The Joy Of Selling On The Internet

planenut · 20th July 2017, 17:47

Sometimes this can be successful, other times, an ordeal for the seller, and in the extreme, people falling prey to scammers and scum.

I am currently trying to sell a few items, on Gumtree. My items have had several responses by email, though the ads includes a line that until someone confirms they will buy and attend, I will only communicate by email. Numerous people ask me to ring them, I don't.

One guy has been in touch six times, each time asking pathetic little things that are already described in the ad, and then he asked "how much do you want for it", I said that it's on sale for £24 and there are four other people emailing me - his answer "I'll give you £15 for it", this all takes time and is so annoying.

SCP440 · 20th July 2017, 18:02

Yes I agree.

I put some stuff on Ebay recently and after a few days I wish I had just dumped it.

On eof the items was an old traylor that to be honest it was only fit for parts so I started the bidding at .99p with no reserve. I had numerous requests for a buy it now price and eventually put one on it for £50. I then had people asking me if I would take £25 or £35 for it.

Eventually an old guy one the auction for just over £100 and when he came to collect it he was so pleased with it and he acted as if he had won the lottery. I was so glad those wasters who had been pestering me for a week did not get it.

The odd thing was I had two people email me to say if the winner did not collect it they would happily pay the winning price and collect it within the hour. If these people wanted it so badly why did they not just take the buy it now?

Dallas · 20th July 2017, 18:52

Gumtree is full of scams where all they want is your identity.

Avoid all links sent in text messages, avoid emailing any potential punter directly with your personal email address. Dont bother communicating other than a real phone call, this way you stand a better chance not giving your address details to a scammer, otherwise meet somewhere local.

Honest buyers will call you, you soon can tell from the conversation if you are speaking to a genuine buyer or not.

Lancpudn · 20th July 2017, 19:03

Selling on Gumtree is akin to pulling teeth at times, You have to wade through the tyrekickers & timewasters before you get to a proper buyer, I've had some success on there but the last few things I've tried to sell I've just given up & donated the stuff to the local cats protection league.

tony062622 · 20th July 2017, 19:11

I purchased my 75 on Gumtree last September, must have been lucky never had a problem.I saw that it was local texted the seller if was still for sale, went to see the same day made offer, it was accepted.I gave a small deposit and agreed to transfer the balance when I picked car up a couple days later. Great family and sooooo happy with the car.

Lordy · 20th July 2017, 19:25

I'll never use gumtree ever again had truly awful experience with the site as my card details were hacked through it.

When I ever I can I try and sell though car clubs rather then a selling site, now again do use ebay as well.

Coups · 20th July 2017, 19:34

I must have been lucky with Gumtree. A few chancers right enough but I've sold 5-6 cars and numerous other bits over the years and once you actually have a sensible enquiry I've found the people to be genuine and decent.

Actually bought my first 75 then my first ZT through Gumtree and found the transactions pleasant. But if luck I'm sure.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rogue · 20th July 2017, 19:34

I posted an advert on Gumtree to sell my Father's partner's car last night at about 8:30 as she is no longer well enough to drive. 20 mins later he had a call from a guy in Milton Keynes so quite a distance asking if he would hold the car until he got here this morning at 9am and true to his word he turned up on time with cash and paid for it there and there with the haggled down price exactly what my father was looking for.

Darcydog · 20th July 2017, 19:41

Hi - the crazy thing is that some things seem to sell on ebay for more than you can buy them on the high street.

I bought a great pine table and chairs recently from Gumtree and all went well.

Would totally endorse the caution advice above - never give a phone number or your email address.

Dallas · 20th July 2017, 20:03

If you sell or buy the odd thing here and there, you will most likely not experience a scam, or even a time waster. Gumtree still works the old fashion way when it comes to Classified ads, but its becoming more difficult to filter-out all the fraudulent activity that goes on.

Frequent use of the site, and depending on what you are actually selling/buying is when you will encounter problems.

Its always best not to use your real name, and not your everyday phone number. Pick up a free sim card, or use an old spare phone number you dont mind giving out.

Beat the scammers at their own game, be one step ahead (they soon stop and leave you alone).

20th July 2017, 17:47	#1
planenut Regional Secretary Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Heathrow Posts: 6,948 Thanks: 1,551 Thanked 2,036 Times in 1,264 Posts	The Joy Of Selling On The Internet Sometimes this can be successful, other times, an ordeal for the seller, and in the extreme, people falling prey to scammers and scum. I am currently trying to sell a few items, on Gumtree. My items have had several responses by email, though the ads includes a line that until someone confirms they will buy and attend, I will only communicate by email. Numerous people ask me to ring them, I don't. One guy has been in touch six times, each time asking pathetic little things that are already described in the ad, and then he asked "how much do you want for it", I said that it's on sale for £24 and there are four other people emailing me - his answer "I'll give you £15 for it", this all takes time and is so annoying.

20th July 2017, 19:03	#4
Lancpudn This is my second home MG ZS EV Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Lancashire Posts: 15,566 Thanks: 4,591 Thanked 3,427 Times in 2,565 Posts	Selling on Gumtree is akin to pulling teeth at times, You have to wade through the tyrekickers & timewasters before you get to a proper buyer, I've had some success on there but the last few things I've tried to sell I've just given up & donated the stuff to the local cats protection league. __________________ Blessed are the tea makers. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3b...auto-2000_auto

20th July 2017, 19:11	#5
tony062622 Avid contributor Vauxhall Zafira Auto Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Chester le street Posts: 227 Thanks: 165 Thanked 30 Times in 26 Posts	I purchased my 75 on Gumtree last September, must have been lucky never had a problem.I saw that it was local texted the seller if was still for sale, went to see the same day made offer, it was accepted.I gave a small deposit and agreed to transfer the balance when I picked car up a couple days later. Great family and sooooo happy with the car. __________________ Rover 75 2.0 CDTI(131Ps) Conn Saloon Starlight Silver MBB, This vehicle was the 5,318th 75 CDT Connoisseur (135) to be made out of 8,746. Completed, Pcv filter,viton rings,rear,springs,discs,pads,shoes & shocks.Plenum guard,alternator.Headlamp refurb.rear exhaust.all filters alternator & belts,o/s control arm,windows /mirror controls sorted.2 door cards realigned.rear bulb holder, Wipers,Revotec fan condenser,silicon hoses.Lower rear engine mount Tony

20th July 2017, 19:25	#6
Lordy This is my second home Ford Probe GT. Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Caenarfron Posts: 7,897 Thanks: 3,533 Thanked 2,516 Times in 1,481 Posts	I'll never use gumtree ever again had truly awful experience with the site as my card details were hacked through it. When I ever I can I try and sell though car clubs rather then a selling site, now again do use ebay as well. __________________ Regardless of nation and Origin all Soldiers should be remembered past or present. Lest we forget. Never forget them and support our armed forces. https://i.imgur.com/oyca2Lyl.jpg?1 Passion Never Dies It Only Gets Stronger. Go your own way.

20th July 2017, 19:34	#8
Rogue I really should get out more....... 75 CDT SE 160 Saloon Join Date: May 2017 Location: Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich Posts: 2,645 Thanks: 1,386 Thanked 1,096 Times in 774 Posts	I posted an advert on Gumtree to sell my Father's partner's car last night at about 8:30 as she is no longer well enough to drive. 20 mins later he had a call from a guy in Milton Keynes so quite a distance asking if he would hold the car until he got here this morning at 9am and true to his word he turned up on time with cash and paid for it there and there with the haggled down price exactly what my father was looking for. __________________ Glutton for punishment --- Previously ... 2.6 SD1 x 2, 3.5 SD1, 820S, 820Si x2, 216 Gsi, 220T saloon, 414, 45 1.4 x2 and now a Cowley 75 CDT

20th July 2017, 18:02	#2
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	Yes I agree. I put some stuff on Ebay recently and after a few days I wish I had just dumped it. On eof the items was an old traylor that to be honest it was only fit for parts so I started the bidding at .99p with no reserve. I had numerous requests for a buy it now price and eventually put one on it for £50. I then had people asking me if I would take £25 or £35 for it. Eventually an old guy one the auction for just over £100 and when he came to collect it he was so pleased with it and he acted as if he had won the lottery. I was so glad those wasters who had been pestering me for a week did not get it. The odd thing was I had two people email me to say if the winner did not collect it they would happily pay the winning price and collect it within the hour. If these people wanted it so badly why did they not just take the buy it now?

20th July 2017, 18:52	#3
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	Gumtree is full of scams where all they want is your identity. Avoid all links sent in text messages, avoid emailing any potential punter directly with your personal email address. Dont bother communicating other than a real phone call, this way you stand a better chance not giving your address details to a scammer, otherwise meet somewhere local. Honest buyers will call you, you soon can tell from the conversation if you are speaking to a genuine buyer or not.

20th July 2017, 19:34	#7
Coups Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Contemporary SE Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Dundee Posts: 1,941 Thanks: 545 Thanked 520 Times in 402 Posts	I must have been lucky with Gumtree. A few chancers right enough but I've sold 5-6 cars and numerous other bits over the years and once you actually have a sensible enquiry I've found the people to be genuine and decent. Actually bought my first 75 then my first ZT through Gumtree and found the transactions pleasant. But if luck I'm sure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

20th July 2017, 19:41	#9
Darcydog This is my second home Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 5,428 Thanks: 3,123 Thanked 3,170 Times in 2,096 Posts	Hi - the crazy thing is that some things seem to sell on ebay for more than you can buy them on the high street. I bought a great pine table and chairs recently from Gumtree and all went well. Would totally endorse the caution advice above - never give a phone number or your email address.

20th July 2017, 20:03	#10
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	If you sell or buy the odd thing here and there, you will most likely not experience a scam, or even a time waster. Gumtree still works the old fashion way when it comes to Classified ads, but its becoming more difficult to filter-out all the fraudulent activity that goes on. Frequent use of the site, and depending on what you are actually selling/buying is when you will encounter problems. Its always best not to use your real name, and not your everyday phone number. Pick up a free sim card, or use an old spare phone number you dont mind giving out. Beat the scammers at their own game, be one step ahead (they soon stop and leave you alone).