Do you request "deposits" for craigslist buyers?

[Floridagal23]

I am trying to clean out my closet in preparation for my upcoming move and had several coach items that were either new or in really great condition that I wanted to sell. Weary of ebay, I advertised on CL in my town and someone came by yesterday. Now, I advertised the bags as all under $50 but when she came over, she was really excited about the brand so I brought one out that I was thinking of selling (a black hamptons hobo with the black/white strap that I used 3 times) and offered it to her for sale. She agreed to take that, a weekender and a suede wristlet (never used) for $140. I thought that was a really fair offer since the wristlet retailed for 78, the weekender is selling on ebay for lots, and the hobo is also selling on ebay for at least 100-125 and there is not even a black one available. The most important thing to me was just getting everything out of my home and to give it to someone who likes coach. I probably would have even gone lower just to avoid ebay and give my coach items a good home.

Anyway, so she said that because my ad said that everything was $50 or under, she didn't have that much cash on her and she was meeting a friend for dinner later in the day so she had to keep some $$. She works nearby so I said she could just come tomorrow to get it. She offered to write a check but I was weary so I said that she could come today. She had asked about another bag and I said it was not for sale anymore, but I emailed her to tell her it was for sale for $75 (a brand new kate spade bag). Anyway, she writes back "Sorry I am not interested in any of the bags" after she told me to hold everything and not to sell to anyone else.

Now, I could send her an email telling her that I have it in writing that she will take the items, but I do not care to deal with the drama or the nastiness. I just want to streamline my closet (going from a 2br to a studio) and make a little money. I do not use the bags and they are just sitting in dustbags. However, I was talking to my BF and he thought I should have asked her for a deposit to ensure that she came back the next day. So, my question to you is..do you ever ask people to give a deposit? If so, how much?

I am having some people come to look @ furniture items (coffee table, etc) so I am wondering that if they promise to take the item another day, if I should ask for a deposit to ensure that they come back.

Thanks!

 

[fatewineroses]

When I sell on CL my policies are always as follows:

• Cash or paypal only.
• First come, first serve. - This includes if you call me and tell me that you can't make it until after 5pm and someone can come right now.
• I don't "hold" items.
• If someone calls me about an item and someone else has already expressed an interest in the item, I let the new person know that. It fosters a bit of competitiveness and let's ppl know that I'm less likely to negotiate a price down.

Unless you're going to list each item with a picture and put a price up, I'd make sure to give a price range and that's all.

I'm very nice about enforcing all of my person CL policies, but each and every one of them stands. I've sold items ranging from a car to a small tool on CL and had very good success.

Good luck!

 

[Bren's Mom]

I agree, first come, first served. Except that if I have agreed that someone can come by at, say, 2pm...and at 1pm someone e-mails and says I can be there in 5 minutes I tell them I will give the 2pm person his/her opportunity and if the sale doesn't happen person # 2 can come and get it. (Sometimes people have to drive a distance...doesn't seem fair to agree to sell it to them and have them arrive to find you've sold it to someone else.)

I'd be VERY wary of taking a deposit. What a nightmare if you don't have it in writing what happens to the deposit after how long. What if they didn't show up but came to your home looking for the deposit $$$ 3 weeks later? I'd just take cash and only sell to people who have got it in their hands now.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

A reminder to all members:

For Sale and Wanted-to-Buy posts are not permitted on the DIS as per the Posting Guidelines. Please do not make offers to sell or requests to purchase on the boards. Thank you for your cooperation.​

Posts that have been made that refer to buying/selling have been removed.

 

[Floridagal23]

Sorry! That was not my intention

I would normally not ask for a deposit, but this person really irritated me today, promising to take multiple items at a very inexpensive price comparedto the value and not showing up. I think that just means that I am done with CL for awhile. I guess it just comes down to the fact that I would never, ever tell someone that I am totally set on something and then bail. I would rather ask someone if I can think about it than give anyone a solid answer and then be rude about it the next day. I always treat people how I would want to be treated but apparently not everybody was raised the same as me. I hosted this individual in my apartment for the better part of an hour while she modeled item and after item and I lowered the price after price. She confirmed her purchase to me via email when she got home. It would have been smarter of me to say "Well, why don't you pay for this item today and you can come back with the rest of themoney for the other 2 tomorrow" so that even if she did not come back, I would have sold something.

At any rate, it is kind of a moot point because I think I am just going to donate them to a women's shelter nearby. Hopefully somebody there will have a little bit happier of a day with some new or very lightly used coach items!

I will follow your tips with respect to the furniture purchasers. Thanks!