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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think the cheaper the item you sell the dumber the questions are from buyers

47 replies

Gotosleepeveryeffingone · 01/02/2025 13:39

January has been the longest month ever and I found myself selling lots of perfectly good items that had been forgotten about for bargain prices just to get rid of them.
What I have increasingly noticed is the lower priced items seem to be the most hassle with silly questions or people not turning up.
E.g a video doorbell , it includes the doorbell and a monitor, it's still in it's packaging and unopened, was bought 7 years ago I think and I posted it up to sell for just £6.
Questions:
What is this?
How does this work?

Is it fairly simple to set up? If so, I'll take it!

I answered clarifying it's not a smart doorbell, no internet.
Reply: so can I just connect it to my phone?
I responded saying I don't think this would be suitable for her, explaining it sounds like she wants a smart doorbell.
Her question: so how does it work then?

Why on earth would you expect to get a smart door bell with video monitor unopened for £6?

OP posts:
LeafofLorien · 01/02/2025 13:59

Oh god yes. Priced a wardrobe really low just to avoid having to take it to the tip. Put all measurements on and link to original ikea Web page with dimensions / further info.

Aside from the endless haggling when it was good condition and already only 20 quid....

Them: Do you think it will fit in this space (sends photo). Me: I don't know..... I've put the measurements on, just measure your space?
Them: I don't have a tape measure but I only want it if it will fit here?

Honestly just take it to the tip. Much easier. Save your sanity.

Luluissleeping · 01/02/2025 14:12

Fb marketplace son selling lego £15.
Barry: £10.
Me: Sorry, son wants £15.
Barry: I only got 10.
Barry also offered 20 for a £50 lego set my son was selling.

RaraRachael · 01/02/2025 14:24

I sold a small chest, suitable for a toy box maybe for £10.

A woman asks if the lid lifts up - no it's bloody well glued shuit!
I said yes so she asked for a picture of it with the lid open as if she didn't believe me.

I sold it to somebody else!

Thelnebriati · 01/02/2025 14:39

This is why I only use platforms that let you block people. IME the more stupid the question the more chances are they'll want a refund after they take the item.

Original poster
Gotosleepeveryeffingone · 01/02/2025 23:15

And don't get me started on what happens if you list something for free - that is almost a guarantee that you won't get rid of it fast but will give yourself a headache!

OP posts:
InvisibilityCloakActivated · 01/02/2025 23:26

I was selling a desk and put the dimensions on the ad. Lots of interest...

Person 1: What are the dimensions? (Erm, they're on the ad)
Person 2: What are the dimensions in inches? (Erm, look at a tape measure or ask Google to convert it from the cm dimensions!)
Person 3: Would you take [1/4 of advertised price]? (Erm, no)
Person 4: What is your postcode? My brother will collect it, but I'm not going to see him beforehand so can't give him the cash to give to you, so can you download this payment app? No, he doesn't have a bank card or a bank account so can't get the cash himself. (Erm, hard no!)

RaraRachael · 02/02/2025 00:12

I once listed an item for free.

Man "Why is it free?"
Me "Because I don't wanf any money for it"

What the hell answer was he expecting?

Deadringer · 02/02/2025 00:18

They are even worse when the stuff is free.

Fountofwisdom · 02/02/2025 00:21

Luluissleeping · 01/02/2025 14:12

Fb marketplace son selling lego £15.
Barry: £10.
Me: Sorry, son wants £15.
Barry: I only got 10.
Barry also offered 20 for a £50 lego set my son was selling.

FB Marketplace is a hellhole. Populated by the most stupid morons on the planet. I just ignore all the stupid illiterate messages until I get one that is written politely and coherently because then you just MIGHT be dealing with someone with a brain cell.

NuffSaidSam · 02/02/2025 00:25

Gotosleepeveryeffingone · 01/02/2025 23:15

And don't get me started on what happens if you list something for free - that is almost a guarantee that you won't get rid of it fast but will give yourself a headache!

This is so true. No good deed goes unpunished.

(Although tbf to the video doorbell lady, I can see why she was confused).

bratsummer · 02/02/2025 00:31

I listed something at what I thought was a reasonable price for it. I then got a load of questions from someone very suspicious about the low price (it wasn’t even that low). I felt like replying saying if you think I’m dodgy don’t buy it, absolutely no-one is making you!

Original poster
Gotosleepeveryeffingone · 02/02/2025 00:46

Having read PP's comment about my item being a bit confusing I am genuinely interested to know if the images below are confusing.
Although, if I saw an item posted on a WhatsApp group/ FB marketplace and I didn't know exactly what it was or how it worked I'd probably just carry on scrolling instead of wanting an explanation and ideas on installation...all for £6 lol.

To think the cheaper the item you sell the dumber the questions are from buyers
To think the cheaper the item you sell the dumber the questions are from buyers
OP posts:
Lykke1000 · 02/02/2025 07:04

at the beginning of the first lockdown I tried to sell an ikea desk. Massive interest but awful time wasters. Got angry comments on how I dare to ask so much (my only reason: avoid further time-wasters) - almost the same price as a new one (all shops were closed, remember). Erm… you are not obligated to buy my overpriced one and wait for x years once lockdown is over.

InDogweRust · 02/02/2025 07:09

I actually bin a lot of usable stuff that many would sell because i honestly do not have room in my life/spare capacity for extra stress dealing with the sort of people who buy on buy/sell groups. For a while i tried giving for free but it annoyed me that 95% of stuff I gave away was picked up by the same two or three (difficult/rude/annoying) people and sold on.

Blue278 · 02/02/2025 07:28

I used Free cycle to get rid of loads of things when I moved house.
I realised that some people have their email set up to send an auto response to every new post. Something like ‘I would like this!’. Within seconds of a post.
After a few times of saying, ‘great, when can you collect? Here are the times I am home and here is my address’ then hearing nothing I realised what was happening.

I had a table. As new. On IKEA website for £180. I put it on Freecycle with a note that due to timewasters anyone who really wanted it had to use the magic word ‘table’ in their response.

The only responses with the word table was the following day. There were around 10 of the general responses.

Table women turned up and all was good.

Also a washing machine. Top spec and immaculate. Cost £600 and only 6m old. Was moving to a house with one so put on marketplace for £50.

So many people asking me to deliver it! Then the woman who bought it arrived in a small hatchback alone. Had to call in several neighbours to heave it into her car. Then she made to walk off without paying. Called her back and she was very reluctant to give me the £50. ‘I thought you just wanted rid. I’m a single mum and really need this’ .

I got the money though.

MerelyPlaying · 02/02/2025 07:34

Oh the ‘magic word’ idea is genius, thanks for that.

WomenInConstruction · 02/02/2025 07:35

There needs to be a shocked face react emoji for these. 😳
I've just had a bit of a clear out and am feeling glad I decided to just take it straight to the charity shop.
So thanks for that. 😁

Toastsnack65 · 02/02/2025 07:47

The worst thing is giving away free items. No one can be bothered to use any form of manners. I've mostly get one worded messages like 'available?' or lines like 'I'll have this, I'm collecting tonight', ' give me your postcode'. It's like the most basic of please and thank you leave some people.
I hate getting the ????

Urgh FB marketplace is a horrid platform to use sometimes

DustyLee123 · 02/02/2025 07:48

Freecycle is the worst, people asking if you’ll deliver!

Gliblet · 02/02/2025 07:58

Toastsnack65 · 02/02/2025 07:47

The worst thing is giving away free items. No one can be bothered to use any form of manners. I've mostly get one worded messages like 'available?' or lines like 'I'll have this, I'm collecting tonight', ' give me your postcode'. It's like the most basic of please and thank you leave some people.
I hate getting the ????

Urgh FB marketplace is a horrid platform to use sometimes

I've found the best way to get rid of something you don't want any money for is to leave it on your drive with a sign saying '£20'. It'll be 'stolen' in no time 😆

MalinoisMoxie · 02/02/2025 08:08

I sold a foldable bike trailer, collection only. It was in great condition and they hold their value quite well so lots of interest.

' can you deliver? '
' collection only from AB1 2CD '
' no it needs to be posted to me '
' even if I wanted to post it I don't have the box to put it in. No delivery '
' it folds up small you see. Just find a box'

It folds, it's still fucking huge. And it's infront of me, I can see how big it is.

Someone normal and polite collected it within an hour.

The next day......

' you find a box? '

Bestfootforward11 · 02/02/2025 08:10

The worst is when you have items for free/low cost and arrange collection and it’s a no show without the courtesy of a message. I don’t care if people dont want the item but I don’t want to be hanging about with they’ve said they’ll collect at a certain time and then be ghosted.

FTHC · 02/02/2025 08:12

I listed a dress on Vinted, from a popular bobbly brand. I could have got more on their FB selling group, but find Vinted easier.
Put everything I could think of in the ad e.g some bobbling from handbag strap; no alterations etc...

Message from a potential buyer "Hi, has she been shortened and is there any bobbling?"

I blocked them 🫣

peachystormy · 02/02/2025 08:12

Blue278 · 02/02/2025 07:28

I used Free cycle to get rid of loads of things when I moved house.
I realised that some people have their email set up to send an auto response to every new post. Something like ‘I would like this!’. Within seconds of a post.
After a few times of saying, ‘great, when can you collect? Here are the times I am home and here is my address’ then hearing nothing I realised what was happening.

I had a table. As new. On IKEA website for £180. I put it on Freecycle with a note that due to timewasters anyone who really wanted it had to use the magic word ‘table’ in their response.

The only responses with the word table was the following day. There were around 10 of the general responses.

Table women turned up and all was good.

Also a washing machine. Top spec and immaculate. Cost £600 and only 6m old. Was moving to a house with one so put on marketplace for £50.

So many people asking me to deliver it! Then the woman who bought it arrived in a small hatchback alone. Had to call in several neighbours to heave it into her car. Then she made to walk off without paying. Called her back and she was very reluctant to give me the £50. ‘I thought you just wanted rid. I’m a single mum and really need this’ .

I got the money though.

Bloody hell how cheeky of her!! Glad you got the money

peachystormy · 02/02/2025 08:16

My tuppence worth. I listed my dining table and chairs for free other day, no hassles man turned up as arranged and took it apart in my kitchen away it went. He didn't need the chairs so I just took them to the dump the next day. I had a vax hoover I no longer wanted quite a few years ago. I put it up for free on gumtree and had about 10 replies in 20 minutes 😂 a lovely lady came and got it very quickly no hassles