My 2 cents Frustration

[Tigerkn]

Please let me air this out.....................

If you post item for sale in the Sell section, Please DO NOT do this, it is really pissing people off (see below).
Once you are committed your posted sale item to a buyer, KEEP YOUR WORD and stick with it.

My used Tamron 17-50mm purchase experience so far :lol::
1st Seller back out before I can PP him.
2nd Seller sold to another Buyer after committed to sell it to me.

20 Hours Ago, 11:18
Seller: Tamron 17-50 2.8
I have a very nice Tamron 17-50 for sale at $335 CONUS (PayPal extra). It has been used very little and is sharp with nice colors. It is in LNIB condition with no box. I do not have the box as it was purchased about 18 months ago when I was just switching to digital and learning.
Extra photos available upon request.
I have purchased a Mark II so that is why I am selling it.

20 Hours Ago, 11:39
Tigerkn: PMed:
B,
More picture please (email address)
Please chat to save time from PM (phone number)
I am around zip 92591 and 92584
Any FF problem from this lens?
Is it still under warranty? If yes....
Do you still have the blank warranty card?
Thanks in advance!!!!
Kevin

PMed by Seller
Tiger,
Will send some more pics later tonight.
I am in Escondido so close.
No FF problems that I have seen.
Am digging out the receipt and warranty card later to check on.
D aka b


Email by Seller with picture of the lens and picture taken by the lens
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 7:17 PM
Kevin,
Here are more pics.
I am fine with meeting halfway.
I have receipt and warranty card but it was filled out and faxed in so I do not know about Tamron that way.
I have not had FF problems with it that I can see.
I have probably taken less then 150 pictures with it. I am more a sports photo guy.
D aka b

Email replied by me
On 5/20/09 10:19 PM, "KN" <email> wrote:
Wow .... thanks D for spent the time to search for the receive and the warranty card. Also thanks for willing to drive half way and pictures and and and......
Please let me know when is convenience for you. I will try my best to match with your availability.
Again my number is xxxxxxxxxxx

Look what I got in the mail box this morning. Another Seller “makes my day”Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009, 8:01 AM
Kevin,
Since I had it listed in a couple of areas, another local guy came and picked it up last night. Your email did not come through until late last night.
Sorry
D

[The Moose]

Things like this are disappointing. I don't understand why people would list things on more than one website, especially when it's an item that sells regularly on somewhere like POTN. I hope your luck turns and you find one soon mate. Maybe even a cheaper price in better condition!

[Tigerkn]

Thanks TM!

[Mr. Clean]

It does suck but sometimes when you're selling something, you get a ton of questions and no firm commitments. Someone comes around and says "I'll take it" and there you go.
Think of it this way. You're in a camera store window shopping. You ask to see a lens out of the display case, fondle it a bit. Put it back on the counter and walk around. Someone comes up and tells the shop owner they'll buy it.
I know I've made a few people mad in the past because of this but on the other hand I've been burned holding something for someone while they decide only to have them change their mind a day or two later. Meanwhile I have passed up multiple potential buyers and have to repost the for sale thread...

[BigBlueDodge]

As a frequent buyer/seller of gear I can share in the frustration.

When you sell something, you get the initial rush of irrational responses. These are people who just saw your post and say they want it without really thinking it through. Then after a short time they realize that they acted too hasty, don't have the money, or what ever reason, and then they tell you that they will pass on it (if they are nice), or just don't even get back to you. Then you get the people who say they want it, are absolutely serious, but want a couple of days to get the money together. If you accept, and are willing to wait, you have to turn away other people who want to buy the lens. And then, after a week or so you find out that your original buy can't get the money, or has changed his mind.

Of course this is after all of the low ballers. If you put a $600 lens up for sale for $500, I can guarantee you that you will get at least 2 people who will offer you $350 total and expect you to eat shipping and paypal costs. I bought a brand new UW 35L for $1180 + shipping. After 2 months I realized that it wasn't the focal length for me, and I posted it for sale as $1000 shipped/paypalled. That is over a $200 savings on a practically brand new lens when you consider I was eating the cost of PayPal and Shipping. I had numerous people offer me $900 shipped/paypalled because they saw a UR or UT 35L (i.e 3-5 year old lens) sell on the forum for $900 two weeks earlier. When I explain to them that those lenses were 3-5 years old, and didn't have the original boxes while mine was absolutely pristine, included everything as new, and was $200 less than new, I was told that I was being unreasonable....lol

After selling over $12K worth of gear in these online forums, as much as I hate to say this, as a Seller my advice is "Take the money and run". If you have someone who is willing to send you money now, then take it. Money in your hand is much better than many commitments in an email. I now put in a disclaimer in all of my for sales post that first one who sends money gets the item, not the first one who responds. You have to remember that it doesn't take people long to change their minds and sale is never guaranteed until money exchanges hand. I've had people contact me at 8:00pm in the evening and commit to buying my lens/camera the next morning. We even talk on the phone. Next morning comes, and I get an email/pm that they've changed their mind. Ughh.

So, this looks like the same situation. The seller got a buyer who was willing to meet him that night and he took the opportunity.

While it certainly sucks for you, what you probably have not been aware of is the number of low ball offers the seller has received, or the number of non-commital buyers that he has had to sift through to get to the point of selling his lens.

[Tigerkn]

Thanks MC and BBD to put this into difference perspectives.
I am over it now :) and learned my lesson. Like Mike and Dave mentioned the key words should have been use during the communication process "I will take it". I thought by asking the seller to drive half way is more than "I will take it" but I guess not :). Anyway, I am back to used lens hunting again.

[Psychobiker]

I'm beginning to lose my temper too, there are people who think $400 for a gripped mint 400D is over the top. And they ask you how much, when it is clearly stated!!!.

Then, no return PM. So you PM them back and a curt one liner tells you they 'found a better deal'.

That's it. First come, first served with me now!!