People Aren't Following Through Garage Sale Ads

[debodun]

I've been advertising the past week on local FB online garage sale sites. I've received several "nibbles" now - people say something to the effect: "I want that!" or "Save that for me." Yet when I contact them and ask when they plan on coming to pick up whatever item they expressed an interest in, most have not followed up on their contact. I have only had one person that replied to my ads. However, when I told her I lived the second house in from a corner, she said she just had foot surgery and if she had to do any walking, forget it. Now that begs the question, why would she even bother to respond if she's in that bad shape? Did she expect I would carry things out and over to the corner?

What is a possible reason people seem so enthusiastic about something, then leave someone hanging?

 

[debodun]

Yesterday I did hear back from a woman that had contacted me and told me to save my teacups for her (2 weeks ago). She said she was still interested, but she just incurred heavy moving expenses and didn't have much money to spend right now. Sounds to me like another excuse to get me down on my prices. I told her I was going to put them out at my next garage sale since I couldn't wait for a day she might have enough money. Have not had a response yet.

If anyone wants to see my teacups, here they are. I am not selling here, just showing. I'm not in a shipping business.

http://teacups101.weebly.com/

 

[Ruth n Jersey]

When I have a garage sale I don't save anything for anyone. I got stung quite a few times that way. I learned my lesson having to drag the stuff back in the house or box it up for Good Will. I noticed that happens on Craig's list also. I spend forever on the phone describing the item they are interested in, give them directions and figure out a time when they can pick the item up and they don't come.

 

[debodun]

This is a new way to harass people. Since caller ID is everywhere and it is a misdemeanor to make misleading phone calls, they use online selling venues to make you jump through hoops, then never show - and there's nothing you can do about it.

The last two years I've never heard so many excuses as to why people can't pay what I see as reasonable prices - "I lost my job", "I'm a single mom", "I had unexpected expenses"....it goes on and on. They give you a 10 minute synopsis of their hardships than stand there like they are waiting for me to say, "Well, if you've had such a hard time, why don't you just take it." Not gonna happen at my sale! My mother paid top dollar for her "treasures" 40 years ago-I'm not going to give it away now. One woman wanted a Depression glass cookie jar I have. I am asking $40 for it, but she said "I'm not paying for your troubles!", so why should I pay for other people's?

A new one I heard this year, "You're things are too good." In other words, people want items they can obtain cheaply, or for nothing, and use them. They don't want to pay $25 for a Depression glass bowl, then feel it's just a showpiece.