To be annoyed at people texting me?

[PattyPuddy]

We're having a house clearance and I'm selling lots of stuff on Gumtree.

I put my email address in the ad and obviously communicate by that means initially. When we get to the stage where someone is trying to make arrangements to collect something or come and look at something. At that point I ask them to give me a call - and pass on my phone number.

So far 3 people today (I'm overseas) have started texting me and asking if it's okay to come along at a certain time.

Why can't people phone? Have people forgotten what communicating is all about - or am I being unreasonable? I don't text as a rule and I'm certainly not going to text back and forward trying to find a convenient time when all that's needed is a phone call.

persoanlly I think texting in that situation is less obtrusive, a simple "yes thats fine" or "no come between x and y times" would suffice surely?

I'd prefer a text in this situation.

Texting is much less disruptive than a phone call. I prefer texting. I get annoyed when people call me. My DH is very good at phoning just as I am in the middle of something and gets annoyed when I don't answer.

I've sold things on gumtree from time to time and I find texting far better-it doesn't need an instant response, and you don't get hauled away from what you're doing to answer the phone.

Why don't you amend your ad to say "phonecalls only, texts won't be answered"

It depends how badly you want to get rid of the items I suppose :)

Yeah I'd also prefer a text in this situation.

Texts are cheaper than phone calls if you're low on credit.

Some people don't like talking on the phone (i am one of them)

I don't know if you're being unreasonable or not. I wouldn't be put out by texting at all but that's because I don't like phone calls. I can't see much difference between emailing and texting. I suppose bottom line is you're selling this stuff and want rid of it, you should probably do what it takes to facilitate that.

Or make it clear you don't respond to texts?

Texting is also cheaper than a call and uses less phone battery.

I agree with Sirzy and would also rather send or receive a quick text than embark on a longer conversation with a stranger.

Texting is a good form of quick and simple communication for the vast majority of people. Does not distract you if you are doing something else and keeps things simple.

I completely agree, when you give someone your number asking them to call to arrange something they should call not send a text message, it really irritated me and I often ignore the text message completely.

I'm not against texting at all, I text friends and family constantly, but when I ask someone to call I expect a call not a text message, especially when it is something formal.

I sold loads on Gumtree, and a majority of the time people text me. Even when selling my car. This was in Oz. Think I could have sold them fresh air the rate I was selling.

Texting is normal to sort stuff out. I'm busy - I don't want to down tools to answer the phone. I'd also think it was more polite to text as you are not demanding that person's immediate attention. What's irritating and rude to u is good manners to them. Also lots of people have their diaries on their phone and it's hard to talk and check at the same time.

YABU, texting is always my preference with this kind of thing. If you don't intend to reply then you should have spelled it out that you don't 'do' texts in the ad.

I would prefer to text because I wouldn't want to interrupt the seller with a phone call (maybe at work, driving, busy, etc). A text can be read when you are ready to read it and you can respond when you are ready to respond. It is good manners.

I'd agree with the others about changing your ad to state this.

Whilst I prefer texting that's up to me but YANBU as you are entitled to specify how people contact you. It's up to you how annoyed you get about it though.

I think most people prefer texting. You should have specified if you wanted to be called,as texts seem to be the normal.

OK - maybe I'm just anti-text. I do think it has a time and place however when something needs to be discussed and agreed I just find it tedious (might be something to do with the fact that I refuse to upgrade my very basic Nokia phone)

I bet they won't write you a nice thank you note either.

I think it's generational / change of social norms thing. I find myself texting about things that I think properly ought to be dealt with by a phone call, because I know others find it normal and it is easy.

I do think it's part of a shift towards virtual interaction, which avoids real person to person to contact to an extent that people can forget their contacts are real people too - which I think does change their expectations and manners. Bit like chatting on the Internet all the time.

Agree - I specifically ask people not to call and get very when they do, as it's always half way through nap time or when I'm in the middle of self-checkout.

Rereading that, I realise that my life is pretty damn rock and roll.

It also varies by country a lot, as pricing structures are different. In Canada local phone calls are free, so they are on mobiles too, so there's no cost saving to texting, so it's not a normal thing to do (according to my Canadian sources!).

I'd also prefer a text in this situation- far less intrusive than a phone call.

I hate phone calls. I only call if there's absolutely no other form of communication. They make me feel so awkward and actually quite anxious (I do have anxiety and one of my big triggers is phone calls). Texting is so much easier, means you don't have to drop everything to answer it and sit gabbing away.