Buyers Asking Questions about My Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree Listings

Mason1998 on 10/12/2021 - 17:13
Last edited 10/12/2021 - 20:22 by 1 other user

I started selling out hardware and life essentials items on Facebook and Gumtree back in 2016. At first, everyone in Brisbane was friendly, nice and didn't question much. The annoying experience I witnessed was mostly the tire kickers. However, as time moves on I have noticed something suspicious.

On some occasions, buyers will ask this really odd question and I get this question quite a lot.

"What is your reason for selling this?"
"Where's your receipt for this product?"

Why are they asking this? Is there something suspicious/malicious going on?

Most of the product I sold was merely around $30 to $100 and the products aren't even high value.

Internet Facebook Marketplace Gumtree

Comments

  • Xistn on 10/12/2021 - 17:23
    +4

    Welcome to the Internet.

  • bobbified on 10/12/2021 - 17:33
    +1

    Why are they asking this?

    Been selling since 2016 and haven't work out that's there's a lot of clowns on facebook and gumtree?

    • Mason1998 on 10/12/2021 - 18:12

      Yeah, countless, but this case happens when they arrived to my house. Not on the internet

      • bobbified on 10/12/2021 - 18:37
        +1

        I wouldn't be letting random from facebook or gumtree near my house. Even if you just open the door, they might get a quick glimpse of what's inside and come back at a time that's 'more convenient for them'.

        • Mason1998 on 10/12/2021 - 18:39

          Aight thanks for the advice I'll be more cautious from now on.

        • bmerigan on 10/12/2021 - 22:01
          +1

          Is there something in this house that's not in every other house?

          • orangetrain on 11/12/2021 - 16:19
            +1

            @bmerigan: Yes, check his FB or Gumtree listing for what to steal.

  • SF3 on 10/12/2021 - 17:45
    +4

    Worried about scammers.

    Price don't matter, people want to be more confident it is legit.

  • Ughhh on 10/12/2021 - 17:55
    +7

    "What is your reason for selling this?"

    Perhaps curious why you don't want it? Is it because it's a shitty product?

    "Wheres your receipt for this product?"

    Perhaps they may want warranty (if its still fairly new/within warranty period?

    • Mason1998 on 10/12/2021 - 18:05

      I won't deny it is a shitty product that's why I sell it cheap like $20 heels.
      I would understand if it's an expensive product like a go pro camera.
      But the whole thing just feels really dodgy. Like a buyer for example keeps negotiating for a better price when I clearly said no and would go so far to ask for a receipt.

      • Ughhh on 10/12/2021 - 18:12
        +6

        But your definition/standard of 'shitty' may be different to theirs.
        If something normally sells for higher, but you're selling it super cheap, they might wonder why. $20 for a turd is still expensive.

        To me, they don't sound dodgy, just difficult or annoying.
        Just block them or leave the chat if you really cbf dealing with the questions/bargaining.

        • Mason1998 on 10/12/2021 - 18:15

          Aight, thanks for the advice

  • Drakesy on 10/12/2021 - 18:00
    +13

    All pretty standard questions tbh

  • tsunamisurfer on 10/12/2021 - 18:18
    +1

    If I am looking at an item that is likely to be within the warranty period or something that you want some assurance was purchased (not stolen), or is real (not fake Chinese iFruit), I would ask for a receipt.

  • pharkurnell on 10/12/2021 - 18:32
    +3

    "What is your reason for selling this?"

    Thats an odd question??

    • lgacb08 on 10/12/2021 - 19:27
      +4

      It's not. Some dishonest sellers try to sell broken stuff as working so buyers sometimes have to be nosy to fish out stories that don't fly. If you're honest seller then it will be annoying but that's part of the game.

    • Mason1998 on 10/12/2021 - 23:26

      I understand is not a odd question, but it gets odd when asked about products that's cheap, outdated or low quality. Especially when I sold it at a reasonable price of $10 to $30.

      For example a iphone 4 or just a low quality violin I used 16 years ago.

      This may sound subjective, but I'm sure most buyers would already know the type of products they are paying at low quality goods. If it gets broken sooner or later they will most likely get over it. As they haven't got scammed or ripped off. The price point demonstrates every convincing evidence to justify the product is low quality.

      With all due respect it feels really uncomfortable when asked about it.

      • pharkurnell on 10/12/2021 - 23:47
        +1

        The price point demonstrates every convincing evidence to justify the product is low quality.

        or the fact the seller wants a quick sale, needs the money, or 20 other reasons… So no price isnt evidence of quality.

        Uncomfortable when asked???

      • lgacb08 on 13/12/2021 - 22:05
        +1

        That's not the point, it's more of an issue about honesty, regardless of how cheap it is. Buying something cheap or not you'd still expect it to be usable so putting that question in will give them the peace of mind that seller is not trying to milk out of something broken that should go to the tip. It's more of the trust issue, you might already put it in the ad saying it's still working but people with some sort of OCD still want some assurance that it's. This is especially true if your item description is on the ambiguous end or too sort.

        • Mason1998 on 13/12/2021 - 23:30

          Yeah, trust is a serious issue on fb and gt. Most of the time I encounter are trolls and buyers that are trying to rip me off by negotiating (even when I clearly said no in the description).

          Is hard to tell whether someone is interested in buying or not and I get this question and agreement almost every time.
          "Hi, Is this still available?"
          "Where are you located?"
          and the conversation is over
          These two may seem like common questions, but the location is clearly stated in the description.

          "I'll come between 9 to 10 pm"
          "I'll arrive Tuesday middayish"
          It is unpleasant to wait for this long and has no clarification on the intended pick-up time. What's more obnoxious is some buyers did not come at all.

          I set some rules up to avoid time wasters and confusion.
          Limiting the pickup time and not accepting pick up at night.
          Will only respond to buyers that have given the intended pick-up time and day at the first message to ensure clarity.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/12/2021 - 21:32
    +5

    We've only sold a few items on FB/Gumtree and also noticed that people had the same queries so I simply updated each ad with the reason why the item was for sale/free (spring clean (cushions)/surplus to needs (leftover tiles from reno)/unwanted gift (wallet), etc and whether the original receipt was available (if applicable).

    • modsec802 on 11/12/2021 - 07:16
      +1

      Nice preemptive solution 👍

      • thatonethere on 11/12/2021 - 09:01
        +1

        Yeah exactly what I do. Still get asked but much less

    • Mason1998 on 13/12/2021 - 22:54

      Thanks for the advice a huge help

  • [Deactivated] on 10/12/2021 - 23:45
    +4

    These are standard questions, why you are selling is a genuine concern they want to make sure nothing wrong and a receipt means they can get warranty etc

  • sordidanalogy on 11/12/2021 - 08:00
    +1

    They're all reasons to ask for a discount. They try to put you on the back foot.

    You need to be ready to say "That's why I've priced it at this level. It's already discounted."

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join