Why is it so difficult to buy something in Halifax????

[rattice]

I am located in the valley, and always check kijiji-halifax if I plan on visting the city. This happens to me EVERY time:

Me: search kijiji, find some items, and respond to ads. Then I get replies.
Me: Here is an offer
Them: Ok, sounds good.
Me: Stop responding to ads since I found 'it'

(then...either the night before I leave, or even when I get to Halifax...:)

Them: hey, so and so offered me more $$, so you can have it for that if you still want it.
Me: No thanks, we had a deal
Them: Ok...

(a little later)

Them: How about (deal price + $20) ???
Me: No thanks, sell it to the other guy.

This has happened like 3 times in a row now...for different items altogether...

The problem is this: After the deal was made, I stop 'shopping', and in the end I end up with nothing because at the time of the pickup, and they bail, now it is too late to find someone on a saturday who is even home, to make a new deal with... ARRRRRRRRRRGH,

[Angus Black]

I hope you don't think that is limited to Halifax.

There is a motto here in the Kijiji forums;

- Deal local.
- Deal in person.
- Deal with cash.

The scenario you outlined is exactly why.

Sellers get offers all of the time with a high percentage of these buyers never showing up. Even if they do show up there is a good chance they will want to renegotiate or back away from the sale anyway.
If you're serious about an item just make arrangements to meet the seller then do your negotiating. I don't know how you could seriously make an offer without actually seeing the item anyway.

When selling I don't negotiate by email. If you're interested in the item you'll come to see it.
When buying I may ask if the price is negotiable but I don't make offers until I see the item.

[rattice]

some people actually make an effort to describe the item in detail, and take pictures. There are a few problems with your "motto".
1 - My "local" is in the boonies, where there is nothing for sale.
2 - I was trying to deal in person, ... that is half the problem, they change their mind.
3 - And I always deal in cash.

[Angus Black]

Deal local essentially means the same as Deal in person. Don't try to make deals where shipping is involved.

According to what you originally posted you were making deals by email not in person.

I agree, people should stick to their word but they don't and now you know that.
All I am trying to do is help you avoid this type of disappointment again. Take it or leave it but don't expect a different outcome if you employ the same methods of negotiation.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein

No, I am not trying to intimate that you are insane. The situation just reminded me of the quote.

Good luck.

[rattice]

Well the problem is this: I don't have time to drive ALL over Halifax, Dartmouth, Eastern Passage, Sackville, etc. This is why I like to find one item, contact the seller, agree on a price, then make pick up arrangements, then make the transaction. What is SOOOO difficult about that? People do it all the time. If I was to follow your way of doing things, I could end up empty handed, and an empty gas tank to boot. I already have an idea of what something is worth to me, how much I want to pay, based on condition. I figure if I get that out of the way up front, it saves my driving to the other end of the city, have a look at the item, and then make an offer that flat out gets refused... Catch 22 I guess...

[Kijiji_nanagoo]

How's that working for you?

[rattice]

First was a sub. 11 pm he writes me and wants more $$$ (following that everything was the same as OP). I managed to scramble and find another, and the guy drove from EP to the MacD bridge, and sold me a sub & RF amp. He did it perfectly.
Next was a guitar. Actually got to Halifax, txt the guy to tell him I was on the way (already had his directions to his place), then he txt me to say he isnt selling it anymore? then writes me an email and asks for more $$$, I say no, then he lowers the price and writes me back again, I say no again and said you have my offer, take it or leave it...
So whether you follow 'your' method or mine... neither would have worked out for the guitar since he "wasnt selling" it anymore

[preppy_71]

It's not just sellers...it's the buyers too.

Posted a brand new, sealed TV about a month ago. Received a message, guy wanted to try it out after I told him it wasn't even opened. Fair enough, hubby said he opens it, he buys it. He comes to the house, sees the sealed box and says "Well, if I would have known it was that new I wouldn't have asked to test it first"... Well, I'm pretty sure I already told you it was sealed, freak...

[dac186]

[Stop The Madness]

I love Kijiji but sometimes it drives me a little crazy, as a buyer and seller, people getting upset that you try to negotiate or counter offer. The worse is no-shows but that unfortunately happens to us all. I even went to pick something up once, after a half hour drive I arrived at the predetermined time and the seller wasn't there!

In response to your situation rattice the only thing I can think as to why this might keep happening to you is that you may be coming across too eager. Maybe the sellers are getting the impression that you are coming to town just for their item and that you just have to have it, so they think they can squeeze a few more dollars out of you. It's a shame there are people out there that don''t know how to be respectful of others!

[brunswickstreet]

Be clear in your ad. I get hate emails from people who want me to email back and forth. I won't and don't. I also don't hold anything I sell until the person comes and puts cash in my hand. I have literally had multiple people arriving to buy the same thing. I am very clear about it. Whoever gets the money to me first, gets the item.

So if you're buying, have the money in hand and be ready to drive over right away---or tough luck.

I used to hold items until I discovered that 99% of the time, people don't show up.

When it's cash, act fast. That's for both buyers and sellers.