Best advice to sellers!

dogcat1

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Ok, we all like to buy and sell. We all want a smooth transaction. Let me ask - as a buyer, what is your best advice to someone posting something for sale here? What do you dislike? What does your best seller look like?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
 
Be straight up, with price, type of payment accepted, where item is located, and detail pictures of the item being sold.

I'm afraid that this post might give the scammers some new ideas.
 
This post thread from 2022 shows what not to do...

If you click in the above post the thread will open. That thread appeared on a Saturday morning and I don't think I ever laughed so hard!

For this I posted my now famous bunch of banannas with a recent newspaper clearly showing the date.
Otherwise, a card with your name and date in it shows the sale items are not from a copied Internet photo.
1735051607384.jpeg
 
Be precise with what is for sale and the condition/price of the rifle/scope/ammo. Most people on here are pretty well versed in what they want to buy so quality photos with good lighting goes a long way in eliminating back and forth follow-up questions or concerns.
 
One thing that really bugs me is when someone posts trades only. Everything has a cash value
 
I might add, New member's items will be looked at. And scrutinized thoughly. The above suggestions are most helpful!!
 
I would really like it if in the title, "For Sale" was part of it. I have looked at listings and it's not always apparent that the item is for sale. Some people put FS and I initially think Full Stock. Others use WTS or WTB. As the Big Guy says, "C'mon Man!" :A Stirring:
 
I only buy from members that are well established.. By that I don’t mean high post counts or longevity in membership…

It’s easy to create an account and let it sit for a year to claim they’ve been around for a while and it’s easy to post 100 “welcome” messages to get a post count up..

Well established (to me), means relationships are built… they’ve communicated in numerous threads and carried on conversations with people… typically at least a couple of other members have actually met them in person (they’ve attended a DSC or SCI event, or have hung out with someone else that’s local to them)… and as often as not I’ve actually communicated with them directly a few times whether by DM or in a thread, that is completely unrelated to the sale thread..

If at least one or two of those qualifiers aren’t met, I don’t buy…
 
I’ve had more issues with poor behavior from buyers on this forum than sellers, but here we go.

For sellers….

Honesty in the description, usually not a problem on this forum but occasionally it has been.

Price, location, pics, payment and possible trade interests should all be fully disclosed in add.

Don’t post too many items in one post - book sellers are bad about this.

For buyers….

If you need permission from your wife to buy something- get that permission before asking endless questions and multiple requests for more pics!

I’ve also had a couple of members decide they will determine not only the shipping rate but also the payment method, this usually goes something like…..

“Hey, I posted I’ll take it on your add and got your information from another buddy on the forum so I’m sending you a personal check and I included an extra $10 for shipping”
 
I have a few “theories” that I use as a seller.

1.) People want it fast. Take digital payments.

2.) People want it to arrive. Don’t jerk people around with the nonsense USPS, pay extra and do Fedex or UPS that has a service-level commitment for delivery. (FYI - You can’t even attempt a recovery of a USPS priority package unless its MIA for TEN business days)

3.) People like communication. I always copy-paste the shipping label into the PM so people know there stuff is heading their way.

4.) Tell them up front on the ad where you will and won’t ship. Hawaii and Alaska are problematic to ship to, if you’re willing, bless you, if you’re not, spell it out.

5.) Don’t jerk the buyer around waiting for their check to clear. It’s all a fiction. Either reject them as a customer, or send them their stuff. It takes about THREE WEEKS to definitively find out that a check is bad. About TWO WEEKS for a cashier’s check to be identified as truly bogus. Jerking people around for an arbitrary 2-3-4-5 days waiting until your bank “clears” the check is stupid, because it isn’t “clear” in 2-3-4-5 days, your bank has just “lent” you the money on your recognizance and a claw back could happen many days later.

6.) If the item is very expensive, the seller should have an insurance policy covering it in transport. You can assign a cost to the buyer, or you can eat the costs, but don’t SOL the buyer if you can help it.

7.) Always share your contact info via PM and your phone number via PM when closing the deal. Only 5% of people take me up on the call, but they know how to find me and I think that gives a bit of assurance to a buyer.

8.) Keep your listings up to date. It’s annoying to see listings years old that may/may not be still available.

9.) Lower your prices. If it isn’t selling, either drop your price or end the listing and sell it somewhere else. Either it was the wrong audience or the wrong price, having it “back to the top” for months on end at the same price is dumb.

10.) Never, ever, ever play middleman. It's insulting and the deals always turn to $h!t. If it isn't your stuff, you don't know what you're talking about and you're not going to take a return or exchange, stay out of it. You're also liable for your own misstatements. If you act as an agent for another in a sale, you deserve all the hell that comes your way. I can't recall a deal in life I've had with a middleman that ever went correctly, most recently I had to threaten suit on a used car deposit because the guy misstated the year because it was his friend's car. I should have known better than dealing with middlemen.
 
I have a few “theories” that I use as a seller.

1.) People want it fast. Take digital payments.

2.) People want it to arrive. Don’t jerk people around with the nonsense USPS, pay extra and do Fedex or UPS that has a service-level commitment for delivery. (FYI - You can’t even attempt a recovery of a USPS priority package unless its MIA for TEN business days)

3.) People like communication. I always copy-paste the shipping label into the PM so people know there stuff is heading their way.

4.) Tell them up front on the ad where you will and won’t ship. Hawaii and Alaska are problematic to ship to, if you’re willing, bless you, if you’re not, spell it out.

5.) Don’t jerk the buyer around waiting for their check to clear. It’s all a fiction. Either reject them as a customer, or send them their stuff. It takes about THREE WEEKS to definitively find out that a check is bad. About TWO WEEKS for a cashier’s check to be identified as truly bogus. Jerking people around for an arbitrary 2-3-4-5 days waiting until your bank “clears” the check is stupid, because it isn’t “clear” in 2-3-4-5 days, your bank has just “lent” you the money on your recognizance and a claw back could happen many days later.

6.) If the item is very expensive, the seller should have an insurance policy covering it in transport. You can assign a cost to the buyer, or you can eat the costs, but don’t SOL the buyer if you can help it.

7.) Always share your contact info via PM and your phone number via PM when closing the deal. Only 5% of people take me up on the call, but they know how to find me and I think that gives a bit of assurance to a buyer.

8.) Keep your listings up to date. It’s annoying to see listings years old that may/may not be still available.

9.) Lower your prices. If it isn’t selling, either drop your price or end the listing and sell it somewhere else. Either it was the wrong audience or the wrong price, having it “back to the top” for months on end at the same price is dumb.

10.) Never, ever, ever play middleman. It's insulting and the deals always turn to $h!t. If it isn't your stuff, you don't know what you're talking about and you're not going to take a return or exchange, stay out of it. You're also liable for your own misstatements. If you act as an agent for another in a sale, you deserve all the hell that comes your way. I can't recall a deal in life I've had with a middleman that ever went correctly, most recently I had to threaten suit on a used car deposit because the guy misstated the year because it was his friend's car. I should have known better than dealing with middlemen.
All really good points. #9 and #10 are especially salient.
 
For buyers:

1.) Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I've had 1 hour phone arguments with people trying to tell me my item is crap, that it is inferior, that I should give them something off of it. It never hurts to ask for a discount, but if someone is selling say a $20,000 item for $15,000 and they KNOW its going to sell quick, let it go. Some sellers (me) try to price fairly to avoid bickering and tire kicking. Ask if you wish, accept what you hear, make a decision. Getting aggressive over literally a 2-3% discount is petty.

2.) You want items fast and you want great service, you're obligated to the same standard. If you want quick shipping, excellent packaging, and active communication, that means the seller is using their credit card to instantly process online shipping, altering their day to get it packed, and earnestly scheduling a pickup. You love all that as a buyer, so why would you send a paper check or a cashier's check that requires week/s to arrive and requires extra steps of a bank run to deposit your check? The seller is doing things fast and electronically at every step of the process, reciprocate.

3.) If you think the listing is seriously in error or the price is wacky, be bold enough to privately PM the seller politely. That's a good way to handle it and I've done that to sellers of counterfeit and defective rifles, as well as with incorrectly described rifles, or rifles that were 5x overprice. 100% of the time the seller just didn't know and took the news well because I was polite and factual, a testament to the quality of humans on this forum.

4.) Don't ghost. It's super annoying to see an "I'll take it" post, icing the sale for all others, then hunting the person for days on end to get payment sorted out. If you open your mouth to buy it, a PM should be forthcoming in the next 5 mins with exchange of details. Don't "squat" on a sale and then play hard to get.

5.) Don't say you'll buy something when an ad clearly states they won't ship/sell to your region. PM privately and ask for an exception, but don't presume you can defy the terms of sale that usually have good reasons. (e.g. I will not use the Post Office so therefore I will not ship to AK. Naturally, I'll break that rule if you pay the $100-$500 Fedex air costs, but I've never had anyone willing to do what is required for an exception)
 
Clear communication with buyer, nothing left to imagination. I’ve had all successful transactions here on AH. Good group of folks.
 
For me I would like to see a test target from the owner not the manufacturer. of what that particular rifle likes for bullet and load. It’s one of the best benefits of a used rifle. Not having to learn the hard way that it isn’t an accurate rifle. Or only prefers a slow fps or useless, obsolete bullet design

If it’s an easily found and purchased item. Don’t try to get retail. Unless you just enjoy answering questions and not selling the item.
 
A few things that irk me. First is posting an ad without pics and saying pics will be posted later. If you can't take the time to include pics with the ad, what else will you be lazy with? Shipping? Communication, etc.? Secondly, is folks that ask for pics or info and when you supply it, you never hear a peep from them. At least let the seller know you appreciate the info and are not going to buy. And don't say, "I'll get back with you" and then you never hear from them again. Lastly, this applies to WTB ads-put specifics in as to what you're looking for. Don't just say WTB a Rem. 700 in big game caliber or want a 3-9 scope.
 
Just something for the buyers. Just try and stay vigilant. A well known sponsor here had his username and password compromised. They posted an item for sale. Luckily I have the outfitter on Whatsapp as I was interested in the item that he had posted. Something just seemed off. I informed that it wasn't him that listed the item.
 
What a great conversation! A few points of emphasis from my perspective:

1. For sellers, do a little homework in advance on the value of the item that you are selling. Most buyers are educated. The concept of 'You can always make an offer' doesn't usually hold my attention. If you post something for the same price or higher than what I can buy it easily for elsewhere, I will likely buy it from the guy that has perfect feedback with a gazillion transactions. In that case, I can usually use my card to easily and instantly pay for it and it'll be at my door in a couple of days. I don't have the patience to negotiate with or educate a seller if their price isn't instantly attractive to me. There are instances where I will pay retail value from an individual if I'm intentionally offering support to them, but this is the exception, not the rule. If you are selling a unicorn, this doesn't apply. But if you want me to buy $500 worth of .375 ammo, I won't buy it from you if I can buy it for $400 at Walmart. I won't even start the conversation. Others may feel differently, but for me, it's all about the price. I'll buy a lot of stuff that I don't need or will ever use if the price is right. I bought some ammo from a guy on here a couple of months ago in a caliber that I don't even own a rifle in simply because the price was where I couldn't pass it up. Now I'll look for the rifle to go along with it......

2. Other members can be a little quick to judge on this forum when a new(er) member posts something for sale. Please don't rush to declare something a scam until you are reasonably sure that it actually is. Not all new members are scammers. I've watched several conversations of people apologizing because they basically destroyed a sellers possibility of selling due to a premature declaration of "scammer!" I've gotten some really good deals on here (and other sites) because I was willing to be polite, patient, communicate thoroughly, and work through the process of completing a transaction with someone that isn't familiar with our group. I've never been scammed on here, but I have had scammers try. They can usually be sniffed out before money is exchanged. Most of the people on here all share common interests and we were all new to the group at some point. Be gentle in your caution.

3. Always be polite. The economy of our group will not crumble because you chose to keep scrolling, rather than making a comment on a post. It isn't your solemn duty to convince the seller that their price is too high, especially if you aren't a legitimate buyer for their item. There are many posts where I'm tempted to tell someone that they must be on drugs to ask that price for a used bicycle helmet with a crack in it, but I try to keep to myself and move along. Somebody might live in an area where those helmets aren't sold and they need one desperately, so they decide to buy it. You just never know what is happening outside of your own little world. Put your ego aside. You might learn something that you didn't know before. Then again, the other person might, as well.

I've learned a lot from other members and have developed some friendships and had discussions that are specialized, interesting and unique. I find value in being a part of this group.

Jake
 
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