Selling on Kijiji

[SKR]

I kind of know already what I'm going to do, just wondering how Beyond would deal with this.

Last Friday I listed a vehicle on Kijiji. Monday afternoon a guy calls, we talk back and forth on the phone and by text, and we get a deal sorted out. He still has to come see it in person, but I'm assuming he's going to take it. The trouble is between his schedule and mine, we can't actually do anything until this Friday (for future reference it's Wednesday today). I haven't asked for a deposit, and he hasn't offered one, but I'm treating it as if he has. I changed the title of the ad to "sold pending payment".

Monday night, I get a phone call from another guy who is every bit as interested, maybe more so than the first guy. There are no schedule conflicts and he says he has the money ready to go. He's even willing to pay more if that's what it takes to scoop the first guy. I told him I have a deal in place, and that I can't do anything until the first guy turns it down. But I'll let him know either way, and if the first guy turns it down, he's second in line.

Since then the guy has texted me 7 times, all with the same message - that he'll take it right now for a price higher than I agreed on with the first guy.

So what would you do? You agreed to sell it to one guy, but you've got another guy willing to pay more and there's no issues with finding time to exchange. Do you stand by your first deal, or do you take the easy money?

Poll is multiple choice you cunts.

[D'z Nutz]

With Kijiji, you take the deal that results with you walking away with cash first. There's way too many flaky people on there.

There's no guarantee the first guy is going to take it so you could potentially have two deals fall through if you don't act.

If the first guy wanted it bad enough, he'd make time or he'd have someone give you a deposit.

[ExtraSlow]

I tell people up front that I don't negotiate until they are standing in front of me and ready to pay. So I picked fuck you for the fact that it seems your actions caused this situation.

If I forgot all my rules for kijiji and found myself in your situation, I'd give guy 24 hours to bring cash and also let guy 2 know exactly when he can have it, 25 hours later.

[colinxx235]

Given that I have been burnt before by a guy "super interested" who I was in your shoes before and would reserve something and had another party interested in item more. But by the time first party flaked out the second guy took something else due to not wanting to wait it out. To me with Kijiji, first person with money in hand gets the item. I'd like the second guy come see it and if he buys it no hassle might as well. Message first guy and say no hard feelings i just had someone show up without conflicting schedules before and I can't say no to a sale.

[SKR]

A lot of it is my own schedule though. It's not that I'm just waiting around for someone that might not show up. He's waiting for me to get my shit sorted out. And you're right, he still might not show.


So I picked fuck you for the fact that it seems your actions caused this situation.

You picked "fuck you", meaning you. The correct answer is "fuck me".

[z24_wheels]

I'd sell to second guy. Im not on Kijiji to make friends, I want to sell my shit asafp

[SKR]

I kind of want to give the two guys each other's phone numbers and let them beat on each other for a while.

[Kloubek]

It's a dilemma. On one hand you want to keep your word (as you should be inclined to do), but on the other hand you have no guarantees the first guy won't flake out. On the other hand, the opportunity to sell right away (and for more $ no less) is pretty compelling.

I actually had a similar situation once. A guy came to see my car and said he would buy it and we agreed on a price. He said he wasn't sure of his schedule do he'd call me Friday night. Well, Saturday morning rolls around and I haven't heard from him yet, but had another guy come by to take a look even though I told him it may already be sold. The guy offered me cash right away, so I accepted. The first guy calls me that night to arrange for pickup, and I informed him the car sold in the morning. He wasn't pleased.

..but it happens. People change their mind and don't follow through on Kijiji constantly. It's almost expected by this point. If it was me, I'd sell it to the second guy.

[beyond_ban]

Nothing is a guarantee on Kijiji, thus i say take the second guys money and have no regrets. I have made the decision to be more "honourable" and keep my word to the first guy to show interest, and it ended up biting me in the ass as the guy ended up buying something else while i waited for him to come through.

[Doozer]

Second guy all the way. As most other people said, money talks. Get rid of the item.

I did the same thing with a bicycle recently. Tried to set up a time with someone who was interested, but it was days away. Someone else more interested came and worked around my schedule, drove away the same night with the bike. Emailed the first guy and said sorry, someone else worked around my schedule and bought it that night. Never heard back from guy 1, and the money's in my pocket.

[HiTempguy1]

With Kijiji, you take the deal that results with you walking away with cash first.

This basically applies to any deals, not just Kijiji. I typically find the first person to respond is the most likely to buy, usually because they are actively looking for what you have.

If someone places a deposit though, that is a completely different story. At that point, the person has put skin in the game, that requires being honored. I always request a deposit big enough relative to the price of the item that they can't just easily "walk away".

[jwslam]

Go to guy one and ask for a deposit, noting otherwise you're selling to guy 2.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

I've had 3 people no-show on me with agreed times, within the last week, trying to sell on kijiji. I don't care how interested you are, first one with cash is king.

[Pacman]

Since buyer #1 hasn't seen the car in person yet, I would sell to buyer #2. Too much risk that buyer #1 will come and see the car and decide to pass on the deal.

I have different rules for selling cars on kijiji vs any other item on other websites. First person with the cash ready to take the item gets it. I don't hold things and do favors. Been burned too many times and left with the item after turning down potential buyers.

[rx7boi]

Second guy for sure. Even then, his word doesn't mean shit. He hasn't seen the vehicle either and until cash is in your hands, neither of their words mean shit.

Buyer 1 can take a hike.

[never]

With Kijiji, you take the deal that results with you walking away with cash first. There's way too many flaky people on there.

There's no guarantee the first guy is going to take it so you could potentially have two deals fall through if you don't act.

If the first guy wanted it bad enough, he'd make time or he'd have someone give you a deposit.

This. Too many Kijiji people flake out to hold it on their word.

[msommers]

First person with money is the first person that gets it. Because lessons learned.

----

Here's how it would likely play out in your situation when trying to be nice on Kijiji:

The first guy finally gets to check out the car. Maybe puts down a deposit but wants to get it inspected.

Back from inspection, they think something needs to be fixed and you should drop the price. You bicker back and forth for awhile, refusing to lower the price because someone else has already offered you higher. The first guy walks away from the sale.

You text guy two and say it's still for sale. Either they're no longer interested because they've waited so long or begin to wonder why guy one didn't take it. Guy two walks away from the sale.

In the end, you're left standing with your dick in your hand.

[nismodrifter]

I'll bet guy #1 flakes or passes. Sell to #2 and be done with it.

[lilmira]

I wouldn't bother with deposit. Give the first guy a day to buy. Then move on to the next offer.

[eblend]

Too many flakes on Kijiji. First person with cash wins. It's a shitty situation since it's your schedule that's the problem, so sucks for the first guy, but if he really wanted it, he could come see it on your schedule. leave work early, work late another day type of deal. Something if he really wanted it. I know that if I find shit I want on Kijiji, i jump on it right away and go and get it, mainly of fear it will sell to someone else if I don't, if he doesn't have similar motivation, he doesn't really care and isn't sure, vs a sure bet.

[firebane]

I have had mixed results with Kijiji but generally money talks and I hold nothing ever. I tell people that and if the people interested don't buy I follow up.

Most interesting one was a guy from Dawson Creek said he wanted to buy my bike and would EMT me half to hold it and I said ok. Later he actually sent me the full price and picked up a week later.

[SKR]

he could come see it on your schedule. leave work early, work late another day type of deal. Something if he really wanted it.

I'm on call 24/7 with no notice and I work out of town, and I want him here during banking hours. That's the problem. He's coming from 4 hours away and I don't want him to get part ways here and then I have to leave. We could have done it at night but I really want to know I have real money before my truck drives away.

That, and the second guy has really been bugging me. He called, and I told him he's second in line and that I can't do anything until the end of the week. And despite that, he still texts several times a day almost begging. I've been close a few times to telling him I won't sell to him at any price. But that'll fuck me if the first guy bails.

The second guy hasn't seen the truck either, and made no effort to negotiate on price. That's maybe weirder than the first guy who has and still is asking for pictures and videos, and made a small effort to get me down from my asking price. That makes me think he's at least interested in it. The second guy, I don't know what his deal is. But it would take way less effort to get him standing in front of me to find out.

[Thaco]

i would go with whoever can get there first... one time i had a seller that i messaged first, they told me "meet me at 5" then they messaged me an hour later and said, "selling it to someone else because they can meet me at 4:30" total dick move by the seller, didn't even give me the option to meet earlier... so i told them i would be able to come at 4:30 but they were the one that said 5... so they did eventually sell to me and stiff he other person.... IMO unless its your scheduling problem, then its not your problem who you sell it to... if you have 2 people who can meet at the same time, priority goes to whoever contacted you first.


But then on the other hand i have had a seller (for a tent trailer, a few years back) say "meet me at x time" only to find out they had scheduled several other people there at the same time just to create a competition, it was a good deal, so i had no other option than to (while the other potential buyers were present) pull the seller to the side and tell them i would pay asking price, at which time they said "deal" and then they told the other buyers it was sold and the other buyers offered them more, but they told them, "sorry, we already made a deal", which they could have totally hosed me and created a bidding war, but that would have been a huge dick move.

[SKR]

I guess I've never actually said what my plan is. I'm going to hold it for the first guy until we both have a window, which right now looks like Friday morning. Why?

- I've always sold things of any value to the first person that calls. It's not a rule, just the way it seems to go. The first guy to actually call is usually the guy most interested and motivated, in my experience.
- It's my fault that the first guy is in the position he's in. As I said above, I want him here during banking hours and with work I can't guarantee that I'll be here when he gets here.
- Just because I said I would. That was the plan before the second guy poked his nose in, and his being here doesn't make the agreement I made with the first guy any different.
- The first guy is from out of town, and chances are once he drives away that's the last time I see him or that truck again. The second guy makes me feel like there's going to be questions about warranties or what my return policy is (not that there should be, I think it's exactly as I've advertised it, but who knows what goes on in someone's head).

There's a third guy in the mix too, but I told him the first time that I'm holding it until Friday and he has left me alone like a normal person would.

[ga16i]

If I told someone that I'd hold it, I'd hold it. But I'd never do tell someone that on Kijiji haha. I chose sell to the second guy, because there's no sale unless there's cash in my hands.

[schurchill39]

Although I can totally understand why you are taking the route you are I always play by "cash is king" rules. The first person to show up with cash in hand takes the item. I also rarely ever negotiate on what I sell on kijiji because I believe I price what I sell fairly and if it doesn't go for that price well then it turns out I didn't.

I was selling an enclosed trailer a few years back and a guy was coming to see it at 3pm but I had a second guy interested. I told him that if he doesn't show I would let him know and he can come get it. Well guy 1 didn't show up and I couldn't get a hold of him so at 4pm I called guy 2 and he said he would be there at 5. Well guy 1 finally decided to show up at 4:50 right when guy 2 showed up. Awkward. They got into a bidding match between themselves and I was ready to sell it to guy 2 because guy 1 was late (huge pet peeve of mine) but good guy 2 conceded to being second in line so he'd let t he other guy get it. From that experience I'm sticking with my new rule of if you don't show up when you say you're going to then fuck you.

[ExtraSlow]

You picked "fuck you", meaning you. The correct answer is "fuck me".

Well fuck, can't we just fuck each other?

[benyl]

Well fuck, can't we just fuck each other?

you can now...

[SKR]

I don't think I'm going to like that.

[lilmira]

good timing with the pride parade

[jwslam]

Well guy 1 didn't show up and I couldn't get a hold of him so at 4pm I called guy 2 and he said he would be there at 5. Well guy 1 finally decided to show up at 4:50 right when guy 2 showed up. Awkward. They got into a bidding match between themselves and I was ready to sell it to guy 2 because guy 1 was late (huge pet peeve of mine) but good guy 2 conceded to being second in line so he'd let t he other guy get it. schurchill39 i totally agree with you. WTF is wrong with people. Agree to meet at 3. The guy will text at like 430 to say he's "on the way" and show up at like 6. Because y'know, I have all the time in the world to sit around and wait for your highness.

[JordanEG6]

With Kijiji, you take the deal that results with you walking away with cash first. There's way too many flaky people on there.

There's no guarantee the first guy is going to take it so you could potentially have two deals fall through if you don't act.

If the first guy wanted it bad enough, he'd make time or he'd have someone give you a deposit.

This.

Although its an unspoken rule in general, I would also disclose that it's first come, first serve. If I had other offers on the table before we meet, I would entertain them. Sales are never guaranteed and half the time, they flake, so I sell to the guy that has the money sooner.

[bourge73]

With Kijiji it's never sold until the you have cash
In hand and you see the tail lights drive away.
Set a time with guy one no ifs ands or buts. Guy #2
Is one hour past that time. End

[G-ZUS]

First come, first serve!

When these goofs show up late, im less likely to give them a deal on the item and will stay firm on the price.

[SKR]

Sold to the first guy today, so that's the end of that.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[Ben]

With Kijiji, you take the deal that results with you walking away with cash first. There's way too many flaky people on there.

There's no guarantee the first guy is going to take it so you could potentially have two deals fall through if you don't act.

If the first guy wanted it bad enough, he'd make time or he'd have someone give you a deposit.

This x1000

I've had my time wasted so much on kijiji that it's every man for himself.

[SKR]

I hope this doesn't get taken the wrong way, but I wonder if there's a difference dealing with people in Calgary versus outside of Calgary? It feels like there's a lot more "me first" in Calgary. I don't mean that people who think that way are wrong, just that it's a different feel compared to what I've experienced. Maybe it's just a big city/small town thing? I bought a truck in Rocky Mountain House and another one in Coaldale, and both times I agreed to buy it but didn't come back to pay for it or pick it up until a few days later. Both times my word was enough - I didn't offer to leave a deposit, and they didn't ask. Maybe I was the only serious buyer, I don't know. But I don't naturally have the same aversion to waiting that a lot of you guys have (and rightfully so, you all have stories about being fucked over for waiting). That's why it was so odd to me to have this second guy be so persistent after telling him he was second in line.

Maybe I'm wrong. I frequently am about almost everything else, so who knows.

- - - Updated - - -

How are there 900 votes for me and ExtraSlow having to fuck each other?

[ExtraSlow]

The mean streets of the big city have an effect on you man. You get tougher, harder or you die, it's just the way it is.

- - - Updated - - -


How are there 900 votes for me and ExtraSlow having to fuck each other? This started as a joke, but hey, the people have spoken. Maybe we can combine this with the cheap beer tasting to help the romance flow?

[Mista Bob]

I hope this doesn't get taken the wrong way, but I wonder if there's a difference dealing with people in Calgary versus outside of Calgary? It feels like there's a lot more "me first" in Calgary. I don't mean that people who think that way are wrong, just that it's a different feel compared to what I've experienced. Maybe it's just a big city/small town thing?



Nah, people are flakey and cheap everywhere. My experience with selling on kijiji in Manitoba with smaller towns/cites as well as their capital were just as bad as here, maybe even worse.
Definitely worse in Winnipeg. Though can't comment on other areas of Alberta, since I have only been in and around Calgary for AB.

[Disoblige]

Nah, people are flakey and cheap everywhere. My experience with selling on kijiji in Manitoba with smaller towns/cites as well as their capital were just as bad as here, maybe even worse.
Definitely worse in Winnipeg. Though can't comment on other areas of Alberta, since I have only been in and around Calgary for AB.
I would say small town is the same. Just as many flakes. They still come flocking when stuff is free, but waste your time to come see stuff and either come super late or forget multiple times. People are people.

[SKR]

This started as a joke, but hey, the people have spoken. Maybe we can combine this with the cheap beer tasting to help the romance flow?

Maybe if you bought an 8.1 Chevy like I told you to I'd be on the road right now.

[ExtraSlow]

True story. The 5.4 Ford isn't sexy.

[suntan]

I hope this doesn't get taken the wrong way, but I wonder if there's a difference dealing with people in Calgary versus outside of Calgary? It feels like there's a lot more "me first" in Calgary. I don't mean that people who think that way are wrong, just that it's a different feel compared to what I've experienced. Maybe it's just a big city/small town thing? I bought a truck in Rocky Mountain House and another one in Coaldale, and both times I agreed to buy it but didn't come back to pay for it or pick it up until a few days later. Both times my word was enough - I didn't offer to leave a deposit, and they didn't ask. Maybe I was the only serious buyer, I don't know. But I don't naturally have the same aversion to waiting that a lot of you guys have (and rightfully so, you all have stories about being fucked over for waiting). That's why it was so odd to me to have this second guy be so persistent after telling him he was second in line.

Maybe I'm wrong. I frequently am about almost everything else, so who knows.

- - - Updated - - -

How are there 900 votes for me and ExtraSlow having to fuck each other?I've just had too many times where I'll hold an item and the guy never shows up. So now it's first come first served.

[Doozer]

I think it's also a lot different if someone says "I'll buy it" rather than "Can I come look at it". Even a commitment over email helps, but especially in person. If someone looks you in the eye and tells you they're buying it, but they've gotta go get their financing together or whatever, I've got more inclination to give them some leeway. It sounds like your truck dealings were in person, and you made a commitment (even just a verbal one) which changes things. Especially in a smaller place where most people can probably figure out a way to find you.

It's the anonymous yahoos in a big city that say "hey, can I come LOOK at it", and then show up late, or whatever, that don't get any love from me.

[suntan]

I've had times when a guy says "Let's meet at 3pm and I'll buy it!". I show up, he doesn't, and he doesn't respond to any contact.

Fuck them.

[sexualbanana]

Funny timing since me and my buddies had a similar conversation over the weekend. Ultimately, it's whoever is willing to pay the asking price with money in hand and is available to pick it up sooner that gets the item. Even as a buyer, I've inquired about stuff and said "I can't meet until X time on X day. So if it ends up selling please let me know. If not, I'll arrange a time." Most seem okay with it and doesn't place any real burden on anybody.

My pet peeve would be the buyers who bring less cash than the stated amount and say things like "I only have $400 (for a $600 item)."

[SKR]

It sounds like your truck dealings were in person, and you made a commitment (even just a verbal one) which changes things.

The majority of the time I end up selling to a person that I've talked with on the phone prior to meeting, followed by people who text. The only time I ever sold anything to someone I only emailed was for a $20 car stereo that I did not give two fucks about.

I actually had this same thing happen the first time I sold a truck on Kijiji, I made a deal with a guy and right after that some other guy called offering me more money if I'd sell it to him right now. He had a different attitude about it though, like he'd never been told no in his life and sounded like he was mad at me that I wouldn't go back on the deal with the first guy.

I still think there's something to be said for city vs. rural. I live in a city now but I grew up on a farm and went to school in a town with a population of 500. That doesn't give you much room to be an anonymous shit heap, and maybe there's still some of that with me when I'm dealing with people now.

[NissanFanBoy]

Just says your a man of your word that's all... Good on ya.

[thetransporter]

they need some type of buyer feedback system like ebay had . i know calgaryfinder working on it .

i have meet good (people) buyers some shady types.