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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not want this person to come to my home and to cancel?

155 replies

Shocksandboooos · 21/03/2019 10:01

I am selling an item on shpock. I’ve had an offer on it for £40 which I have accepted and the buyer has accepted.
However they keep asking for my mobile number and won’t give me a straight answer about when they want to collect.
Am I being ridiculous?

I don’t know but something is just making me uncomfortable. I have sold a few times in this way and have never had any worries.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shocksandboooos · 21/03/2019 11:02

Have measured, it will fit.

Fair enough, as I have said, I could be being utterly ridiculous and am happy to be told so but something about their messages has made me wary.
I will see whether they come back to me about meeting publicly. If not, I will have lost the sale but I can probably live with that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shocksandboooos · 21/03/2019 11:04

I would have happily given my full address once we had agreed a collection time. It is that they were so avoidant in giving this that made me anxious.

OP posts:
ToastyFingers · 21/03/2019 11:05

If I was trying to buy something from you and you wouldn't give me an address or a reliable contact number, I wouldn't bother. being cagey about when/where I can collect from is the bread and butter of gumtree scammers.

Guy won't give you an address, meets you in a supermarket car park, gives you a box full of nothing and sprints away with your cash.

If the buyer is making you nervous, you have every right to cancel but address and phone number is pretty bog standard for facebook/gumtree/schpock selling.

NoParticularPattern · 21/03/2019 11:05

Like others have said, not everyone has internet on their mobile outside of the home (or it costs too much etc etc). I don’t think asking for a contact number or an actual address is weird. If I was buying from someone and they only said “Black Street” I’d be asking for a contact number and if not I’d just give it up and forget it. There might be four houses on the road but there could be a hundred and four, nevermind you don’t know which side of the street or if you have to go round the back etc etc. I’d need a mobile (or landline!) number because my mobile data has just run out and doesn’t renew for a week so I couldn’t use the app unless you’re going to be giving out your WiFi password. If after refusing to give me a proper address or a contact number you then suggested I meet you somewhere else I’d think you were a chancer and not bother.

IceRebel · 21/03/2019 11:07

I would have happily given my full address once we had agreed a collection time. It is that they were so avoidant in giving this that made me anxious.

But they have given you a time

They have now said that they would like to come today at 12

Sometimes if i'm buying an item I will give a rough window (i.e 5-6pm) to account for traffic or leaving work late etc.

Treaclesweet · 21/03/2019 11:09

I think they probably just weren't quite sure when they would arrive? And wanted mobile number as they would call if they couldn't find you? I always ask for a mobile number when collecting rather than driving around for ages looking for a house.

keepingbees · 21/03/2019 11:13

I can't really see the problem with giving a number as you could always just block them after, but just tell them you're not happy giving it out.

Depending on the item I personally would be suspicious of buying from someone that would only meet me somewhere. I would think it was possibly faulty/dodgy and they didn't want me to know where they lived.

Bobbycat121 · 21/03/2019 11:17

Youre not selling a phone are you?! my sister just bought one and the buyer is refusing to give their address, same price as youve said. My sister wants the address just incase anything is wrong with the phone she has the address and the seller is being dodgy about giving it and only wants to meet in a public place. wonder if its you 😂Hmm

Bringbackthestripes · 21/03/2019 11:17

I would be really annoyed if a seller wouldn’t give me an address or a way to contact them en route if I had problems connecting to internet to use messaging.

They have said they want to collect at 12- so ......
I would have happily given my full address once we had agreed a collection time. It is that they were so avoidant in giving this that made me anxious.
^this doesn’t make sense.

Bluntness100 · 21/03/2019 11:19

Agree if someone was selling me something and refused to give a phone number or address and wanted to meet in a public place I'd pull out as I'd think it was a scam,

Nicknacky · 21/03/2019 11:22

I sell quite a lot online and at the start of a conversation I will give my street name so they know where they are coming to and can work out times and only when we have confirmed the sale/time I will give my house number and postcode. Up until then they don’t need my house number.

I don’t generally give out my phone number but have in the past but I wouldn’t routinely give it as most people generally have 3G and if they didn’t, then they could mention that.

Original poster
Shocksandboooos · 21/03/2019 11:23

No it’s not a phone. There is nothing wrong with the item at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shocksandboooos · 21/03/2019 11:26

I must have asked for collection time 10 times an got ‘wot yur Mobil?’ Or ‘wot adres?’ In response before they gave a time. By that point I felt that it was off.

However, as I have said, I am happy to be told that I am being daft.

OP posts:
crosspelican · 21/03/2019 11:30

I would assume scam too, if I was the buyer. Surprised they have persevered with you.

Not saying that there is no way on earth the buyer could be an axe murderer, but giving your contact details is pretty standard form. My husband can't get 3G on his phone this week for some reason, so he would be unable to message you on Schpock to say he was held up, for instance, and would need to call you.

crosspelican · 21/03/2019 11:32

‘wot yur Mobil?’ Or ‘wot adres? is a little inarticulate, but how can they give you a collection time without an address? "East Cambridge" or "Green Lanes" (which is 6 miles long!) doesn't necessarily narrow it down much for someone who can only borrow a car for an hour or something.

RobertSmithdoesmyhair · 21/03/2019 11:33

I always meet outside a supermarket.

crosspelican · 21/03/2019 11:33

If you feel uncomfortable, just cancel.

bobstersmum · 21/03/2019 11:34

A lot of people want a phone number in case their Internet drops out and they can't get into the app to see the address etc.

Vitalogy · 21/03/2019 11:35

They'll be other buyers OP. If it doesn't feel right then don't do it.
I sell a good bit of stuff too. Some people have a problem with basic manners and etiquette.

GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 21/03/2019 11:40

Tbh I would probably think you were being a bit odd. I ask for an address so I can work out how long it will take me to get there and that I know I'm not wasting my time. A number is preferable as well what if they get lost/delayed and need to tell you there late or ask for directions

Impartialerror · 21/03/2019 11:47

What I usually do is, give my mobile number and ask the purchaser to drop me a text or call when they want to collect, then I give my address out. They can’t really do much with a mobile number.

AllTheUserNamesAreTaken · 21/03/2019 11:48

I’d personally think you were the one being dodgy if you expected to meet in a public place rather than your home address. I’d assume the item you were selling was either knocked off or faulty

Dieu · 21/03/2019 11:51

I must admit, I'm not getting the problem here either Hmm

Dvg · 21/03/2019 11:52

i think most people are mis understanding you and YANBU,

most of the time when i buy things online i say for example i can collect around 1 and then they give me the address, i never ask for a number if i ALREADY have a contact for them which he obviously does because there is NO need to message your phone.

Plus you said you gave him the address just not the number, he shouldn't need the number until he has given you a time especially if youve asked for a time specifically before giving an address.

I think always better to be safe than sorry.

MrsNacho · 21/03/2019 12:49

I would also think you are a scammer and trying to sell a faulty item. I would think an address is pretty standard thing to give out.

I would also give the mobile number, it is easy to block people.

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