At what point do you consider a buyer a flake? Then what steps would you take next?

[BenGhazi]

For the OP’s question: I’d be done after the first ignore/ghost on Monday.

For me, the item isn’t ‘sold’ until cash is in my hand.

That doesn’t mean, for example, I’d agree to meet someone on Thursday, then sell to someone who can meet on Wednesday. But, if we’re trying to work something out, and you go silent on me, I’m moving on. I don’t chase after buyers.

Feedback? None. You’re not out anything. And, as others have said, there may be a good reason for the flake. Just move on.

My $0.02 and worth exactly that, haha!!

Off topic, but looks like you have/had a mighty fine cat companion there!

 

[joefrank64k]

Off topic, but looks like you have/had a mighty fine cat companion there!

That’s my dad from ~1971.

He’s reading through the new Shooter’s Bible on Xmas morning, looking for his next gun.

That’s our cat, Arnold…also looking for HIS next gun, haha!!

And Arnold picked a winner, this Remington XP-100 in .221 Fireball. Talk about a tack-driver.

 

[BenGhazi]

That’s my dad from ~1971.

He’s reading through the new Shooter’s Bible on Xmas morning, looking for his next gun.

That’s our cat, Arnold…also looking for HIS next gun, haha!!

And Arnold picked a winner, this Remington XP-100 in .221 Fireball. Talk about a tack-driver.

View attachment 9430

That's awesome!!

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

Unless I drove out and buyer was no show, etc. or money wasted, no negative feedback.

I keep all my options open, but let buyers' know of potential waitlist or pending.

FYI: Remember, 5 selling transactions a year, Multiple per transaction, upto 50 max a year (I could be wrong on the 50 max). You may get lucky with going 7, 9, 11, 12 transactions. YMMV.

Also It is NEVER the Seller's duty to pay any fees for selling. That is ALL on the buyer, unless Seller decides to pay for it. (Dislike buyers that says "hey, can you lower price by x, but I'll pay the fees!")

 

[FoundFather]

From my perspective, there is no deal until you have agreed on price, place and time. Until then, you are just talking and I would never leave neutral, much less negative, feedback on anyone if they ghosted. I also wouldn’t show it pending or tell anyone it is gone and I will usually keep bumping the posting. Once we have agreed price, place and time, we have a deal and I will mark it SPF and stop bumping. If someone ghosted then I might consider leaving feedback. That never happened to me, with more than 50 transactions on CalGuns.

It seems to me that lots of people, both buyers and sellers, either do not understand offer and acceptance or they are deliberately trying to game you. I make all my communications very clear, and never, ever let flakes bother me.

 

[fifer55]

When I sell anything, I tend to give too much information. Basically, what would I like to see/read when I want to buy something.

If I am selling, I will always put my FFL for the ppt. I try to be flexible on my schedule AND price.

Regarding communication, I always leave my ads open, even if the confirmed, until I have the cash in hand! No exceptions.

I don’t even put “SPF”. I just keep the ad up

 

[Glassmtn]

The only time I would leave feedback is if the buyer or seller left me standing at the counter so to speak. Until I hand over/receive cash the deal is in play and either party can walk away. If I drive somewhere and no one meets me I
am going to be pissed and leave appropriate feedback but someone ghosting before we set a price, location and time is just part of the game. I’ve had plenty of negotiations fail in both the buyer and seller roll. happens sometimes or you just get a bad vibe.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Stop communicating more than two days. I get that real life happens, but mine doesn't have to stop for yours.

I would usually just hit the "ignore" button (Calguns) and move on.

 

[Plnuchris]

What about when a seller goes silent, agrees to where and when then nothing, with ad still posted?

 

[arm3drv]

So I won't name names mostly just want to get opinions.

I am selling a firearm here on the forum, buyer reached out we agreed on a price, I even agreed to go to a different non-preferred FFL. This was monday. Our last message was me saying I could possibly make that work it would depend the day. Then radio silence this was monday afternoon.

I followed up last night via text, and this morning via the forum and still nothing. I have already reopened my ad. At what point would you abandon the person completely and would you then consider leaving neutral feedback due to the flake or just drop it and move on?

I would consider one a flake if buyer has agreed to meet at a specific spot or FFL and when you try to confirm the day of they completely go “Ghost”…..so far it has only happened to me once and I’ve been fortunate enough not to deal with so many of these both here and in past at CGN (and I do a lot of selling and trading)……I would call it a done deal when I receive the funds but then again I’ve heard stories from other members about having to return a portion of the funds back because the buyer had DROS issues Good luck with the sale, hopefully the next offer goes through

 

[RustyIron]

What about when a seller goes silent, agrees to where and when then nothing, with ad still posted?

If he didn't pick up the phone when I called, and he didn't call me back after two messages, I'd consider him a flake. Unless it's a super rare gun and you'll never find another, then write this joker off.

 

[BigPimping]

Buyers are liars. Give me the scratch and seal the deal.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

I would consider one a flake if buyer has agreed to meet at a specific spot or FFL and when you try to confirm the day of they completely go “Ghost”…..so far it has only happened to me once and I’ve been fortunate enough not to deal with so many of these both here and in past at CGN (and I do a lot of selling and trading)……I would call it a done deal when I receive the funds but then again I’ve heard stories from other members about having to return a portion of the funds back because the buyer had DROS issues Good luck with the sale, hopefully the next offer goes through

I don't return anything back after it is sold, nor do I expect myself to get a refund if I have dros issues for PPT purposes. The buyer or seller should know if they have problems or not.

But the buyer should have a choice in choosing the FFL as long as it is within seller's vicinity. No one should be doing a dros at a FFL that does not release on undetermined for PPT. If it was a non-PPT, the business can refund some or all on undetermined.

The money is good as gone as soon as I receive it. I ain't a business, and I end up selling guns due to need of cash or funds.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

If a seller demands to have PPT done at a certain specific FFL, which happens to be a FFL that does not release on undetermined. To me, that is the seller hoping the buyer fails and gets their gun back. Unless that is the only FFL in the city.

 

[Hiraeth9092]

That deals probably off OP, keep your ad up until its sold.

I just had a guy flake on me twice in the same week, I let him talk me down on price too and then the first time he flaked it was a sunday that I bailed on plans I had made, but ok fine, I get it. Sometimes thing pop up and I understand that, so anyway he said lets do wednesday at 10am. I agreed, blocked out my work day to meet him, and I checked in on monday and he flaked again "sorry blah blah" whatever.

I was done with this guy at that point.

I also held it for him when I had another buyer reach out to me with my asking price, so I lost on that deal because I was holding it for him trying to be a decent person. I decided to go put it on consignment, and now he reaches out again a week later asking if we can still do the $1800 lol. I told him if he wants it, go down to the shop I put it at, and pay the $2200 for it.

From now on I am treating private deals like a first date. They dont show up or stay in touch, I am moving on.
I won't give negative feedback I just won't deal with you anymore if you waste my time.

 

[foothillman]

Sellers can also be a FLAKE.
On this forum a seller wanted to sell some mismatch .40
Different brands/bullet types/grams.
Was asking OK price but since it was only good for testing what could jam your .40 was not interested at his asking price.
Dropped the price but still not for me.
One day he changed to WTT for 9mm or .45 "Federal or Fiocchi"
I have Federal 9mm so I sent a PM for trade ratio.
Sent back 1 to 1
At that ratio was willing to trade.
Sent him pictures of my Federal 115g 9mm with a option of Blazer Brass 124g 9mm
Let him know I can trade at anytime anyplace that was good for him.

Lets me know he researched my ammo and decided it was to old?
Looked for a expiration date......unable to find it.
That his mismatch ammo was worth more.
Well no chit......9mm vs .40 $$$$$

Did not send a reply to his last message.
He changed his FS post with updated information, born on date 2021 for trade J/K.

Feel no feedback is proper but if you want to sell or trade, step up and do your research before posting.
Maybe we can add

would be harder to see for buyers.
A badge that expires in a month?

 

[Warpspeed]

How do you guys feel about giving a Neutral rating for that? Or no harm no foul? No feedback...

If the buyer uses the magic words " I will take it" then from my perspective we have a deal. If the buyer were to back out or ghost at that point, I'd be OK with a Neutral Rating letting others know his/her word was no good.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

Sellers can also be a FLAKE.
On this forum a seller wanted to sell some mismatch .40
Different brands/bullet types/grams.
Was asking OK price but since it was only good for testing what could jam your .40 was not interested at his asking price.
Dropped the price but still not for me.
One day he changed to WTT for 9mm or .45 "Federal or Fiocchi"
I have Federal 9mm so I sent a PM for trade ratio.
Sent back 1 to 1
At that ratio was willing to trade.
Sent him pictures of my Federal 115g 9mm with a option of Blazer Brass 124g 9mm
Let him know I can trade at anytime anyplace that was good for him.

Lets me know he researched my ammo and decided it was to old?
Looked for a expiration date......unable to find it.
That his mismatch ammo was worth more.
Well no chit......9mm vs .40 $$$$$

Did not send a reply to his last message.
He changed his FS post with updated information, born on date 2021 for trade J/K.

Feel no feedback is proper but if you want to sell or trade, step up and do your research before posting.
Maybe we can add

would be harder to see for buyers.
A badge that expires in a month?

Only an idiot would think ammo expires. And a bigger idiot to think federal and blazer ammo is worse than mix matched ammo.

 

[FoundFather]

Only an idiot would think ammo expires. And a bigger idiot to think federal and blazer ammo is worse than mix matched ammo.

Now, now children. We are supossed to play nice on this forum, unlike the old one. Surely you meant to say something more along the following lines:

Excuse me, good sir, but I beg to differ. I believe you are gravely mistaken about ammo expiring. I am afraid I also have a differing view on the relative merits of federal and blazer as compared to mix match ammo. Perhaps we could air our differences over brandy at the club the next time we are both in town?

 

[Motion122]

1-2 days, and if there is no response with a follow-up, he is not buying the firearm.