Conditional deals.... Yes or No

[ageofreason13]

Last week I had a Mike Trout Gold on ebay listed at $699. A buyer out in CA sends me a message wanting to know if I will sell direct to him, and offers me $550. I told him that I would sell direct at that price and asked him to provide me with an email address that I could invoice. He then says before he can committ he wants know specific details about the card. I am at work (like most people during the day) and I tell him I will answer his questions when I get home. He is adament that he will not committ to a deal until his questions are answered, and I inform him that I am not going to end the listing until he is committed. Later on I start getting serious offers, and email him to let him know. He starts to accuse me of trying to "milk an extra $50" out of the card. Then he says he doesn't trust me to be honest about answering his questions, so I tell him the deal is off. He is still sending me harassing emails about the deal, especially now that I sold the card tonight on ebay for $615? Was I wrong to not sell to him? I consider myself an honest seller and have never had the problems with another collector that I have had with this guy.

[mikecancelliere]

You just gotta ignore these guys... What is his eBay name

[ageofreason13]

See my signature

[Verufian]

Well, no you weren't wrong. First, he wants you to sell it offline, which I've only done ONCE, and it was after a listing ended. That's usually a red flag in my mind, even though I understand it could be mutually beneficial. I understand him wanting specifics, since $550 is a decent amount of money.

Him not wanting to commit until he knows his answers, but wanting you to cancel your auction before he commits is a double standard. Why wouldn't you take the offer that gives you more money?

He's just butthurt because he lost out on a deal, which we all have. Hell, most of the cards I go after on the bay, I usually end up in a bidding war with my LCS lol. I don't get mad, I lost, it sold for more than I was willing to spend, so be it.

[gamboooler]

I'd say you had a deal when you asked for his address to send the invoice. However, when he started conditioning his offer, that probably let you know he was waffling and might now follow-through (and wouldn't follow-through unless x, y, z, etc.). Therefore, you were absolutely entitled to explore other avenues to get the card sold.

[ageofreason13]

Exactly, it is a double standard. I have been burned a few times by people that say they want a card and then decide after I have ended a listing or marked it on a thread as sold that there is a surface dimple or some other tiny flaw that ruins the card for them. I told him up front I would not end until he was committed to pay. Now he wants to lecture me about honor and integrity...

[gr8azn]

This sounds fimiliar I had a guy who kept asking me about the condition of a card he bought and paid for it and I told him its a possible 9.5 for sure a 9 but I wouldnt gurantee anything.
He gets the card and says its crap wants a refund so I say send it back and he then paypal chargebacks me. Paypal ruled in my favor because he had no proof of return.
Whats your buyers name?
LMK
Thanks!

[ageofreason13]

What really bothers me, is that I apologized for the confusion the following day and told him that I ended the listing and would honor the price we agreed on. His response was that he would not buy it on a matter of principle, which is fine. Then I relist tonight after seeing one end on auction and the card sells tonight for $615 and he starts immediately messaging me to fuss about not getting to buy it.

[Jenkinssssss]

cant believe you wasted that much time with him.

[jsherber85]

You where in the right to sell to whomever you wanted. he was not willing to deal so he has no reason for complaint. I would just block his messages or put them in your spam folder.

[gradedeflator]

I've actually dealt with that ebay user before, as the buyer, and he was super professional and helpful (not that I am condoning his harassing emails). in fact, the first transaction went well and I ended up purchased subsequent card from that user.

Just playing devil's advocate, I feel that conditional deals can be frustrating when on the wrong end, so my guess is mrme1 is just annoyed and venting. For example, I recently had an agreement in place to buy a 1/1 from a seller who was selling on consignment on FCB. They said "if you can pay this price, it shouldn't be an issue," and I said "sure." Then of course over the next few days they tell me they are having trouble getting a hold of the owner to close the deal, that they are playing phone tag, etc. I ask for a response by end of week. They agree. Well Thursday, Friday and Saturday pass, and no response from the board member.

Then, of course, on saturday the card shows up on eBay. So either the consignor sold the card to someone else, or the owner moved it elsewhere. Either way, I felt like I was due a response/explanation out of our courtesy. I emailed the boardmember to ask and, SHOCKINGLY, no response. That, IMHO, is plain rude.

p.s. congrats on the sale!

[ageofreason13]

I've actually dealt with that ebay user before, as the buyer, and he was super professional and helpful (not that I am condoning his harassing emails). in fact, the first transaction went well and I ended up purchased subsequent card from that user.

Just playing devil's advocate, I feel that conditional deals can be frustrating when on the wrong end, so my guess is mrme1 is just annoyed and venting. For example, I recently had an agreement in place to buy a 1/1 from a seller who was selling on consignment on FCB. They said "if you can pay this price, it shouldn't be an issue," and I said "sure." Then of course over the next few days they tell me they are having trouble getting a hold of the owner to close the deal, that they are playing phone tag, etc. I ask for a response by end of week. They agree. Well Thursday, Friday and Saturday pass, and no response from the board member.

Then, of course, on saturday the card shows up on eBay. So either the consignor sold the card to someone else, or the owner moved it elsewhere. Either way, I felt like I was due a response/explanation out of our courtesy. I emailed the boardmember to ask and, SHOCKINGLY, no response. That, IMHO, is plain rude.

p.s. congrats on the sale!

He has great feedback, and I have no doubt you had a positive experience. I was up front that I would field other offers until he was ready to commit. I am sure he would tell you I am a lying cheat, but I think my feedback speaks for itself. I apologized to him and I thought things were over, then as soon as the I relist and sell the card he starts sending nasty messages again.

[gr8azn]

So who was the ebay id?