Following up on Craigslist or Marketplace

[teletail]

Just trying to get a feel for what other people are doing. If you contact someone on Marketplace or Craigslist and don’t get a response, do you follow up? If so, how long do you wait. For any who saw my other thread, I’m having a time trying to buy an amp. I was going to go to my favorite store, but I keep seeing these good deals and would really like to save a few bucks.

 

[SixStringSlinger]

First of all, they listed an item for sale, so I figure pretty much anything goes so long as you're polite and reasonable.

Besides that, I'd consider context. If I initially contacted them late Friday night, I'd probably give them till at least Saturday afternoon. Or if it was 10am on Tuesday, don't assume they'll get back to you before 5pm.

But so long as you're not a jerk about it, I don't think it matters much. You want to buy, they (ostensibly) want to sell. What are they gonna do, lose out on a sale because you're too eager?

Just make it clear that you know what the thing is and that you want it (after confirming for yourself that it works), that you have cash in hand right now and that th ball is now in their court.

 

[teletail]

First of all, they listed an item for sale, so I figure pretty much anything goes so long as you're polite and reasonable.

Besides that, I'd consider context. If I initially contacted them late Friday night, I'd probably give them till at least Saturday afternoon. Or if it was 10am on Tuesday, don't assume they'll get back to you before 5pm.

But so long as you're not a jerk about it, I don't think it matters much. You want to buy, they (ostensibly) want to sell. What are they gonna do, lose out on a sale because you're too eager?

Just make it clear that you know what the thing is and that you want it (after confirming for yourself that it works), that you have cash in hand right now and that th ball is now in their court.

Thanks. I always wait at least 24 hours and always word my contact so it’s apparent that I know what their item is, not just a generic response

 

[Tmcqtele65]

I have sold items on both of those platforms, and both make it very easy to indicate that the item has been sold...so if I see a listing I am not afraid to push a little for a response.

I personally feel like there is a responsibility involved to monitor correspondence when you list something publicly, but I also realize that many others don't view this the same way.

Ask. They published the listing... you're just trying to take the next step.

 

[Wildeman]

I had a guy reprimand me for being impatient after I hit him up again, after a week with no response, needless to say, I didn't buy his guitar. You're dealing with individual people sometimes on Reverb, you never know what kinda wierdo your gonna get.

 

[schmee]

Just trying to get a feel for what other people are doing. If you contact someone on Marketplace or Craigslist and don’t get a response, do you follow up? If so, how long do you wait. For any who saw my other thread, I’m having a time trying to buy an amp. I was going to go to my favorite store, but I keep seeing these good deals and would really like to save a few bucks.

Look closely at the contact info on Craig'slist. I have missed phone numbers before and some people only want a call and dont seem to respond to email. email is becoming a thing of the past for many younger people especially.

 

[Dismalhead]

Nah, if I don't get a response I move on.

I was trying to sell a guitar on CL recently and some guy came over and tried it out; said he liked it, but offered me $150 less than I think it's worth. I refused and he left. Then the guy kept pestering me - "I see it's still available, will you take my offer now?" Ended up blocking him on my phone and pulling the ad. Don't be that guy.

 

[Trenchant63]

I was going to go to my favorite store, but I keep seeing these good deals and would really like to save a few bucks.

What’s the $$ gap between store amp and online seller? What is your time worth per hour and how many hours of effort to work the communications, negotiation, amp tryout logistics with the online seller(s) not to mention the elapsed time until you get to the amp you want? Also, if the amp has issues - now you have to struggle with the online seller vs return to store. Will you really save much, if any, money in the end??

 

[Milspec]

About 6 years ago, I contacted a guy on Marketplace regarding a low mileage car. Every attempt to contact the guy via messaging was met with silence. It was driving me mad. After several days of this, I messaged him my phone number and told him that I would be in his town on Saturday with cash.

The dude called me back and told me that he never answered my messages because he thought I was a scammer since I called him an hour after he posted the listing and was out of town. Turned out to be a great car and a nice guy, but he nearly blew it.

My guess is that the seller hasn't responded because he thinks you are not legit for what-ever reason. Maybe have a buddy try contacting the seller or send the seller your number. It is the reason I include my phone number in my listings, I don't want to miss a legit buyer and it also weeds out the fakes / tire kickers.

 

[Refugee]

Look closely at the contact info on Craig'slist. I have missed phone numbers before and some people only want a call and dont seem to respond to email. email is becoming a thing of the past for many younger people especially.

Email now is like snail mail of yesteryear. Such huge piles of spam to sift through it's become too time consuming. I am trying to get companies to go back to snail mail because I have a better chance of seeing it.

 

[teletail]

Nah, if I don't get a response I move on.

I was trying to sell a guitar on CL recently and some guy came over and tried it out; said he liked it, but offered me $150 less than I think it's worth. I refused and he left. Then the guy kept pestering me - "I see it's still available, will you take my offer now?" Ended up blocking him on my phone and pulling the ad. Don't be that guy.

If someone turns down my offer I thank them for their consideration and tell them to let me know if they are unable to get the amount they want for the item.

What’s the $$ gap between store amp and online seller? What is your time worth per hour and how many hours of effort to work the communications, negotiation, amp tryout logistics with the online seller(s) not to mention the elapsed time until you get to the amp you want? Also, if the amp has issues - now you have to struggle with the online seller vs return to store. Will you really save much, if any, money in the end??

Looking at old amps, it's hard to compare apples to apples, but there are a couple of amps I'm looking at which would be about $150 (assuming they work), in the store, it's usually $300 and up so I could be looking at $150 or more difference in price.

 

[kuch]

Usually if I don't get a response to my inquiry within 48 hours, I figure it's already sold.

Maybe I'm just too paranoid after reading what people can do with just your cell #. If it's my listing, I never give out my cell # unless they give me theirs.

If I'm interested in someone's listing, I won't provide my cell # unless they've responded to my initial email.

Good luck finding what you're looking for.

 

[Pops_Caster]

The world is full of flakes, sellers and buyers.

 

[Toto'sDad]

Craigslist either works really well, really bad or not at all. You have about an equal chance of experiencing either one of the options. When I was on Facebook, the Market Place worked pretty well for buying or selling, but I deleted my account over there, and have no interest or intention of going back just to buy and sell.

 

[Marc Morfei]

I would wait a few days and contact them a 2nd time. People miss messages sometimes, or don’t check very often, or just flake out.

I will say that getting no response is very common. Who knows why…

 

[ladave]

Dealing with the same thing myself right now. Couple of days ago I sent messages to 2 different guys on CL who have listings for a $3,000 acoustic and no response.

It's annoying but I know that there are issues with emails not getting seen sometimes so if you really want the item it doesn't hurt to try again.

I once had a guy from craigslist contact me about a month after I emailed him about a D18 he was selling. He said he found the email in his spam and asked if I was still interested. Told him I already bought a different guitar but he offered me such a great deal I ended up buying his as well.

 

[String Tree]

Just trying to get a feel for what other people are doing. If you contact someone on Marketplace or Craigslist and don’t get a response, do you follow up? If so, how long do you wait. For any who saw my other thread, I’m having a time trying to buy an amp. I was going to go to my favorite store, but I keep seeing these good deals and would really like to save a few bucks.

If I don't get a response after the Second Attempt, I'm done with them.

 

[Jakedog]

Look closely at the contact info on Craig'slist. I have missed phone numbers before and some people only want a call and dont seem to respond to email. email is becoming a thing of the past for many younger people especially.

Yeah. It’s weird but it’s true. I always read extra carefully because I will not talk on the phone. With anyone. My phone doesn’t ring, and I don’t answer it. Nor do I use it to call anyone else unless it an emergency.

If an add says calls only I just pass it over. And I list all my ads as text or email only, no calls accepted.

I hate talking on the phone. I don’t even do it with my family or best, oldest, friends. Crazy huge time suck and not enjoyable in any way.

I don’t know why more people won’t use text and email. It’s far easier and much more convenient for everyone involved.

 

[schmee]

The other thing about email contacts is it could go to your spam, or theirs, and not be noticed.

 

[Jakedog]

The other thing about email contacts is it could go to your spam, or theirs, and not be noticed.

I don’t know. If I have crap listed for sale, I’m keeping an eye on my email. And checking my spam folder just in case.

When I decide to list something, it’s not half heartedly. When I decide to sell something it’s because I want something else, so I want whatever I’m selling gone yesterday.