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My list of seller red flags

I’ve compiled a list of annoying things sellers do. If I see any of these red flags I will not buy from them. Ideally every seller should agree to not do any of these before they are allowed to sell online.

- Overpriced
- Don’t talk about any flaws
- Keep re-posting
- Use unrelated keywords in ad so ad comes up when you search for different brand
- Paranoid language like " Cash and Carry only", "No spammers", No Trades...
- Using all CAPS and !!! marks

- Used car salesman lingo like"only $xxx , a great deal, a steal , and the worse, RARE "
- Ad consists entirely of copy/pasted info. from manufacturer website
- Any textspeak
- Gimmicky pricing like $999 or $995 or the worse, random price like $927
- Saying price is "Firm"..

- Reducing price by insignificant amount to bump ad
- Tooting own horn, i.e describing how awesome their product is.. Comes across as desperate to me..
- Seller saying they will lose money or taking a big loss .. Not my problem..

- Selling several items in one ad and updating the ad to say "SOLD" on certain items.
12inch45rpm
12inch45rpm OP
18 posts
 
Regarding "no trades", we are not in the dark ages. Society has been using money now for a long time.. The chance of me having something you want is like one in a million. When people mention trades I think they are not serious about selling or new to selling..
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Can't disagree more on the trades part.
I just sold an expensive amp and was offered a number of interesting items in trade.
If I was not just wanting the money for another project I may well have been interested in a few of the items offered.

To just write off possible trades as a bad sign is a little negative IMHO.
But it's all up to the individual obviously.
jl35
3,977 posts
 
a few years ago I listed a Portal Integrated amp. No offers or questions first two times, last time I received 3 full price offers within 3 hours. Ad was identical. I didn’t say it, but would not consider a trade. I’ve received many trade offers over the years, accepted one. What’s wrong with saying price is firm if it is?
12inch45rpm OP
18 posts
 
Also on trades, how would you have any protection if the items is defective? That’s why Paypal exists. They are an escrow to safely hold funds till both parties are satisfied.

To me trades reek of scam.
12inch45rpm OP
18 posts
 
As for price is firm, it signals someone difficult to deal with. It's the market that determines the price, not what you think it is worth. Once you start asking questions you often find out many things that can lower it's value.
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