Got a nibble on an Easter item on Marketplace

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
It says in my ad that buyers have to come to my house, but the woman wanted me to meet her at some mall 30 miles away from me. I'd loose money on that deal - it would cost more in gas to go there and come back than I'd make on the sale. I also know from this "meet me somewhere" doesn't work after having been stood up several times when I was doing my aunt's estate. That would be a long trip for nothing.
 

When I PMed her back and said she had to come to my house, she responded, "Thanks," Now what does that mean - Thanks, I'll come to your house so give me the address" or "Thanks, but no thanks"? I asked for clarification, but she had not responded. It's a hand-made antique wooden toy for $5.

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Ruth n Jersey said:
@debodun
I also don't ship. To much trouble packing and getting to the post office
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Amen, there. Besides the hassle, they can also claim they never received it or it got broken in shipment and want their money back or claim the item was misrepresented in the descriptiom. If they see it in person, then there's no questions. People are so afraid these days and think everyone else is a homicidal maniac.
 
I doubt a person is going to drive that far to purchase one item for the same reason you aren't willing to drive to sell it.

Here's a way to find someone who may travel to you for a bulk pickup.

https://www.seniorforums.com/threads/etsy-search-by-seller-location.58512/#post-1671248

Pasting OP from that thread:

Thought this might interest @debodun​
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I use search filters for seller location on Etsy for things such as artisanal pieces that I want to make sure come from the region of interest.​
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@debodun thought of your collectables while searching for an item and wondered if there are sellers near you who might make the drive to buy some of your things in bulk.​
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Here's an Albany seller who might be interested in some of your collections. She has 5 star ratings and over 1,000 sales. All you have to do is create an Etsy account and direct message her.​
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debodun said:
It says in my ad that buyers have to come to my house, but the woman wanted me to meet her at some mall 30 miles away from me. I'd loose money on that deal - it would cost more in gas to go there and come back than I'd make on the sale. I also know from this "meet me somewhere" doesn't work after having been stood up several times when I was doing my aunt's estate. That would be a long trip for nothing.
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I totally agree. Best to meet in a busy parking lot.
 
One disadvantage of living in a small out-of-the-way community - people don't want to travel, for one thing, like Annie A mentioned, but they expect me to drive to their locale.

I did hear back from the interested party and that exactly what she said - too far. Why do they bother to respond to the ad when I clearly state "Must pick up in person in (my community)".

I think I did contact that Cottage Decor place a while ago and they weren't interested. Many antiques places are not doing well right now because of societal shut-downs and aren't selling, so they're not buying.

I don't think I have the ambition to open a shop in my house. Having an estate sale twice a year (on average) is a lot of work. Also, I'd probably need extra insurance. I try to sell mostly through local FB sale groups, Marketplace and Craig's List. Once in a while I get a nibble, but hardly anyone follows through.
 
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debodun said:
I think I did contact that Cottage Decor place a while ago and they weren't interested. Many antiques places are not doing well right now because of societal shut-downs and aren't selling, so they're not buying.
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The Cottage Decor Etsy shop lady wasn't interested? I'd think she would still be selling well on Etsy as opposed to a bricks-and-mortar store.
 
Never heard back from Cottage Decor. Maybe because it's the weekend.

A woman just left that came to look at the wooden rabbit toy. Right away it's, "Would you take $2?" Now is paying the whole $5 going to bankrupt anyone? It is a handmade antique toy and well worth the $5. I refused and she said it cost her $3 in gas to get here. Does Walmart reduce the price for you according to how much gas it cost to get there? She left in a huff. I wish if they were going to try to talk down the price, they'd ask when they first contact me instead of making a trip for nothing.
 
I was PMing to a FB friend about this. She said that it's not that people can't afford to pay the asking price, it's about getting the lowest possible price. Well, that works both ways, too. I also want the best possible price.

A few years ago, a young couple looked at a reverse oil painting I had. It is large - about 2 by 3 feet and in a nice ornate frame. I had $100 on it. They asked if I would take $50. I said yes. Then they asked if I'd take $25. I also agreed to that. Then they just walked away. Go figure.
 
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People want everything free! That wooden rabbit is just adorable; I'm sure there are collectible buyers out there that would want it. One of my aunts collected Easter rabbits; she'd love this. RIP, Aunt Elia.
 
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That behavior from other's really stinks and I'm sorry. I remember your trials of selling from when I was here before.

I drove almost 25 miles and met a woman at the Walmart parking lot, after speaking to her twice, to get these two as kittens from a Craig's List add. 10 years later I'm still debating if it was worth the trip. Joking of coarse.

I was early, she was a little late but we both showed.
 

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