The deteriorating classifieds culture

[BuffsVintageBikes]

On 2/15/2025 at 11:55 AM, karma said:

Before naming and shaming, what's your take on this scenario:

Buyer buys wheelset from me, after negotiating price down significantly.

Less than 3 months later, reselling wheels, just added new cassette, for -R5k more, and twisting the truth about mileage on tyres a bit.

The Casette is not R5k BTW.

 

This is a tricky one:

Why were you willing to negotiate significantly? Do he spin you a long story about needing a sponsor/being broke/desperate etc. You then felt sorry for him and dropped your price dramatically because you're a good bloke.

Were you happy with the price you got at the time? If not, why?

 

Edited Monday at 07:06 AM by BuffsVintageBikes

[Hairy]

On 2/1/2025 at 6:35 PM, love2fly said:

I love it when I get lowballed...I'll pay you Rx......CASH.....like I was going to accept instalments, salt, goats cattle....FFS!

A reseller making that offer in a short and curt message?

[karma]

3 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

This is a tricky one:

Why were you will to negotiate significantly? Do he spin you a long story about needing a sponsor/being broke/desperate etc. You then felt sorry for him and dropped your price dramatically because you're a good bloke.

Were you happy with the price you got at the time? If not, why?

 

Didn't really haggle, my gripe is more with the idea of making such a profit off each other here. Makes one never want to even negotiate a cent from your price with the idea of paying it forward. 

I'd be ashamed if I didn't pay full asking price but then proceed to make a big profit, but that's just me, anyway, school fees I guess.

 

[Hairy]

On 2/15/2025 at 11:55 AM, karma said:

Before naming and shaming, what's your take on this scenario:

Buyer buys wheelset from me, after negotiating price down significantly.

Less than 3 months later, reselling wheels, just added new cassette, for -R5k more, and twisting the truth about mileage on tyres a bit.

The Casette is not R5k BTW.

 

Selling trying to make a few rand is not really an issue, selling and knowingly lying about the product being sold is not cool.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Yeah, I really don't see the issue here. This is how fair trade works.
If you did your due diligence and were happy with the price you got at the time then it sounds like you're just sour that you didn't sell them for more.
Bear in mind that he might be smoking his socks and he won't get the price he's now asking for now anyway.

[love2fly]

8 hours ago, Hairy said:

A reseller making that offer in a short and curt message?

Not well received/ignored

[ChrisF]

10 hours ago, MORNE said:

Yes, yes…‘mr hustler’

but…i and many others have also sold things in the forums on more than one occasion. Through pure discussion and wanting to help out with a part that might not be listed in classifieds. I personally did just the other day.  

A forum discussion starts, someone maybe needs something they cant find..I know i have one in my parts stash somewhere, and offer it for sale to help out. That deal doesn't even go through classifieds. Just saying.

Also, i’d just like to point out that here you are joining in on the k@kpraating in the forums - expressing your opinion 😁. 

Welcome to the community!

 

Couple of very good dealers and specialists that spend a few minutes a week to provide excellent value.

 

It does not have to take hours out of a busy schedule.

[RobynE]

Willing seller, willing buyer and all that. Happens with everything in life.
 

If I know I have something and it’s worth x, I stick to my guns. If I feel I’m pushing the envelope a bit, I’ll allow negotiation. What they do with it afterwards is their business. 
 

If they lie about it afterwards - tough one. But, not my circus anymore.

 

I am selling my daughter’s bike (2022 TR Calypso Junior) and have been lowballed extensively because the bike is “only worth” (retail less depreciation). Except I know that it’s running really good upgraded components that are light years away from stock form (Rockshox SiD WC fork, GX 1x10, DT Swiss wheels and hubs etc), and at 2k less than current new retail on the same bike in stock form, plus all original parts included, I’m sticking to my guns. The right buyer will come along.  

[MORNE]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

Couple of very good dealers and specialists that spend a few minutes a week to provide excellent value.

 

It does not have to take hours out of a busy schedule.

This! Some of our esteemed ‘k@kpraating’ specialists always willing to offer advice includes the likes of Stoke, Titan, Evo, Wheelbuilder and a few others as well. I’d go so far as to say they build rapport in the forums doing this and that reinforces their business reputations for sure. 

[Mamil]

I think in general we tend to overvalue our own items when selling and undervalue the goods of others when considering a purchase.

Perusing the classifieds I often think "you're dreaming" when I see what people are asking. 

[MORNE]

8 hours ago, Mamil said:

I think in general we tend to overvalue our own items when selling and undervalue the goods of others when considering a purchase.

Perusing the classifieds I often think "you're dreaming" when I see what people are asking. 

Some people eventually come to the realisation that they are asking too much and start dropping asking price. I’ve watched items fall by ~40% eventually before they sell. On the other hand there are a few hubbers with items that have been on here for literally 12 months+ at exactly the same price. i thought 12 months ago you were asking too much. Now it’s not only a year older, I still think you are asking too much, AND now I also think it is worth less than what I thought a year ago😅

[Wannabe]

I hear you guys, but some of these resellers are sharks just out for a quick buck.

A year or so ago someone advertised a component I was looking for at a really good price. I responded immediately and was informed one of the resellers already jumped on the sale. I then contacted the reseller, asking if he would relinquish the sale to me, only to be told that he will sell it to me at a much higher price. At this stage the seller was not even paid by the reseller yet and the items were still in the seller's possession.

I told the reseller I thought it not to be very ethical, as I knew what the sale price of the items were and left it at that.

[NotSoBigBen]

23 hours ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

This is a tricky one:

Why were you willing to negotiate significantly? Do he spin you a long story about needing a sponsor/being broke/desperate etc. You then felt sorry for him and dropped your price dramatically because you're a good bloke.

Were you happy with the price you got at the time? If not, why?

 

I had the experience some years ago where I sold a damn decent bike to someone that 'wanted it for his wife' but they were on a tight budget .... Would be a great upgrade for her etc.

Thinking I was doing something good I let it go for substantially less, only for it to pop up for sale about 2 weeks later for more than I was asking for it. No changes whatsoever!

Anyway I've long gone made peace with it .... However I certainly would not do it again!

Mostly just sell amongst mates and acquaintances now

[reteid]

I think once you have sold an item it is for the new owner to do with as he pleases.

[MORNE]

10 minutes ago, reteid said:

I think once you have sold an item it is for the new owner to do with as he pleases.

Sure, i get this. But then don’t lie or play at heart strings to get someone to give you a discount then. Most good people will probably meet you somewhere in the middle if you ask nicely. By exploiting this and selling it the very next day for profit means people in general will avoid helping someone out who might have actually needed the fav. Have some decency and wait n week at least😅. 

[Mike Dewing]

1 hour ago, Wannabe said:

I hear you guys, but some of these resellers are sharks just out for a quick buck.

A year or so ago someone advertised a component I was looking for at a really good price. I responded immediately and was informed one of the resellers already jumped on the sale. I then contacted the reseller, asking if he would relinquish the sale to me, only to be told that he will sell it to me at a much higher price. At this stage the seller was not even paid by the reseller yet and the items were still in the seller's possession.

I told the reseller I thought it not to be very ethical, as I knew what the sale price of the items were and left it at that.

Think you just described the Stock Market🤔