Hi Tom,
I've not had much to offer the list of late but here is an email that I do have some thoughts to share....
As you know, I've sold off a lot of my excess parts and a few bikes via the CR list over the years. My experience has been very similar to yours in the type of replies I receive from interested buyers. I have learned that the better and more complete the description is, the fewer questions and therefore quicker commitment I get to buy - that's one way to reduce queries and turn them into quick sales. Next, when I do receive a first response query with or without a commitment to buy, I will still allow that person "first in line" and wait to reply to everyone else until the first in line person commits or moves on. When I respond to the first in line query, I make it clear, politely, that there are others ready to buy so here are your answers and/or pictures and please respond back promptly with a yes or no so that I can then respond back to others waiting a reply from me. A somewhat slower process then your method but it has worked well for me and the CR friends I have sold to (or who missed out). Over time, there always seems to be an CR friend or two that are mildly upset that they missed out on buying the item, that it is first come first served, etc. but by being super thorough in my descriptions, consistent and as fair as I believe one can be, I am satisfied with how this has worked out for everyone.
I hope that's of some help.
BTW, nice Cinelli you sold to Billy Rounds!
Eric Elman
Somers, CT USA
> I'm wondering if others on the list encounter this problem and if they may
> have some ideas on how to deal with it.
> I often get several enquiries when I have placed an item or items for
> sale.
> Then one of the folks who have made inquiry will write back and say
> something to the effect of "Great, I'll take it, where do I send the
> Payment?"
> A few hours later someone else who has made enquiry will write to say they
> want the item or to try and get a better price or ask further questions.
> When I tell them the item has sold they sometimes seem upset that their
> enquiry has not caused me to hold the item for them.
> I think folks need to realize that even if they have asked what size or
> condition something is in or how many of them a seller has, they have not
> bought the item, and it is still for sale. To my mind the person who
> tells
> me they will take the item for sure is the buyer.
> I am wondering if there might be a better way for me to deal with this?
> When I want an item and I am seeking to buy it, the very first sentence in
> my writing to the seller is usually something like "If the item is still
> available, I'll take it" or If that post is a 27.2 mm, I'd like it.". If
> I
> wish more information about the item and I have not made arrangements for
> the seller to hold it for me or something, I expect it may be sold in the
> interim if I am only seeking information. Am I perhaps a bit off base
> here?
> This bothers me a bit when the person who feels badly that they did not
> score the item is someone I know or have dealt with before. I am nearly
> tempted to tell everyone who writes that several people are interested and
> that the item may be sold if they do not act immediately, not as a sales
> gimmick, but to avoid having them being disapointed if the item sells in
> the
> interim. This would seem (to me) to be a bit unethical, though.
> What say you all?
> Tom Sanders
> Lansing, Mi USA