Buyers versus Tire Kickers

[andrews1958]

Curious how you determine ( how much time do you spend) if someone is an interested buyer or just a tire kicker when selling something. I have posted adds and spent a lot of time answering lots of questions sending lots of pictures with potential buyers and all it was was talk on there side. When it comes down to closing the deal and sending money they just disappear

 

[rijndael]

You don't know. Everyone's a tire kicker until someone says "I'll take it", and the first one to say that is the one that gets it.

 

[darkangel_r2]

The bigger the price tag or more unusual the item being sold the more questions you are going to get. You can head most of this off by providing as many details at the outset as possible. Time stamped photos, physical dimensions, other pertinent data. The better deal it is the fewer tire kickers you will get.

 

[rjtfroggy]

You don't know. Everyone's a tire kicker until someone says "I'll take it", and the first one to say that is the one that gets it.

Not always true, I've bought a few items from here where someone said "I'll take it" but then backed out. If I'm interested I'll PM the person and tell them I'll buy it if the first person renegs.

 

[BlueWater]

Curious how you determine ( how much time do you spend) if someone is an interested buyer ...

For myself, I continue so long as there are reasonable questions being asked and I have answers that can be supplied. Can't say that I recall spending "inordinate" amounts of time. But then, I have a fair degree of patience when it comes to Q&A in such situations. I tend to ask many questions, when researching and evaluating an item for possible purchase. So I tend to give a good degree of latitude on questions about items I have for sale.

 

[Damfino]

My overall selling experience has established the existence of a theorem or algorithm that says there is an inverse relationship to the number of questions a perspective buyer asks linked to the probability that they will actually buy or more simply put; the more questions they ask, the less likely they'll buy. YMMV...

 

[rijndael]

I tend to ask many questions, when researching and evaluating an item for possible purchase.

I suppose it's one way to evaluate the seller as much as the item. Each transaction has some degree of risk.

 

[BlueWater]

I suppose it's one way to evaluate the seller as much as the item. Each transaction has some degree of risk.

Lots of questions. Speaking on the phone. Getting a "feel" for the seller and the truthfulness of what's being described. Taking a cautious stance, during it all. Spending sufficient time for due diligence, with Q&A. Considering the seller's "sellers history" indications, if on a forum or site where such history and ratings are tracked. If deciding to buy, then paying via a "trusted" method. About all that one can do.

 

[1K6BRA]

George Washington likes to talk, a lot.

 

[spencerhenry]

There are lots of tire kickers out there. I have a D-Tech built 300BO upper for sale, a guy responds asking many questions. Turns out its a guy I used to shoot with. He proclaims he really likes it, but was looking for a shorter barrel (the one I advertised was 16"). SO, I tell him that I also have the same upper in 10.5", to which he responds that he doesn't have a pistol lower, and doesn't want to go through the SBR hassle. Then suggests that the twist rate is too slow for "heavies", but its an 8 twist, to my knowledge there isn't anything faster. Bottom line is, he was never a buyer.
I've got one going right now, guy gets in touch with me about a pistol I have for sale. I send pictures, tell him all I know about it. He offers a trade, which I agree to. Two weeks later with at least a dozen text messages, I'm ok with the trade, or he can buy it outright, either way I don't care. Still waiting for him to make up his mind, no communication in weeks.

 

[jonbearman]

We all go through it.People get lonely and love to talk.

 

[bullzeyenj]

You know, coming from the buyer's perspective, the seller is selling something sight unseen and only giving the buyer a few photos and a description. I can see alot of potential buyers being tire kickers for any item sold online by a private seller. Now, I think its only right if the potential buyer is no longer intending to buy the item then they should let the seller know that out of courtesy.

 

[hogpatrol]

Tire kicking is usually the result of insufficient information about the item being sold or traded. List everything a prospective buyer would want to know and you'll have less tire kickers.

 

[moondog]

It's not the tire kickers that annoy me. It's the low ballers telling in a pm, it's not worth what I'm asking. They're on my list!

 

[ryanjay11]

Curious how you determine ( how much time do you spend) if someone is an interested buyer or just a tire kicker when selling something. I have posted adds and spent a lot of time answering lots of questions sending lots of pictures with potential buyers and all it was was talk on there side. When it comes down to closing the deal and sending money they just disappear

I don't believe I've ever had an actual buyer ask a question in the thread. Guys that do that have zero intention of buying anything, and they somehow think they are helping out.

You leave out what the trigger pull is currently set at on a rifle listed with an adjustable trigger? Dillrod69 is here to save the day and ask what it's currently set at.

Don't list what size groups an unchambered barrel blank shoots? TireKicker2021 is here ask for pictures of targets.

Want to buy anything at all? Can'tRead45 is sure to offer something totally unrelated to what you posted the ad for.

There are some great folks on this forum, and then there are people only on here for the classifieds.

 

[fx77]

FWIW there is something taught in "sales school"

The more time you spend with a seller ,the more likely he is to make a deal on HIS terms...

 

[Thud]

Are you surprised. I’m not.

 

[shoot4fun]

• I don't ask questions unless I am truly interested in what you're selling.
• The total number of questions is in direct relationship to the lack of pertinent info you put in your ad.
• Your attitude during our conversation will determine the amount of "wanna buy" I ultimately have.
• You overselling is like an ice bucket challenge for me. I'll be out unless the price goes way down.

 

[Papa Charlie]

There are issues with some buyers and some sellers. I have had issues on both sides and it is frustrating, but if I want to buy or sell something, this is what you do. Information is important.

I have read some pretty skimpy descriptions and too often no picture. I may know what it is, but I want to see the condition or other features in the image(s). When I sell something, I try to learn from the questions and improve on my adds.

What ever the issues are here on the forum, it beats CL or some other forums any day of the week.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

I especially like the commissions on our AccurateShooter classifieds - $0