Gumtree Rudeness

[Prudie]

Hardly used this selling site but if you do can you confirm this is normal behaviour? About 3 weeks ago we advertised a cheap piece of furniture within our locality. Within half an hour one woman emailed back and forth 6 times right up to nearly midnight discussing when she would come and look. Next day never heard from her since. Then over the next couple of days 3 more people emailed expressing their interest, one knocked us down and said he'd come and look in a couple of days. Never heard from any of them again. Then a 5th person, 2 weeks ago said she really wanted it and could she come later in the week and would we hold it. When the day came no show, contacted her and she gave some story about losing her purse and would we hold it another week. Of course that week has gone and no word. It's so damned rude and inconsiderate. Is this the norm for gumtree transactions - maybe you even do it yourselves?

[ladybirder]

Prudie Yes it happens a lot I have found although not quite as bad as you have experienced. I have had people turn up within half an hour of putting stuff on, so can go either way. I sold a £2k Heals sofa in excellent condition for £95 after asking £250ono initially. People really are looking for a bargain. I though £250 was a bargain!

[douglas9401]

I wouldn't say the norm, Prudie, but certainly quite common.

Freecycle can be as bad if not worse.

[Old_Geezer]

Glad I don't use either then.

Of course, when I've finished with something it's no longer in a state that somebody else would want to buy it.

[ummmm]

I don't think they mean to be rude, but they are. I think some people just have higher standards of politeness.

If it's a small'ish item I just put it outside with a post it saying free.

A house down the road has a bay leaf tree and she put post it notes on the tree saying 'help yourself'

[Old_Geezer]

Wow, I quite fancy a bay tree. Would look good on the patio.

[Prudie]

It's a bulky item but it is nice, originally from Next and near perfect. I'd be actually happy to give it away or dump it but too big to get to the tip. I understand people sofa surf and then change their minds but to ask you to hold it and then never get back to you is just plain rude.

[ladybirder]

Prudie perhaps add "No Time Wasters" to your ad. Or phone a couple of charities and see if they will take it. It's not as easy to get rid of sofas as it used to be as lots of charity shops have too many.

[Hopkirk]

British Heart Foundation will collect items. Google for the contact details.

[hc4361]

Good idea about the BHF - I have donated a few bulky items to them and they are always happy to collect.

[tamborine]

dont hold without a non-refund deposit

[Calicogirl]

I'm an absolute skinflint in my day to day existence and have in the past bought tons of excellent stuff from Gumtree and it's amazing how often people say 'sorry it's sold' and then messaged me back because someone hasn't turned up, so clearly very common Prudie :/

[woofgang]

yes, had much rudeness on both gumtree and freecycle. I don't bother with either now.

[aelmpvw]

i've had many pieces of unwanted pieces of decent furniture and i couldn't find a charity willing to pick it up

[jno]

round here we just put unwanted stuff on the pavement; it usually goes quickly. When we were lugging an old TV out, a man took it from us even before we'd put it down.

Mind you, it's embarrassing when things are still there a couple of days later, you think "OMG, is it that bad?"

[mushroom25]

a friend is clearing his late parents' house in south London and is doing it bit by bit on Gumtree and other like sites. he's had the usual many email questions, no shows, etc. one that stuck out was a particular piece of furniture, bulky but fairly light, and due to be collected one afternoon by a female buyer. he told her to be sure to come in a vehicle that she could get the piece in, and she agreed. on the afternoon in question, she called my friend, and her first sentence was "which stop do I get off at - is it outside the Baptist church?"