'I would rather not make the trip only to find out that it has been sold': Internet divided over second-hand sale etiquette

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Feb 20, 2024 5:00 PM EST

This person is completely confused after a second-hand sale gone wrong. I'm on this person's side… but commenters agree with the seller. 

Buying second-hand items is a great way to save money and recycle. These days, it's a great way to get reliable clothing, since clothes from past decades last longer than the current brands of fast fashion. For people who are just getting started in their first apartments, it's a great way to get some nice furniture at a cheap price. And others use it to spruce up their home after browsing the apps for a while to find the perfect decor. 

One dude shared an interesting conversation with a seller, which seemed to baffle them. You can check out the brief text message below. Basically, the prospective buyer offers to purchase a metal cabinet for $30. Around 2:30 PM, they ask if they can pick it up in three hours. The seller keeps noncommittally saying that the buyer can have it "if it's still here." What does that person mean that they can't guarantee they'll have an item in three hours? They really can't hold it for that long, even when the buyer seems so committed to the sale?

Apparently, both the original poster (OP) and myself are deluded on this point. Commenters explained that sellers often deal with people who claim they'll pick up the item, then never do. I really don't see why the seller couldn't have held on for a mere three hours. It would be another thing if the OP couldn't get it for a week or something, but the seller's reasoning is a bit over the top. 

Check out the whole exchange, as well as the firey debates over the topic in the comments section. Then, read about one lawyer who racked up 100 hours of overtime to spite their boss. 

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • 01
    9:23 AM Feb 15 Message 꾸 Ok whoever comes first- $30 6:11 AM Feb 15 I would like to buy your IKEA Locking Metal Cabinet for $30.00 9:48 AM Feb 15 I'm at work so I can't get it until this afternoon. I'll check if it's still available around 2
    via u/higleyc99
  • 02
    10:22 AM Feb 15 Ok! 2:13 PM Feb 15 It's still available Alright. I'm going to be passing through around 530, does that work? 2:42 PM Feb 15 2:34 PM Feb 15 If it's still here
    via u/higleyc99
  • 03
    Alright. I'm going to be passing through around 530, does that work? 2:42 PM Feb 15 2:34 PM Feb 15 If it's still here 2:56 PM Feb 15 Alright. I would prefer to agree on a sale now as I am a motivated buyer and plan to pick it up tonight, however if there is a chance that it will be sold to someone who is available an hour or two before I am then I will pass. I would rather not make the trip only to find that it has been sold.
    via u/higleyc99
  • 04
    4:18 PM Feb 15 It's still here - just check again when you're on your way Ⓒ Message... 4:22 PM Feb 15 Sorry, I would prefer to agree on a sale before I take the time to go to the bank and make room in my truck. Good luck with your sale Seen
    via u/higleyc99
  • 05
    SteelBrightblade1. Not the really but anyone who sells knows not to hold items. Any time I sell something it's available until someone hands me cash and takes it away
    via u/SteelBrightblade1
  • 06
    boosted50 This, I've had a few people tell me they are on there way and to hold it only for them to never show up and never respond. It's available until money is in my hands
    via u/boosted50
  • 07
    Icy_Effect_2277 · No, you are being reasonable. 29 Reply satansayssurfsup · OP is asking the seller to hold an item, which no seller wants to do.
    via u/Icy_Effect_2277
  • 08
    This_Is_FOSTA. Hes asking not to sell in the time it takes for him to get to his place after work Very reasonable. LYFTED X 10 LyftedX. Aka hold Imao Reply
    via u/This_Is_FOSTA
  • 09
    FRMDABAY2LA. yes for telling him to hold it for you for at least 3 hours. and your message about pulling out cash and making room in your truck for it wasnt necessary either
    via u/FRMDABAY2LA
  • 10
    satansayssurfsup. They want someone to come buy it and pick it up and aren't gonna hold it lol no one here is an but you decided not to buy on some weird principle.
    via u/satansayssurfsup
  • 11
    solitudechirs You're out of touch if you're expecting someone to hold a $30 item for hours to accommodate you. Assuming $30 is a reasonable price for the cabinet, they'll have no problem selling it to someone else who will just show up and give them money and leave, and not have to worry about someone else's logistics
    via u/solitudechirs
  • 12
    kenshin0310 It's not a business. Seller have no incentive to go the extra mile for you, mostly they just wanna get rid of the item. I personally have hold for PC customer before but true be told, it's not
    via u/kenshin0310
  • 13
    often work out, people change their mind all the time. So first person who come with cash or checking out the item will be the one that get it.
    via u/kenshin0310
  • 14
    Ok_Research_8379. Dude could have just said I have another buyer who messaged me first. I'll keep you posted if they make it or not. Not sure if you would have liked that or not, but that's usually how I go. The seller was kind of annoying in that aspect of the convo and I could see your frustration.
    via u/Ok_Research_8379
  • 15
    If it was a steal of a price, and if they maybe had no holds fcfs type thing. I could also see the buyers frustration also, but then I probably just wouldn't have responded to you.
    via u/Ok_Research_8379
  • 16
    But then I keep going back to the idea it doesn't really seem like they had a lot of interest as they're on point messaging you and checking in... So just secure the time and make the sale. (on their part)
    via u/Ok_Research_8379
  • 17
    Soulphite Yes, you are TA. I advise you to only inquire about a purchase when you are ready to pounce on it right away.
    via u/Soulphite
  • 18
    Psichonaut1993. I'm with you on this one. It's extremely reasonable to agree on a time that same day and expect the person to hold it. I do that to, I agree with someone and then they pick it up. Very few times things have fallen through and then there would be other signs.
    via u/Psichonaut1993
  • 19
    ☆←--21 mistafoot People are way too unreliable and flakey these days to be holding an item. Most people will change their mind and won't even communicate it, and now it's taking you 5x longer to sell a cheap item. No thanks, not holding for you.
    via u/mistafoot
  • 20
    DDLyftUber Nobody is going to hold an item they're selling, particularly for that cheap. You're just being weird about it. They said to check in right before you're about to leave, at which point if you told them "hey I'm on my way" and the cabinet was still available, they would have held it for you. They're not going to hold it for you
    via u/DDLyftUber
  • 21
    for hours when you could just never show up and then they turned down a serious buyer who would have had cash in their hands hours before. They have absolutely zero idea as to who you are; you are a completely random stranger on the internet. Not sure what makes you think they should rely on your word
    via u/DDLyftUber
  • 22
    DDLyftUber To answer your question, you weren't being an but neither was the seller.
    via u/DDLyftUber

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

buying sale for sale sales facebook marketplace offer selling
Scroll Down For The Next Article