Annoyed. Trying to Sell on Gumtree, Buyer Does Not Show up

Rukiata on 16/10/2015 - 09:37
Last edited 17/10/2015 - 16:06

SO the story goes like this, I put up a listing of an xbox one console for 350 getting a lot of people asking about it then change their minds or something. Anyway there was this one guy he contracted me last night asked me to hold the console for him till this morning at 9am, meant to text me at 8am to tell me he was on his way, nope he didn't. also Its past 9am and he still has not shown up. So I tried to call him but his phone is off.

how can people be so? I don't know lol

Anyway im still waiting but I sent him a message if I don't hear from him soon I will sell to someone else as a warning, trough everyone else is messing me around and not wanting it now its driving me crazy. Has this happened to you? It has happened to my other listings couple times but this is far the worse.

update: After over 8 people messing me around by saying they wanting it then changing their minds I have finally sold it to someone, the man was nice.

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Comments

  • Baysew on 16/10/2015 - 09:43
    +21

    Hope you sell it.

    If you do, SMS the no show guy telling him you sold if for $50 less. (Than he was going to pay)

    • Rukiata on 16/10/2015 - 09:47
      +3

      It pisses me off because I want to go to the shops to get the limited edition halo 5 controller, yes im selling my console to get an $558 limited one because it looks baddass lol

      • cypher67 on 16/10/2015 - 11:54
        +32

        I find my gaming experience is amplified by my console looking "baddass"

        • DeafMutePretender on 16/10/2015 - 23:41
          +10

          I find my driving experience is amplified by my car having "baddass"-looking rims installed

        • installthismelb on 19/10/2015 - 09:12
          +2

          @DeafMutePretender: and a loud exhaust so you can't hear the subs in the boot ;)

    • arcticmonkey on 17/10/2015 - 13:56
      -4

      What's the point of this? It sounds rather juvenile to me. Can't see how it adds value at all.

      • wako on 17/10/2015 - 19:09
        +3

        It adds enjoyment value..

        Bit like the other comment about rims.
        Whats wrong with standard wheels that come on the car. Nothing
        but they get the enjoyment looking at them at a badass price haha

  • ESEMCE on 16/10/2015 - 09:59
    +32

    It's Gumtree, happens to everyone!
    You haven't sold it until you have the cash in hand.
    Don't hold it for anyone… first in (your door, not to message/call), first served.
    I'm polite enough to let people know that it's been sold though.

    What's truly annoying (and this has happened to me despite calling immediately before leaving to pick up the item) is when you're the buyer and the seller has sold the item but only tells you when you've arrived!

    • Rukiata on 16/10/2015 - 10:00
      +1

      Holy. that has never happened to me before

      • Axelstrife on 16/10/2015 - 10:05
        +7

        me neither id be seriously pissed off if that happened.

        • ESEMCE on 16/10/2015 - 10:10
          +3

          Fortunately I was picking up en route to another destination, so whilst annoyed, it wasn't a wasted trip.
          If I'd gone out specifically to pick up the item and then return home, I would have been ropable!

        • cheesecactus on 18/10/2015 - 17:15

          @scubacoles: If I'd gone out specifically to pick up the item and then return home, I would have been ropable!

          Happened to me, was a 30min drive too (and another 30min on the way back). Pissed me off.

        • Skinnerr on 27/10/2015 - 09:13

          @scubacoles:
          thats still bullsh!t.

    • cypher67 on 16/10/2015 - 12:02
      +15

      I drove from Sydney to Taree to buy a car, the guy told me he was going to hold it for me. Ended up selling it an hour before I arrived with cash in hand. I was filthy. Whilst I don't blame him for selling it, the dog move was telling me he was going to hold it. If he told me first in with Cash I wouldn't done the trip.

      • ESEMCE on 16/10/2015 - 12:02
        +1

        Ouch!

      • pufffdragon on 17/10/2015 - 14:56
        +3

        Damn! Did this guy know you were making the lengthy trip and did it end peacefully? That's the biggest dog move I've heard.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2015 - 23:27
      +3

      Happenned to me years ago when buying a second had fridge.
      Hired a ute, called the man and told the man I would be there in 15 mins.
      Got to his address. He was outside and said he sold it. He said" What can I do? if I have more fridges, I would be glad to sell you one!"

      • pufffdragon on 17/10/2015 - 23:48
        +1

        I can understand no holds, but if you've organised prior and made that agreement to meet and collect and they pull something like that, I'd be fuming. Sorry to hear that man.

    • Oofy Doofy on 21/10/2015 - 10:37
      +2

      Settle on a price via sms, email…. they show up and then try to haggle. = GTFO is what I say to them.

      • Skinnerr on 27/10/2015 - 09:19

        Same. A couple tried this on me with some oakley m frame glasses, the woman wanted to try them on etc. I said this isnt a shop, the price is the price you either want them or you dont. The dude realised this and bought it.

    • Skinnerr on 27/10/2015 - 09:16

      My tip to add to scubacoles is - Put in your listing phone/email only, sms ignored. The amount of flake sms's i got dickin me around was something like 50 sms flakes to 1 phonecall flake. Sms is too easy and %95 arent genuine.

  • davlap on 16/10/2015 - 10:01
    +10

    Welcome to gumtree !

    Move on, sell it to someone else.

    Happens all the times, heaps of texts to organise, then nothing, no show.
    I give the street address and tell them to confirm when they are coming and will then text the house number. No contact, no sale, will be sold elsewhere. But I will hold it when they confirm.

    Do not offer to keep for someone who can only make it in a day or two. If they want it, let them come and get it. Of course if they are the only person who shows interest after a few days, it is in your interest to be more flexible. But a hot item, no chance (unless they pay by paypal)

    How many 'Is it still for sale' messages did you get, then no further response?
    How many stupid low ball offers, when the ad says no low ball offers?

    Been burnt too many times. Spoils it for the genuine, honest, reliable people.

    • SirFlibbled on 16/10/2015 - 10:34
      +8

      This. I tell them to let me know when they are leaving the house to come over and will text them the address before hand (the suburb is in the listing so they'd know the general direction). Seems to weed out 90% of them.

      • Skinnerr on 27/10/2015 - 09:20

        Smart idea, im gonna pinch that.

  • Axelstrife on 16/10/2015 - 10:04

    many many times this has happened to me.

    i even agreed to meet at my local train station which is around the corner the next day for someone and they didn't show.

  • Rukiata on 16/10/2015 - 10:04
    +6

    I had my Samsung galaxy S6 stolen as well before dude came and took it and ran, his car was running and he hopped in and drove off. he sold it to someone on gumtree who didnt know it was stolen I found the ad, got my phone back. Lmao people are so heartless sometimes I swear it does spoil it. gumtree needs to do something. Also I was not the only one he had done it to, he stolen an Iphone 6 as well and more. but now I have trouble trusting people

    • snook on 16/10/2015 - 14:20
      +10

      Why does Gumtree need to do something? It's a site with ads on it. They have zero responsibility for people's lack of common sense and downright stupidity.

      • Onit on 18/10/2015 - 21:43
        +1

        errrrmmm gumtree doesnt sell anything (besides ad space) so you would assume it would be good business to have some standards, not a giant (profanity) free for all.

        • snook on 19/10/2015 - 13:45
          +1

          Apart from stating the bleeding obvious - adult people with brains, please use common sense etc etc endless etc - what would you have them do?

          Send out a personal assistant for every buyer and seller?

          In particular, it is people not using their brain to its full extent that will mean the end of these free trading sites. Is that what you want? Impose endless restrictions and then have to pay for every one? Maybe these people are using their personal, full extent of brain power, should dial a friend if someone is seriously asking Gumtree to save them from themselves. Can't be done.

  • davlap on 16/10/2015 - 10:08
    +1

    The best thing about gumtree is it is fee-free.
    Now they are ebay owned, probably a matter of time before that changes.
    Adding referral, rating system etc cost money, which we will all pay for.

    Being free makes up for a lot of the grief, especially $100+ items

    And there are a number of great buyers and sellers on there -me included ;-)

    • Axelstrife on 16/10/2015 - 10:09

      bullshit ill be paying for any of that.

      • rompastompa on 16/10/2015 - 12:56
        +4

        bullshit. ill be paying for any of that.

        You'd pay for anything, holden93.

    • Pinchy on 17/10/2015 - 08:41
      +12

      Ebay has owned Gumtree for 10 years dude

      • Rodgort on 18/10/2015 - 16:21
        +2

        NA NA MATE. ANYDAY NOW FEES WILL BE HERE.

        eBay r da worse

  • Rukiata on 16/10/2015 - 10:11
    -3

    Just got another idiot that texted me wanting it for 280 i said good luck finding one that price lol….

    • Axelstrife on 16/10/2015 - 10:14

      believe it or not but i have seen a fair few xbox ones console only for $300 i picked up a ps4 with GTA V for $300 also.

      • Rukiata on 16/10/2015 - 10:15
        -1

        Yeah, but mine is pretty much new and is under warranty. so I think thats a ripped off price for me but good on you i feel sorry for the sellers though. lol they could of made more I can just sell my xbox one for 260 to ebgames to put towards my new console and it would be less stress from idiot buyers.

        • Axelstrife on 16/10/2015 - 10:18
          +1

          warranty makes the higher price worth it though as ive personally had a different ps4 then above which i bought used develop a problem and sony sent me a brand new console as it still had warranty.

    • cypher67 on 16/10/2015 - 11:57
      +6

      Its a buyers market, you are not doing anyone a favour. Cash is king and the longer you hold out for top dollar, the more its value will drop and most likely miss out on the "Baddass" one.

      • Terra Australis on 18/10/2015 - 17:28
        +1

        I like selling old stuff on there, because the price mostly stays the same. Due to the retro game price hike, I leave my GBA pokemon games up there for $40 and since they're small, I just leave em in the closet until I got someone willing to pay the price.

        Sold Ruby and Firered for $80.

    • PVA on 17/10/2015 - 10:18
      +1

      I thought $350 sounded a bit too much unless you are offering a few controllers and games.

      take the $280 (doesn't mean they will show up either) or just get $260 from EB and enjoy the nice new model you want rather than stressing over $70-90. that's only a price of one game.

      • Rukiata on 17/10/2015 - 10:48

        true, i just listed it on ebay, dont care about the fees as I have some funds on it that can pay for the fees

        • PVA on 17/10/2015 - 11:35

          put think here or in the advert section to get a bit more advertising , might help it sell.

        • Rukiata on 17/10/2015 - 11:48

          @PVA: i have, its not helping lol

        • PVA on 17/10/2015 - 12:22

          @shadowrukia:
          i meant the ebay link. (no idea why i typed think)

    • 2bitbludger on 17/10/2015 - 13:55
      +1

      people are down voting you because you've called those cheap low baller time wasting stooges out.
      "they can't handle the truth"
      that they're a bunch of tight wad cheap skates!
      so sad for humanity..

  • Sergeant Salami on 16/10/2015 - 10:16
    +7

    SCUMTREE!

  • glam77 on 16/10/2015 - 10:24
    +1

    don't hold for anyone.
    it's not sold until cash is in your hand.
    if it sells in the meantime simply tell them "sorry, item sold"

  • Davros on 16/10/2015 - 10:27

    You put your phone number up on Gumtree?

  • retiredfeline on 16/10/2015 - 10:38

    Lots of time wasters and trolls on Gumtree. Partly because they are anonymous as the mails go through the Gumtree system.

    • Wyzard on 19/10/2015 - 18:53

      sorry, stubby fingers accidently negged you.

  • CyberMurning on 16/10/2015 - 11:14

    welcome to the group.
    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2431846

  • Maki on 16/10/2015 - 11:31
    -1

    I also hesitate to give the buyers my address unless they commit to buy, that is date & time had been confirmed and I got their name and number. I would normally text them the address to confirm that the number was correct.

    Bad exp on gumtree: An interested buyer said she would buy a dinning set I posted for $90. After she came, she said this is not what she expected and only offered to pay $30…To me, it's like you got my address and you saw everything else in my house…I end up sold it to her for $40…

    • ronnknee on 16/10/2015 - 15:24
      +4

      Shouldn't have let them in.

      • Maki on 16/10/2015 - 16:12

        Yes, but she sounded really interested and I can't really bring the dinning set out…that's all I can do…a lesson learnt for me.

    • natman on 17/10/2015 - 03:59
      +6

      Did the dinning set come with platts and sponns?

    • ankor on 17/10/2015 - 20:15
      +3

      Someone tried that once on me, in relation to a 50mm nikon lens. They came, had a look, lowballed me hard. It wasnt what I was happy with, so i kept the lens. It was approximately a 40min drive each way, without the sale for that guy. F… Him.

  • Cave Fire on 16/10/2015 - 11:33
    +2

    It's your item, sell it for whatever you want. Because you're selling a games console, you might be dealing with kids/younger people who may realise they can't go through with the purchase.

    • Rukiata on 16/10/2015 - 12:15

      sadly it was a grown mans voice on the leave message thingy, also another man called so yeah they dont sound like kids lol but that is true

  • Ughhh on 16/10/2015 - 12:31
    +4

    I don't understand why people are still inviting buyers to their home to sell. It's a huge disadvantage in terms of safety. The buyer can basically force a refund from you if they had a change in mind, and don't quote how consumer laws don't apply, although its correct, aggressive buyers won't give a crap.

    Meet in public places, in shopping centers etc where that's plenty of people and difficult for the buyer to run away.

    • Rukiata on 16/10/2015 - 12:35
      -1

      thats also not that safe. but your right

    • airzone on 16/10/2015 - 13:28
      +4

      Difficult to do if you're selling a couch

      • Ughhh on 17/10/2015 - 00:29
        +2

        True, but not everyone's selling couches or big items. Im sure there's a lot of small high value items (eg. phones) sellers who meet at home. Im only advising against meeting at home from person experience with an idiot who gave death threats after saying no to refund, lucky I met in public place and had a throw away sim.
        No way is 100% safe from everything, but having the trouble away from home would be a good start.

    • pufffdragon on 17/10/2015 - 15:20
      +7

      Why did you receive death threats? What was wrong with the item to get to that point?

      I buy and sell regularly on Gumtree and it's been a positive experience overall. I have a front room where I sell most of my things, but for larger items like a 50inch tv or furniture I will bring them into the lounge room to inspect. It's not like they are going to be walking into every room of my house.

      I always make sure they inspect and try items out first and have electrical items shown working before I sell.

      I find if you are honest and make sure they are happy with the item before they hand over the money, there won't be any issues.

      • Ughhh on 17/10/2015 - 18:11

        Basically I was selling a genuine branded camera (brand new in box) and had it listed on Gumtree, with full details of whats included and model number. Buyer rushed me to meet him (he wanted to meet in 10 mins), once there he checked the box and the camera with his bare hands (which I dont usually allow due to dirty fingers/dropping). He was happy and paid. An hour later, he called wanting a refund because it didn't look like the camera his wife wanted. I said no refunds and thats where the threats began. The wife started accusing me of selling fakes (they were actually looking for a higher end model), wanted my home address and threatened to come over and make me refund them.

        You may say that to avoid any troubles, I should just refund. But, Im not a retail store, item is sold as is and it's easier to meet in a public place for smaller items.

        Perhaps you've been really lucky. I dont think it would be very hard for the buyer to suss out what good stuff you got in the house, where about in the house, whether you have an alarm system, any dogs, whether you lock your windows or not etc. What if an idiot came back 3 months later and wanted a refund?

        • pufffdragon on 18/10/2015 - 00:43
          +1

          I don't think it's luck. I've probably had over a hundred people turn up to my door over the years and I guess there's some experience in there dealing with all types of people.
          Sure I've dealt with some dodgy people along the way but you also meet a lot of nice people too. They outweigh the (profanity).

          You sound a bit paranoid though. You talk about not dealing from your house as a negative but you did a sale outside your house and look what happened. I've never had my house rolled or had death threats and I've been buying and selling for years.

          You had someone come back 3 months later to ask for a refund or is that just a hypothetical?

          If you did then you may have to look at what you are doing wrong by the sounds of it. If it's just a hypothetical then I would stop watching shows like a current affair. My dad watches that and he is the most paranoid person I know because of it..oh and the 5pm news on top of it.lol

        • T1OOO on 18/10/2015 - 03:06

          @pufffdragon:

          You haven't met my bro. Refuses to even have gumtree people come to our house. Lol.

        • Ughhh on 18/10/2015 - 12:53
          +1

          It's because I did the sale outside of the house that I'm safe and I don't need to worry about them turning up at my front door…

          You had someone come back 3 months later to ask for a refund or is that just a hypothetical?

          Hypothetical question. I'm guess is your answer well be to refund no matter how right you are.

          Perhaps one needs to be a little paranoid when your a early 20s slim female. Basically, dealing out side the house, buyers can't do anything after transactions done.

    • Tasmaniac on 17/10/2015 - 23:50
      +1

      Sounds as though you've got no confidence in your ability to defend yourself in your own home. Of all the places in the world your home is where you should be safest.

      • Ughhh on 18/10/2015 - 13:03
        +4

        Would you if you're an early 20s slim female? Indeed, home is where I feel safest, I don't want to jeopardise by having weird people at the home. Imagine if my incident was at my house instead of a public place. Because it was at a public place, I don't have to worry about them coming over (with the bikies that ozb love) and give any refunds. The amount of idiots on gumtree, its not worth having your home/safe spot 'involved' in it.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2015 - 17:21
          -1

          Especially if you live alone. Keep doing whatever is best for you in your situation, not everyone will understand, especially people of privilege.

  • Rukiata on 16/10/2015 - 13:04
    -1

    Yep going to put the price lower just so I can get rid of it and not have to deal with it anymore, I got it cheap anyway so I ant losing any money.

    • SirFlibbled on 16/10/2015 - 14:23
      +5

      Nothing wrong with the starting price. You just need to be willing to negotiate. I wanted $50 for an air con I had. I put it on Gumtree for $100. I was offered $75.

  • airzone on 16/10/2015 - 13:32
    +7

    Funny, I remember an old colleague moving house and trying to dump her stuff on gumtree so that she didn't have to move it..
    He pricing logic was:
    I paid $10,000 for this TV 3 years ago
    TV lasts for 10 years, therefore 7 years life left
    Price is $7k non-negotiable.
    Unfortunately for her, the new model was selling for $3k brand new from JB..

    She would always complain that people were low-balling her with 1.5 - 2k offers..

    • plmko on 16/10/2015 - 13:55
      +4

      Well people can price it whatever they like, they can be greedy and ask for more but the joke is the longer they hold an unwanted item the longer time ticks on and the item depreciates yet again.

    • cypher67 on 16/10/2015 - 14:09
      +1

      Thats crazy logic, 2nd hand items are only worth what people are willing to pay for them, actually that applies even when new.
      Same reason why Apple keep raising their prices, because people keep paying it.

      • airzone on 18/10/2015 - 00:59
        +2

        She had a limited understanding of the real world. Comes from being cocooned her entire life. Still, provided my colleagues in IT and finance with some amusement for a few weeks.

    • snook on 16/10/2015 - 14:23
      +3

      People are just completely stupid sometimes.

      and what did she end up selling it for?

      • airzone on 16/10/2015 - 15:00
        +7

        Nobody bought it, so she left it in the house.

        • WhyAmICommenting on 17/10/2015 - 09:31

          Lol

        • noshopping on 17/10/2015 - 20:41

          lol, so she rather keeps it then sell it according to real market value… In 20 years time, most of her stuff will end up being thrown away by her kids who will bit*h and moan why their mum was a hoarder.

        • airzone on 18/10/2015 - 00:49
          +2

          @downdown: Nah, she moved out and left it there.. The person who bought the house came into it half furnished with designer furniture simply because she couldn't sell it at her desired price. And since she was moving to China (after having just gotten aussie citizenship - but that's another story there), she couldn't easily take it with her.

        • Chickenleg on 19/10/2015 - 19:19

          @airzone: Jesus Christ I'm speechless😐

    • PVA on 17/10/2015 - 10:23
      +4

      yep, my wife is like that … paid $500 for something, I reckon its worth $20 she thinks $300.

      • 2Poor4Ozb on 17/10/2015 - 15:15
        +5

        ahhhh….no sex for you tonight

        • PVA on 18/10/2015 - 20:38

          :)

  • Mumbles on 16/10/2015 - 15:19
    +2

    Gumtree is free and is no worse than if you printed out a forsale advertisement and stuck it onto a school/work bulletin board and waited for the inquiries.

    A solution is to use eBay as it has PayPal. Since the buyer has already handed over their money to PayPal (in escrow) it means they are more serious about turning up at your door.

    As a buyer I love Gumtree! I don't hand over any money until I inspect and receive the goods. I only shop for items locally so I won't get disappointed about a wasted trip if the seller doesn't show up. Instead I just head to the mall, do some groceries, pay some bills, visit friends like I normally would when I am out of the house.

    On a few occasions I have been a seller on Gumtree. Usually a buyer and seller will have opportunity back and forth communication. eg. bargaining or asking questions. The more helpful the seller is with answering the inquiries the more happier and comfortable the buyer will be.

    As a buyer I don't just buy things because they are cheap. I take the seller into account. When I realise the seller is a douche bag I will lose interest immediately. I am paying good money for the product, not for the put downs or entitlement attitude. The buying experience should be fun otherwise what is the point?

    My best advice to you as seller is keep your chin up. Don't take your disappointment out on any of the next buyers as it will hurt your chances of selling the Xbox One.

  • dlakers3peat on 17/10/2015 - 02:03

    I have sold 3 items on gumtree, an ipad mini 2 and 2 phones worth $750 each. Never had a problem and each person showed up with the cash. Never allowed anyone to come to my home. Always met at a public place. Normally i sell on ebay but because these items sell easily i avoid the high ebay paypal fees.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2015 - 07:15

    Happened to me. Even worse, twice I held items for people that I was giving away free. It's free,why would you not show up and waste my time when there are others who want the items? Sigh.. It's Gumtree. The best ones were the people asking me to post the free items to them.

  • SnakeCasablanca on 17/10/2015 - 07:37
    +1

    Know your pain… My gf was trying to sell a motorcycle jacket on Gumtree and this girl called and booked a time and then didnt come… Did it again a week later. My gf then decided that even if the girl wanted to come again she wasnt gonna waste her time.

    The girl kept texting and texting for two weeks until my gf replied that she had sold it. The girl then sent a fairly abusive message and my gf wanted to reply but this potential mental patient had our address.

    Gumtree opens your life up to the crazies of the world.

    • Skinnerr on 27/10/2015 - 09:28

      Rule #1. Never give them your exact address. Meet at a nearby park/coffee shop. I meet at a local IGA. Its also a good 10-15m from the road incase they decide to do a runner, I can see it comin.

  • terrys on 17/10/2015 - 09:26

    I get that every time I dispose of an old car or phone on Gumtree - a phone call from someone at ~ 6:30 am, an ask to hold, then a no show. You either have someone hanging on waiting for a cheaper one, someone deciding between three or four purchases, or, often, a dealer [especially with the cars] or someone with a similar item wanting yours off the table…
    I now just point out that Gumtree is for personal cash sales. If I did lay-by or HP, I'd open a shop.

  • exc3113nce on 17/10/2015 - 09:44

    I usually hold an item (for about a day) BUT if I do have another person interested I let them know straight away that its on hold till tomorrow and if it doesn't sell you will let them know ASAP.

  • nrg2010 on 17/10/2015 - 09:57
    +1

    Post it on your local Facebook buy/sell or swap/sell sites. A little less random??
    Bought my last car off Facebook site, sometimes good to know who you are buying from

    • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2015 - 11:00
      +4

      Sounds like it's time for you to leave.

      • 2bitbludger on 17/10/2015 - 13:14
        -2

        are you the internet police?
        needalife

    • davlap on 17/10/2015 - 11:49

      ebay is free for buyers.
      The reason gumtree has these issues is (as was mentioned above) you can be completely anonymous. Even if the deal goes through it can be a meet up and cash, no need to disclose anything about yourself as buyer or seller.
      Even real email addresses are not passed on

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