Sellers beware of +65 9114 5330.

[cybertaz]

Hi guys

I have read many sad stories of being stood up by the other party and unfortuntately I was a victim of a seemingly random act of prank myself last evening. As a result, it was an utter waste of my precious time. I have no prior contact or dealing with this person.

I guess if the above person is out to play a prank on me, there's nothing I can do to smell any rat because all correspondence with this person right up to 5 mins (!) before meeting time seemed real. I can understand if a buyer changes his mind as long as sufficient notice is given to minimize any inconvenience of their other party, especially if a guitar case has to be lugged along to a meeting place more than 10km away from my residence. It's basic courtesy and decency. I'm not sure if this is something to do with his upbringing.

I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt that this was not a prank but he was avoiding my call for an hour after the meeting time. During that hour, he didn't make any attempt to contact me. After some relentless dialing on his mobile, he finally found the balls to speak up but the BS story he told me (citing phone was mysteriously spoilt and he was dealing with another seller at the same time???) was lame and insincere.

I was not convinced of his BS explaination hence the best I can do is to warn other geninue sellers in this forum about this guy. Of course, he can always use another number in future but thanks to this cowardly gentleman, I have learnt my lesson which I hope to share with all sellers:

As a seller, deal only at your own place even it has to be slightly cheaper to compensate for the transport. Geninue buyers are willining to make their way to your place.

I didn't bother to get his name but I welcome this kid to clear his name here by reproducing the BS story he told me last night for all to judge. Lastly I wish him good luck in his future life/career if this is his way of dealing with others regardless of his academic achievement or family wealth.

Regards.

 

[tyzjames]

I once had a seller who had me drive all the way to his block and when I was there he turned off his phone. People like this are everywhere:S

 

[guitarsan]

As a seller, deal only at your own place even it has to be slightly cheaper to compensate for the transport. Geninue buyers are willining to make their way to your place.

This should be the rule of thumb for every seller. If a buyer is genuine enough, he/she will come.

On a side note....

I've never understood the psychology behind buyers who pull out of the deal at the last minute, without informing the seller, and refuse to answer phone calls. Not only are they very rude, they are also totally irresponsible. And it's quite common, more so with teenagers. What are they trying to achieve here? I'm just guessing....

These kids GAS for the item, but have insufficient money. So they try to either (i) lowball, (ii) reserve the item, (iii) make the purchase anyway (if i & ii don't work) and agree to meet the seller. Hence you get all the "fly aeroplane" cases. And they will not answer phone calls to avoid confrontation and responsibilties for their actions.

Also some of these buyers GAS for the item....until the last minute at least, when they realised....(i) their GAS faded, (ii) unwilling to part their cash, (iii) something new appears, (iv) chickened out fearing buyer's remorse. Likewise, they take the irresponsible route by not informing the seller, or only informing the seller 15-30 minutes prior to appointment. And some will switch off their handphones to avoid the situation entirely. I'm sure some people here at SOFT are guilty of these, because I've first hand experience with a few of these individuals.

It seems accountability and responsibility are dying virtues in this current generation. My 2 sens.

 

[cybertaz]

Good point on the lack of accountability amongst the selected young here (I'm trying my best not to generalize), Guitarsan. As a parent myself with a school-going kid, I can identify a few :

1. Peer pressure. You can't avoid it 100% but if the kid is not guided properly by the parent, he/she may pick up the wrong values and that will lead to anti-social behaviour like what we have experienced above. In extreme cases, he/she may resort to crimes.

2. Getting used to instant gratification. I can understand parents are eager to please their 3 or 4 year old child by buying the desired toys on the spot but some parents may extend the same "sayang" ways to their children who are already in their teens. If these young people can't understand the concept of opportunity cost and "earning their keep", how would they know accountability and responsibility?

Well, my episode with this kid will be a text book case when imparting the right values to my child.

 

[subversion]

some people do not have the capacity to account for their about turn when it comes to dealing. maybe they are afraid of being seen in bad light but as it is with business (as fundamental as it is, sometimes), people tend to change their minds & we understand this human element but coupling it with bad manners & the lack of guts simply reek of cowardice.

however, let's not be judgmental when it comes to people who find it inconvenient to travel to your residence to deal.

 

[superpotato_30]

Heh in my past 2 years since i picked up guitar playing i have never encountered any fly aeroplane cases, but i've encountered unreasonable jokes.

Anyway due to so many horror stories of disappearances such as this i think probably it would be better to adopt what i do?
Normally i would clearly state on my threads that dealing is at my convenience and once a price on the item is firm it STAYS firm unless the buyer is a friend of mine.
When a number SMSes/Calls me i always inquire if the person is a softie and if so what is his username.
Any reservations should include downpayment. Im insistent upon this as it helps to siphon out the serious buyers from the punks.

TS, and to all who have been played out before i sympathize with you.
Through my methods of dealing i have made many many good friends from SOFT interestingly. Maybe you guys could try it

 

[guitarsan]

=cybertaz

Yep. Instant gratification, but at the expense of other people. They don't mind wasting time and effort....as long it's not theirs, but someone else's. Maybe they think the "I heck care you" attitude is a norm nowadays.

 

[1mband]

Maybe it's time to create a sticky for a "warning list" of such pple.

Putting the sticky at the main page will be useful,
http://soft.com.sg/classified/

e.g. what HWZ is doing,
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2224375

Need not to put it there forever, but making it seasonal, like, for that year.
Becos such pple may change for the better, or, they may change their number.

I mean, the SOFT classifieds had grown, so should its control measures.

James, you reading this?

 

[guitarsan]

some people do not have the capacity to account for their about turn when it comes to dealing. maybe they are afraid of being seen in bad light but as it is with business (as fundamental as it is, sometimes), people tend to change their minds & we understand this human element but coupling it with bad manners & the lack of guts simply reek of cowardice.

however, let's not be judgmental when it comes to people who find it inconvenient to travel to your residence to deal.

Most sellers wouldn't mind buyers who change their decision about buying. It's pretty normal in every sale. However, it's plain rude and disrespectful to back out at the very last minute, and even more so by not showing up and intentionally switching off all communication with the seller. And yes, you're right....their actions portray lack of guts and cowardice.

As for buyers who find it inconvenient, tiring or "leceh" to travel to deal....well, it's best they don't buy. Because it means they don't really need the product, and are not too keen to buy in the first place. In my experience, most serious/genuine buyers will make the trip without whining and complaining.

In relation to the above, I've a Malaysian friend who drove all the way from Kuantan (east coast of Pahang) to KL to buy a used guitar from someone. Why? Because he really wanted that guitar, so distance was no issue to him. And how big is S'pore? Maybe people here are too pampered and want everything serve right to their doorsteps. IMO.

 

[superpotato_30]

Maybe it's time to create a sticky for a "warning list" of such pple.

Putting the sticky at the main page will be useful,
http://soft.com.sg/classified/

e.g. what HWZ is doing,
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2224375

Need not to put it there forever, but making it seasonal, like, for that year.
Becos such pple may change for the better, or, they may change their number.

I mean, the SOFT classifieds had grown, so should its control measures.

James, you reading this?

It would be difficult to implement such a thread because more often than not it would be a one sided account. A case of miscommunication could result in a negative outcome regardless of buyer/seller being genuine or not. Its not fair in that sense.
Some of have mentioned it before. There was a thread like this started by DJthugs but it died after awhile :/

 

[1mband]

^agree.

So, we'll have to use such sticky wisely.
1) Post and reveal such pple's nick/contacts and story, only when you are very sure there was no miscomm.
2) We can always edit/remove when it is necessary, supporting the removal of names/numbers with reasons.