The Little World

A while back I decided to try our local swap and sell app – Gumtree – to dispose of an unwanted plastic model kit. The app was efficient and easy to use, which was a blessing for a non-tech person. I have used my iPad to picture objects for sale, offer them, and frequently have success. I cannot think of any occasion upon which I haven’t scored some sales via this method.

But there are some interesting things about it. They won’t accept some classes of goods for sale – probably thinking of legal ramifications. I could not list clasp knives or decorative swords. No big problem, as I was able to give them away to the unwary. However here is the harvest of folly for things that can be sold:

a. Someone reads the advertisement for a model kit or a toy car in Brisbane. I am in Perth. If you’re overseas think a New York/Los Angeles or London/Moscow distance. A considerable way to ship the goods and the carriage – whether postal or private shipping – amounts to some $ 15-$ 50.  Having an interested party ask for this shipping to be absorbed by the seller…on a $ 100 item…is just silly. But they demand it.

b. Responding to an advertisement with a counter offer to sell something to the seller is clever, but weird. Particularly if the advertisement is looking for a swap.

c. ” Best price all three ” is a curt demand that I lower my price on goods that are very inexpensive already. I’m to bargain myself down and down and down. Bargaining does happen, but it needs two sides.

d. Having someone engage for a sale or trade and promise to call the next day is a perfectly honest thing. When someone else then wants the goods, the only fair thing to do is to say that there is a first refusal on it, but to offer to re-contact them should the first business not eventuate.

Ah, but then the second person starts to up the offers and promise better value in a swap…and tells you that they have a fabulous stash of kits to choose from…and tells you that they are going overseas in a couple of days so you”ll need to reneg on  the other deal today…

I like fish but I prefer them fresh, as the smell is better.

e. Will I take a cheque? Certainly, if you are prepared to wait until the cheque clears before you take the goods. No? Ah…

f. Have I got other things for sale? Perhaps. Keep watching Gumtree.

g. Discount? Why? For cash? My dear, it’s only sold for cash…