Craigslist dilemma - what would you do?

[amyamanda]

I listed an item yesterday for $100 or best offer. The first serious person who called me said he'd give me $100 if I held it for him until Saturday. I agreed to do this. I got about twenty calls on the same item before I finally indicated in the listing that people should stop calling me (LOL). I talked with the Saturday guy and gave him my address and agreed on a time, etc. One of the calls I got later was from a guy who called me back to tell me he could come today and would pay me $150.

I am stuck here. The difference between $150 and $100 is pretty great, and I DID say "best offer." I want to call the Saturday guy back and apologetically tell him that I need to take the best offer and give him a chance to match the other guy's price.

Since listing the item, I've learned that the price I asked was probably too low, and that explains all the calls. Also the item is in better shape than I estimated when I listed it. Because of some of the things the first guy said, I am pretty sure he knows this.

But my DH thinks that if I have an agreement with the first guy, I need to honor it, and live and learn.

What do you think? I want to do the right thing and I want to be fair and I also need to get as much as I can for this item.

[stretchmark]

I have learned that I have to sell it to whoever comes to pick it up first. Sometimes people say they will come and then I tell other people sorry it's gone and then the person never shows up. Then I have to go through it all again.
If you're feeling inclined to take the higher offer, I'd suggest calling that guy and telling him you got a better offer with an earlier pick up date and see what he says. He ought to understand. He may get upset. Let him know you under-priced it, got a ton of calls, and now have a better offer. See if he wants to up it.
just my 2 cents.

[asianyoushi]

u are in agreement with the first guy. lesson learned- 100 dollars is great 150 would have been nice. just make sure the next time u put something up u do a little research on what the going rate is and hopefully u can make more profits that way..

[possum]

I think it's perfectly fair to give the first guy a chance to meet the other person's offer. Holding onto it longer is a favor to him anyway. It's your stuff, and you don't have to feel obligated to give it away or get the short end of the stick.
I have set a deadline for freecycle stuff before. (Of course I wasn't getting payed for it, but I was trying to get it taken away as quickly as possible!) I included in my email that I would respond to offers to pick up the items after such and such a time. That gave me a chance to get multiple times and see what really was the best for me.
Melinda

[J's Mombee]

Originally Posted by possum

I think it's perfectly fair to give the first guy a chance to meet the other person's offer. Holding onto it longer is a favor to him anyway. It's your stuff, and you don't have to feel obligated to give it away or get the short end of the stick.
I have set a deadline for freecycle stuff before. (Of course I wasn't getting payed for it, but I was trying to get it taken away as quickly as possible!) I included in my email that I would respond to offers to pick up the items after such and such a time. That gave me a chance to get multiple times and see what really was the best for me.
Melinda

"Yup" to the above stated post (meaning I agree)

Also, I would call the 1st guy and tell him what was going on... and say that I just got an offer for $150, and I could really use the money or something like that, and I wanted to sell it fast, so, do you think that you could come before Saturday, and are you really coming. If this guy doesn't even show up on Saturday, that would really suck.

[EFmom]

I think you have an agreement with the first guy.

[North_Of_60]

If I were really hurting for the extra 50 bucks, and I've been there, I'd take the better offer after giving the first guy a chance. However, that's now how I do "business". I always go with the first come first served, and I never hold anything without a deposit, so technically, if I were holding something on good faith I would only do so until a better offer came (and I'd make that clear -- "sure, I'll hold it until Saturday, but if I get a better offer I'll take it").

You'll probably piss the guy off, but if you need the money at least craigslist is somewhat anonymous. I would definitely do things different next time.

[asianyoushi]

Originally Posted by North_Of_60

If I were really hurting for the extra 50 bucks, and I've been there, I'd take the better offer after giving the first guy a chance. However, that's now how I do "business". I always go with the first come first served, and I never hold anything without a deposit, so technically, if I were holding something on good faith I would only do so until a better offer came (and I'd make that clear -- "sure, I'll hold it until Saturday, but if I get a better offer I'll take it").

You'll probably piss the guy off, but if you need the money at least craigslist is somewhat anonymous. I would definitely do things different next time.

its not anonymous she gave the first guy her address. if he gets mad and has an anger problem there could be so safety issues....

[SeekingJoy]

Originally Posted by EFmom

I think you have an agreement with the first guy.

I see both sides of this. You do have an agreement with the first guy, but (and this is a biggie) people routinely don't show up. Sometimes they see find a better offer elsewhere, on ebay, etc. Sometimes they just change their mind. I don't think an item is sold until it is out of your possession.

When selling things on craigslist, I have called people back, explained what has happened, and given them the chance to match the price or come earlier.

In the future, you can always let people know that you will sell to either 1) the first person to show up with the cash in hand or 2) after you have had a chance to gauge interest. Other less transparent ways to accomplish the same thing is to spread out over multiple email exchanges the item condition, time to pick up item, and then finally directions.

[Purple*Lotus]

Originally Posted by asianyoushi

its not anonymous she gave the first guy her address. if he gets mad and has an anger problem there could be so safety issues....

I agree, he has her address. That would be enough to creep me out.

[ustasmom]

Your word is your word. Don't sell it out for $50.

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by asianyoushi

its not anonymous she gave the first guy her address. if he gets mad and has an anger problem there could be so safety issues....

Yeah, that's true. I wouldn't want backout on someone who had my address.

[tinuviel_k]

Your word is your word. Don't sell it out for $50.

I agree. Since you promised him the item, gave him a set pick up time, and gave him your address it really sounds like you "sealed the deal" already. I would sell it to him for the agreed upon price, and chalk it up as a lesson learned. It takes awhile to really get the hang of Craigslist.

[lizziebits]

That's a tough call. Only because people from Craigslist don't show about 50% of the time, IME. I would so upset to have an offer of $150 go to waste because of a no show. On the other hand, if he doesn't show up, you could always relist with a higher price.

I think I would wait it out and see if he comes on Saturday. $50 is a lot of money, but I think honoring your original agreement is the right thing to do.

[amyamanda]

Thank you all for helping me sort this out. I am going to honor the original $100 buyer and ask the $150 buyer to please stand by as a backup in case the first guy doesn't show. The $150 really wants it and I am pretty sure he will follow through if the other guy doesn't, but that guy also sounded extremely intent upon the deal.

A $50 lesson is an expensive lesson, but whatever. I should be glad I'm getting this item hauled away quickly and easily, and making any amount of money in the process.

It is really hard to know how to value something without doing hours of research! I ebayed some things yesterday and one thing I thought for sure would not sell for more than the .99 I listed it at, was snapped up IMMEDIATELY as a BIN (I set the BIN at $20 but now I wonder how high the buyer would have gone??? Kicking myself for not putting in a "fantasy number"!) And the things you think will sell sometimes don't even get a nibble. It's frustrating but kind of funny.

Anyway, thank you for your support and suggestions. If I hadn't given the guy my address already I might still be weighing the options. Still not sure if I'd do anything differently, but it would have made it a little less clear for me.

[~Megan~]

I hate holding things. People tend to flake out. I'd take the $150 cash if he can come same day.

[Thystle]

It's your call on what to do.


In the future NEVER agree to hold an item for CL as MANY never show!


And if at all possible meet up in a "safe" location so strangers wont have your address!

[karne]

We do tons of craigslist buying, and have learned the hard way--make a serious offer and get there ASAP. Several time we've arranged a pick-up and had the seller tell us someone else showed up, cash in hand earlier than we could. Kinda stinks, but it seems to be the way.

[allborntogrow]

I agree with those who said you are in agreement.

If Saturday guy flakes all bets are off, but you said you'd do it and you did list it for 100, so, you know

Anyways, like some other posters said, in the future when selling things see what the going rate is, also don't agree to hold things. Whoever can come to pick it up first is the lucky winner!!!

[Danielle283]

I made the mistake of holding things for people when I first started selling on CL, and they would NEVER show up. I now tell people that I will not hold something, but feel free to get back in touch with me if it's not sold by then.