Dealing with a vendor through facebook

silvercar

The advantage/ disadvantage of Facebook messenger is that you never exchange phone numbers or email addresses and can block further contact.

Rain_Shadow

silvercar wrote: »

The advantage/ disadvantage of Facebook messenger is that you never exchange phone numbers or email addresses and can block further contact.

Indeed. It's a very useful tool.

eddddy

Taking a step back, I guess the real question is 'Is it better for buyer and seller to communicate directly, or via the EA?'

It depends how rational, reasonable, knowledgeable and organised the buyer and seller are.

A good EA will...
- chivvy along disorganised/lazy buyers and sellers
- diffuse arguments between buyer and seller
- negotiate compromises
- explain the process to inexperienced buyers/sellers


TBH, I've seen a number of transactions fall apart (with massive arguments) because there is no EA to 'manage' the buyer and seller.

The success rate seems higher when there's a good EA sitting between the buyer and seller.

moneyistooshorttomention

I'd agree that a good EA (if one can find such a creature) is worth having.

My last one dealt with any unrealistic demands from my buyer for me and defused things.

EA for the vendor of my current house defused fact I'd blown my top at vendor for something (ie carrying on trying to market the house after they'd agreed my offer) and toned down the message of "Buyer has just hit the ceiling after finding that fact out - you are in the doghouse bigtime" - but got the message over that that had to stop or I'd walk.

They've got a sight more "tact and diplomacy" than some of us:rotfl:

MistyZ

But why Facebook? Wouldn't phone or email be more efficient?

At this rate, we'll have world leaders communicating by Twitter LOL.

moneyistooshorttomention

MistyZ wrote: »

But why Facebook? Wouldn't phone or email be more efficient?

At this rate, we'll have world leaders communicating by Twitter LOL.

They might as well - all t'others probably know what they're saying anyway (now we're in the First Cyberwar):cool:

Maybe carrier pigeon then?;)

kilby_007

Sorry, I should've said - obviously it's not very professional to use facebook but the idea would be just to leave a message with my mobile number so that they could get in touch if they wanted to, not to actually make an offer via facebook, but that is my only means of contact as their number is not in the local phone directory. That said I wouldn't be shy of using facebook/email after a price is agreed to aid the sale (it can be difficult communicating and agreeing on exchange dates through a solicitor).

In terms of not wanting to use the EA, my reasoning is that I know they will be prohibitive after previously calling them out on a sale "to a mate" (who even had the gall to attend the group viewing and attempt to put everyone else off in between chatting to the EA about their night out...). The house went up for sale on the Friday, there was a group viewing on the Saturday, and we offered on the Monday (10% above the asking price) but they were doing their best to ignore our calls and emails to follow up. When I did finally get in touch via phone 3 days after our offer it was "already sold" and so I said "it was never really for sale was it" and they obviously played it down so it left a bad taste.... So, you can see my reservations about dealing with that EA!

Should have given a bit more background, clearly!

kilby_007

Oh, and yes I did mean messenger, not on their wall! Think of it as txt or email if you like. At the end of the day it's black text on a white background directed only to the recipient, whichever way you look at it!

moneyistooshorttomention

Well - maybe just leaving your mobile number - via the message service on Facebook might be a thought. Hopefully you might get lucky and they give you their mobile number in return?

....and then continue proceedings in the standard way.

gingercordial

kilby_007 wrote: »

Oh, and yes I did mean messenger, not on their wall! Think of it as txt or email if you like. At the end of the day it's black text on a white background directed only to the recipient, whichever way you look at it!

Bear in mind that if you are not already friends on Facebook your message will be automatically filtered to their message requests folder which is quite hidden in the app; they will not get a notification and they may not ever see it unless they are in the habit of checking that folder (most people aren't). So a lack of response won't tell you anything.

Why don't you go via the old school route and write to them or put a note through their door?