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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to shame FB buyers who are timewasters?

15 replies

Penguincake · 25/02/2019 20:04

Just been let down by another FB buyer. One did not turn up this morning. One has failed to turn up this evening. No response to messages. Another has been stringing me along since Saturday, always delaying pick up. Last week I was giving things away for free and people still did not come when they said they would.

Why do they do it? What joy does it give them to mess about members of their community?

AIBU to start a timewaster thread on FB and link it to our local FB networks so that people know not to deal with these people?

Please do not just advise me to not sell on FB. It is the best way I have of dealing with large objects I no longer want as I do not drive.

OP posts:

recrudescence · 25/02/2019 20:11

Don’t bother contacting no-shows. Re-advertise the moment something is not collected as arranged.

fromdespairto · 25/02/2019 20:33

I feel your pain OP. It's got to the point I'm just going to take all the very good condition baby stuff I'm selling to the charity shops. I'm sick of wasting time for the sake of a few pounds.

Merryoldgoat · 25/02/2019 20:37

I’ve stopped selling stuff because of this. I just shove it on Freecycle now and it goes in hours.

SandAndSea · 25/02/2019 21:27

I've had this too. The last one kept trying to rearrange coming (after not showing up and not letting me know). It's just so disrespectful and I don't understand it - you'd think they'd appreciate getting things for free or very cheap.

You could report them to the group admin?

BrightYellowHat · 25/02/2019 21:31

I stopped using Freecycle for the same reason.

LoopyLou1981 · 25/02/2019 21:33

I’ve actually had a pretty good success rate on there. Although the one the comes to mind is the woman who said she’d like the large item that I was giving away free but that she was a bit busy in the evenings so would I mind driving it over to hers! Erm...no!

Fr3d · 25/02/2019 21:35

Report it to the group admin.

I also arrange to meet only on my terms...e.g. I will be at x (beside where I work) from 9am to 1pm, text me when you are there. Got caught out before waiting to meet no shows etc

Justanotherlurker · 25/02/2019 21:37

r/ChoosingBeggars is a thing.

Selling stuff on FB local is a shit show with buyers and sellers taking the piss to be honest. Its become an electronic boot sale without the guilty breakfast sarnies, every seller thinks they have a unique item and the majority of buyers are looking to flip and sell on

Papillon45 · 25/02/2019 21:40

YANBU I’ve had this from family members no less, who have seen things I’m selling on Facebook, come and look at them, say they want them and then I don’t hear from them again (I’m talking expensive items that I’ve even said they could have half off what I was asking because they’re family, when I could have sold for the full amount) it pisses me off no end

givemesteel · 25/02/2019 21:45

On our fb page people just say "first to collect". I probably wouldn't make arrangements for times when I wouldn't be in anyway so not such a big deal if they don't show.

Hunter037 · 25/02/2019 21:47

I don't give people a second chance if they dont turn up at the arranged time, unless it is an expensive item and I want the money and havent had any other interest.

Free items seem to be the worst for time wasters,which I don't really understand. I guess they think they will snap a bargain then decide they dont need it.

The one who annoyed me most contacted me on a saturday and asked me to keep it until Wednesday (not ideal anyway) and they would come at 5.
I text them at 6 saying "where are you?"
"I'm coming at 7 my husband is out"
"No you aren't I'm going out now!"
"I'm coming now, I bring van now?"
"No you bloody arent!"

Hunter037 · 25/02/2019 21:48

If she had messaged before 5 to say her husband was out and could she come at 7, I probably would have said yes.

This was for a free bed, not a cheap item.

LilQueenie · 25/02/2019 21:55

shame them yes. The ones I hate are those who when given a time slot I'm available in then go and message me hours before if i am in cause they are in the area. There is a reason I don't see the message because I am busy and not in. then at the actual time they were agreeing to pick up I check messages and they don't even bother to show at all.

StinkyCandle · 25/02/2019 22:03

never give anything away for free, until it's to a charity or a school. You attract more timewasters!

Only arrange pick up at times when you are around anyway, not worth wasting your time for idiots.

Always report the no-shows!

I once had a woman who failed to turn up 3 times! to collect something, blaming on a car accident and various excuses. It turned out it was true and she was actually lovely. Now I just readvertise but give people the benefit of the doubt if item is not taken by someone else.

2birds1stone · 25/02/2019 22:15

I never give my address until they confirm just before that they are still coming (just give a vague area)

I am also part of a group where people post time wasters in my area. I often forget to check.

I give people 2 chances. If they don't respond then I send a message saying that I have offered to the next person.

It is full of time wasters but you can get a similar thing on eBay as well

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