Sold Out From Under Me

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Well, ya know the AIRCO Busybee I was going to purchase from a local off of Craig's List?  He sold it out from under me yesterday.  I told him I was coming down to see it this evening.  Even though I didn't make it clear that I WAS going to buy it (guess I should've), since I was the first one interested, ya'd think he could've checked with me first.  At least to see how interested I was.  Oh well, maybe that wasn't what I was supposed to have.  I sort of think I'd probably want AC and DC."Never mistake education for intelligence."AIRCO Oxy/AccMiller Thunderbolt
Reply:Craigslist 101 - The first guy there with the cash gets the item.Those CL ads that have been on there for several weeks usually indicate the price is set too high or what's advertised is really not described well.You snooze, you loose.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Yes I found that if you get there first that is the only way you will get it most of the time. Most guys will not hold an item for another if they do not know you. I have traveled 80 miles for stuff just to get there and the guy sold it a few minutes before I arrived and he knew I was coming too. That is what I hate and would like to bust them in the chops when they do that to me after they say it is mine and give me a time frame to pick it up.
Reply:I know its a bad deal but, In all fairness there is another side to the deal as well.  The guy selling has had a half dozen or so callers say they are coming to look at or pick up the item, he says he will hold it for them.  One or several guys "out of the blue" show up to purchase it, the seller says "sorry, I have it promised to so and so".  So and so never shows or decides not to purchase, now he still has item and cant sell because previous viewers have bought elsewhere and those who said they "were coming" never show.  Cant blame the guy at all.  Have been caught in this situation several times myself on the selling end and it wont happen again.  Unless I have cash in hand, I dont hold anything for anybody unless I really, really know or trust them.  Unfortunately in this day and age, very few people meet that criteria.  But, I usually tell the guy interested up front, "I am not holding it, first one here with the money takes it home".Last edited by smawgmaw; 09-21-2012 at 09:55 AM.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:I've had people ask me to hold stuff until the weekend.  I usually just tell them that I'll call/email them if someone else buys the item, but won't hold anything for them.  Too many no-shows.
Reply:I went to pick up a wood jointer once.  Another guy got there not 5 minutes before I did.  The really old guy was going to hold it for me until I got there but another guy talked to his wife and she got confused. The other guy was a bit sleazy and hauled out of there real fast.  Screaming deal.Anyway, I looked around his basement and talked him into selling me a rotary phase converter that I needed for my lathe and mill, so it wasn't a total loss."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Old story....first in best dressed.
Reply:I have found that if i tell them I am on the way and what my GPS says is my ETA works quite well too for longer distance buys.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Yep, been screwed as a buyer - both me and my nephew waiting for the guy to deliver the promised welder and he never showed (sold it to someone else) - complete waste of our time!  We were pissed. Selling, I have had buyers stacked.  First call, first served - given an appointment time.  Second caller, second served - given a later appointment time.  If the 1st buyer buys my welder, I phone the second guy and give him the bad news... and once offered another welder - and sold it too! In my opinion, like 7A749, it's best to go at the Craiglist / Kijiji thing like a game - expect to win some and to lose some. Don't take anything too personal.Act fast, Don't sit of your As*. I've missed some good deals , only to be told (by folks here) that it wasn't meant to be... wait, something better will come along.  And... they were right... something better does come along - Believe!Last edited by Rick V; 09-21-2012 at 09:40 PM.Reason: spell errorRick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet