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Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: bigssa on July 03, 2018, 06:19:16 PM

Title: OfferUp advice
Post by: bigssa on July 03, 2018, 06:19:16 PM
I found a post for a kettle that I wanted to buy in my area for $30. I offer the guy $20. At 11:30 at night he replies that I can have it for that price if I can pick it up that night. I was asleep (like a normal person with a regular job), so I didn't see it until the morning. I message the guy back and tell him that I can pick it up that day if he is still willing to sell. He replies quickly and asks for my number. I hear nothing after that despite sending some follow up messages, which I could see that he read. I figured that he got a better offer and sold it, but didn't take the ad down.
A couple of days later, I decide to create another account and message him through that one and offer $25 to just see if I can get a reply. Nothing. Doesn't even read the messages. Tonight, I decided to just offer $40 to see what happens. Well, I get a reply within seconds that I need to call this other guy to talk to him about the grill.
I call and arrange to meet in a Walmart parking lot. Guy doesn't show up, so I call the number and he says that he is just waiting for his wife with the truck so he can come over with the grill. 15 mins go by and he is still not there. So I call again, goes to voicemail after 2 rings. Call again after 5 mins, same thing. But then I get a text saying that he had an emergency and we will have to reschedule.
The question is, should I pursue this or is this guy fucking with me? On one hand, I am thinking that I am being fucked with, on the other hand, I am thinking that I am dealing with some hillbilly (this guy sounded like he was a few pennies short of a pound) that can't get his shit together. What would you do in this situation? Mind you, I really want this grill and it is worth every cent of the $40 (to me).
Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: Schaefd2 on July 03, 2018, 06:46:27 PM
I say post an ad to the Craigslist odd jobs section saying that you're in Summer school and need help with a project. The project is a commercial and you need an excellent Chewbacca impersonator to deliver the punchline. Ask the people to call the sellers phone number and upon "Hello?" immediately begin their best and loudest Chewbacca impersonation.


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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: kettlebb on July 03, 2018, 07:02:14 PM
WTF! I wouldn't go through all of that unless it was my holy grail find. Is this your grail or can you find another?


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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: Mike in Roseville on July 03, 2018, 07:10:44 PM
I'd pursue with caution...if it means that much to you (because he's probably a tweaker).

I get the sense that he has a lot more going on in his "personal sphere" than f*cking with you for the hell of it (because he's probably a tweaker).

I say keep at it, but only do a deal in a well lit, public place (DURING THE DAY). But, I'm guessing he sleeps during the day...if he sleeps at all (because he's probably a tweaker).

Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: bigssa on July 03, 2018, 07:16:18 PM
This is not a grail for me. But certainly a hard to find grill in my area. My instincts tell me to stay away, but my weberitis makes me come back for more.

I insisted on meeting in a Walmart parking lot that is busy primarily because of my concern of what might happen. I don't generally get scared of online deals but this is a head scratcher for me.
Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: varekai on July 03, 2018, 07:26:35 PM
@Mike in Roseville , so it looks as though you would proceed with caution in dealing with this gentleman, do you think he might be a tweaker?  He kind of sounds like, what is your impression?.....LOL
Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: Mike in Roseville on July 03, 2018, 07:35:24 PM
Quote from: varekai on July 03, 2018, 07:26:35 PM
@Mike in Roseville , so it looks as though you would proceed with caution in dealing with this gentleman, do you think he might be a tweaker?  He kind of sounds like, what is your impression?.....LOL

Uhhh...a tweaker?  ::)

Some of the facts of this potential transaction lead me to believe ...perhaps.

May be just circumstance and coincidence.

A spacey buyer? Who knows? Spacey seller? Hmmmm.
Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: CarrieAnn on July 03, 2018, 07:48:48 PM
Well, if you really want it, send him your highest and final with a deadline. "Hey, hope your emergency worked out ok. Just checking to see if you're still interested in doing this deal. $40 cash. I can meet anytime between 3-5 this afternoon at Walmart. If that doesn't work, let me know what time does. If we don't confirm a meetup by tomorrow at 10 am, I'll assume you found a new buyer. Look forward to hearing from you"  I recently bought a kettle from a guy that I thought for sure was going to fall thru and it didn't. But I was prepared to drop it the whole time.

I figure it's like this - they want to sell. I have money. If you don't want my money, fine, but I'm not going to beg you to take it.


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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: bigssa on July 03, 2018, 08:10:59 PM
Quote from: CarrieAnn on July 03, 2018, 07:48:48 PM
Well, if you really want it, send him your highest and final with a deadline. "Hey, hope your emergency worked out ok. Just checking to see if you're still interested in doing this deal. $40 cash. I can meet anytime between 3-5 this afternoon at Walmart. If that doesn't work, let me know what time does. If we don't confirm a meetup by tomorrow at 10 am, I'll assume you found a new buyer. Look forward to hearing from you"  I recently bought a kettle from a guy that I thought for sure was going to fall thru and it didn't. But I was prepared to drop it the whole time.

I figure it's like this - they want to sell. I have money. If you don't want my money, fine, but I'm not going to beg you to take it.


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That's good advice. I'm going to text him this tomorrow and see how things play out.
Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: CarrieAnn on July 04, 2018, 06:17:49 AM
He could be fucking with you or he could just be scatterbrained as all hell. I've never been a person with a lot of patience for that bs and as I age to a crotchety old bitch, my patience requires a micromemter to attain proper measurement. I also find people don't pay attention to what you tell them so you really need to be direct. I hate "later", "soon" and "a while". My clocks don't display those times. So I name a time and a deadline, because while you maybe fucking with me, your fuckery has an expiration date :)


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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: RRRanger99 on July 04, 2018, 07:18:28 AM
There's an old saying: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

It's time to move on! The lost time dealing with such an idiot can never be replaced!
Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: Mike in Roseville on July 04, 2018, 07:37:49 AM

Quote from: CarrieAnn on July 04, 2018, 06:17:49 AM
He could be fucking with you or he could just be scatterbrained as all hell. I've never been a person with a lot of patience for that bs and as I age to a crotchety old bitch, my patience requires a micromemter to attain proper measurement. I also find people don't pay attention to what you tell them so you really need to be direct. I hate "later", "soon" and "a while". My clocks don't display those times. So I name a time and a deadline, because while you maybe fucking with me, your fuckery has an expiration date :)


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@CarrieAnn for the win!


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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: bigssa on July 04, 2018, 07:43:13 AM
I gave the guy two options to meet and he hasn't responded yet so I have decided to move on and let this one go. Thanks for the advice.
Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: inkaddictedchef1 on July 04, 2018, 07:50:01 AM
Quote from: Mike in Roseville on July 03, 2018, 07:10:44 PM
I'd pursue with caution...if it means that much to you (because he's probably a tweaker).

I get the sense that he has a lot more going on in his "personal sphere" than f*cking with you for the hell of it (because he's probably a tweaker).

I say keep at it, but only do a deal in a well lit, public place (DURING THE DAY). But, I'm guessing he sleeps during the day...if he sleeps at all (because he's probably a tweaker).
... so TWEAKER is your final answer I take it then.

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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: demosthenes9 on July 04, 2018, 09:56:52 AM
I guess I'm just insane, but I go to people's houses, even at night, to pick up tonight hinges from CL, offerup and the like.

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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: LiquidOcelot on July 04, 2018, 09:59:31 AM
Ok i do a metric fuck ton of deals on offer up , craigslist and letgo. General rule for me is noone comes to my house unless they have a 5 star rating. I also avoid giving my number unless they have a 5 star rating. Also i read the conversation if they are polite and reply in a normal time frame im more likely to be flexable. I have bought a few where i was a little hesitant but the money was right and flip was worth it. I will travel up to an hour depending what it is and where. I will NOT go to known fucked up areas. In my area that means most of oakland, deep richmond areas. But persistence pays off sometimes

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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: Mike in Roseville on July 04, 2018, 10:46:10 AM

Quote from: inkaddictedchef1 on July 04, 2018, 07:50:01 AM
Quote from: Mike in Roseville on July 03, 2018, 07:10:44 PM
I'd pursue with caution...if it means that much to you (because he's probably a tweaker).

I get the sense that he has a lot more going on in his "personal sphere" than f*cking with you for the hell of it (because he's probably a tweaker).

I say keep at it, but only do a deal in a well lit, public place (DURING THE DAY). But, I'm guessing he sleeps during the day...if he sleeps at all (because he's probably a tweaker).
... so TWEAKER is your final answer I take it then.

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Ha...

Like I said...maybe just circumstance and coincidence?

Late night meet up + emergency and had to cancel + Walmart + talk to another guy about the bbq =



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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: Homerdog on July 04, 2018, 01:10:09 PM
@CarrieAnn 👏

Also, depending on where it is, take backup!
Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: Filibuster on July 04, 2018, 01:35:29 PM
   You gave the guy a second chance and saw thru his bullshit, I went through a similar situation and came to the same conclusion, you did the right thing.

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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: bigredmf on July 04, 2018, 05:57:55 PM
I don't negotiate over text email or messenger
Show up with cash and make and offer




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Title: Re: OfferUp advice
Post by: Paul Isa on July 11, 2018, 03:36:51 PM
When someone doesn't reply back to me I have my wife call and leave a message in a very sweet voice.  For some strange reason she gets a quick, direct response.  I show up for the pick-up and it's all good.