Never Respond To An Online For Sale Ad By Saying This

[Robert Troub]

Thanks for the responses, if it works for you great, but kind of a little off point as to what I was asking or trying to ask anyway which may very well be my fault. Maybe I should re phrase the question better. For example what to do when you see an ad that was just posted within minutes or very recently of you seeing it, for an item for sale that by the photos and description you know it is something you really want, and is very well priced in your opinion, and you think that may also the case with a lot of people that are looking at the same item just as you are. Keep in mind that sellers sometimes wait either intentionally or unintentionally an hour or so after posting an item to check to see if they had any responses. Knowing this how would you respond to the ad to set your response apart from the others in a good way that would give you a better chance of a response from the seller than over the other responses they are reading. I know some sellers say they just go in the order of response as to who they reply to, but I think they are going to read all responses, and if the first response is a bit off in some way they will not reply at least right away. I have listed many items for sale on craigslist, facebook, etc and if I put up an item for sale and receive a response that just asks "What's your address and when can I come and see it?", I may very well not reply to the response as it could very well be someone fishing around that knows absolutely nothing about what I am selling and may have something in mind that would not be beneficial to me. I am not saying it is a bad way to respond, just might not be the best way in my opinion with a lot of people being vary wary now days with scams and people looking for personal info. Before I as a seller give my address to someone I might want a little more dialogue to see if they are a legit buyer. If I knew there were going to be a lot of interest in the item very quickly, I would respond in a different way. This is my opinion only and I may very well be way off base. Maybe instead of saying what is your address, I would say I am interested, how would I go about viewing and purchasing this item and let them respond. I don't know, just rambling on again. And thanks again for all those wishing me luck this coming week.

If I'm interested, I respond...I don't wait....why would you wait??

 

[jacob9795]

I’m afraid of pissin’ off a bot and then getting robocalled as I’m passing through an intersection….WHAM! Target removed from gene pool

 

[mike1117]

If I'm interested, I respond...I don't wait....why would you wait??

You (buyer) would not wait. I stated in my post that sometimes sellers wait a while after posting an item for sale to respond to any responses. And my question was, knowing this how do you phrase your response to possibly set yours apart from the others the seller may receive. I suggested that you do not ask for a lot in the first response such as more pictures, why they are selling, or that the price is to high. You would want them to respond to you before you touch on any of those in my opinion. Of course you would want to respond ASAP as some sellers respond in the order they received the responses. Thanks.

 

[Chadillac]

I will buy this. Let me know how to pay.
Thanks,
Chad

 

[AS-1]

I will buy this. Let me know how to pay.
Thanks,
Chad

I've actually said those very words and never heard from the seller again.

The one I use a lot and gets ignored most often is, "I am very interested in your XXXXX. Let me know how we can complete the transaction." Then crickets.

 

[Chadillac]

I've actually said those very words and never heard from the seller again.

The one I use a lot and gets ignored most often is, "I am very interested in you XXXXX. Let me know how we can complete the transaction." Then crickets.

 

[AS-1]

Mike, it's obvious you have studied this rather complex interactive human behavior quite a lot. Would it help any if we organized sellers into 5 (or so) labeled groups so we might develop proven approaches? Whoa. All of a sudden I realized this whole kerfuffle is kinda like figuring out a way to get into a girl's pants. Do you try smooth talk? Flattery? Booze? Drugs? Marriage? All out Cave Man? This is very, very complicated.

Anyway, one of the groups could be the "I know what I've got" gang. We've talked about them before. Then there's the Weasels, they're the ones that promise it to you and then dis-afreakin'-pear. Won't answer their phone, or reply to messages, or e-mails. It's like they're hiding thinking you'll just go away. Then there's The Ego Freaks that think they're God's Gift. They pout and accuse people of of lying about them when they get caught lying. Oh, snap, why go on? The best thing to do is just be happy with what you've got, right? Let the Drama Queens go.

 

[Robert Troub]

You (buyer) would not wait. I stated in my post that sometimes sellers wait a while after posting an item for sale to respond to any responses. And my question was, knowing this how do you phrase your response to possibly set yours apart from the others the seller may receive. I suggested that you do not ask for a lot in the first response such as more pictures, why they are selling, or that the price is to high. You would want them to respond to you before you touch on any of those in my opinion. Of course you would want to respond ASAP as some sellers respond in the order they received the responses. Thanks.

Well most sellers go 1st in,.....I don't think sellers "wait" to see who is answering their ad......

 

[DaGasMan]

I think he may have created this imaginary scenario just prior to his surgery
as a kind of mental anesthesia. Reading these responses will relax and calm
his mind in preparation for the operation. Does anyone really care how soon
or late a seller responds, whether or not our level of interest may be piqued?
Only for that brief moment as we type our texted thoughts and tap SEND do
we panic, just a bit. After that only the universe holds our fate until a reply is
received. The thing that numbs my bowl of Planters is when the seller does
not reply. Then my OCD kicks in and I go into a total tail spin wondering why
they don't like me! OMG! It's Jr. High School all over again and not only am
I not getting picked for either team but there was an odd number of players
and I'm not even on a team! Why coach Clandenon! Why?!! I WANT TO PLAY!
Ahem. Sorry about that. I can say this, always ask "is it still available?"
Best of luck with the surgery.

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

I normally just tell them that I will meet them with the item at the local police department. If they are legit, they have no problem with that and it makes both the buyer and the seller feel better.

I'm legit. sold a BUNCH of items on Craiglist over the last year and half so i can clear out my shop and move. I will never take something to the police department to sell. I have only been asked once, the person also wanted to use Zelle .. Zinmo? not sure what it was. sellers set the rules, not buyers.