it on eBay, it sold no problem, buyer collected and paid cash. I got as much for it as I would have on here including the eBay fees (which admittedly were artificially low as it was one of their promotions when I put it up for auction). I'd really think twice about selling another bass on here I'm afraid. Had no problems buying stuff here but I go out of my way to make the transaction as hassle free for the seller as I can.

[Low End Bee]

Normally brilliant on here. Recently though.

[i]"I'm a student. Please can you put it by for me for three weeks? I really want it. I'm just getting the money together and we can arrange payment and pick up then."[/i]

Three weeks pass
.
"Do you still want it?"

[i]"I forgot all about the bass. Sorry dude. I don't want it now."[/i]

Not the end of the world. Made me a feel a little more Alf Garnett than usual though.

[Hobbayne]

When I was selling on here last year, I always told interested parties that someone is currently interested in buying, but I always took their details in case the buyer blew out. This has been great for weeding out timewasters and keeping prospective buyers in the loop.

[Lozz196]

I`ve been lucky in the couple of times people have had to pull out of a purchase they had said they definitley wanted, they have advised me so, and been very apologetic about it. I always make sure I reply to these, politely.

I`ve had a few where people have asked for more details/photos etc, and then not following up with any communication, but that isn`t confirmation of wanting to buy, so I don`t count those as messing me about or time-wasting - we all have to be sure where we spend our money.

I`ve also had to pull out of a couple of transactions, and have always advided the seller of this, and apologised for doing so. They`ve always been very decent in their replies.

[Spoombung]

You can always expect hesitation but I think the best way to find out if someone is serious or not is to give then your [i]phone numbe[/i]r. If they are serious they will call.

On the whole, my experience has been pretty good selling stuff here.

[juliusmonk]

For what it may be worth, I guess annoying people are a constant % of the population, be it buyers or sellers, waiters or customers. But if anything, I think the buyer has more right to be somewhat annoying. I've had quite a few sellers that understood my 'I'm interested' as 'I'll buy it', then felt so frustrated afterwards that didn't bother to respond. I've also noticed that the more questions you ask, the more inclined the seller is to (wrongly) assume that the deal is settled, and frustration escalates. But questions are just questions. The seller's attittude may well put me off.

I think selling is hard sometimes, and once you've made the decision then you want to get it out asap. I can understand that. But I am the one paying. Many sellers change their mind. Many play the 'make the decision quickly or I'm selling to someone else' or '... Withdrawing soon' thing. What the... ? it's several thousand quid! Of course I'll think about it! Some point you to the manufacturer website for specs - not the best impression. If you are not prepared to take pictures, answer questions, etc. then you shouldn't be selling, maybe. That said, I always try to be transparent. There's many factors involved in a purchase decision, we all have our own obsessions - some are hard to explain. And, in the end, there will be a time when I've sent the money and I am completely in the hands of the seller - so easy to rip someone off. That leap of faith surely deserves some patience in exchange?

It's all ok in the end, I guess we're only human after all, and most of my experiences in BC have been good. Some sellers have been fantastic. It's a delicate alternative marketplace that works quite well, honestly. But I think it is unfair to always criticize hesitating buyers. As mostly a buyer, being treated well (especially in shops, mind you) has been more the exception than the norm. Sadly. And I don't think I deserve it.

[thebrig]

I started the post because I was surprised that we had timewasters on here, because as I stated earlier, I have made many transactions, both buying and selling on BC in the past, and they have ALL been pleasant transactions, so this was the first time it had happened to me.

As for pictures etc, I always ensure that the photos I use are of the highest possible quality, and my descriptions quite clear as to condition etc..

[size=4]But what do you do when someone sends you a message titled "[font=arial, sans-serif][b][i]I'll take the fretless!!![/i][/b]" and in the message it says, "[b][i]f*** it. I need it, [/i][/b][/font][b][i][font=arial, sans-serif]How do you want paying? [/font][/i][/b][font=arial, sans-serif]and you reply immediately, and you get no response.[/font][/size]
[size=4][font=arial, sans-serif]I like to give buyers the benefit of the doubt, because they may have had to go out, o[/font][font=arial, sans-serif]r gone to bed or whatever, after sending the original message, so I hang on for a while, but in the meantime, other potential buyers contact you, and out of courtesy to the first person saying they want it, I tell them it is sold pending, meaning you might lose a buyer.[/font][/size]

[size=4][font=arial, sans-serif]I don't mind anyone changing their mind, but out of courtesy, all I'm asking is for them to let you know, and I would reply back saying, "no problem, and thanks for letting me know".[/font][/size]

[juliusmonk]

Fully agree. It costs nothing to drop a note, either way. Then again, the seller has the power here, I think. Possibly the only thing worse than a hesitant buyer is a hesitant seller...

I must admit that I never tried to sell though - maybe I'll be back bitching about buyers in due time...

[Rumple]

I've bought, sold and traded loads on here and all except one were easy transactions, the one that went a bit pear shaped involved me paying for and item then the seller ceased all contact even when prompted by the mods to do reply, couple of months down the line the item turned up out of the blue in the post, very odd.

[mcgraham]

Mostly good interactions here. Never had to wait long periods for anything when bought, and never had a situation where someone I truly expected to follow through on a purchase did not do so.

Questions regarding items are expected, but like an earlier poster, I don't consider something sold til I have the readies. We all want to pretend we're mates on here, and to some extent some of us are, but fundamentally the only way the transaction will complete is if both parties part with something.

Regarding people who ask things for layaway/on hold til payment, the answer is always no unless I have some good history with the person. Promises are easy. And (IMO) if you're serious enough to make a genuine promise you intend to follow through on, you should be serious enough to action it in a timely manner. The 'I'm a student, need 3 weeks'... response would be 'If it's still here in 3 weeks and you have the cash please do get in touch'

Money where mouth is. Quid pro quo. All that stuff.

[mcnach]

[quote name='juliusmonk' timestamp='1360059704' post='1964053']
I think selling is hard sometimes, and once you've made the decision then you want to get it out asap. I can understand that. But I am the one paying. Many sellers change their mind. Many play the 'make the decision quickly or I'm selling to someone else' or '... Withdrawing soon' thing. What the... ?
[/quote]

my response if hurried like that would be "sell it to the other guy then".

On gumtree I once saw a bass I mildly wanted. I expressed my interest, and we discussed when we could arrange to meet. It was tuesday or wednesday, I could meet him on Thursday, or at the weekend. Thursday was going to be complicated for him at the times I could make it, so we went for Saturday.
He later txted me saying he had someone coming on Friday and was offering £10 more to hold it for him. He wanted me to either show up on Thursday at a time that was inconvenient for me, or offer more for him to hold it for me till Saturday.
I said he could sell it to the other guy.
The advert was again active the following week.

[Big_Stu]

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1360092198' post='1964759']

my response if hurried like that would be "sell it to the other guy then".

On gumtree I once saw a bass I mildly wanted. I expressed my interest, and we discussed when we could arrange to meet. It was tuesday or wednesday, I could meet him on Thursday, or at the weekend. Thursday was going to be complicated for him at the times I could make it, so we went for Saturday.
He later txted me saying he had someone coming on Friday and was offering £10 more to hold it for him. He wanted me to either show up on Thursday at a time that was inconvenient for me, or offer more for him to hold it for me till Saturday.
I said he could sell it to the other guy.
The advert was again active the following week.
[/quote]

Good call; this is exactly what I'd do.

[LemonCello]

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1360011878' post='1963624']
Ahem Lemoncello my dear friend.... I'm not a bloke..... But I had great fun playing what was your fretless tonight

I've made a few trouble free purchases! I also had issues with one guy.

And I'm ashamed to say I did agree to buy something and had to back out, but I did back out quickly (due to being given some free gear from a friend instead)

I would say, as a rule, this is a great place to "do business" but there are always exceptions.
[/quote]

Erm....crawls away with tail firmly between legs Profuse apologies Debs, I forgot about the Fretless

[Sean]

I only deal in exquisite gear ;-) and only deal with top notch geezers and proper gentlemen/ladies; Basschat has been extremely kind to me. Sometimes you not only trade with people, you bond with people too. Gushy? Nah, that's just the way it been. Long may it continue.
I'm extremely intolerant of tyre kickers but only two or three Basschatters have experienced the Seanwrath :-D

[uncle psychosis]

I don't really have a problem with people who express an interest and then back out---[i]so long as they tell you.[/i] Good communications is by far the most important ingredient in trading here.


Admittedly, people saying "I'll take it, how do you want paying" who then disappear are a bit annoying, but I've only encountered that once, thankfully.

[ZenBasses]

My recent sale to Molan was effortless

He paid
I wrapped
It got collected
It got delivered

Total time wrapping was 20mins

Total time from paying to playing 2 days

It really isn't that hard

I don't know what the musical term for tyre kickers is. If you have the cash and want to buy then do so. If you haven't the cash don't waste people's time. That not to say people can't pm to chat if they are just genuinely interested but not up for buying. As mentioned its nice to chat to folk. But never lead someone astray.

I woul

[Paul S]

I have bought and sold a lot on here. My feedback was a hot topic a while back. Sad, eh? I have only had two minor irritations during transactions, both as a buyer. I always pay immediately, never mess about. One seller made up some cock and bull story about the post office holding on to the package for a week before it sent it out (which was repeated to the next buyer, I noticed). Another seller kept radio silence for a week or so - I PMd about the whereabouts of the item and he said he had been too busy to get in touch - some people have such busy lives! However he had found the time to post a picture of himself in the 'post pictures of yourself' thread and also a video of his band in a similar thing. I guess different people have different priorities. But the overwhelming majority of dealings have been a pleasure.

[RandomBass]

I've bought and sold several items on here, and all transactions have gone fine, except for one purchase where I got slightly stung but hey Ho!

I try to be as fair as possible when lots of enquiries come in about something I'm selling, first come first serve etc.

I'm also happy to donate to BC when I make a sale.

I've also been very fortunate to have met some great, honest and genuine people on here.

Cheers
Geoff

Edited February 6, 2013 by RandomBass

[RandomBass]

[quote name='ZenBasses' timestamp='1360144505' post='1965409']

I don't know what the musical term for tyre kickers is.
[/quote]
String ticklers?

[uncle psychosis]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1360149907' post='1965533']
I have bought and sold a lot on here. My feedback was a hot topic a while back. Sad, eh? I have only had two minor irritations during transactions, both as a buyer. I always pay immediately, never mess about. One seller made up some cock and bull story about the post office holding on to the package for a week before it sent it out (which was repeated to the next buyer, I noticed). Another seller kept radio silence for a week or so - I PMd about the whereabouts of the item and he said he had been too busy to get in touch - some people have such busy lives! However he had found the time to post a picture of himself in the 'post pictures of yourself' thread and also a video of his band in a similar thing. I guess different people have different priorities. But the overwhelming majority of dealings have been a pleasure.
[/quote]

This kind of thing is also very annoying. If I know I'm going to have a busy week or two, then I don't list things for sale---if its listed, then its because I will have the time to post it. If I don't get it posted for some reason, then I let the buyer know immediately.

[Jacqueslemac]

Oddly enough, the only problem I've ever had on here was when I was buying. It was only for a small item. I agreed to pay the asking price and asked how much it would cost to post. The seller asked for a figure I thought was a bit out of proportion, given the size and weight of it. I offered half that and said I'd happily transfer the funds the same day.

I heard nothing for a couple of days and when I checked the PM thread found out he had "withdrawn from the conversation" (or some such computer-speak). I sent a note saying that I'd take his lack of response as a "thanks, but no thanks".

Is a little courtesy too much to ask?

[Big_Stu]

[quote name='ZenBasses' timestamp='1360144505' post='1965409']I don't know what the musical term for tyre kickers is.[/quote]

Case Crawlers?

[mikegatward]

Some folk don't seem to understand that good manners costs nothing and can get you a long way in life. With so many methods available nowadays, non-communication is unforgiveable and frankly, the 'too busy' excuse just doesn't wash.

I've been generally lucky on here, ebay and gumtree/preloved but there's always the occasional time waster - both buyers and sellers.

Ebays feedback rating goes some way to managing the timewasters but shame there's no similar system on here. Feedback is fine but it always tends to be positive only

[KevB]

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1360156959' post='1965728']
Case Crawlers?
[/quote]

Tuner tweakers?

Bridge bashers? ( 'I was just testing how sturdy that BBOT was at the end mate')

[LukeFRC]

About being "too busy" - it can happen- I was selling something on ebay, and the week when it was going to be posted I got work in the next city, leave house at 6, back at 7.30pm - short breaks etc. Now I wouldn't have been able to get a courier if it had requiered that but was able to go to the post office.
The thing is I made sure the seller was informed at all times about the ETA and why. He understood.
On basschat I have a policy, I won't take money off anyone till I have the thing ready to go. I got a seller or something and had to ask them to wait a wee while so that I could get a bike box to post hte thing in. A bit odd but I feel that unless hte thing is ready to go then I shouldn't take money.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1360008166' post='1963540']
Unfortunately only too common...I had somebody come down to buy a bass, along with his girlfriend, I picked them up from the railway station, took them to my home, made them a coffee. He played the bass for an hour or so, "[i][u]Definitely[/u][/i]" wanted it. She went through my CDs and music books for suggestions for a birthday present for him before I gave them a lift back to the station.

The following day he posted on here to see what else was available, before telling me that he couldn't afford to buy a new bass...just goes to show that even BC isn't immune to time-wasters and tyre-kickers.
[/quote]

That's shocking! Like turn up and decides he doesn't like your bass OK - but have the balls to say that.

Mind you I picked up my streamer that way - it was on gumtree and I was way down the queue, the first guy who went to see it went with his GF and, it was a bit dirty and she didn't like it, and the seller was apparently wanting him to pay more. He passes, the seller goes to the computer and sees that I'm just around the corner and 1hr later I own a streamer stage one at a price even warwickhunt was impressed with!

[quote name='juliusmonk' timestamp='1360059704' post='1964053']
If you are not prepared to take pictures, answer questions, etc. then you shouldn't be selling, maybe. That said, I always try to be transparent. There's many factors involved in a purchase decision, we all have our own obsessions - some are hard to explain. And, in the end, there will be a time when I've sent the money and I am completely in the hands of the seller - so easy to rip someone off. That leap of faith surely deserves some patience in exchange?
[/quote] on the other hand if you're actually going to buy the thing then as a seller I'm half thinking you may go to the trouble of typing the name of the thing into google and finding out something about it rather than battering the poor seller with inane questions. I'll quite happily tell the potential buyer about my bass, all it's faults and failings, what it's good at, comparisions to other basses, weight, history, specialist knowledge on the model I may have and so on.
Asking me how many frets a fender P bass has?