Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 I have a few things listed for sale on gumtree and I have received a few messages containing the text "Hi, is this still available?" after answering that it is I never hear from the person again. What's the game here? I expect there's some kind of scam being attempted, but what are these fools up to? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Its exactly the same on facebook marketplace. Frustrating to say the least 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 It's a stock single-button response. If an item on Gumtree appears on your Facebook page and you click on it because you want to know more, the most common single-button communication that you're offered is: "Hi, is this still available?". It's just a suggested way of starting a conversation/negotiation, nothing sinister. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 (edited) I've had at least one of those on here in a PM. Edited July 20, 2023 by asingardenof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurroundedByManatees Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 (edited) It's apparently a way of showing some version of "interest". I've encountered this on various sites, and the people who ask this question rarely seem to be a serious potential buyer. It's actually rare to get a response back once you confirm availability. Here on BC it seems common to post this typical question in a for sale thread, instead of pm'ing the member selling the gear. Sometimes when I see the "is this still available?" response on an ad here, and I look at the previous posts of the poster... They often seem to do that frequently without showing any further interest. Personally I don't get it. When I am interested in something, I'll pm them and in case of some other sites...I'll never use the lazy people buttons. Edited July 20, 2023 by SurroundedByManatees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 As per Happy Jack, it’s pre-filled and all it takes is an accidental click on send, which is all too easy when scrolling on a smartphone. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 24 minutes ago, Happy Jack said: It's a stock single-button response. If an item on Gumtree appears on your Facebook page and you click on it because you want to know more, the most common single-button communication that you're offered is: "Hi, is this still available?". It's just a suggested way of starting a conversation/negotiation, nothing sinister. Yep, and if you’re fumble-fingered or not got the specs on it’s easy to do it by mistake. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 5 hours ago, Len_derby said: Yep, and if you’re fumble-fingered or not got the specs on it’s easy to do it by mistake. Yup, I do similar on here all the time on my phone - go to tap a thread title, only to be presented with the OP's profile... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supernaut Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 Someone shows interest in an item I listed for sale - the horror! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikNik Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 Disable the email option and enable mobile number. That usually sorts out the shid. I believe these ISSA messages are generated by a Gumtree bot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 That message can be deleted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 I've had stacks of those " is this still ...." blah blah on Facearsebook. I also think its a bot, and ignore any such messages if they dont come with an accompanying message from the interested party Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 I don't think it's either a bot or any kind of scam. As stated above, it's an auto-generated message to start a dialogue with a seller. No more, no less. Some people will maybe be interested in something, then circumstances change, or they find it cheaper and never follow up. People are fickle like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.