BBS Selling: How long to wait??

[Target]

Question to those of you who trade/buy/sell via a BBS.

When selling items on a BBS, what is an acceptable time period to wait for payment from those who have indicated that they would like to buy something?

Specifically, if someone says they want to buy an item you have posted, and you agree to hold the item for them until their money order arrives, how long do you wait for the m.o. to actually show up before deciding that they were not a serious buyer and then reposting the item for sale to the general public?

[Ed_S]

I'd say it depends on circumstance. Such as, did the buyer say the MO was mailed, or just that they want it?
If mailed, 4 or 5 days should be max within the US.

Have buyer & seller had good communication? I've found this to be key. Delays happen, but let the other person know!

Also, you could specify how long you'd hold it, and if not recieved by then it would be back up for sale. Notify the buyer before re-listing it. Wait one more day for a response. But if you recieve payment afterwards, return it immediately!!

Main thing - COMMUNICATE!!

Ed

[codybear]

I will agree with Ed_s...If they send it usps priority mail it WILL arrive within 2-3 days and only cost 3.55 for a tracking number...time is money

[codybear]

FYI..I have finished deals from coast to coast in 4 working days..most recently with Socalgal and so I think the quality of the people also makes a difference in speed as well as reliability and trustworthness..if they are serious when they contact you then the money should, barring unusual circumstances, be there within 4 days tops.

[Richard_Cranium72]

IMO, anyone who jerks around Target needs to be Jap-Slapped. This member never flames anybody and helps even dummies like me. I guess some of the future "Darwin Award" winners are rearing their head, again.. sorry Target, hope it works out.. DrVette

[Richard_Cranium72]

Target, did ya ever get ur cash ?? DrVette

[Wiz]

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

1. T7h3y t41k l1k3 7h1s

2. P.O. BOxes(not always, but i dont like shipping to them)

3. They asked to buy something off of you, and want you to ship before they ship money.

4. Someone who wont give telephone no# when asked(i use this to test the reliability of poeple)

5. Their stuff is unbelievably cheap(i.e. CUmine for a 300DPI scanner)


Thats about it. I can usually tell if someone is honest or not.

Try heatware.elitesoftware.com for references on people, use their handle and do a search. If they have negatives, dont deal with them.

[Target]

DrVette.... cash never did show up, but a letter finally did arrive from the post office in a plastic bag!!! The poor guy that said he had sent me a money order really did after all. However (hence the need for the plastic bag) his letter and money order got stuck in a machine at the post office and mangled terribly. The plastic bag had a small form letter type deal printed on it from the Post Office saying they were sorry.

I took that to my local post office, and asked them wtf had happened, and explained to them that there was supposed to be a money order in it which was no longer there. They of course were sorry, but told me to contact the sender, so that he could take his money order receipt to HIS local post office to initiate a trace and get a refund.

Luckily for him, he kept the receipt and did get a refund for his money order, but we never did complete the deal as I wrongly assumed (after waiting for like 4 weeks) he hadn't actually sent a money order, and sold the CPU to someone else.

Was a first for me to have the post office actually screw up a delivery of any kind, but I guess it goes to show that it really does happen. I still feel bad about not believing the guy, and then selling the CPU to someone else, but I hope he and everyone else understands. Thank goodness he was able to get his money back and find another CPU too.

PS:
BTW, I returned the damaged letter, and the plastic bag it was contained in, to the original sender to help him prove to his local post office that they needed to refund his money. Followed up with him to offer any additional assistance or testimony to ensure they gave him his money back too. Not sure what happened or how, but subsequent emails between us stated that he was in fact able to get a refund. Lots of lessons learned for us both I guess, but hope all of you who do trading on the net use this as a reminder to KEEP your receipts for money orders.

[This message has been edited by Target (edited 03-08-2000).]

[Mntsnow]

Helpful hint to those that have scanners...
Those that have traded with me know that I will email them a scanned image of the MO receipt and tracking info receipt. Because of this habit I just finished a 1700.00 deal that was crossed shipped with out worries as that is what we both did http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Mntsnow

[Target]

The Snowman...firing up the scanner, making copies...... OOOOPS, wrong thread <lmao>.

Shew Mntsnow, we must both be night owls <lol>.

Great advice btw.

[Mntsnow]

LOL....Yep the "job" keeps me up at all hours of the day/night! Sometimes I dont know if I'm coming or going from work! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Mntsnow

[wyvrn]

I just traded with someone and this person did not return several emails, or give me the tracking number I asked for. I had already sent the MO in the mail, and this person stated they had received it. Then they tried to do another trade with me, and I stated that I would not until they sent the tracking number for the first. They responded with "OOps, I did not know you were the same person" and " I will get your shipment out right away". Guess I lucked out on this one, cause it could have gone the other way and I would have been out some cash. This seller did not have a rep at heat, so I guess I learned my lesson. My rules for trading engagement:

1)Check references. If they dont have any, they ALWAYS ship first.

2)Only cross-ship will experienced traders with good online reputations.

3)Do what I say I am going to do, and expect the same of the other person. If I screw up, I email the mistake immediately and offer concessions if applicable.

4) Always always use tracking numbers and email them to the other person. This lets them know you are serious and not a dishonest trader.

5) Communciate!! Email is quick, effective, and offers proof of sale as well. Let the other person know where you are coming from. Even a "heads up" email once a day is considered good trading etiquette.

6) Look in to pay pal or x.com services. When you buy, offer to send the money in email. This is much faster than snail mail, and you get ten bucks for every person you refer! Not to mention cutting shipping times in half.

7) Use http://heatware.elitehardware.com for everything it is worth. Help others to establish a good trading reputation and they will do the same for you.

8) Dont be afraid to ask questions before the deal is done. Better to clear up any misunderstandings before items are shipped.

9)Avoid flame wars. If you see an item outrageously priced, please keep your comments to themselves. Dont post them, but if you feel you have to intervene, then do it discretely in an email.

10)Document document document. Make copies of any paperwork in case you misplace them. Invest in a $20 filing cabinet, and make a folder for trades organized by month or name. This greatly helps in organization.

11)Post praise for trade back on the BB. This helps new traders know who is respected and who is not.

Any others you can think of guys?