Does it burn your hide when a potential buyer doesn't get back to to you to say...

[Frandy]

..."Thanks for all the info, but I've decided I'm not interested."?

[RANT]
Look, I work for a high-tech company and I'm pretty Computer literate/savvy. But, I'm also old enough to be from what I consider the old school. When someone contacts me by e-mail and asks about a firearm I have for sale, I get right back to them with the information. They don't say thanks, but they do ask more questions. Then sometimes, that's it. The communication stops. Seems to me (yup, old school), that one should at least acknowledge the last e-mail from the seller and say, "Thanks, but...." Without that last message, I sit in limbo not knowing if the other person got my e-mail, is still interested and just delayed, or whatever.

It just burns me. No manners. Boorish. Just plain rude. See, I told you I was from the old school! :banghead:
[/RANT]

Frandy

 

[pipoman]

Well now that you have that out of your system...

I am having exactly the same problem with a seller right now. I bought a gun on an on-line auction, sent the money order last Monday, emailed the seller on Thursday to ask him to let me know when he received my payment and the shipping date. I have still not heard from him. He has 200 positive feedbacks no negative.

I attribute it to rudeness buyer or seller.

 

[BigRobT]

It's today's society. No more do people say "Thanks", or very rarely. They don't acknowledge things except maybe with a grunt. There is no more politeness, etiquette, or even self-pride in many people nowadays. I was at Cabela's last saturday and this woman burped twice, out loud, within a few seconds. I was like........WTFO ?!?!?!? She didn't even bother to say excuse me.

 

[220_Swift]

You are not alone, it bothers me as well. A few months ago I losted an M1A NM on another sight. I got 12 emails from different people right away. Only 1 emailed me back saying no thanks (I was selling it at a good price, but he wanted dirt cheap). One of the other guys responded, and was very excited, and said he wanted it. I sent him my info, and that was it. I emailed, and PM'd him 13 times in the course of 4 weeks. So, I relisted and sold it within 2 days. Then the first yahoo comes back, and is mad at me for "selling it out from under him".

 

[Kestrel]

Frandy,

I agree. It's common courtesy to maintain good communications - especially, when it's being done on the Internet and the two parties don't know each other.

When I sell something online, I try to maintain a good line of communication throughout the entire transaction, including followup, to make sure an item arrived and the buyer is happy with it.

I've had several buyers purchase something and never reply to an email or PM (depending on where it was sold), asking if they were happy with it, etc. (I always know it's received by shipping tracking). To me, it kind of "closes the file" in my mind on a successful deal, with a reply, "I received XYZ item and it's great - thanks".

Whenever I've purchased an item, I always send followup that I received the item, it looks great and thanks. I just think it's courteous and the seller doesn't have to wonder if the package arrived, etc.

As for backing out of a deal, I would much rather have someone tell me, "I'm sorry, but something came up and I can't purchase your XYZ", rather than just leave me hanging and not hear from them. I understand that things come up sometimes, but it's very poor etiquette to just leave you hanging... and wondering what happened.

I guess it just goes with the territory, when selling on the Internet, though.

Kestrel
(Formerly SteveW13)

 

[johnny blaze]

I would say about 70 percent of the buyers or sellers that i have dealt with are very blunt and not very considerate. No hello or thanks in their questions or answers.
Most always have some trumped up excuse as to why they did not get back to you or send the money after they purchased something.
Not to mention how many buyers bid on something, and you never get the payment, and never hear from them again.
I think it is the lack of character in alot of the people anymore. Even a hand shake is not any good with most people. Makes it hard on the good people that are still left.

 

[50 Freak]

What I hate more is someone who says they'll buy your gun, can you hold it for a week or two. You say yes in good faith and in a week or two you hear nothing.

So you send them an e-mail asking whats going on. They respond they either got canned from work, their mother died for the 5th time or some other lame excuse.

You can't do anything execept post your gun back for sale at a lower price. Has happened to me many times on guns and assesories.

 

[10-Ring]

When it comes to buyers, I forget about them once they get on that "be-back" bus! If I can get some $$ before they leave, I'll hold something until I receive final payment, if they become difficult to get a hold of, deal is off. I have something they supposedly wanted, they'd better have some respect for the people/ person they're doing business with!

 

[Working Man]

Guilty

I have done it once myself. I asked if an item was still for sale (but never
said that I would take it). An expense that could not be ignored popped up
and after everything was said and done I had forgotten all about my inquiry.
I thought about it a month or so later but forgot the fellows name.

If you are reading this, my apologies.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Working in the retail industry (I sell motorcycles), I don't even bother with the people who buy a ticket for the "be back" bus. If the item is for sale, then I will sell it to the first guy to give me what I want. Otherwise, you get no guarantees of me holding it, etc.
Here in the Appalachians, there's this whole ethos of "my word is my bond" that's bandied about in conversation. But, you can't trust anyone to be as good as their word, until you know them pretty well. And, some people (some strangers!!) actually get offended that you don't just let their word stand as their bond.
However, I understand where you're coming from with the idea of a simple call back. Most people won't do this. And, I really can't figure out why. I can say though, that I do call people back and email people back, and due to my own personal ethos, my word really is my bond. But, I don't expect people who don't know me to treat me like it is. Hence, the callback.
I'm old school too.

 

[hotpig]

I give the buyer ten days to get payment, proof of age or a FFL to me(depends on what I have sold them). If they contact me and say there is a delay I will extend the time.

I have been selling guns and ammo on line for eight years. I used to wait thirty days. After a few years I noticed that nobody completed a deal that went thirty days and did not keep in contact. I knocked it down to two weeks and it was the same.

Ten days is about right. I have had good luck with that number. Money orders can be purchased at almost every corner store and gas station 24/7. Most people send proof of age over the internet and FFL's can be faxed.

If a buyer wants to use that Ebay buyer mentality of "if you want my money you can wait thirty days" they are not pulling that stuff with me. They can go back to screwing with Ebay sellers and stay off the gun boards as far as I'm concerned.

 

[scooterthegreat]

I was reading an article in a magazine some time ago about how the words "please" and "thank you" were now almost completely nonexistant in the business world and fast slipping from the vocabulary of everyone in the US.

It IS just sad.

 

[Mizzle187]

Hey Pipoman I would give it a few more days before I started to worry! I sell items on ebay on a pretty normal basis and in the last month or two Ive had two people win auctions for $400+ dollars and at first they send emails saying Ill be sending the payment at this time after a week or so they just quit answering emails. I never see the payment and that cost me eBay fees out the ass! Lat year In probbaly had 5 people not send payment. They are the scum of the Earth!

 

[Frandy]

Thanks for the replies...good to know I'm not alone out there in the "old school."

I was reading an article in a magazine some time ago about how the words "please" and "thank you" were now almost completely nonexistant in the business world and fast slipping from the vocabulary of everyone in the US.

Yeah, I love it when I say thanks to someone and instead of "You're welcome," the common response today is, "No problem."

I realize that one has replaced the other, but there is a big difference between the two. Think about it. If it was a problem, the least bit difficult to do, would they have not done what I am thanking them for? Sheesh.

 

[trailgator]

I recently had the opposite problem. I was ready to buy a Taurus 357 revolver listed on another site by a guy in Nevada. It had been listed for some time. I called the guy, made an offer and he agreed. I was even going to overnight payment to him. He told me to call back in a couple hours and he would have his ffl fax# for me to send mine to. We talked about guns for several minutes, and it seemed to me like a done deal. He updated his post immediately saying the pistol was spf. Well, when I called back I got voicemail, so I left a message. I saw he was on the site. I pm'ed him. No response. I emailed him. Nothing. Called a couple more times. Voicemail. Another email....PM... You get the picture. I guess I should be grateful I didn't send the money ahead to him. If he made another deal in the 2 minutes after we talked, fine. It would have been nice if he'd let me know. *rant over*

 

[repsychler]

I listed some guns for sale here at THR a while back and off the top of my head I can't think if a single email or PM saying "no thanks."
I can handle the people that ask questions and disappear because I just don't expect to hear anything from them if they don't want it.
I am however quite displeased with the people that said they'd take something and then disappeared. I hate the way these people make me operate. It comes down to no deal is done until there's cash in hand, but that's the only way to protect yourself from these time-wasting jerks.
Though it seemed I could at least cut down on that by saying you need to be an active member of THR before the guns went up for sale.

 

[flatdog]

Hello to all,

I agree that upholding your end of the bargain should be common but isn't. Also that courtesy is sorely lacking in todays world.

This seems to be the right spot to ask a question.
Although I've seen items I wanted to bid on or buy online I don't know the proper and safe way to go about it. Most tutorials I've seen are confusing for a beginner.

Any help on this would be appreciated.

Thanks

flatdog

 

[Frandy]

Although I've seen items I wanted to bid on or buy online I don't know the proper and safe way to go about it. Most tutorials I've seen are confusing for a beginner.

Flatdog, I'm far from an expert, but I have bought off this board and others, as well as Gunbroker. Is the following what you are asking?

Each has their own "rules and processes," buy generally speaking, if it's a for sale item:

1. You respond to the seller with questions if you have them.
2. If you want the item, tell the seller you want it.
3. Seller should confirm it's yours. (Fabulousfink is right - get the deal in writing if possible -e-mail [true, it can be altered, but better than nothing], letter, etc.).
4. You send payment in agreed-upon form (see fabulousfink's post - no cash!)(with FFL form if appropriate).
5. Seller ships item to appropriate address (FFL, for example).
6. You get item and enjoy it.

As for "safe," I try to buy from those who have a record of successful sales. For example, here on THR, I will buy from an active poster or someone who has good feedback in the Rate Private and Retail Transactions section.

I miss anything folks?

 

[Thefabulousfink]

Frandy, I would add that you should pay in a manner that has some type of insurance. Credit cards are the best, money orders are good to, never send cash. Even if the seller is trustworthy, if your letter containing $500 gets lost in the mail, you are SOL. If the seller is a cheat, you can stop payment and file a claim.

Also get the terms of the deal in writting. Some of the pros will send an invoice, but all you need is an email from the seller saying that he will sell you "X item for $Y". If you respond in the same manner saying you agree and will pay you have entered into a contract that will hold up in court.

 

[crowbardog]

Does it burn your hide...

What burns my hide is when I hold a door open for someone, and they look at the floor with a scowl and walk on by. Almost like it hurt them to have someone show them a kind jesture. This occurs way more often when I hold the door open for generation X women. I don't get it and don't think that I ever will.

When I was younger I would bark "YOU"RE WELCOME" to these special individuals. Then I realized that it's better to simply kill them with kindness. After all, I am the better person, without a doubt.

On the other hand I still see young kids that say please and thank you. That makes me feel a little better.

Sorry, I know that this was slightly off topic.

 

[flatdog]

The replies are great as they filled in gaps in my knowledge.

I've heard Ebay horror stories about newbies who didn't know how to bid properly.

What I'm most concerned about is inadvertently entering into a legal contract because I was too proud to ask to help.

Thanks

 

[Saevar]

I respond to "Thank you" with "You're welcome." But also with "No problem" or "My pleasure." I don't know why I change it up. Maybe just the amount of cosmic radiation scrambling my thoughts at the time of utterance. I certainly never do so with the intent to slight someone.


I've only ever had one bad transaction on eBay. I won the auction and confirmed the big three ( 1. I'm actually high bidder 2. payment amount and method 3. shipping address). Payment went out within 24 hours of confirmation. I ended up filing a complaint after the minimum 30 days because I didn't have my stuff. The seller had refused to pick up the phone or answer email for two weeks prior to me filling the complaint. Strangely enough he responded to the eBay arbitration notice within a couple of hours. Funny how that works. I got my money back without further ado, but I still wish I'd had a smooth transaction like the dozens of other times I've used eBay.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Well, yeah, but it costs so much to send E-mail messages!

 

[bpisler]

I was selling a gun online and answed some
questions for him.I didn't hear back for a
couple days and i was e-mailing him.I sold
the gun to some else,6 days later this guy
e-mails me.He wants to know where to send
the payment and FFL.He got plenty upset
and said that i had sold the gun out from
under him. :banghead:

 

[Crosshair]

I am buying a gun from someone on TFL, but it is down right now and I have no easy way to get into contact with him. Sometimes stuff like this happens where we CAN'T contact the seller.