potential buyer wants to view item first

Brooker_Dave

You seem to be making this sale far more difficult than it needs to be.

catalina66

jeffuk wrote: »

Sounds like you have a decent buyer, message them making it clear what price you want.

possibly, yes, but just taking time to mull over properly first. You're right about messaging them to make it clear about price. If they come back with anything other than the £150, I'd know more clearly to not relist and deal with them, but don't want to get into haggling.

catalina66

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

You seem to be making this sale far more difficult than it needs to be.

nothing wrong with being careful through mulling things over sensibly first. I'm not risking my home or well being over a £150 sale.

Flyonthewall

catalina66 wrote: »

The person who asked to view has replied, saying "sorry for misunderstanding, just wanted to view the device and check everything in good order . If still available and for sell I am interested and would like to view and pay cash on collection . I am free this weekend if any good please let me know . Thanks" Sounds a pleasant enough response on face value, although no ref to whether they mean they'll pay £100 or the actual £150, but I am still wary that they may view and haggle, and would know my address and possessions and state of health if I refuse, plus the item isn't listed anymore anyway (and I blocked them at the same time, incase of any malicious bidding, with not knowing them).

You could message them back and confirm the price. State you're willing to sell for £150 and whether this weekend would be ok or not.

They may haggle. Just say no, sorry, I can't possibly go any lower.

As said before, put anything of value out the way. They won't even know you've got it then. Only let them in the room they need to go in, close other doors. Nothing to see.

If they seem nice and genuine they probably are! It's highly unlikely you're going to get some crazy guy going round demanding less and stealing your stuff, or coming back to your address to bother you. Even less so if you make sure there's no confusion about the price you're willing to accept and the items really are in such good condition.

Be honest, be clear, be polite and you should have a happy buyer.

If you want to sell it at some point you're going to have to trust someone based on a message or two. You can't get to know everything about them, their families and their past before you sell to them.The only way around it is selling to someone you already know, which obviously reduces your chance of selling it.

Flyonthewall

How about thinking about it from the buyers point of view? They have no idea who they'll be dealing with. A lot of people, especially if alone, aren't keen on going round to a strangers house to buy an item.

Even if you state your health is poor they don't know if you're telling the truth and it doesn't mean you couldn't still rip them off or hurt them or have someone else there in good health who could do something.

It's sold as seen, no refunds, and they're paying £150 cash, that's not just a few quid. Most people wouldn't want to lose that much. It could be a lot of money to them.

They are probably also worried about taking the time to go there and finding out it's not at all as advertised.

If it is as advertised then they've got it get it out the house and packed into the car which could take some effort.

Chances are the buyers just as nervous about the exchange as you.

catalina66

Flyonthewall wrote: »

You could message them back and confirm the price. State you're willing to sell for £150 and whether this weekend would be ok or not. They may haggle. Just say no, sorry, I can't possibly go any lower. As said before, put anything of value out the way. They won't even know you've got it then. Only let them in the room they need to go in, close other doors. Nothing to see. If they seem nice and genuine they probably are! Be honest, be clear, be polite and you should have a happy buyer. If you want to sell it at some point you're going to have to trust someone based on a message or two. The only way around it is selling to someone you already know, which obviously reduces your chance of selling it.

Flyonthewall wrote: »

How about thinking about it from the buyers point of view? They have no idea who they'll be dealing with. A lot of people, especially if alone, aren't keen on going round to a strangers house to buy an item. Even if you state your health is poor they don't know if you're telling the truth and it doesn't mean you couldn't still rip them off or hurt them or have someone else there in good health who could do something. It's sold as seen, no refunds, and they're paying £150 cash, that's not just a few quid. Most people wouldn't want to lose that much. It could be a lot of money to them. They are probably also worried about taking the time to go there and finding out it's not at all as advertised. If it is as advertised then they've got it get it out the house and packed into the car which could take some effort. Chances are the buyers just as nervous about the exchange as you.

Yes, it was them asking me if they could view when the photos were so comprehensive that threw me, but I'm glad I asked here anyway; have learnt a lot, and appreciate that.

I already knew from the buyer's side that they're getting a really good deal and that I'm totally honest; from experience, I really do have to be careful, and am not at all insensitive to others, despite that. I knew the buyer would see it's a quiet cul-de-sac/sheltered housing too. They seem very confident in asking to view, wanting to pay less, and about changing the deal to cash without asking me, so I'm not sure they'll be particularly nervous. They won't be alone either; there'll be two of them and one of me. If they're wanting a gym, I'm not too worried about them being happy to carry it to the car, lol. And I made sure they didn't know I'd blocked them for now, to make sure their feelings weren't hurt if they are a genuine person.

I can't hide anything except the ipad, as they'd have to walk through the main room to get to the room where the gym is, but I suppose it'd be obvious I'm not rich, other than a pc and a tv.

Anyway, I'll mull it over further. It's my home, well being and peace of mind, and my responsibility to make the choice. Thanks for everything I've learnt. Appreciated it.

Flyonthewall

catalina66 wrote: »

Yes, it was them asking me if they could view when the photos were so comprehensive that threw me, but I'm glad I asked here anyway; have learnt a lot, and appreciate that.

Can never have too many photos for something of that value. It could be that there were a couple of things they wanted to see a close-up shot of or something.

I've looked at listings before that have had loads of photos, but what I've wanted to see has been a close up of how something fastens together or a model number or something quite small that maybe not everyone would care about and they've managed to take photos of everything except that one thing.

I already knew from the buyer's side that they're getting a really good deal and that I'm totally honest; from experience, I really do have to be careful, and am not at all insensitive to others, despite that. I knew the buyer would see it's a quiet cul-de-sac/sheltered housing too.

That's what you know. The buyer, I'm sure, knows it's a good deal. They do not know you're honest. They hope you are, they don't know for sure. They don't know you.

Right now they have no idea where you live. I doubt most people will think anything of it being a quiet cul-de-sac. I have a friend who lives on a quiet cul-de-sac, I've never thought anything of it, it makes no difference. It's just a road with houses on.

They seem very confident in asking to view, wanting to pay less, and about changing the deal to cash without asking me, so I'm not sure they'll be particularly nervous. They won't be alone either; there'll be two of them and one of me. If they're wanting a gym, I'm not too worried about them being happy to carry it to the car, lol.

They asked via a written message. You can't tell how nervous someone is feeling through a written message intended to be clear and simple and to someone you don't know. You keep it short, to the point and polite. It's also far easier to talk about money when you're not having to look at the person, you can't hear them, know their reaction or actually have to view the money being handed over at that point.

Most people prefer cash on collection as it's safer and...well, who doesn't like being handed a load of cash? lol. They probably assumed you'd be fine with it as most people would be.

You may not be worried, but they may be wondering how they're going to get it all home. They may have a really small car or be thinking about if seats need to be put down or roof bars put on or whatever. It's something extra they need to consider. It doesn't matter to you once you've sold it, but it's obviously going to matter to them as they need to get it home somehow.

I can't hide anything except the ipad, as they'd have to walk through the main room to get to the room where the gym is, but I suppose it'd be obvious I'm not rich, other than a pc and a tv.

Anyway, I'll mull it over further. It's my home, well being and peace of mind, and my responsibility to make the choice. Thanks for everything I've learnt. Appreciated it.

Electronics are most obvious, but make sure any jewellery, ornaments or things like that are out the way too and anything that has meaning to you (in case it gets damaged while moving things).

Desktops aren't often worth a great deal and are generally bulky, fairly heavy items with wires everywhere. So no worries about anyone trying to take the PC. A laptop is more likely but they can easily be moved.

Indeed. Entirely up to you what you decide to do. I hope you manage to sell it all for the price you want

catalina66

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Can never have too many photos for something of that value. It could be that there were a couple of things they wanted to see a close-up shot of or something.

Right now they have no idea where you live. I doubt most people will think anything of it being a quiet cul-de-sac. I have a friend who lives on a quiet cul-de-sac, I've never thought anything of it, it makes no difference. It's just a road with houses on.

They asked via a written message. You can't tell how nervous someone is feeling through a written message intended to be clear and simple and to someone you don't know.

Most people prefer cash on collection as it's safer and...well, who doesn't like being handed a load of cash? lol. They probably assumed you'd be fine with it as most people would be.

It doesn't matter to you once you've sold it, but it's obviously going to matter to them as they need to get it home somehow.

Electronics are most obvious, but make sure any jewellery, ornaments or things like that are out the way too and anything that has meaning to you (in case it gets damaged while moving things).

Desktops aren't often worth a great deal and are generally bulky, fairly heavy items with wires everywhere. So no worries about anyone trying to take the PC. A laptop is more likely but they can easily be moved.

Indeed. Entirely up to you what you decide to do. I hope you manage to sell it all for the price you want

I'd have gladly provided an extra photo if they'd asked, and saved them a journey, lol. The questioner's actions do seem confident to me, but I of course understand that in general both buyers and sellers are bound to have qualms. With respect, I'd have thought they'd only buy the gym if they knew they could transport it, plus with two of them it should be fine. It's sheltered housing, lots of dangerous old people plus younger me, lol (just having a laugh there, not a go at you). Yes, the buyer doesn't know that.

I'm really not being unfair, but, with not being aware of my full situation, and me unable to share that, things are possibly being misunderstood, which is neither of our faults, so I just need to stop things, due to the implication coming in that I'm being unreasonable. It was a general concern I had when posting, that anybody would have checked about, so whatever I haven't included didn't need including.

Have always put others first all my life, and ended up with dreadful health and a lot of serious issues as a result. Need to look out for myself about this, as I obviously was too naive about this sale, know I'm too vulnerable, and I think it's best I just don't bother selling it at this point. Selling is already complicated, but it's best to know when to call it a day and do other things, as we all do at some point. But I really do appreciate the advice you gave and the time you took to post; have learnt a lot, and, as and when I can, will definitely apply it.

Flyonthewall

catalina66 wrote: »

I'd have gladly provided an extra photo if they'd asked, and saved them a journey, lol. The questioner's actions do seem confident to me, but I of course understand that in general both buyers and sellers are bound to have qualms.

Yeah, but they're messaging in a more professional way which comes across as confident. They're not going to tell you they're nervous, that'd be silly as you don't need to know that and you could take advantage of it. It's business, not personal. It's the same reason you're not going to message back listing all your worries.

With respect, I'd have thought they'd only buy the gym if they knew they could transport it, plus with two of them it should be fine.

You would think but people can be really stupid. Two people and a small car just means less room. Course, some people will tie anything to the roof, have things hanging out of windows or the boot and not think twice about it even if it's clearly not safe.

Never under-estimate how stupid some people can be lol.

I'm really not being unfair, but, with not being aware of my full situation, and me unable to share that, things are possibly being misunderstood, which is neither of our faults, so I just need to stop things, due to the implication coming in that I'm being unreasonable.

Have always put others first all my life, and ended up with dreadful health and a lot of serious issues as a result. Need to look out for myself about this, as I obviously was too naive about this sale, know I'm too vulnerable, and I think it's best I just don't bother selling it at this point. Selling is already complicated, but it's best to know when to call it a day and do other things, as we all do at some point. But I really do appreciate the advice you gave and the time you took to post; have learnt a lot, and, as and when I can, will definitely apply it.

You're the only one who knows your full situation and how you feel. It's really not as complicated as it may seem. There's always a risk with selling, but you just have to go with your instinct. Think things through, but don't over-think them or you'll always find something to worry about and chances are it'll never happen.

catalina66

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Yeah, but they're messaging in a more professional way which comes across as confident. They're not going to tell you they're nervous, that'd be silly as you don't need to know that and you could take advantage of it. It's business, not personal. It's the same reason you're not going to message back listing all your worries.

You would think but people can be really stupid. Two people and a small car just means less room. Course, some people will tie anything to the roof, have things hanging out of windows or the boot and not think twice about it even if it's clearly not safe.

Never under-estimate how stupid some people can be lol.

You're the only one who knows your full situation and how you feel. It's really not as complicated as it may seem. There's always a risk with selling, but you just have to go with your instinct. Think things through, but don't over-think them or you'll always find something to worry about and chances are it'll never happen.

Absolutely; I don't believe in sharing worries or nerves either, for the very reason you said. Was just having to say something as there was an inference I was being unreasonable.

It's the buyer's decision if they want to buy, and how they transport it. I don't think I need to feel sorry for them about that, as I'm not forcing anyone to buy it. Not even listed now. But, yes, when people really want something, they'll transport it in very novel ways, lol.

Yes, instinct is definitely best. I don't go with over-thinking or unnecessary worrying, and it's good to take time now to do other things and see what comes clear.