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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

CF Facebook marketplace buyers

16 replies

KhaleesiOfChaos · 20/08/2022 11:34

I had a lot of interest in an item I listed - about 10 people got in touch to ask if it was available.

The first person ignored me, fine, it happens.

The 2nd person then seemed keen and we arranged a time for them to collect. No show. I followed up with them and they didn't respond so in the meantime I'd messaged person 3.

Now, here's my AIBU about whether my message was misleading because person 3 actually arrived to collect it but thought I was giving the item away for free!!!

In my message to them I said "hi, the other buyers didn't turn up so it's yours if you want it."

When they turned up, I went and got the item (plastic garden storage crate which was listed for £25). I plonked it by my doorstep, they said thanks then just picked it up and turned around. I obviously said "hang on, you haven't given me the money yet!". They then were really funny with me and said I'd told them they can have it for me.

They've gone off to get money from a cash point even though I said I'd take PayPal or bank transfer or whatever so I'm skeptical so that they'll return but but I'm writing this really annoyed whilst I wait for them to come back.

AIBU that they're CF or was my message a bit confusing? I've said that so many times and no one's ever been confused before!

OP posts:

sleepymum50 · 20/08/2022 11:38

No they are CF. Your message was about someone else not turning up.

The original posting said the price. Nothing you said to them changed that.

custardbear · 20/08/2022 11:42

They're idiots!

LampLighter414 · 20/08/2022 11:53

When you look at the types of quandaries MN posters get themselves into I suspect this works successfully in the CFers favour a lot of the time.

Good for you holding your ground

IsThereALimitToTheLengthOfUsernames48Characters · 20/08/2022 11:56

I feel your pain. I feel like never listing anything for sale again after some of the annoying people I've had to deal with. A few people not turning up. A couple of times, I had agreed to meet them at my mum's because it was closer to them. Someone begging me to bring the item to them, then getting someone else to say they'd changed their mind when I arrived. Two separate people who peered into our house, asking if we had anything else for sale. We have had loads of uneventful exchanges too, but I always prepare myself for being given the runaround!

Hope you get it sold OP!

ovenproof · 20/08/2022 12:07

I will never ever list things for sale or for free on FB market, EBay or gumtree tree.

My husband does it and no end of cfs.

The most common ones are "I'm disabled so think I should be entitled to have it for free"

"I don't drive so you need to deliver it to me"

The scam ones " I'll send you the money by some weird random international method and send a courier round to collect"

Or they don't show

Or they turn up on foot to pick up a wardrobe then realise they can't carry it

Or they pick up for free a perfectly good item in working order then complain its second hand, or has stopped working.

Or they look around the house and ask if something else is available also

No. Sorry. Won't do it.

Str8talker · 20/08/2022 12:09

Facebook Marketplace is a bit of a twatfest. So many respondents use the 'is this item still for sale' message, as they CBA to type their own message. Of course it's still for sale - that's why it's advertised.
People answering enthusiastically often don't show up or make crazy offers via monosyllabic messages in some form of English that only they understand.
In spite of all the disappointments, I use it for most secondhand item selling and tolerate the wasters as there are normal buyers out there too.

Original poster

KhaleesiOfChaos · 20/08/2022 12:12

They haven't come back so I'm wondering if they genuinely thought I'd decided to give it to them for free...but surely were prepared to pay the asking price otherwise why message in the first place? Baffling behaviour!

Onto potential buyer #4...

I have to say I generally find FB marketplace really straightforward. This particular item has brought out the rudeness / CFness that lots of people seem to come across. No wonder it puts you off if it's fairly common!

OP posts:

DuneFan · 20/08/2022 12:13

So many respondents use the 'is this item still for sale' message, as they CBA to type their own message. Of course it's still for sale - that's why it's advertised.

Actually I would say 50% of the time when I message about an item, its sold/lost/husband took it to the charityshop by accident . . . So I always ask.

JubileeTrifle · 20/08/2022 12:22

I deleted an item and took it to the charity shop months ago and someone asked me about it the other day, so it didn’t delete properly. So worth asking.

I just sold something I’ve had advertised a few times on behalf of DD. Worth about £150, advertised for £100, someone paid £90 yesterday. I’ve had to block so many people who offered me £30/40 because their child REALLY wanted it and they couldn’t afford it.
Thing was DD was selling it to buy something else and explained this. One of them said I should just make up the difference. Block.

I’ve also had people who turn up and don’t think they should have to pay.

Wonnle · 20/08/2022 12:40

It's full of time wasters and messers !

Oh and the "I'll get a courier to pick it up " scammers as well

Hawkins001 · 20/08/2022 12:50

I can understand both sides, I would of added it's yours for x price

TiddleyWink · 20/08/2022 12:53

Clear as day that you meant they can BUY it. They were either thick as mince or trying it on.

AchatAVendre · 20/08/2022 13:16

In my message to them I said "hi, the other buyers didn't turn up so it's yours if you want it."

No non-CF would have assumed this meant it was an item advertised for £25 was now free. The clue is in the phrasing "the other buyer"...

Good for you making them pay for it. They're just chancers trying their luck.

SwankyPants · 20/08/2022 13:21

Don't ever accept PayPal for a collection. You can't prove it wascollected and they can do a charge back

Soubriquet · 20/08/2022 13:23

They won’t come back but no your message wasn’t confusing at all

Ladyof2022 · 20/08/2022 18:18

I've had the exact opposite.

I adveertised a bundle of old unwanted garden tat for sale, about 20 items, mainly plant pots, things to attach plant pots to the wall, brackets, hanging baskets and planters, etc. They were all muddy and dusty and rather than bother cleaning them all I just asked for £5.

A middle class lady of about 55 came for them, had a look, opened her purse and said, "Here, take £15, they are easily worth that."

After so many bad experiences with CF and no shows and people who try to haggle, it was astonishing.

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