no show, no call

[tii4sale]

I don't want to insult anybody specifically so I won't 'name names'. It' s not polite nor necessary. What I'd like to suggest is that if you make an appointment to see a car or part please keep that appointment. At the very least call/e-mail the seller if you're running late or changed your mind and have no intention of keeping that appointment. A private seller has other things to do than wait for potential buyers that don't show up. And this unfortunately has occurred more than once. A lot of time and money goes into e-mails and phone calls prior to setting up an appointment. The least that a mature adult can do is behave in a responsible manner. I'm amazed and disappointed that this posting is even necessary.

[Delia]

I don't want to insult anybody specifically so I won't 'name names'. It' s not polite nor necessary. What I'd like to suggest is that if you make an appointment to see a car or part please keep that appointment. At the very least call/e-mail the seller if you're running late or changed your mind and have no intention of keeping that appointment. A private seller has other things to do than wait for potential buyers that don't show up. And this unfortunately has occurred more than once. A lot of time and money goes into e-mails and phone calls prior to setting up an appointment. The least that a mature adult can do is behave in a responsible manner. I'm amazed and disappointed that this posting is even necessary.

That certainly explains the look of surprise on a sellers face when I actually show up and buy something...

Of course, sometimes I show up to buy something in a place like Livermore or Sacramento, like, say, for a set of wheels, and the durn things are still on the guy's car, fergoshsakes. So, then I have to give him a deposit so he doesn't trade them to his cousin for a barbeque grill or a quad runner or something, and worry about him just keeping the money and not honoring the receipt he gave me. Oh, yeah, and I have to drive back to guy's house, too!

I sold my 1966 Mustang on ebay. Let's see if the sale goes through without a hitch.

Delia

[jerry]

craigslist is notorious for that. i've learned NEVER to hold an item for someone. first person with cash in hand gets it. i've also experienced the potential buyer who 'talks a big game' about buying the whole lot, and thereby going to the head of the line, only to cherry-pick the best item from the grouping and leave with only the one item.

i even had a guy offer to buy my complete group of vintage balloon tire bikes for an agreed upon 'great' price, for cash, then show up $200 short, after loading all the items into his truck, before informing me of his shortfall. i held on to all the critical nameplates. he wasn't expecting that and after trying to trade down on price eventually coughed up the dough. he got a smoking deal and swore he was gonna cherish these bikes and parts. he ended up parting them out to the four corners of the world. so i no longer let sentimental emotions sway me either.

my biggest purchase escape was a great '72tii located on my way home from work. after talking with the owner to confirm its availability that afternoon, i waited with cash in hand for an hour and a half before he got home from work only to hear someone offered him $500 more than his asking price to hold it. it was a smoking deal and i should have upped the offer but i was naive to the world of used cars and deal-making. it ended up on ebay a week later and buyer made a tidy $1500 profit plus keeping a nice Nardi steering wheel. that WAS a nice original blue-plate, minimal rust sun roof malaga tii, with Alpina rims to boot. ---sigh---

[tii4sale]

I guess effective communication is the key ! By both parties....

[DonP]

I guess effective communication is the key ! By both parties....

Couldn't agree with you more! We are in the process of looking for a car for my youngest son, and I can't believe the number of people that are selling cars, and DO NOT return emails or phone calls. I guess I can understand somewhat, if the car is sold, but it still is common courtesy.

[THE1ST3]

Lately, I seem to be selling and buying a LOT of stuff on CL. I generally set the appointment to a time and place that's convenient for me. I have some regular meet ups at Starbucks and eateries that I am always at on certain days and times. If the guy/gal shows up between 7 and 9am Saturday at the local Starbucks, we do business. If not, I was gonna be there anyway. Saves points off my blood pressure and keeps me from playing the waiting game. This method has proved 100% effective for me.

[Hammer03]

I've met up with the last few people from craigslist at the shopping center across the street from my house. We agree on a time, and I ask them to call me when they're 5-10 minutes out, and I can just walk over. Haven't had to deal with people not showing up at the agreed upon time, but have had people cancel with an hour to spare, when I was coming back from a weekend trip early... Oh well.

It also seems that talking to them on the phone means a lot more than emailing. I personally like to have things in writing so I can keep track of them, and remember, but some people prefer to hear a voice.