why marketplace can be frustrating

vacheron

People often ask me why I stubbornly insist on using that "expensive" eBay to sell my unwanted stuff instead of Marketplace because "It's free you know!".

OK Mr Smartypants, try finding me someone within driving distance of my house who just happens to need a 2 millimeter high , £40 cannon pinion for a 1960s Piaget 9P1 wristwatch movement(*) and I will gladly admit my foolishness! 



(*) Because Sigurður in Reykjavík certainly does!   

FFHillbilly

I have just given away an old kitchen on fakebook marketplace, the listing had all the sizes, loads of pictures,  and an honest description (greasy and tatty, but  solid and would do for a garage/shed or utility room at a push) 
I had 2 people offer me money about 5 mins after the listing went live (£15 and £20) and then when I said "it's free" they were upset and demanded to know what was wrong with it, and why it was free?
had messages from people with international profiles, asking for my address and contact details (the collection address was on the listing)
had someone ask if the entire kitchen would fit in a "small van"
I'm so glad it all went in 3 days and I don't have to do a tip run, and can delete that facebook listing, all the idiots on there are exhausting

theoretica

I am on three local freeshare groups - small medium and large in both membership and area covered.  I am a great fan of small in particular and medium is OK. People are in walking distance, so actually come, and because there aren't so many people on it there is less of an atmosphere of claiming stuff immediately and then deciding if you want it/can collect.

subjecttocontract

There is non as strange as folk........

I sold a large table frame for £10, it was all it was worth, collect only. Size was on the listing. Buyer turned up in a Fiat 500..... it was obviously not going to fit inside the car. They did apologise but I was speechless at their stupity.  However, little did I know it was going to get worse. They arranged a courier to collect it, cost them £86 ! You couldnt make it up. 
 
I advertised a china jardinaire & flowerpot, collect only. Guy in Scotland wanted to buy it and asked if I would post it. I said no, it's very breakable and I wouldn't take the risk. He offered to accept all the risk and to arrange a courier. I spent 45 minutes bubblewrapping, protecting and boxing it to within a inch of its life. Courier collected it and the guy messaged me 2 days later to tell me it had arrived smashed to pieces. He wasn't annoyed with me cos he said he could see I had wrapped it well......I think he claimed on his insurance.

I don't deal much with couriers these days.

soolin

I'm listing lots on various groups at the moment as well as on marketplace , it's even worse than it used to be. I had someone 'collect' something this morning, fully described and photographed with measurements who didn't want it as it was too small and felt i had wasted their time. Apparently putting something like 18 cms tall by 9 cm wide is meaningless and doesn't help the buyer decide how big it is.

I have been listing free stuff on local goodwill sites as well , someone was asking for a dinner service as they have nothing, not even a paper plate to eat from. I offered them an old Ikea set, plates bowls mugs etc but apparently they felt a bit insulted as they aren't a student, and that's 'student stuff'!

I've also listed lots and lots of glass ornaments for free, had a question from someone about brands and then a PM saying she desperately needs Swarovski as it reminds her of her mother who died recently. I've now had a couple of people jump onto the thread saying that if I get contacted for expensive items then let admin know as someone is asking for all sorts of expensive brands that either remind her of her mother, or her poor dead child or her brother- she only wants the absolute best and it is all getting sold on a different site! Although I did hand over 2 large sacks of vintage china and glass, beer steins etc last week to someone who apparently runs a business , I didn't get the warning until after the stuff had gone. 

GDB2222

I’m not so worried about people picking up my free tat and selling it for a profit. At least, it is getting used. 

The no shows bother me more.

I now don’t sell anything that’s worth under £20. Anything under that gets given away to the charity shop. 

soolin

GDB2222 said:

I’m not so worried about people picking up my free tat and selling it for a profit. At least, it is getting used. 

The no shows bother me more.

I now don’t sell anything that’s worth under £20. Anything under that gets given away to the charity shop. 

I don't usually care and in fact often give away 'car boot lots', this annoyed me as he had a whole sob story about needing it, and the group specifically is for people in need or charities that can resell. 

christianick

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

even better when you're giving something away and they want you to deliver!

yeaaaah, this one is simply the best
I love such people so much)))
like what is wrong with you? do you even imagine and think about any situations and things in your life???? they are NPC trust me

Spoonie_Turtle

soolin said:

… fully described and photographed with measurements who didn't want it as it was too small and felt i had wasted their time. Apparently putting something like 18 cms tall by 9 cm wide is meaningless and doesn't help the buyer decide how big it is.

You mean you don't instantaneously deliver a free tape measure to everyone who clicks on your listings?!

soolin

Spoonie_Turtle said:

soolin said:

… fully described and photographed with measurements who didn't want it as it was too small and felt i had wasted their time. Apparently putting something like 18 cms tall by 9 cm wide is meaningless and doesn't help the buyer decide how big it is.

You mean you don't instantaneously deliver a free tape measure to everyone who clicks on your listings?!

I know, I’m a lousy seller 😔