Is selling on the classifieds becoming more difficult?

[Long Wheel Base]

Was just an example, but here's the corext one

 

https://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/shimano-ultegra-6800-11spd-cassette

Exactly like this.

[M L]

Its only a good deal if BOTH parties are slightly unhappy about the terms.

That is some weird logic

[CASSIE1975]

I also think a lot of people don't bother searching, if its not on the first 3 pages, they just think there isn't anything they want available.

 

I have seen numerous times people putting up wanted ads for something that's for sale on page 5, at a great price.

 

I wonder if admin has stats on how many people only visit the first 3 pages, how many go through the categories and how many use the search function for classifieds?

 

I MUST AGREE with this...if I am really looking for something, I DO THE SEARCH THING!!!

 

I found an awesome Full Carbon bike about a year ago...person had the add up for about 3 weeks before I saw and replied. The price was quite a bit higher than what it was worth at the time (FIRST TIME SELLER) hence I think the reason for the bike not being sold yet.

 

Was in the market for a bike, BUT the funds were not all in place yet. Contacted the seller and he confirmed the bike is still available (I was stoked). Negotiated on the price and he said I could get it for R5k lower than advertised, bargain (I said to myself)   

 

Took it for a test ride (at his house) and I was sold on the deal, felt like a little KID again   Discussed the deal and said I would have the total funds in about 2 weeks...I gave him a small deposit and seller agreed to keep the the bike. Came back 2 weeks later with the rest of the cash and picked up the bike.

 

Got a huge bargain @ R10k (add was for R15K) - it was a ROAD bike and he was more into MTB training and races...bike was hanging in his garage for about 2 years...you could SEE the cranks have barely been "cranked" and I would guess the bike had about 100-200km's        If I did not search, then I would not have seen this bike!!!

[PygaSchmyga]

That is some weird logic

buts it's right, though. 

 

At the end of the day, willing seller, willing buyer always prevails, and if the seller gives in a little bit on his asking price and the buyer feels like he gets a small geluk, even if he is paying a bit more than he wanted, then the market place is working well.  Hard nosed non negotiable sellers holding out for months on end and @sshole buyers bidding 50% and more below the asking price result in a non-functioning market which fails in the end.

[FirstV8]

wow, that is such a dick move.  Even if they then took out the full price I would love to be able to tell them to get stuffed

That happened to me yesterday but in reverse . Advertised a new oil cooler for 2 months ago for R400 . Got no bites so i dropped the price to R250 . Got a call the next day and the buyer said he would take it . He arrived yesterday and i handed him the cooler for inspection . He then pulled out his wallet and counted out R380 and asked if he could do a EFT from my PC . I said don't worry about the R20 . He obviously saw the original add for R400 not the dropped price . So i got more than i had wanted the second time around HAHA .

[Patchelicious]

That happened to me yesterday but in reverse . Advertised a new oil cooler for 2 months ago for R400 . Got no bites so i dropped the price to R250 . Got a call the next day and the buyer said he would take it . He arrived yesterday and i handed him the cooler for inspection . He then pulled out his wallet and counted out R380 and asked if he could do a EFT from my PC . I said don't worry about the R20 . He obviously saw the original add for R400 not the dropped price . So i got more than i had wanted the second time around HAHA .

And you feel comfortable with this?

[daniemare]

Price = willing buyer & willing seller

 

Problem with classifieds like this one there is now history of actual transactional data. Unlike the JSE where offers to buy and sell, as well as the last closed deal prices are fairly easily obtained, used items on classifieds do not give you this information.

 

Trying to sell your Sasol shares at R600 will get you now buyers just like trying to buy at R100 will get you now sellers, yet those orders are there. No different with classifieds, you will get the low ballers and unrealistic sellers.

 

But an interested buyer or seller can easily see what Sasol shares sold for today so that they can be better informed.

 

The guy on this forum listing his X item without warranty (now matter how “as new” it is) at basically 10% discount will never sell

Edited May 17, 2018 by daniemare

[M L]

buts it's right, though. 

 

At the end of the day, willing seller, willing buyer always prevails, and if the seller gives in a little bit on his asking price and the buyer feels like he gets a small geluk, even if he is paying a bit more than he wanted, then the market place is working well.  Hard nosed non negotiable sellers holding out for months on end and @sshole buyers bidding 50% and more below the asking price result in a non-functioning market which fails in the end.

Ja, I'm not of the opinion that a deal/trade is optimal when both parties are a bit unhappy with the terms. Surely the marketplace is more optimal if all items are priced such that both seller and buyer feel comfortable and happy with the terms.

 

Markets are in my opinion a bit more flexible and dynamic. I already think the classifieds is correcting itself. Sellers are starting to get fed up with 50% of asking price offers, and buyers are reposting their items dropping their prices. Those who don't drop their prices are rigid and increasingly struggle to get their items sold. 

 

Psychologically, however, it is always cool thinking that you haggled on a deal and managed to get a better price than was advertised, and the seller is probably just happy he sold it.

Edited May 18, 2018 by M L

[PygaSchmyga]

And you feel comfortable with this?

I think that is also a dick move.  Seller should have had the honesty to tell the buyer - oke would probably have paid the R400 anyway.

[PygaSchmyga]

Ja, I'm not of the opinion that a deal/trade is optimal when both parties are a bit unhappy with the terms. Surely the marketplace is more optimal if all items are priced such that both seller and buyer feel comfortable and happy with the terms.

 

Markets are in my opinion a bit more flexible and dynamic. I already think the classifieds is correcting itself. Sellers are starting to get fed up with 50% of asking price offers, and buyers are reposting their items dropping their prices. Those who don't drop their prices are rigid and increasingly struggle to get their items sold. 

 

Psychologically, however, it is always cool thinking that you haggled on a deal and managed to get a better price than was advertised, and the seller is probably just happy he sold it.

I think we are saying the same thing

[2bliss]

Three other factors need to be taken into account:

1) It is harder to buy and sell if you live in a smaller town (people don't drive in or out to view a bike for sale, as an example).

2) Everyone knows it is better to buy from someone with lots of positive feedback, but you cannot become that person if people don't buy from you (bit of a catch-22).

3) Some folks don't leave feedback even if a transaction went splendidly.  Seeing as your number of past ads is shown, this may be interpreted as neutral feedback.  Just, meh, neither here nor there, cannot be bothered to say anything.

[Hackster]

In defence of @BAZA, once you have sold something and the item is exchanged for cash it is no longer yours. The new owner is able to do what he or she likes, including selling the item for a profit.

 

This is completely true.

 

But it does mean that someone like Baza gives up the right to complain that all the bargains are gone.

 

Yes, I know that Baza didn't do this, I just feel like making a pedantic point.

 

The existence of people like Baza is proof positive that this particular market is inefficient in terms of pricing.

 

I have nothing against Baza, I just hope I never end up selling him something because it would mean I've priced it too low!

[M L]

This is completely true.

 

But it does mean that someone like Baza gives up the right to complain that all the bargains are gone.

 

Yes, I know that Baza didn't do this, I just feel like making a pedantic point.

 

The existence of people like Baza is proof positive that this particular market is inefficient in terms of pricing.

 

I have nothing against Baza, I just hope I never end up selling him something because it would mean I've priced it too low!

haha, agree 100%

[BigDL]

That happened to me yesterday but in reverse . Advertised a new oil cooler for 2 months ago for R400 . Got no bites so i dropped the price to R250 . Got a call the next day and the buyer said he would take it . He arrived yesterday and i handed him the cooler for inspection . He then pulled out his wallet and counted out R380 and asked if he could do a EFT from my PC . I said don't worry about the R20 . He obviously saw the original add for R400 not the dropped price . So i got more than i had wanted the second time around HAHA .

That’s not lekker

[daniemare]

This week I used The Hub for the first time to sell items.

 

What a pleasant experience. Sold more than 50% of the goods I had on offer within 1 evening.

 

This is my further observation

- I priced my items accepting that they are used. Accepting that they are just lying around in the garage so even R50 is better than what I have when on the shelve

- I got a lot less haggling than I expected. Only 1 person and even that was a very reasonable offer.

- People are very trusting sending me EFTs without me having any history of selling

- Aramax counter to door (at Pick and Pay) is an awsome service and both buyers received their goods within 18 hours since I popped it in the red bin

 

Yes, this was lower value consumable goodies and not large/expensive items like complete bikes or wheels. But my experience was directly oppsite to the title of this post.

[BaGearA]

Three other factors need to be taken into account:

1) It is harder to buy and sell if you live in a smaller town (people don't drive in or out to view a bike for sale, as an example).

2) Everyone knows it is better to buy from someone with lots of positive feedback, but you cannot become that person if people don't buy from you (bit of a catch-22).

3) Some folks don't leave feedback even if a transaction went splendidly.  Seeing as your number of past ads is shown, this may be interpreted as neutral feedback.  Just, meh, neither here nor there, cannot be bothered to say anything.

THIS ^^^^ 

 

I've probably sold nearly 200 item through this site and have like 50 reviews for it