‘Dude, I’m already here, are you kidding me': Customer wastes 3 hours of time and gas after arriving at car seller's home only to be told van is already sold

Author image for Eleonora Bader
Eleonora Bader
Mar 23, 2024 7:00 PM EDT

One seller wasted 3 hours of his customer's time and gas money… Why? Who knows, people are awful, especially those selling on Marketplace.

The customer, who we'll call OP, took to Reddit to complain about his terrible experience. Basically, OP had seen a small van for a reasonable price online, and wanted to buy it in order to convert it. They reached out to the seller, telling them they were interested in buying the van and would like to come see it. All seemed to be going well, as the seller was responsive and told OP that he was welcome to come check it out. They exchanged information and decided on a time and a place for the following day. OP was excited about the van, and was really looking forward to taking a look at it in real life and possibly, buying it.

Unfortunately, that's not how it all played out. Scroll down for the full story, and then check out these entertaining 'rich people' stories.

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  • 01
    Seller: I just sold it. Customer: What? I'm already here, are you kidding me?
    via Canva
  • 02
    Facebook Marketplace seller wasted my morning and my gas
    via u/Remarkable-Sky-1653
  • 03
    2011 Ford Tr... ... Hello. I have always wanted to convert one of these. I am in Venice. Could I come see it? I think you have a deal. When do you want to come? When is a good time for you? I am free tomorrow all day. Tomorrow at noon
    via u/Remarkable-Sky-1653
  • 04
    cricket LTE 6:16 nm. 2011 Ford Tr... ... Perfect. Where would you like to meet? Se FL United States Awesome. Yes thers a field right next door from ther ..that's where the van is parked at right?
    via u/Remarkable-Sky-1653
  • 05
    cricket LTE 6:17 nm. < 2011 Ford Tr... ... See you ther at 11:00 good night Yes, good night. 10:06 AM Hay good morning just confirming that your still gonna be ther at noon please let me know thanks So noon or 11:00 AM?
    via u/Remarkable-Sky-1653
  • 06
    11:am is fine Perfect. On my way. -> + Ο Aa
    via u/Remarkable-Sky-1653
  • 07
    11:00 AM 6 minutes out Sold My wife just sold it What? I'm here You must be kidding.
    via u/Remarkable-Sky-1653
  • 08
    + 11:26 AM Why would you make me come all the way up here just to sell it right out from under me? Aa Couldn't send. :)
    via u/Remarkable-Sky-1653
  • 09
    I found a small van I wanted to convert. The price was good for the mileage. I reached out to the seller and told them I was interested and would like to see it, and that if it was good, they likely had a sale. Seller responds with time and address for the following day. I agree to the time and thank them. Was excited that night and found it difficult to sleep.
    via u/Remarkable-Sky-1653
  • 10
    The next day the seller messages me to inquire if I am still coming. I let them know that I am on my way (1.5 hours away with traffic). When I am mere minutes away, they tell me they just sold it. Wasted 3 hours of my time and 1/4 tank of gas. Couldn't rate the seller since they blocked me. What does one even do in this situation? Well, besides sigh and just keep on keeping on.
    via u/Remarkable-Sky-1653
  • 11
    01010 0010 llolololl 11 hr. ago I had different situation but kinda .. Seller post a car for $10k and agreed over the phone for $10k. After 2 hours drive, seller suddenly saying he will let go to the highest offer. I offered him $10k but he rejected and saying $13k open price now. Wasted 4 hours round trip and gas. 1.1k Reply Share Accomplished_Emu_658 · 10 hr. ago Been there. I don't care they sell to someone else, but don't make me waste the trip if you are raising price right away. 423 Reply
    via u/ll0l0l0ll, u/Accomplished_Emu_658
  • 12
    Yillis 12 hr. ago They sold it to the person they were meeting at 11, which at one point they thought was you 1.7k Reply Share zaalkahf 10 hr. ago My thought exactly. Double booked 577 Reply Share Right-Phalange · 8 hr. ago I remember when our psych teacher taught us about the scarcity principle. He said if you're ever selling a car, schedule different people to look at it at the same time, and you'll be more likely to sell it.
    via u/Yillis, u/zaalkahf, u/Right-Phalange
  • 13
    I feel like that's a good tactic, but I would never tell someone to come out to me if there was a chance it would be gone by the time they arrived. That's such a dok move. 206 Reply Share Sablemint 8 min. ago PURPLE schedule different people to look at it at the same time, and you'll be more likely to sell it. Why does this work? Vote Reply Share
    via u/Sablemint
  • 14
    violetascension. 11 hr. ago I think this is real shoy. I've sold so much stuff on craigslist over the years/decades and yeah there's definitely first come first serve... but I can't think of any situation in my life where someone was driving to me and I just sold it to someone else out from under them. I would almost always tell the other people "if {person} don't show up by {time}, you're next to come and get it". like that does not take much effort at all, still first come first serve, and it
    via u/violetascension
  • 15
    super_not_clever • 9 hr. ago Happened to me at a dealership 2 years ago, I test drove it on a weekday on my way into work, but couldn't buy it because work. Told them I would be back two days later at opening to buy it. I get there when they open their doors, as discussed. Apparently another salesman had already grabbed the key to meet someone else. Sold it to him while I sat there. 1 month later I saw a post on a car specific forum from a user who returned his car due to a defect. Very coincide
    via u/super_not_clever
  • 16
    Retired Apostle . 11 hr. ago He thought you were traveling from Italy. 146 Reply Share MLDaffy 10 hr. ago Honestly I thought it was Italy too until the Florida part 45 Reply Share
    via u/RetiredApostle, u/MLDaffy
  • 17
    Able_Youth_6400 · 10 hr. ago That is really annoying. It reminds me of a time I was test driving a vehicle with my spouse. It wasn't 100% what I wanted feature-wise but I was pleasantly surprised. We were gonna go back to the dealer to agree to buy it. Get back and I see our salesman. Another immediately comes out and asks for the keys - "sorry, we just sold this vehicle online". While I am here in person and actively out on a test drive?? Was shocked and laughed it off, but took it as a sign fr
    via u/Able_Youth_6400
  • 18
    GumShoeA113 - 11 hr. ago I've had the same experience before. People really sometimes, especially the ones on Facebook Marketplace. 36 Reply Share dougielou . 7 hr. ago I just got burned twice in a row from people who made plans for a place and time and then just never showed or messaged later that they were on their way, the next day! Like bro, you never said 330 TOMORROW. 3 Reply Share
    via u/GumShoeA113, u/dougelou
  • 19
    Pizza_Middle ⚫ 8 hr. ago I've been there. Drove 2 hours for a Suburban. Get there, check it out, go to hand the guy the cash, and he says someone's on the way to buy it, but if they don't, it's mine. Asked how long until he knows and he said the guy would be there in 3 hours, but I'm more than welcome to hang around town. Believe I called him everything but his name and left town. 15 Reply Share
    via u/Pizza_Middle
  • 20
    Pretty Kitty99. 11 hr. ago We had the same experience also - picked a van, organised a time, got cash out of the bank, got up early to drive off and then they said ah sorry it's sold. People are so flakey and sł with online sales, you've got to line up a few buyers to make sure you get at least one who actually bothers to turn up. Unlucky for you someone before you also turned up. It's a pretty shobby side to online second hand selling. 30 Reply Share
    via u/Pretty_Kitty99

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long drive reddit stories marketplace drive seller gas money phone number customers Awkward sold cars van buyer mildly infuriating texting waste time
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