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Have had this happen twice this past year.This morning I seen an piece of equipment on eBrandon that I have been watching for for some time now.Made a direct call to the seller and asked a few questions about the item and decided to purchase the item and told the seller that I would buy it.I said to seller I would be in contact in a coupler hours for directions.Went home hooked up to my trailer and headed on my way.Pulled over and contacted the person for directions and was told that someone else was on the way to look at the item and would be there shortly after I committed to the item.Is nobody’s word any good any more ?

I've been on both sides of transactions. I've held items for someone who said they were on their way with cash more than once, and then dont show. In the mean time I told other potential buyers the item is sold. So now I'm the type of seller who doesnt promise anything until cash is in my hand. I cant blame anyone else for having the same policy.

I agree completely and have had the same exact experiences.

Lots of people tell me that they're going to buy my item. Most of them don't actually show up. So if somebody says they're going to come and it takes them longer than an hour, I don't turn other potential buyers away. If it's a hard-to-find item, lots of people are willing to put a deposit on it via e-transfer if they really want it. That's the only situation where I'll hold an item longer than an hour for a potential buyer.  
 
Edited by TheBrofessor, 2023-01-18 20:21:18

100 % agree, too many people are “on the way to pick up the item” and then don’t show. I don’t hold item without a deposit anymore for this reason.

I do the same as I have been on both sides. I will offer money asap to hold things I am really interested in. On the other hand I sell tons of stuff and I am hoping to make it a science on how to deal with buyers. I can generally discern their interest level by text or phone more and more.  
 
I make it clear in the ad at times that there are no holds and if price is low I let them know it's firm.  
I really feel for rural folks and try to give them a break, but the e-transfer helps or sending someone who is in the city to view the item is how I would play it if I really wanted something.  
 
That said, I am not without flaws as a buyer. I have had to cancel pick ups, but will never ghost someone if I changed my mind. That's the etiquette I would expect in return. Some people have some great excuses for not being in communication. Again, that gauges their interest level, is how I see it.  
 
Right now I am selling some cellphones for a good price and some want me to hold until their pay date. One lady asked if I could hold item until Thurs or Fri? I said "What is it? I need a time and exact date as I have others in line".

I sympathize with you 100%! I’ve experienced this same thing in the past! Was going to purchase a vehicle, told the seller I would take it. Also told the seller I was going to the bank to get a registered check. Followed through on my end and Went to the trouble of getting a registered check made up, only to find out the next day that “someone else” was coming to pick up the truck!! Same frustrating crap as you went through! Are you supposed to etransfer a deposit to hold it now? How many people get scammed everyday with paying ahead of time for things that are not legit for sale? You can’t win!

Some people are leery of sending etransfer deposits on items they haven’t seen in person yet due to scams. This is not just for buying pets. The warning is everywhere.

When I’m selling I take 3 or 4 numbers of people interested after someone commits to buy,I ask the buyer to keep in contact as to when you are on your way.When and if they are late I will try to make contact and if they don’t reply I move on to the next buyer.Please maintain contact!I do not sell to the first person that says they can be there sooner (30min in my case). After some already made a definite commitmentSeen like fair business practice to me.Guess I was raised ( on a farm) differently then some others!

Too many y scams out there fir many if us to.just send an etransfer as a deposit to hold the item. Of course I realize that supposed buyers often do not show up. Why on earth would any seller tell potential buyers that the item is sold just because someone called earlier and said they would buy it??  
 
If I am selling something and someone says they will come look tomorrow morning, then my next caller gets told someone is looking tomorrow morning and if they don't take it you can have next chance after that. I might have 3 or 4 in line. If first guy takes it then it's a simple job to message the others and let them know the item is gone. I won't etransfer a deposit and don't expect others to do so either.

It’s hard being both a buyer and a seller, unfortunately. I try to be fair but also protect myself from the “no shows”. However, I feel like common sense and common courtesy has gone out the window. If I’m selling something large and/or expensive, I’m going to treat it like how I would want to be the buyer. I will hold it until an agreed upon time so the buyer can see it and arrange to pickup. I know not everyone lives in town or has a truck. These things take time to arrange. If they don’t come at the agreed upon time then I move on.  
 
If someone asks to hold it for more than a day, I ask that they either pay for it first or they can message me when they know they can come and see if it’s still available. If they don’t want to send money then it’s a chance they take. I understand that completely but I buy and sell a lot and I have been “no showed” too many times. If it’s a name I recognize from mutual friends or something, I may be more willing to trust them and hold it for them  
 
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten the, “sorry can’t make it. Had to go to the ER” message…. Are you all okay out there??? The ER must be a hoppin’ place! Lol