Commentary on Buyer and Seller Ethics

[Just Dave]

Just a little rant.
I posted a fair amount of goods for sale on here,at what I thought were very reasonable prices, which must have been true because I was inundated with responses. All went smoothly for most buyers except a few that I had to remind them of their commitment. It pays to look thru buyers feedback, as one of them did the same thing to another seller a few years back, committed to a sale, then had to be reminded a few weeks later, and ultimately didnt follow thru. I just dont understand, we are all in the same sport here, we all enjoy shooting and reloading, yet for the most part were strangers, and wouldn't recognize each other if we passed in the street. It's not that hard to just say " I changed my mind" , or , " I cannot afford it right now", rather than string someone along for a month before disappearing, and not responding to messages.
Rant over, I'll be more cautious, and communicate my expectations more clearly in future sales.

 

[1K6BRA]

The majority of people here and in the country are good and true to their word, but there’s always that percentage that just aren’t for numerous reasons only known to them. I believe their numbers are growing. I guess it’s just the law of averages that says you’re going to have to deal with that percentage at some point.

 

[moondog]

For years, unless it was a big ticket item, I'd send it before payment arrived. Not so much anymore.

 

[dgeesaman]

For years, unless it was a big ticket item, I'd send it before payment arrived. Not so much anymore.

Yeah I have a purchase in progress through a well known seller and he offered to ship before I had my payment ready (our terms of sale were clear that I’d purchase for $xxxx on date yyyyy, so that I could pay with my annual bonus). Anyway there was no reason I’d be unable to fulfill that plan but why tempt fate? So today I have the money and we will execute the transaction like normal.

It sucks to be the seller and have your time and energy wasted like that.

 

[pdog06]

For years, unless it was a big ticket item, I'd send it before payment arrived. Not so much anymore.

Same here. However I will still send some things early if it’s someone I have had good dealings with before or I know them as a respected regular on the site.
When I’m buying something I do not expect an item to be shipped to me till they receive payment, but it is a nice feeling when one shows up early..

 

[R.Morehouse]

Some people just love to shop, even if they don't have the means to purchase. It would be interesting to see how many carts in online retail sites have items that will never be bought. I think we have all been in a big box store and have seen what looks like abandoned shopping carts full of goods.
It obviously happens around here as well.....Believe me, you're not alone.

Regards
Rick

 

[STS]

I've had a few of those over the years. There was an ad recently looking for some parts. I made an arrangement to get the fellow the items he needed form my stash. I priced the goods at about half of what it would take to buy them on EBay. And then the nice man underpaid me. There's more from the same guy, but I'll stop with that. Remember the 'Ignore' thread? There's only one person that I have on ignore. Guess who?

 

[Turkeytider]

Like so many things, a lot of it goes back to how one was raised. “ Your word is your bond “, “ Leave a place a little better than you found it.” , “ Do unto others……”. Those are things we are taught ( or not ) from an early age.

 

[JMayo]

I have the feelings "That sale is gonna get away" !
(There is a ppc rifle on my mind right now...!)

But I'm able to think my way through it, knowing i do not really want or need that item. Some either while inebriated or lacking the ability can't let the sell go by them.
Seems There are allot of ppl that can't communicate effectively when backing out of a deal.
Honesty goes along way with me. I'll never get really upset & hold it against anyone.. Unless they really lead me on a with bs.

I'm gonna go write "i will not buy that rifle"
100 times.....

 

[jobhopper66]

In my opinion this is why posting honest feedback about a transaction is so important. I have done quite a bit of business on here and have only posted negative feedback once in my 13 years on here. It was not an easy thing to do but others need to be aware of bad experiences. On the up side I have developed many friendships with some great people I have never met and I trust them completely.

 

[drop_point]

For years, unless it was a big ticket item, I'd send it before payment arrived. Not so much anymore.

I did that and got burned. Happened once, oh well. Did it again and got burned so NEVER again.

 

[Shooter13]

For years, unless it was a big ticket item, I'd send it before payment arrived. Not so much anymore.

I've done the same and I know @JimPag did it for me several times! Then there is the occasional one that gives the same excuse he gave someone else (happened like 4 times) so yes, I'm much more cautious now.

 

[Downeast]

I belong to a state firearm forum that once you make a deal and commit to a purchase it is expected that your word is your bond. Unless you have some very strong extenuating circumstances that justify backing out of the deal you most likely will be banned permanently. They ban one or two members a month but there always seems to be quite a few that join. Some of the banned have tried to join again under vicarious means but the moderators are quick to root them out. Not sure how they do it but the do. Unless you are serious and committed to purchasing an item it is best to keep your keyboard quiet. Nothing worse than deciding on a price, setting up a time to meet, maybe driving an hour or more, or determining shipping options, only to have someone back out because they changed their mind. And that goes for the seller or the buyer. They have a very serious buy/sell/trade FAFO policy. I personally like it.

 

[Lonny in ID]

The majority of people here and in the country are good and true to their word, but there’s always that percentage that just aren’t for numerous reasons only known to them. I believe their numbers are growing. I guess it’s just the law of averages that says you’re going to have to deal with that percentage at some point.

Yep, it does seem like its more common now to get the "I want to buy", but than go silent. Pretty easy to throw out the "Going another direction" or "Changed my mind"

 

[jelenko]

For me, I'm fine with people saying they want to buy something and even asking for more pics and/or information. Completely agree if would be nice if the other person let me know they were no longer interested but "no harm, no foul".

If the conversation has stretched out over time and questions begin to seem not crucial to making a decision, I won't ship the item until I've received payment.

 

[rockhound78]

Unless I have done business with the person before, I don't ship until paid. I have had a couple of people agree to buy things and a week later ask if I have shipped the item. Told them I haven't seen payment yet and it won't go out till its paid for.
Never hear from them again after that

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Some people just love to shop, even if they don't have the means to purchase. It would be interesting to see how many carts in online retail sites have items that will never be bought. I think we have all been in a big box store and have seen what looks like abandoned shopping carts full of goods.
It obviously happens around here as well.....Believe me, you're not alone.

Regards
Rick

That makes those types not being in touch with reality. We used to use the term Crazy. lol!

 

[Bladesmith]

In general, but especially as a new face in the crowd I wouldn’t ever expect to receive something before having paid for it. I wouldn’t have a problem sending smaller/lower priced stuff ahead of payment to well established members here, but count on me doing a good job of reading through the feedback on their profile. Again, just because I’m new here.

 

[K22]

A lost virtue - "Keeping one's word is the true measure of one's character."

This was ingrained in me growing up in the 50's. I am a fairly "live and let live" kind of guy but the one thing that sends me into the stratosphere of anger is a person who does not keep their word.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I usually pay with USPS m.o. so I do my best to get it in the mail the next day(after seller gives me an address) because we all know how snail mail is. Some of you have shipped to me, before my mo arrived. Rest seem to have item(s) ready to ship when mo arrives. I'm satisfied/happy either way and thanks to all I have had the PLEASURE to do business with.