10 Sure Ways How NOT to Sell me an item on IIS

[Allan_L (Allan)]

1. Assume that having an item stored in your garage unused for 10 years retains it attractiveness:
" I bought this beauty 10 years ago, and have only used it twice"

2. Never allow negotiation:
"Price is $xxx FIRM I won't take less so don't bother"

3. Never illustrate:
"You know what it looks like so I won't post pics"

4. Assume everyone is as nerdy as we are:
" For Sale an ABC with XYZ on an E10 with MCL"

5. Pretend to be a professional sales house:
"Today, folks, we have for sale, ...."

6. Try to make as much as you can, without committing to sell:
"Looking for Expressions of Interest on ..."
(But this is OK when trying to put together a group buy, of course)

7. Make payment difficult:
"I don't like PayPal and I don't disclose my banking details..."

8. Expect to get what you paid for an item, without researching what it sells for in shops today:
"I paid $11,999 for this CPC1100 3 years ago, but I will let it go today for $9,999)
[These currently sell for around $3,999. I use this example because I have one.]

9. Ignore the fact that the Store you bought it from paid 10% of the proceeds to the Government as GST; and that they offered a Warranty (which is not transferrable) and that the item was guaranteed free from fault, blemish, dust, and comes with appropriate packaging, and user instructions:
" Bought recently for $1,000 selling for a bargain $999"

10. Let people know you are not a regular here:
"I don't come here often so don't bother leaving me any messages here - call me"

OK, as I said this is just some stuff that turns me off.
I am not telling anyone how to do it, but as a seller too, i reckon people should be open to what buyers think.

Any offence is unintended.

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Hey Allen

Love the list and the big one from it for me is #7 I wanted an item from a member but said member just made it impossible for me to pay them in the end I bought new but other than that one #1,2,3,6 and 10 really hit the mark of my bothersome points when looking at the for sale section.

[PCH (Paul)]

Well, I thought they were very humorous and quite true too. A great list of suggestions.

It is OK to point out valid objections as Steve has done, and whilst the individual objections themselves can't be flawed, the point being made here is simply that to sell an item quickly and easily, avoid doing these things that make it difficult for a prospective purchaser.

Sure, if you want your sale to be long and drawn out and possibly not happen at all, you can include some or all of the "don't do's", and you haven't done anything wrong as such, - you just may not sell your item.

But to be fair Allan, your own recent piano advert in "Non Astronomy" informs us you're - "Gone for a few weeks so I'll answer when I get back"

[rider]

"Looking for expressions of interest"
is derived from the Swahili
"wala kununua bidhaa hiia"

which means:

Don't buy this product.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by PCH

But to be fair Allan, your own recent piano advert in "Non Astronomy" informs us you're - "Gone for a few weeks so I'll answer when I get back"

LOL
Good One.
I thought I was clean, but I did forget about that one.

But in my defence:
1. No one enquired so no response was necessitated, and
2. I did NOT want to sell it, my wife pressured me into listing it, so I was in fact following my own instructions on how to list something that would not sell

But good pick up anyway.
I congratulate you on your research. (you remind me of me ! )

[leon]

Yea your pretty well on target Allan.

However No 3 could depend on the Item, if your selling Canon L Glass you don't need to have photos showing what it looks like, the ones after this glass just know.

If it got to 7, I would just tell em to piss off, and forget about it.

Leon

[astronut (John)]

But the other side of the coin is..... the time wasters.
I recently had a scope up for sale....two time wasters, I went out of my way to help them, over a number of days. One just pulled out after many emails, the other didn't have the decency (after many days of changing my schedule to allow him time to come to my place) to say he longer wanted it.
The third is a serial pest, twice in one year in trying sell the scope, I was told that he wanted it straight away, so could I give him my bank details, so he could pay me.
Both times he pulled out, saying he had a better deal elsewhere. My scope is not of recent manufacture, it's over 40 years old. So all I can gather is that he wanted it, but not at my price....too bad!!
So Allan, as you can see there are two sides to the story.....

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by leon

If it got to 7, I would just tell em to piss off, and forget about it.
Leon

I did ! (although not quite in those words):

"Oh! You do not have PayPal and do not disclose your banking details.
Well that is your choice of course.
But I do not deal in Postal Orders!
So : Offer withdrawn"

[Zaps]

That's a great list!

One thing that always has me scratching my head is when a seller says something like "make an offer" then later complains about the "ridiculously" low offers they received. Buyer goes high, seller goes low, right?

[Gem (Grant)]

Agree with most, especially #4 and #6.

One bizarre thing though, you need to be a little patient with people who are recently returned to astronomy... some things have stayed similar in price, while somethings are now really cheap! Someone might not realise that what held its price well from 1960-2000 is suddenly a fifth of the price when bought new!!

Definitely need more people to add simple words like "camera" or "telescope" next to xyz!! Some of us know the constellations well but not the brand names...

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Thank you Allan, I nice list of observations of the classifields. I take your points in good humour.

I must admit, I've been guilty of #1. "scope/camera/lens is a regretable sale/much cared for/only used once/never traveled etc etc." - whatever the exact wording used. I believe when you read statements similar to this, the seller is trying to represent a well cared for items in good faith.

All in all, I think that most sellers here post with good intentions, in the end the seller has the right to sell as long as they abide by the TOS, and a buyer has the right to either buy or not to buy.

Regards,
Stephen

[Terry B]

I agree with the list except for 2.
I would rather state a price. It isn't suppose to be an auction. Under the TOS you are suppose to sell to the first respondent. If someone offers more should you can the first person?
Hard to figure

[Rob_K]

Good one Allan! What I want to know is, where do all the battered and much-loved telescopes, cameras and accessories go to die? Obviously not IIS, nearly everything is in absolutely pristine, barely-used condition, still with original boxes!

Another annoying one which appears occasionally:
"... bought off another IIS member 3 years ago, immaculate condition, you'd pay $1200 dollars for this new, just $995..."

= 3rd hand at least by the time you get it, of doubtful provenance & age!

Ah well, caveat emptor ....

Cheers -

[Hagar (Doug)]

Good for you Allan. Sounds like a whole bucket full of self opinionated crap.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Originally Posted by Hagar

Good for you Allan. Sounds like a whole bucket full of self opinionated crap.

Ditto

[asimov (John)]

Sorry, but I'd still want a picture of that Canon L glass before forking over my money...Refer to one of Robs comments for the reasoning.

[M_Lewis (Mark)]

Good for you Allan. Sounds like a whole bucket full of self opinionated crap.

Glad someone said it, cause I was thinking the exact same thing

[FlashDrive (Poppy)]

Originally Posted by M_Lewis

Glad someone said it, cause I was thinking the exact same thing

Boy's please ....!!
Oh dear ... what now .... !!!!!

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

Originally Posted by Hagar

Good for you Allan. Sounds like a whole bucket full of self opinionated crap.

Someone must be feeling a little guilty. I reckon Allan is spot on in his assessment of some of the sellers on IIS.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by The Mekon

Someone must be feeling a little guilty. I reckon Allan is spot on in his assessment of some of the sellers on IIS.

Do you really think so John. If I am selling something I reserve the right to advertise it for sale in any manner I see fit. Why should I listen to our new self opinionated sale moderator. While the rules are open and the item belongs to me I can and will sell it to whom ever and however I like. You as the buyer will make your own descision about a purchase.
Perhaps you haven't sold very much here and havent recieved rediculous offers for items advertised at a price, often a tenth of your advertised price but I am sure with time you will.

The last thing I need is this sort of crud advice from a sales expert. Ha Ha what a joke.