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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
jl35
3,980 posts
 
I would much rather pay $927 than $1000.  
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,479 posts
 
@jl35.   Very funny and true!
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,479 posts
 
Folks with just 1 or 2 transactions here are schooling us with over 700? Interesting at least. 
4krowme's avatar
4krowme
542 posts
 
Since I do not sell for profit, meaning, I sell to get the actual value the item, and not the perceived value, I stick to my guns as far as price. It could be tricky for someone out there trying to make an actual living. What I offer is simply done most of the time out of the love the project, and has been for over 5 years now. I really do understand the different aspects of negotiation, but offer the price that I choose (by actual cost to me) to begin with. 
 Too many times however, I am put off as a buyer when I see the phrase 'If you are reading this, you already know about this unit'. Absolutely not true in most cases for me. I want a detailed description of the actual unit and its capabilities. If known, a tale of the actual technology is also appreciated.
br3098
994 posts
 
If an item is priced to sell you will not have to deal with low-ballers because it will sell before they get a chance to even see your ad. That is why explicitly saying "Price is firm" is unnecessary. It just makes you look stubborn and will scare away potential buyers.
Well, maybe. It sounds like it will simply scare YOU away.

Look, I don't often list gear as "firm" but if/when I do it's because there are a lot of low-ballers out there.

I understand that your job is to get gear as cheaply as you can, just as mine if to get as much for my gear as I can. There's usually a happy compromise that makes for a win-win. But your first post makes it sound (to me) as if you feel that sellers owe you something. Other than a complete description and and timely communication, what else is a seller obligated to provide?

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