Another Gumtree Rant

LBargainBoo on 21/02/2023 - 12:36
Last edited 22/03/2023 - 12:05 by 1 other user

So…
I posted an item (small appliance brand name food processor less than 5 years old) which I thought was at a bargain price at $20 being that it worked perfectly with no parts missing.

Someone asks if it is negotiable and offers $5 I say I'll take $10. They say yes THEN ask me to hold it for them for a week, probably knowing I'll get more interest. I know it's a small item but then feel as though I've given in to them and second guess my own pricing…they don't read the ad and then start asking questions about the condition of it (all mentioned in the ad).

I've been a gummie for over a decade and mostly had awesome experiences but is this just me thinking people have sunk to a new low? These people are not the fair dinkum sort that I'm use to dealing with.

Electrical & Electronics Gumtree

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Comments

  • randomusername2017 on 21/02/2023 - 12:39
    +53

    Hi

    Is the small appliance brand name food processor still available? When/where can I collect it?
    Interested in any trades..I've got a slightly used toaster.

    • BargainBoo on 21/02/2023 - 12:59
      +3

      I have some willing to pay the asking price so I'll let you know

      • mbck on 21/02/2023 - 13:09
        +36

        I'll pay 100 bucks for it.

        Can you hold for 1 year? I'm overseas

        • DashCam AKA Rolts on 21/02/2023 - 13:29
          +32

          My agent will collect. Unfortunately I overpaid $100, via payid, can you give the difference to my agent.

        • tonsta on 23/02/2023 - 21:11

          Overseas meaning an oil rig?

      • randomusername2017 on 21/02/2023 - 14:10
        +14

        Thanks for the payment details and am happy to proceed with the payment, however I just got a confirmation mail from the shipping agent now that I will need to pay for the freighting fees before they can schedule pre-shipping/pick-up date. They charged $1,050 for the pick-up and delivery, but the problem is they only accept Skrill money transfer as form of payment, which is sent to their HQ.

        I need a credit or debit card to personally take care of that but I didn’t bring it along as I am currently on duty and had thought there would be no need for bringing it along.

        As you are well aware of, due to the nature of my work am away and do not have access to Skrill, most store (sic) have Skrill section and you can also send it online at www.Skrill.com.au.

        Will it be okay with you if I add the $1,050 to the amount I am transferring? and you can help me make the Skrill transfer of the freighting fees through Skrill money transfer? You are not obliged to help me, but I will indeed appreciate your help as I am a little incapacitated here.

      • Gunnar on 21/02/2023 - 20:17

        Do you offer lessons in sarcasm?

    • SolitaryMan on 22/02/2023 - 13:00
      +2

      Will you deliver this $5 item you’re selling to the other side of the city?

      • Minimum chips on 22/02/2023 - 16:21
        +3

        Don't forget to mention if you're a mum or a senior, it's ok to ask for delivery then.

      • illusion99 on 22/02/2023 - 18:41
        +1

        Delivery for free

      • Randolph Duke on 23/02/2023 - 12:19
        +3

        My son is sick and a food processor will make all the difference. You're a heartless (profanity) for not delivering 73km's away.

    • skillet on 23/02/2023 - 09:44

      The button "Mark as Spam" would now be "Mark as Gumtree"

    • jinkerjinx on 23/02/2023 - 12:16
      +2

      if the OP put 'no timewasters' in description this never would have happened. :)

      • frugalftw on 23/02/2023 - 13:03

        Hahahaha you made me lol irl
        I could never understand that part of the ads.

  • Muzeeb on 21/02/2023 - 12:40
    +24

    This has been occurring for ages. Somehow you have luckily avoided these types in the past.

    Also, thanks for joining ozbargain.

  • spock on 21/02/2023 - 12:42
    +4

    The new name is Scumtree

    • Xistn on 21/02/2023 - 13:44

      you mean LoadedNigerianPrince.com?

  • SF3 on 21/02/2023 - 12:42
    +2

    I've been a gummie for over a decade

    Member Since
    38 min ago

    Is this what they call themselves now?

    • BargainBoo on 21/02/2023 - 12:50
      +11

      Yes I'm a newbie here on OzBargain, to state the obvious.

      • Blitzfx on 22/02/2023 - 18:45

        The irony is you meet them on Gumtree, and you've met one immediately on ozbargain

  • 87percent on 21/02/2023 - 12:42
    +27

    i hate people on gumtree who ask "is the item still available?" and then never respond back

    • FireRunner on 21/02/2023 - 12:52
      +24

      I’ve started putting out missing person posters for them
      Hope they’re doing ok

    • Bruceflix on 21/02/2023 - 13:06
      +19

      Perhaps that was all they wanted to know.

    • poboy on 21/02/2023 - 22:18
      +10

      It's because the UI of the site sucks. People hit the button by mistake.

    • Poor Ass on 22/02/2023 - 09:28
      +6

      lol you mean Facebook marketplace

    • billyb67 on 22/02/2023 - 18:41

      Exactly the same thing in FB marketplace.. why do they even bother? I don't get it at all

  • Baysew on 21/02/2023 - 12:44
    +9

    From 2016 -

    Trying to sell on Gumtree……haha

  • Cheaplikethebird on 21/02/2023 - 12:50
    +27

    No holds ever

    • FireRunner on 21/02/2023 - 12:53
      +10

      I’ll hold for like a day at most. A week? Tell him he’s dreamin’

      Edit: although I wouldn’t bother if it’s such a low value item

    • Bruceflix on 21/02/2023 - 13:06

      This is the way

    • knk on 22/02/2023 - 10:08
      +3

      Not even 24hours. People just mess you around.

    • doheedo on 22/02/2023 - 13:33
      +3

      I had someone say they would hold it for the next day. We even organised a time to pick it up only for them to messeage me an hour before hand saying they sold it.

      Organised my whole day around being available at the time they wanted just to have my time wasted.

      • Cheaplikethebird on 22/02/2023 - 13:44

        Yeah I wouldn't trust a hold as much as I wouldn't trust someone to make good on their hold request.

      • baskinghobo on 22/02/2023 - 20:41

        I once saw people unloading a fridge that I was coming to take a look at and was even going to pay in advance for her to hold. People suck. Tbf though she lived in one of the worst looking areas I've ever seen and she looked embarrassed about the situation.

      • frugalftw on 23/02/2023 - 13:29

        Sounds like someone beat your offer.

      • pufffdragon on 23/02/2023 - 14:41
        -1

        Had a similar situation. Organised a time and day to pickup, made a handshake on it. Almost an hour into my lengthy drive to get there, I get a message saying it's been sold. Absolutely fuming.

        I don't know what you call these types, but definitely among the lowest forms of life.

    • morse on 24/02/2023 - 04:57

      This and ‘price is firm’ in the description (just list for the price you’re happy to sell for).

  • Drakesy on 21/02/2023 - 12:50
    +15

    Something is only worth as much as the next guy is willing to pay.
    Welcome to the world of low value goods and the low value people that'll pay for it.

    Personally anything below $50 is not worth selling on gumtree.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 21/02/2023 - 12:57

      I think also it's the fact that from the buyer's POV it's not just $20 but the time, effort, and money spent collecting the item. For low value items you're best off collecting them all up from around the house and holding a garage sale.

      • derrida derider on 24/02/2023 - 18:43

        But then it's also a lot of time, effort and risk for the seller, which is why I long ago gave up selling low value items. Give 'em to Vinnies instead.

        But when I did sell them I'd always put "Price firm, no haggling. Pickup only and no holds - first to arrive with the cash gets the bargain". It cut back a lot of the shit, though of course there were always still people who could not read the ad.

  • ddhar on 21/02/2023 - 12:52
    +10

    "First come, first serve" only on Gumtree.

  • jebdra on 21/02/2023 - 12:52

    As somebody who doesn't sell a lot of 2nd hand stuff (normally goes to op shop), what is the best market place to use.

    I'm familiar with eBay, gumtree and local Facebook groups. Any other, maybe better, options ?

    Times are getting harder, and I'm trying to cull some stuff.

    • 87percent on 21/02/2023 - 13:24

      depending on the value of the item is where i go

      for lower value, i just stick it on gumtree/facebook BUT if higher item, i'll list it on eBay BUT i'll also list it on gumtree knowing that you'll get a lot of shitkickers

    • ihfree on 21/02/2023 - 19:26
      +1

      Facebook marketplace & Gumtree then eBay. Maybe add "no payid."

      Straight to eBay if you don't want to deal with people.

      • us3rnam3tak3n on 22/02/2023 - 14:20

        I don't mind payid when you're face to face. Cash can be a nuisance.

        • ihfree on 22/02/2023 - 14:22

          True, there are still some risks involved with it and some in-person scams. I always advise that I can't release an item until the money is in my account.

          • us3rnam3tak3n on 22/02/2023 - 14:56
            +1

            @ihfree: For sure. Smaller amounts (under 1000, depending on your bank) usually transfer instantly.

          • Gr8deel on 22/02/2023 - 16:51

            @ihfree: what are the risks of payid? Its a deposit only scheme right? I wait till the funds are in , which is usually instant, I then transfer out straight away to another account.

    • ThadtheChad on 23/02/2023 - 11:05
      +1

      I tend to do ebay only for higher value items (few hundred bucks).

      Gumtree/Facebook is great for getting rid of cheaper stuff, but while there are some really good people there are a fkton of tyre kicking dirt eaters.

  • Ughhh on 21/02/2023 - 12:56
    +12

    Half of the people are like that, just be glad the buyer didn't demand you to deliver to them. You could offer a new Samsung S23 for $400 and you'll get offers for $100.

    Don't forget that you're the seller, so you set the terms re when it must be picked up, payment method etc. You're not a retail store looking for loyal return customers, so you don't need to bend over, especially if you know you're offering a really good price.

    • Bruceflix on 21/02/2023 - 13:08
      -3

      I think lowballing is a fair strategy to try and get a bargain. The seller only has to say no.

      • Ughhh on 21/02/2023 - 13:37
        +12

        Imo it's a silly strategy. Perhaps it would work on items that haven't been sold for months and the sellers desperate and wants it gone.
        If the sellers offer price is way above market price, thats ok. But as per my example, to offer something so ridiculously low on an already bargain price, is insulting and time wasting. It's just inviting the seller to troll you or not even reply.

        • Orion au on 22/02/2023 - 06:27
          -3

          A lot of people and cultures 'lowball' as an opening offer in a haggling exchange too though. There's an expectation that the buyer will say no, and then offer a reduced price. I don't understand why some are offended or insulted by it, when it's just a common business transaction/interaction in market places around the world.

          • Ughhh on 22/02/2023 - 11:03
            +4

            @Orion au: So would you consider offering $100 on a brand new Samsung s23 smart?

            I have family from places where haggling is expected in market places too, and if you offer something ridiculous, you'll be sworn at. Would you offer $1 for everything?

            I sell more than I buy on gumtree. A lot of people mention their annoyance on lowballers, so if you really want the item, adapt to Aust market and be smart about your offer.

            • Orion au on 22/02/2023 - 12:16
              -4

              @Ughhh: Sure, if it was listed at $400 and I wasn't prepared to pay more than $250 or so. I'm not gonna start at $250 and leave myself no where to go.

              I don't see how it's somehow offensive. It's just a product and you can just say no/ignore if you don't want to engage. I can't say I've ever been sworn at…

              • Smol Cat on 22/02/2023 - 16:32

                @Orion au: WTF the example here is a S23 retailing for $1300 listed for $400, it doesn't matter what you're prepared to pay, any further bargaining makes you seem like an idiot.

                • Orion au on 22/02/2023 - 17:18
                  -5

                  @Smol Cat: Well it does matter, because I'm making an offer. Who knows? Maybe he accepts. Maybe he engages in negotiating. Maybe he ignores me, laughs at me or outright refuses.

                  What do I care if it's the latter? I don't care if old mate with a new s23 on the internet thinks I'm an idiot.

                  • Smol Cat on 22/02/2023 - 23:52
                    +2

                    @Orion au: No the point is you’re a time waster, wasting other people’s time and your own as well. Do you go around to everyone offering $1 for every item? Coz that’s how stupid your strategy sounds. Moronic and laughable tbh.

                    • Orion au on 23/02/2023 - 05:35
                      -2

                      @Smol Cat: Fair enough. That's not how you negotiate. I was just trying to explain why it happens and why it'll keep happening.

                      Some people expect you'll be naturally listing it as more than you're prepared to accept in the hopes you'll make more money. In which case, for them, it'd be just as moronic and laughable, to pay asking price.

                      I'll leave it there. Have a good day.

                      • Ughhh on 23/02/2023 - 11:43
                        +1

                        @Orion au: In the planet we live in, and using common sense, do you honestly think any seller would sell you a brand new S23 (that retails for $1300) for $250??

                        Might as well go to every car dealer ship and offer $2 for a car, hey you might get lucky!

                        • Orion au on 23/02/2023 - 12:29

                          @Ughhh: Yeah I acknowledge that it's highly unlikely. Someone who only has $250 to spend wouldn't know if they didn't have a crack though.

          • SolitaryMan on 22/02/2023 - 13:04
            +2

            @Orion au: Perhaps such people could stick to using that practice in these other said marketplaces around the world then?

            Just because it might be the norm elsewhere doesn’t mean it’s not rude and a waste of sellers’ time. If an item is advertised for $X then it’s for sale at $X, not $X/4.

            • Orion au on 22/02/2023 - 13:24
              -5

              @SolitaryMan: A waste of time? It's literally seconds to read the offer.

              How is it rude? It's an offer that if you're not prepared to accept, you say no to. Or if it's not worth the time, ignore. I'm genuinely curious to know why it seems rude.

              You're dealing with an increasingly multicultural Australia. You can't just say 'they should adapt'. The simple truth is there's people who won't even comprehend that this isn't the done thing. It's just how they work.

              • SolitaryMan on 22/02/2023 - 13:29
                +1

                @Orion au: They get a message/notification that interrupts what they’re doing before they have to go and read the lowball offer.

                It’s a sense of entitlement - no matter what price people are selling at, I will interrupt their day not to purchase the item, but to try to start some stupid negotiation dance.

                And why must it be one culture that adapts over the other that is trying to impose their values over them?

                • Bruceflix on 22/02/2023 - 13:54

                  @SolitaryMan: But the seller has literally listed the price as negotiable.

                • Orion au on 22/02/2023 - 14:32

                  @SolitaryMan: It's not about one culture adapting to another. It's about understanding that people work in different ways. Having many different cultures here merely makes that more apparent.

                  • ahara on 23/02/2023 - 00:09
                    +1

                    @Orion au: If I’ve listed an item for 100, then I’ll simply not respond when you offer me half, no matter what it’s worth.

                    Be reasonable or bugger off and find some other sucker to buy from. You will prob have to wait a while as I’ve done my research what others sell it for. Have you though ?

                    • Orion au on 23/02/2023 - 05:16

                      @ahara: And that's fair enough. Don't respond if you aren't willing to engage with that. That's your right too, and that's how you operate. I'm not going to get angry or insulted about it in the given scenario though.

                      But many will engage, because it's how lots of people work. Some might take the offer of $50 for reasons you don't know of. Some may see it as an opening bid. I wouldn't generally be so aggressive in Australia with that technique, but I've saved money with lower than asking price offers. As long as that's a valid technique which often sees results, why wouldn't people do it?

                      A person probably knows full well what it's worth, but if they can get it cheaper then you may as well have a go. You, as the seller, can only say no.

          • ThadtheChad on 23/02/2023 - 11:08
            +2

            @Orion au: Yeah - its a very scab thing to do IMHO (re insulting lowball offers - a reasonable counter is fine in my books!)

            Personally I just blackball them and stop responding.

          • Nillionaire on 24/02/2023 - 13:32
            +2

            @Orion au: Nahhh I'm as multicultural as they come but that is not a culture I want imported here. I'm Bangladeshi-Australian. In Bangladesh that is the norm and while I play the game there, I'd hate for it to become a thing here.

        • bamzero on 24/02/2023 - 02:29

          Guilty of the lowball offer in the past. Was a Sony XT-1, can't remember what it was advertised for.. somewhere between $100 and $200. Not something I needed but I already had one and another would have been great if it was cheap enough. Messaged something alone the lines of "sorry for the lowball offer but would you accept $50?"

          Turned out was an employee listing a bunch of stuff for his boss who just wanted rid of it and they quickly accepted.

          So that was one that worked out well for me (and when I picked it up found out was brand new in box too). Not a common thing for me though.

  • KaTst3R on 21/02/2023 - 13:06
    +8

    Asking someone to hold a $20 item is just hilarious. Waste of time for all parties.

    • Eeples on 01/03/2023 - 05:25

      $10 is where the market met.

      It’s a $10 item.

  • lostgoat on 21/02/2023 - 13:13
    +5

    Just chuck it in a charity bin .

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 21/02/2023 - 13:18
      +1

      I think some charities are not accepting Electrical goods, as they need tag and testing etc.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 21/02/2023 - 13:15
    +2

    I'm interesteddd, and I'm sending someonne too pick it upp. If you can payment them $20, I'll reimburse you via your PayID as well as the $20 for the Food Processor.

    Please email [email protected]

    :)

    • lunartemis on 22/02/2023 - 06:49
      +2

      You forgot the "Dear sir/madam"

  • djones145 on 21/02/2023 - 13:22
    +1

    where are you located ( in description)
    can you post (in description only pick up)
    do u accept payid (cash only in description)

    are you some sort of scammer, selling fake items as u want cash only and met at a random cafe…. lol

    welcome to scamtree

  • foxmulder on 21/02/2023 - 13:22

    Offer way low price, ask to hold item then ask too many questions - don't think you will get a sale here. Even if you did they will contact you again the soonest they get the item.

  • 87percent on 21/02/2023 - 13:23

    another rant.. i set my distance to be 10km, but some of the results are on the other side of Melbourne!
    (i set my search to "Monash Area", but i get results from Northcote)

  • Motek Benzona on 21/02/2023 - 13:26
    +4

    last week I listed gift cards on here FB and gumtree. Gumtree had 0 messages, FB had 4 scammers and one swap offer and sold them on here.

    I listed a surface pro 6 on FB and Gumtree on Sunday and Monday morning before i ccould even list it on here a buyer from FB came and picked it up, for the priice i wanted, without haggling after 2 messages.

    At other times its been the other way around, quick sale on gumtree but dickes on FB.. There are dicks on these sites because.. well.. there are dicks everywhere

    *possible overuse of the word dick is noted

  • AustriaBargain on 21/02/2023 - 14:24
    +10

    Gummies have never been fair dinkum. They will alway show up with less money than the agreed price, hoping you'll just give the item to them anyway. I had one guy show up with a trailer he rented ready to pick up the item but didn't have the amount I asked for. Made him empty out the change in his centre console to make up difference.

    • nomoneynoproblems on 21/02/2023 - 14:46
      +8

      Never had that ever. I’m hoping for the day so I can tell them no to their faces lol.

      • AustriaBargain on 21/02/2023 - 15:56
        +13

        He was actually like $1.60 short after emptying all the coins out of his car and there were a lot of coins. I was going to make him go to an ATM but I thought nah that might be pushing it for $1.60. He had his daughter with him, the fridge he was buying was for her, she was probably embarrassed enough already. But I specifically put in the ad that the price was not negotiable.

  • Sweet3st on 21/02/2023 - 14:53

    I think you have to exercise patience on Gumtree ;) I don't mind the lowball offers so much as the buyers who have the attitude that they are setting the price and it's not negotiable, I think there are lots of 'dealers' that trawl through… just wait until somebody comes along that wants it.

  • cocomelon on 21/02/2023 - 15:01

    i have better experience with facebook marketplace not great, but better than Gumtree and Ebay if you wanted better protection from these idiots.

  • JimmyF on 21/02/2023 - 15:15
    +4

    They say yes THEN ask me to hold it for them for a week, probably knowing I'll get more interest.

    Honestly not worth holding items longer than a day as they all piss you about and do a no show.

    I tell them I'll hold for 24 hours, then it is first in, best dressed to the next buyer.

    • TilacVIP on 22/02/2023 - 08:29
      +3

      Ask for a holding deposit, even $10 or so.

      You'll quickly find out how genuine a buyer they are?

      • JimmyF on 22/02/2023 - 08:47

        While it's ok in theory to ask for a deposit, you'll then get those that will either ask for it back when they no show even when you say its not refundable or drag it out for weeks to collect the item as they paid a holding deposit.

        I've held stuff for a week as someone couldn't arrive to the weekend, which is fine as it was a large item and understand they needed to arrange transport, but a $10 food processor is like ummm no come collect it now, first to arrive gets it.

  • herecomestheoost on 21/02/2023 - 15:33

    I have a heap of stuff I don't use anymore laying around the house. Planning on posting all of it this weekend.. I expect a lot of BS.. It's normal man, people are (profanity).

    • JimmyF on 22/02/2023 - 08:49
      +1

      The same, I've got stuff to move, but honestly can't bring myself to deal with the 'people' who will piss me around too much that I'll rather just dump it at goodwill.

  • trapper on 21/02/2023 - 16:36
    +8

    For low value items like this, just give them away.

    Find your local community group and put them on there.

    Good way to meet a few neighbors too

  • thatonethere on 21/02/2023 - 18:50
    +1

    Final price

  • Aerith-Waifu on 22/02/2023 - 04:09
    +1

    Do you have any Lego for sale? I am interested. New in ox only please:)

    • RMBC on 22/02/2023 - 09:06

      In ox will cost you extra

  • Mrgreenz on 22/02/2023 - 07:48

    People holding for gumtree buyers with no deposit bit leaving ad up as as bad as people asking for holds and not reading IMO.

  • jacross on 22/02/2023 - 07:48
    +1

    If you don't want to sell it for $10, don't sell it for $10.

    If you don't want to hold it for a week, don't hold it for a week.

    You've recognised that some people are annoying. You've reacted to that. Now it is time to transcend it.

    • blitz on 22/02/2023 - 09:33
      +2

      Now it is time to transcend it.

      The road to enlightenment is always rocky.

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