Encountered a Rude Buyer on Gumtree - Are People Really That Rude These Days?

systema on 05/11/2018 - 12:03
Last edited 05/11/2018 - 12:05

I am trying to sell of a used PC and posted an ad on Gumtree and FB like 4 weeks ago.

A buyer paid a deposit last week for the PC and we planned to finalise the transaction by end of this week.

Another buyer just called this morning enquiring about the PC, I advised the buyer that the item is pending for a sale, and that if she is still interested in the PC, I can update her by the end of the week if the sale didn't go through.

The second buyer then started saying that I should sell it to her because she has the cash ready and she is willing to pay today. I reiterated that a deposit had been put on the PC so I have to hold that for the first buyer. She then started saying that the listing I have is false advertising and how she needs to have that for her son today for his birthday (which she claimed to be yesterday).

I kind of felt sort of sorry for her kid and offered another yet to be advertised, lower spec'd (1050 instead of a RX 570) and cheaper, machine that I am building as an option for her as she mentioned that she has very limited budget. She refused the option outright and continued on her temper tantrum…

Anyone had similar experience on Gumtree when selling stuff there? Are Gumtree buyers usually that rude? What's your experience?

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Comments

  • THICKnSLOW on 05/11/2018 - 19:38

    Gumtree buyers are fickle, some good some bad, the worst ones are the lowballers with communication disorder who replies your ad when you specify to call, or calls you when you specify reply to ad via app etc, and they give you short replies

    "give ya half of what you think it's worth"

    "still for sale"

    "available"

    Never had a whingey desperado loser yet, though. Waiting for her

  • whooah1979 on 05/11/2018 - 19:40
    +1

    She then started saying that the listing I have is false advertising

    click, beep, beep, beep.

  • Kkuba on 05/11/2018 - 19:41
    +5

    I PMed a seller of a bicycle, and asked a question, something about the frame, size/material.

    The response was "are you here to buy a bike or ask stupid questions?"

    • macrocephalic on 06/11/2018 - 10:40
      +1

      Yes, it goes both ways. Many sellers put up inadequate photos and expect people to buy their item basically unseen. Would they prefer I waste even more time coming and looking at it and turning them down?

    • pegasusx on 07/11/2018 - 08:15

      Stolen bike? lol seller might not know what size details are

    • syling on 07/11/2018 - 14:15

      Happened to me on Facebook marketplace. I asked a reasonable question since there wasn't much info on the item and he lost his shit and blocked me lol

  • Donaldhump on 05/11/2018 - 19:54

    Thé world is full of gronks.

  • Wallyt99 on 05/11/2018 - 20:25
    +1

    I had the opposite and somewhat more warranted response when I sold something that I said I had arranged pickup for a day later…. Someone was willing to come that day so I took the cash and messaged them apologies that I sold it.

    They went Ballistic and used alot of profanities.

    Normally I'm not so ruthless but I needed to clear a house prior to sale so needed the item gone. Had already been stood up after a 5 day hold.

    • macrocephalic on 06/11/2018 - 10:43
      +1

      I had a similar situation earlier in the year, except the seller didn't message me. We spoke on Thursday, arranged a time on Saturday, arranged a place to meet, so I drove 90 minutes there on Saturday morning and he was a no show - didn't answer his phone. I got a reply, hours later, saying 'lol sold sorry'.

      • raymosaurus on 07/11/2018 - 00:56

        In future surely you will confirm with the seller before driving so far, right?

      • sandshrew on 08/11/2018 - 00:57
        +1

        Something similar also happened to me a couple years back when I was young and naive.

        Organised to purchase a fairly cheap PlayStation and agreed to meet at the train station to do the exchange. Got there then they changed the meet to the local shopping centre car park. Messaged them asking why the change and then the reason for sale as I was getting very suspicious. Next minute they cancel and tell me it’s been sold.

        Probably dodged a bullet as I suspect they were stolen goods and I was asking too many uncomfortable questions.

    • slow on 07/11/2018 - 09:00

      Someone did this to me and I was really pissed off. He also didn't tell me that, if he had I would have gone immediately to pick it up.

      But I still wasn't rude

  • MessyG on 05/11/2018 - 20:34
    +4

    There's a lot of rude entitled people (ahem, not just Mums) out in the world today. But you're not responsible for her feelings or her sons birthday, she is. And if she left it that late then it's on her (although frankly that sounds like bullsh*t. She needs to learn (as we are all supposed to in childhood but for some reason don't), that being pushy and aggressive is not going to get her what she wants. Don't let her make her problems yours. Don't let her suck you into her angry vortex by being a nice accommodating person. You tried, she was still rude - she doesn't deserve nice and accommodating after that, she deserves assertiveness and no further contact. I can only imagine how she is treating her kids to behave jesus, she's acting like one herself.

    TLDR; Her problems are not your problems. Nice up until a point is okay, after that disengage and walk away.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/11/2018 - 20:49
    +6

    I usually put a "pause"on my Ads after a buyer has committed to buying. Too much hassle to have to go into the story with people - if the sale falls through I take the pause off. Gumtree allows you to do that.

    • JD9151 on 06/11/2018 - 18:40

      Would love a gumtree feature where potential buyers could be notified that the seller has someone committed to buying, and then they can put in their message and it will send through later.

    • dipster on 06/11/2018 - 19:00

      This.

      Gumtree has very few features.

      Yet it has pause. To avoid this very problem.

  • smartazz104 on 05/11/2018 - 20:59
    +1

    Are Gumtree buyers usually that rude?

    Not rude, stupid maybe.

  • Dreamcast on 05/11/2018 - 22:08
    +1

    This is SCUMTREE!!

    If I get a non low baller and a decent person wanting to buy something off me and actually show up, I give them a discount, even if they don't ask for it.

    If I get someone like OP mentioned, then the response is, you pay me 1 gazillion.

    Seriously, nothing beats "what's your best price". I reply with the advertised price.

    In all honesty I think every seller and buyer on gumtree has been a douche about something being sold or bought at one time. Then there's just the OG's.

    • MrBear on 06/11/2018 - 09:44

      Seriously, nothing beats "what's your best price". I reply with the advertised price.

      it should be "advertised price + 20%"

    • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2018 - 13:50

      upvote for 'scumtree'

  • xuqi on 06/11/2018 - 01:23
    +1

    There's a very simple fix to such GT issues. Don't advertise your number, only accepting messages. The fact someone needs an account to initiate contact filters out the majority of annoying pricks.

    If anyone is rude in messaging you can simply delete the conversation, which automatically blocks them.

    If when/required you can provide your mobile number once more progress has been made in negotiations.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2018 - 02:35

    had the same thing happened to me at eBay, some self entitled person tried to low-ball offer and multiple msg me on a headphone as if they're entitled to it with 'cash', sold it @ 3 times what they offered.

  • Hoju on 06/11/2018 - 07:24

    Haha happens all the time especially with electronics.

    Recall selling iPhones for a while
    So many dodgy scum, “what’s your best price” is the classic first email

    One guy abused me, began shouting at me because I wouldn’t drop the price to cover the cost of his petrol to drive and pick up the phone. Hung up at that point…

  • slow on 06/11/2018 - 07:27
    +3

    Not just Gumtree, people in general these days.

  • frostman on 06/11/2018 - 08:40

    1st world problems…

  • jacross on 06/11/2018 - 08:50

    Your first mistake was being old and thinking telephone calls are a good idea.

    • No ONE on 06/11/2018 - 14:26

      Calls are quicker than reply back and forth through email. Potential buyer is likely to call.

      • jacross on 08/11/2018 - 08:09

        My personal experience differs from yours (boy can cranks elongate a phone call), but in any case I, by orders of magnitude, prefer a few sentences of back and forth typing at my leisure over an inconvenient phone call out of the blue.

        By all means let the older generations enjoy their phone calls while they are still alive though.

    • Lockieasy on 06/11/2018 - 14:36

      I agree. Putting your phone number on a public forum like that is a dumb idea in general.

      If people want to buy your product then they can initiate through messaging/email first, then you can arrange the finer details via phone later on if they're serious about buying it.

  • Munki on 06/11/2018 - 09:19

    tellhimhesdreamin.mkv

    But seriously though, you only need to be courteous if it's reciprocated.

  • SlickMick on 06/11/2018 - 09:28
    +1

    I had the exact same thing selling a car. Now I see why real estate agents are so unethical, being tempted every day they must eventually lose their values.

    But gumtree (and carsales) buyers are rude in other ways too. Like telling you that they want the car registered despite the advertisement clearly stating it is being sold unregistered. We wanted to just get rid of it cheap and without hassle, but gosh there was plenty of hassle :)

    Oh, and off topic, but gumtree seems to sell cars better than carsales. Carsales will never get another cent out of me.

    • pformag on 06/11/2018 - 11:05

      You should always list the item for 20% higher than you actually want to sell it because people always will try and negotiate down. I always try and negotiate before i go and look to buy something, that way we can both agree on a price and the handover is simple and fast. Cars might be a little different, because you might find something to bring the price down once you see it in person.

      • SlickMick on 06/11/2018 - 12:02

        I've got no problems with haggling on price. (I ignore those with unrealistic offers, and have called the bluff of some that want to go lo ball but I was willing to work with their offer.) And I think with anything, the whole idea of an inspection is, the offer could change then.

        But I think we're talking about unethical behaviour. eg a buyer wanting to sell car to him today instead of waiting for the one we've already arranged to come on Friday.

        So yeah, the sale could potentially fall through on Friday. That is the first time I would let this other guy make an offer.

        • Flanders on 06/11/2018 - 23:16
          +2

          And I think with anything, the whole idea of an inspection is, the offer could change then.

          I disagree. But then my idea of the inspection is to see it is as described. If we have agreed on price and item as described, then I check it works, check no damage not previously mentioned, then just pay up and leave.
          I value my time, as well as the other parties time. So try to negotiate good deal beforehand. I'm never going to turn up and haggle when I get there, as long as item as described they get price we agreed on :) .

          This could differ if the item is somehow very rare or prized item that I must have but that hasn't happened yet. Usually if I really really want something, and the local seller isn't offering what I consider a good deal, then I just widen search incrementally for same/similar item, until I find what I want. Last time this happened (about 3 weeks ago) I spotted an acoustic guitar amp, and sparked an urge in me to buy 1, turned out he wanted about 70% of retail for used product a few years old etc, a few days later, after having widened my search out to about 100km radius away, I found an acoustic gutiar amp for $70, retails at around $360, had to drive like 2 hours each way, but still a good deal after I calculated fuel of $40. Arrived there, and he really wanted to get rid of some other stuff, as his wife wanted some of his music gear gone. Left with a vintage MIJ guitar for $45 sells for $900 on reverb, a vintage les paul copy MIJ for $70 , other seller on gumtree selling 1 for about $300 , and a condenser mic for $50 , other seller on gumtree had 1 for $130.
          There are plenty of people that just really want stuff gone, and if you're nice to them, and make the sale quick, honest, and easy, then they are happy to do a good price, rather than deal with the next person who might be very rude and time-waster, not show up, etc.

          • SlickMick on 07/11/2018 - 11:12
            +1

            @Flanders: Yeah you're right. I have someone bringing a trailer from Brisbane to buy my car in Gladstone. They will be sorely disappointed if they think they'll get a chance to negotiate the price.

            ps a mate recently made an offer on a trailer, after discussing it's quality. He went to pick it up and it wasn't good for anything but maybe parts. The seller's plan apparently was to negotiate a price after getting a potential buyer there. No sale that day.

    • Flanders on 06/11/2018 - 23:38
      +2

      We wanted to just get rid of it cheap and without hassle, but gosh there was plenty of hassle :)

      This is often where a buyer can get an awesome deal, while the sellee still quite happy also. ie. Many sellers are happy to sell cheapish, or even for an incredibly good price, for the buyer who is polite, courteous, **actually turns up ready to buy ** instead of wasting time, and gives them a friendly and hassle free sale.
      I polished up on my skills a bit of being the best buyer I could be after studying marketing 101 at uni. I then basically reverse engineered the basics we learnt ie. The sale of a product to consumer is not solely the physical product itself, but other factors can add 'value' .
      Similarly buyer can essentially add 'value' to the transaction by delivering a much better and nicer experience to the seller. Eg. My current vehicle, seller had it listed for 1 week, a bunch of people had wasted his time, said they would come round, never showed, this happened multiple times through the week, I was the 1st one that actually kept their word and showed up. He had a good job now which he enjoyed and pays well, had just bought a brand new car (I think it was a mini), didn't have car space so the for-sale car was actually parked around corner up the road. He values his time, and much of his time had been wasted by the no-shows and people asking about it that were not really wanting to buy (or maybe didn't have the money). I made him an offer, pending inspection/roadworthy. We went together to roadworthy place, the mechanic called out some issues, but did pass it. Due to the issues not mentioned, which I don't think he was aware of, he dropped another $100-$200 off without me having to ask. Left with a car for $1300, about another $500 for repairs to get it perfected. Had it for about a year now, and as of now redbook has it at $3,000-$5,000 .
      Best deals are where both parties are happy. Make yourself a valued buyer, by not wasting their time, turing up when you say you'll turn up, have money ready to go, don't turn up then say "I'll pay you next week" , and be nice to the person. Good manners don't cost you anything, but can certainly add 'value' as you are the person they prefer to deal with rather than someone else who might pay more $$, but could waste time, be rude, and stuff seller around.

  • kaleidoscope on 06/11/2018 - 09:36
    +1

    Your problem is why do you care so much about the second buyer's story at all? It's your decision to hold the sale for 1st and she should have a brain to understand and respect that. Beyond that don't give a f**k and move on.

    "Are People Really That Rude These Days?" - Yes this incident is just tip of the iceberg …

  • Hardwood198 on 06/11/2018 - 09:54

    I've actually faced the opposite problem. A seller off gumtree confirmed a sale with me and a meet up time for a cash-in-hand transaction.

    He cancelled right before the meeting…I was already waiting at the location. Seller didnt bother replying any of my msgs and texts asking for an explanation.

    I believe he must have gotten multiple offers, agreed to sell to multiple people, keeping the rest as backups in case anyone backed out.

    • Flanders on 06/11/2018 - 23:18

      You should click 'report' on gumtree.
      Some people advertise something for a price, then when sale is set and arranged, they have lots of interest and taking offers, rather than honouring the advertised price to the agreed purchaser.

    • slow on 07/11/2018 - 08:10

      Same happened to me. I had committed to buy a bike for $800, and arranged a time to pick it up (it was quite far away). Just before I was about to leave the guy texted to say that someone else has just bought it…as far as he was concerned whoever showed up first with the cash got it even though we had agreed….except that he didn't tell me that…….

      • jacross on 08/11/2018 - 08:11
        +1

        That's when you smash their mailbox.

  • Associatedozboygsl @ Gumtree on 06/11/2018 - 11:00

    Not clear why you even bothered responding to it. - my response when I had something similar was to agree to sell it to them with the addition of a arrogance tax {50%}. They didnt get it at first, and were a tad upset when they worked it out. That was when I explained that arrogance comes at a price. They werent happy, but, hey, tough.

  • pformag on 06/11/2018 - 11:02

    I thought you can block people on Gumtree?

  • Marcsie on 06/11/2018 - 12:08
    +1

    Can’t believe you just can’t handle a small issue like this, and need to ask for an advice ???

    • mattyman on 06/11/2018 - 12:32
      +3

      I think Scumtree stories are great. Everyone should share.

    • MessyG on 06/11/2018 - 13:55

      You can't believe a nice person doesn't know how to deal with an unkind person? Why can't you believe that?

  • carlJack on 06/11/2018 - 12:36

    No More Soup for you

  • hasher22 on 06/11/2018 - 12:55

    I sell alot on gumtree and I bite back. The people who are rude to you, I am rude back. I don't want their business if they are rude. I simply block them. There will be a buyer sooner or later.

    I would have said something like: "sorry to hear that you couldn't get a PC on time for your sons birthday, may I suggest you manage your time better and also here's the number for fair trading, XXXXXXXXXX. I am sure they would love to hear you complain about a personal ad being 'false advertising'. Thankyou!"

    • MessyG on 06/11/2018 - 13:57

      You know what though, you're not responsible for parenting them either - I wouldn't make any suggestions, thats up to them to learn the hard way. I would have cut that off at 'sorry to hear that you couldn't get the PC in time for your sons birthday, good luck in your quest' or something and block them.

      • spiff on 07/11/2018 - 11:54

        The "suggestion" was sarcasm.

  • No ONE on 06/11/2018 - 14:24
    +1

    Well at least put a note in title "on hold, pending sale" so potential buyer do not contact you.

  • happirt on 06/11/2018 - 16:11

    cmon its gumtree, i don't understand what you were expecting??

  • mavis30551 on 06/11/2018 - 16:15

    Waste her time.

  • JD9151 on 06/11/2018 - 18:37

    To be honest, there's always alot of these "stories" that come from desperate buyers. While I'm sure some a real, many are just made up. Sold a piano a few years ago at a very reasonable price of $500. Someone said that they were interested but didn't get back. Another person said they were interested and when I explained that I wanted to wait a few days for a response from the first person, he ended up sending countless messages saying why he needs it more because he has a son who has autism. Eventually after no response from buyer one agreed to sell it to this guy. On the day had a relative who was there to accept the money and help transport it. Buyer gave him $400 cash and said that's what we agreed to, but relative insisted that the offer was $500, which he ended up having the money for anyway. Turned out the buyer's story was a load of crap and he was actually single and living by himself and had never had kids.

    Whenever I'm selling on Gumtree or Ebay and I get these sort of stories I just think "business is business" and just go in order of who made the best offer at the earliest time.

  • DiscoJango on 06/11/2018 - 19:14

    sounds like you encountered the opinionated soccer mum who's not used to being told no!

  • Davo1111 on 06/11/2018 - 20:33
    +1

    why havent you taken the ad down?

    save it to word

    • Sage on 08/11/2018 - 02:07

      There's a function on Gumtree to suspend the ad, don't need to save it to word.

      • Davo1111 on 08/11/2018 - 05:20

        if you suspend the ad then it would maintain the place in the list, where if you just repost it, you start at the top.

  • Mario1234 on 06/11/2018 - 21:56
    +1

    r/choosingbeggars

  • Flanders on 06/11/2018 - 22:55

    I advised the buyer that the item is pending for a sale.

    Im pretty sure it was an honest mistake on your part . You should really at least pause add when deposit is taken and sale pending etc.
    I'm not saying it was right for her to be rude. But honestly, it is rather frustrating when people leave things listed after they are sold. Technically is false advertising. So just use 'pause' function to avoid advertising item that is sold/pending-sold .
    If sellers explain to me like "sorry, it just sold, and I haven't had time to take listing down, I will do it when I get home" , Thats fine.
    If seller says "its sold" . And leaves listing up. I will often click report (at bottom of listing) and Gumtree can sought it out, and remove sold listing.
    Many people use a burner sim, not their main number, for gumtree listings, just due to rare peesons that are potentially going to be angry and a problem. You don't want that sort of person having your main/personal phone number.
    If you're really concerned, can even meet buyers at mutual location instead of at your home. Personally, I try to be exceptionally well mannered and courteous when buying something on gumtree, even to the extent I arrive, and message or call to let them know "I'm out front now" rather than turning up as a stranger at the door, I wait till they say come on in etc, or they can just meet me out front of their home.

  • jpee on 06/11/2018 - 23:19

    OP your a very nice person! Don't let rude people/Sounds like they are a professional Victim everything is everyone elses fault! Keep doing the right thing and you will attract a like people.

  • Samsungnote10 on 07/11/2018 - 09:11

    Say yeah ok, ill sell it to you

    Tell her to come your place at 2pm with the cash.
    Give her a fake address and block her number
    And then when its 3pm , sms her the number for msy

  • MementoMori on 07/11/2018 - 10:09
    +2

    My brother was offering a FREE couch on Gumtree.

    But free wasn't enough for Ranjesh K from Springvale, who also asked if he'd deliver it to him.

    • Samsungnote10 on 07/11/2018 - 10:48
      +2

      Thats because you didnt offer him $5 for his time for accepting your free goods

  • ego22 on 07/11/2018 - 17:25
    -1

    geez.. its as if OP said "a nice guy from india called and wanted to help me with windows. i want to be nice to him so what should i do?"..

    nothing! who cares! hang up..the faq

  • OWKnowitall1 on 07/11/2018 - 19:52

    Try working in retail, it's pretty bad

  • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2018 - 21:15
    +1

    I kind of felt sort of sorry for her kid

    Don't. Probably doesn't exist. On the off chance the kid exists, feel sorry for the kid for having a mother who is a pain in the arse.

  • SirFlibbled on 07/11/2018 - 21:41

    Some parents are that entitled yes..

  • HeWhoKnows on 07/11/2018 - 22:01

    The seller has the choice to whom they wish to hold or sell the item
    Buyer 2 does have a point and I tend to agree since buyer 1 may withdraw from the sale.
    However its up to the seller to make that decision.

    • SirFlibbled on 08/11/2018 - 11:00

      Some people pride themselves on their sense of honour. If a deposit was paid, the right thing to do is to hold the item for that person, even if they pull out of the sale.

      Sure not everyone values their honour and would sell to the first person regardless of promises made.

      Personally, I don't accept deposits and the first person who turns up and pays cash gets the item. That way I don't have to deal with those decisions and the risk of the item no longer being available is put on the buyer instead.

  • boretentsu on 08/11/2018 - 00:04

    Scumtree

  • Sage on 08/11/2018 - 02:05

    Should have paused the ad after the first buyer put down the deposit.
    I can understand her frustration in a way. The ad should have been taken down.

    My experience has been positive with Gumtree.

  • centrelink on 08/11/2018 - 09:30

    Ahh the good ol birdthday excuse

    Yes BIRDs!

  • bs0 on 08/11/2018 - 09:48

    should check out reddit.com/r/choosingbeggars

  • 2ndeffort on 16/11/2018 - 17:55

    Its referred to as 'ScumTree' for a reason

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