timewasters how to spot them

atarisrocks

i have tried recently selling items on ebay, gumtree, preloved, friday ads and various facebooks pages and im fed up of timewasters.

many of my items are at my parents due to lack of space in my flat (this is the reason im selling the items) so i clearly state that 2 day notice is needed for me to go and collect.

in the past month i have had 6 people say they are going to buy it, i make the 120 mile round trip (most the time same day so can be collected in the evening) and then they dont turn up and on facebook block my messages so i cant not contact them. i now have 3 large items i dont have space for and around £80 wasted petrol thanks to time wasters

is there a way to spot a time wasters?

Gary123456790

What about asking for a deposit via paypal?

Then you can be more sure they are good with their claims. Also ask for a contact phone number.

Thanks,

Gary.

atarisrocks

do i refund the deposit and then get cash when they arrive as i wouldnt want a item not received on ebay and lost the deposit

ballisticbrian

Start by selling only what you now have at your flat, and by doing so, your petrol wouldn't have been wasted and you will alleviate your space issues.

zerog

would it be possible for them to collect directly from your parents?

TrickyWicky

atarisrocks wrote: »

is there a way to spot a time wasters?

Er yeah.. don't tell people it's a 2 day collection as you have to go to your folks house. Thats a licence for people to annoy you.

atarisrocks

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Er yeah.. don't tell people it's a 2 day collection as you have to go to your folks house. Thats a licence for people to annoy you.

it up to most the time i go same day and have it ready by the evening

RFW

atarisrocks wrote: »

is there a way to spot a time wasters?

You tend to get a nose for it after a while, occasionally the ones you expect to not turn up surprise you.

Get a phone number and call them before you set off, then text them a little later asking to reconfirm Apologise but tell them you have been let down many times before and can't afford to lose another lot of petrol.

Also may be handy to arrange two or more at around the same time, that way you have a better chance of not totally wasting your time.

immie

I think asking for payment upfront on paypal might be a good deterrent.

When they pay you the cash you can refund the payment there and then if they are bothered about paypal fees.
I can totally sympathise, I wasted a day of mine and my brothers time and £40 in travel to go back to a flat I already vacated, because I sold the cooker on ebay, they had good feedback so I didn't think twice. the guy came round, and said 'nah don't like this one' and left! I could have punched him I was livid :mad:

RFW

immie wrote: »

I think asking for payment upfront on paypal might be a good deterrent.

It also opens up for the buyer claiming non receipt if they don't ask for a refund.

TrickyWicky

atarisrocks wrote: »

it up to most the time i go same day and have it ready by the evening

Thats besides the point. You've stated that you are stating this on ebay.

Chavs and people who are bored with nothing else to do (trolls) will be using this to their advantage to get their sick kicks out of you.

I've told you twice now. If you continue to publish this fact on ebay then you do so at your own peril.