Gumtree buyer paid cash on inspection but hasn't collected

UnclePennybags

Hello All. After numerous messages exchanged, the buyer sent an agent (spouse?) to inspect the large garden item and the full sale price was handed over in cash. No specific collection date was agreed but the agent was advised that there are landscaping works pending. So far, no collection and after a week or so I sent a message to the original correspondent via the Gumtree portal asking about arrangements for collection. After a few more days of no reply, sent a gentle "prod".

Planning ahead, with no other means of contacting buyer and no names/addresses exchanged, what are your views on next steps, please Forumites?

HampshireH

Sounds a bit odd. How long ago was this and when did they say their landscaping would be complete.

Weather has been awful so landscaping opportunities limited I expect over recent weeks.

Did you indicate how long you would offer free storage for?

I would contact via Gumtree giving a deadline for collection. Don't spend the funds

GDB2222

Can I ask how much money is involved? There’s no point getting stuck into the legal niceties if you’re just talking about £10. 

The other issue is that you presumably need to be rid of this item, and you can’t do your landscaping work round it.

In practice, all you can do is nag a couple of times more, and then issue a formal notice that you will dispose of the item in say two weeks unless they come and collect it. That then opens up questions about how you dispose of it, eg how easy was it to sell in the first place? If you do get money for selling it a second time, that would belong to the original buyer. OTOH, as time runs out, you might have to pay to dispose of it. 

Norman_Castle

How much have they paid and how big is the item? They may have changed their mind after realising the cost and effort of moving it. With no contact from them I'd be tempted to sell it to someone else and refund them on request. Probably not legal but are they likely to sue for breach of contract?

diystarter7

Good morning OP

There is a possibility that something has happened to the buyer.
When did you sell, is it in the way, is the cost over what amounts

I'm a bit surprised no one has said this but contact Gumtree for advice and take it from there

Good luck and have a pleasant Sunday

UnclePennybags

HampshireH said:

Sounds a bit odd. How long ago was this and when did they say their landscaping would be complete.

Weather has been awful so landscaping opportunities limited I expect over recent weeks.

Did you indicate how long you would offer free storage for?

I would contact via Gumtree giving a deadline for collection. Don't spend the funds

6th Jan; I'm wanting the garden ready for landscaping (sorry not to be clear but didn't want to personalise it unduly). Storage wasn't mentioned because they seemed very keen and there was plenty of chat about how they would get the shed out.

Thanks for the advice.

UnclePennybags

GDB2222 said:

Can I ask how much money is involved? There’s no point getting stuck into the legal niceties if you’re just talking about £10. 

The other issue is that you presumably need to be rid of this item, and you can’t do your landscaping work round it.

In practice, all you can do is nag a couple of times more, and then issue a formal notice that you will dispose of the item in say two weeks unless they come and collect it. That then opens up questions about how you dispose of it, eg how easy was it to sell in the first place? If you do get money for selling it a second time, that would belong to the original buyer. OTOH, as time runs out, you might have to pay to dispose of it. 

It's over a hundred ££.  So odd! Landscaping - yes, that's right. Thanks for the advice - maybe the cleanest way if I go down the route of disposing is find someone to do the removal for the same amount I got for it.

UnclePennybags

Norman_Castle said:

How much have they paid and how big is the item? They may have changed their mind after realising the cost and effort of moving it. With no contact from them I'd be tempted to sell it to someone else and refund them on request. Probably not legal but are they likely to sue for breach of contract?

Yes, another good suggestion.

UnclePennybags

diystarter7 said:

Good morning OP

There is a possibility that something has happened to the buyer.
When did you sell, is it in the way, is the cost over what amounts

I'm a bit surprised no one has said this but contact Gumtree for advice and take it from there

Good luck and have a pleasant Sunday

Yes, true, anything could have happened I suppose ... thanks for responding ... I'll check with Gumtree and check that my messages will have been getting through.

TVM - have a great day yourself

MalMonroe

diystarter7 said:

Good morning OP

There is a possibility that something has happened to the buyer.
When did you sell, is it in the way, is the cost over what amounts

I'm a bit surprised no one has said this but contact Gumtree for advice and take it from there

Good luck and have a pleasant Sunday

Hi, diystarter7 took the words right out of my mouth! Or the equivalent for typing.

I was just looking to see if there was a 'contact us' on Gumtree as well and there is - https://help.gumtree.com/s/

Nothing more to add except to say that I hope it gets sorted out and that the buyer gets in touch soon. All the best.

UnclePennybags

MalMonroe said:

diystarter7 said:

Good morning OP

There is a possibility that something has happened to the buyer.
When did you sell, is it in the way, is the cost over what amounts

I'm a bit surprised no one has said this but contact Gumtree for advice and take it from there

Good luck and have a pleasant Sunday

Hi, diystarter7 took the words right out of my mouth! Or the equivalent for typing.

I was just looking to see if there was a 'contact us' on Gumtree as well and there is - https://help.gumtree.com/s/

Nothing more to add except to say that I hope it gets sorted out and that the buyer gets in touch soon. All the best.

Oh great! Thanks for looking that up MalMunroe ... I'll email now