Craigslist Etiquette Is For Suckers.

By Mandi 07/26/2011

I am totally a nice person.

Like nice to a fault.

Normally, when I find something amazing on Craigslist or at the thrift store and its being held for someone I politely ask the seller to call me back if it falls through.

Do you know how many people have called me back?

NONE.

Jerks.

Anyways there are a few things that still haunt me in my ultimate house makeover that haunt me in my sleep.

You know treasures that you just arent going to find again. Curse you stupid barstools.

So the reason for this post?

I found some dining room chairs on Craigslist tonight that I DIED over. Like really, I was hyperventilating when I called the seller.

Guess what.

Someone was supposed to pick them up tomorrow at noon. The seller was so nice and said she would call me tomorrow if they decided not to get them.

CRAP. CRAP. CRAP. CRAP. CRAP!

It was the ā€œmy life will never be compete without you feelingā€ that you get when your 8th grade boyfriend breaks up with you.

So what did I do?

I called the seller back and offered her more money.

She had to call her mom who owns the chairs.

FINALLY after like an hour she called back and told me that she would.

I am freakin excited and a little (ok a lot) guilty.

I would never do this on something that I thought I could find again.

I mean I have been thrifting and hunting CL for a year solid and have never seen anything like these chairs.

Am I evil?

Please tell me no.

And please donā€™t ever do this to a piece I have on hold. Mmmmkay thanks.

So what do you think? Have you ever been a CL cheater? Do you hate me now?

Love Your Guts

94 thoughts on “Craigslist Etiquette Is For Suckers.”

  1. Craigslist is first come first serve as far as I’m concerned. I always tell people that I’m willing to pick stuff up immediately because SO many people bail after making an appointment. When I’m selling stuff I tell people if they want to come the next day that I will sell it if someone will come that night. Plus I totally bypass emails when people sound creepy or can’t spell at all.

  2. Nope. You are a terrible person. I can’t believe you did that!

    Kidding. It’s called capitalism, and it’s one of the things that makes our country great. The sellers made more money… you got what you wanted. The other buyer could have offered more on top of that. (If it was houses rather than dining room chairs, we call it the Real Estate game, right…?)

  3. I totally did something like this once!

    I had been looking for a chaise lounge for forever…. like for 3 years and could only find ugly ones or some for like 500 bucks… anyways I finally found a perfect one for 50 bucks. I called the lady and she said someone was coming to pick it up later and she would call me if they didn’t. I practically cried.

    So a few hours later I called her again and asked if they came to get it yet. She said no and that they should come before five. So I called at exactly five. She said she would give them a call. Ten minutes later I called her again and she said I could come get it!

    I am like you and would usually not do this but I couldn’t pass this up!

  4. I love when someone calls and says, “Can I come look at it Saturday ?” Our response is always, “Call me Saturday.” Maybe we are evil, but we don’t hold ANYTHING! Call me when you are on your way to pick it up!!!

  5. Hello,
    Chairs aren’t important in this life. It just doesn’t sit right with me to ask someone to break a promise to their original potential buyer just for your own wants. I don’t believe the seller should have accepted the offer either. It just doesn’t seem like the right thing to do to me. If the seller had worded in their listing, the first one to come get this gets it and they hadn’t made any promises or holds for anyone that’s different altogether. And if the original buyer didn’t show, again, totally fair game. I’m sorry, I don’t think this is the response you were hoping for, but its my honest opinion. Thanks for taking the time to read it though. Blessings to you in Christ Jesus!

    1. Oh please… I believe in courtesy and respect, during these transactions, but in regard to promises… this is the real world. Craigslist sales and promises are mutually exclusive terms. It’s up to each individual to assess the situation and do as they see fit. There is nothing immoral about changing your mind, trusting your intuition, or simply taking the faster buyer or higher offer for your item.

  6. I say “First Come First Serve” – and the Seller sould have said so too!
    Good for you.
    Having said that, you’ve created CL Karma – so don’t ever ask a Seller to hold something~! šŸ™‚

  7. Never been a “cheater” on CL, but sometimes I think it’s okay.

    When I was trying to sell my couch on CL, I got a few good bites, including one who was going to drive down and pick it up. I confirmed a date and time for this lady to pick it up and she never showed, called, etc.. I ended up wasting half a day waiting around for her to show, and she never did. So, I would have preferred a “cheater” in that case.

  8. I wondered who got my chairs when the seller called me back and said they “had decided” not to sell them anymore. Now I know…..so you are a capitalist and a Mormon? ; )
    I think it was a smart idea to counter offer and if the seller felt they had made a binding promise, to their other potential buyer without cash, they would not have accepted your offer to pay more cash. Who knows…they may have contacted the other buyer and said they had a higher offer……I think you are safe. The seller is going to hell….not you.
    ; ) Love, Me

  9. I’m in the middle of selling almost a houseful of furniture and such on Craiglist. Not only will I not hold something, but I also will tell a potential buyer that I have “several” people coming over the next day. It usually motivates them to come immediately and pay full asking. I don’t think it’s unethical at all. You’re getting deeply discounted goods from an individual. You play or you don’t.

  10. I agree with Jenn; however I can’t fault you the most for trying. Where the fault mostly resides is with the seller, who should have told you no, that they gave their word to another first. If people are going to accept higher offers, that’s called an auction and has no place on CL. It’s too bad that greed rules this world, but we have to live in it and all we can do is try to do what’s right and repent when we don’t.

  11. wow…such intense debate over a craigslist buy…

    If I were the seller, the right thing would have been to let the 1st dudes know you had a higher offer and see if they can match it…

    …but you as a consumer have every right in the world to offer a counter to someones sale…you go girl!

  12. Since these chairs were so special, I am most curious to get a look at them and what you do with them. I don’t hate you but you better not ever do that to me.

  13. Just because you offered doesn’t mean she had to accept! I don’t think you did anything wrong, she’s the one who probably feels a little guilty since she’d already commited the chairs to someone else. You were just a savvy business gal!! šŸ˜‰

  14. hahaha……. you are not a bad person and I bet 90% of us would have done the same thing if we thought of it. And who knows maybe the reason she took so long to call back was that she was letting the other person know if they wanted to match your offer. Or maybe not. But either way I don’t feel like you did anything wrong.

  15. Maybe no one calls you back because they actually sold the item?

    Otherwise I don’t think it’s horrible. CL is definitely first come first serve.

  16. Well, if I had been the person you managed to take the chairs away from I would have been extremely upset. Next time you might consider putting yourself in the original buyer’s place. I do not think you are the only one at fault, the seller is not a nice person to backout on the original deal. I have been in the original buyer’s place so I know how she/he feels. Take care.

  17. I’ve tried to offer more money but they wouldn’t sell. Crazy if you ask me I mean isn’t that why it’s on CL! Lucky she sold can’t wait to see these beauties!

    Megan

  18. Mandi I love you to death but…I’m trying to think how the other lady is going to feel when she finds out that her chairs were ripped out from under her. I can’t imagine how you’d react if the tables were turned. I know I’d FREAK! You also have no idea the reason she couldn’t make it that night. In my mind a deal is a deal. Don’t hate me though…I’m just the empathetic kind.

  19. If I was the other person, I’d be pissed, but not at you, at the seller. But that was their call and all you did was offer. If it was a holy grail item for you, then it was definitely worth it and I can’t wait to see it! Now, if I could only find a great nightstand on CL that’s begging to be painted grey with some kickin white typography…

  20. Bummer for them. For sure. But I’m sure the seller let them know there was another offer on the table. Hey, it’s second-hand….kind of like an auction. So, good for you. All’s fair in love and decor. I say.

  21. I don’t blame you one bit and I have been on that other side where an awesome table and chairs was the prize and I had an appointment to pick it up the next day. Called to confirm that morning and, sorry, its sold. UGH!! Yeah, I was mad and still a little bitter, but that was on the seller, not the buyer who beat me there. It is first come, first serve. I should have asked the guy if it was a firm sale even though I was picking up the next day. Won’t make that mistake again, and haven’t. I pick up right away. Don’t feel bad at all, but don’t ask for somebody to hold something for you either. šŸ˜‰

  22. Ha! I was laughing bc I think I would have showed up as the “noon” pickup and just gotten there before her. Hehe… no I just dream about being that devious… but good job! You’re not a cheater!

  23. Like many people have said, it’s first come, first serve. Having been a seller with many broken promises from buyers, I don’t believe the seller was remiss in taking an offer from someone that was obviously determined to win the day. If the seller didn’t have the courtesy to allow the original buyer the opportunity to outbid you, then it’s really the seller to blame here.

    I’m sure you would have been ticked to be on the receiving end of this, but you also use CL enough to know the vagaries of the game. Glad you won this round and can’t wait to see the chairs. I’m sure they are awesome soon be elevated to spectacular under your care!

  24. CL has always been first come first served in my experience. If I find something I can’t live without, I pick it up immediately. Just like the person she was “holding” the chairs for should have done! šŸ™‚

  25. That’s actually a really good idea! I too get so bummed out when I find the perfect item on CL and it’s already been “sort of” bought. I’m going to try your approach next time.

  26. ummm, pictures please! bad etiquette be darned, it’s so frustrating when you’re searching for the perfect thing, you find it and answer a post very quickly and it’s already gone.

  27. I definitely won’t stop loving you, but I am surprised at you, because it doesn’t seem like something you would do. It feels under-handed. The fact that you’re asking for our feedback (correct me if I’m wrong) implies that you are not totally comfortable with your decision either. Do you still have time to call the seller back and wait and see if the original person who wanted them comes for those chairs at noon? If not, you’ll know they were meant to be yours.

  28. Well, you certainly evoked some emotions and strong feelings with this post! šŸ™‚ From the flip side of it, I have been the one who has had something ‘jerked’ from under them. It. Is. Not. A. Nice. Feeling. At. All. I feel sorry for that lady but I say the seller is more at fault. You are certainly free to offer but what kind of seller won’t honor their promises?! A very unethical one. So, like everyone else, now I’m curious to see the stools that have created such a ruckus. šŸ™‚

  29. Whoa people, don’t ya know about Mandi’s other blog šŸ™‚

    I think we are jumping to conclusions, we don’t know that she didn’t call the other buyer and say, “Hey, I have someone that is offering me more money.” and that lady said, “Oh well, then she can have them”…

    Maybe that is why it took her an hour to call you back.

    Bottom line- it never hurts to ask.

    Love you Mandi.

  30. I think that you are FINE. I think that the seller should ALWAYS be the one to not short change any ends…so even though the seller agreed initially to uphold a deal…the seller should call right away to tell the other buyer deal is off. So it is the sellers obligation at that point. As a seller on those sites I definately would ALWAYS take more money if offered. Geez this is just craig’s list not pottery barn, or tai pan!

  31. Not cool. I have limited time that I can pick up CL items due to my work schedule and I ALWAYS show up when I say I will. So if someone agreed to hold it for me and sold it out from under me, I’d be ripping PO’d. Technically not your fault, but not really nice to the other person.

  32. OH and Mandi,

    Can I please please please have your other set of perfectly mismatched dining chairs if you are getting rid of them… to be replaced by these new ones.

    I DIED over them when I saw them on your PB knock off rope chandy tutorial.

    Just kidding but not really. šŸ™‚

    I live in Virginia.

  33. i don’t hate you either…but i don’t agree with you! This has happened to me before and i was on my way to get the item (they lived in the boondocks!) i spent the time and gas money to get there and she sold it to a “higher bidder” i was so ticked! i too am a VERY nice person, so i didn’t tell her i was upset…i just fumed about it inside all week!:)

  34. Wow, I don’t usually read all the comments on a post but this was interesting.
    I think Craigslist is first come first serve. I get so irritated when I am looking for something and there is a ‘pending pickup’ or something in the for sale line. Just delete the ad if that is how you do it. Geesh.
    I had someone come to buy a shelf I had once. She said shed get her wallet and loaded the shelf and left! I was PO’d. Learned my lesson there.
    I don’t fault you. If you can’t get something right away don’t expect anyone to hold it, even if they say they will. And don’t let anyone start loading anything until you have cash in hand!
    I still love ya. Can’t wait to see them:)

  35. I think you were totally justified. I agree with the ‘first come first serve’ tactic for CL. If I’m selling something I want it gone, but for a good price – whoever can get to my house fastest with the cash wins. And likewise, if I can’t go to see a potential purchase until tomorrow I don’t think its fair to expect the seller to hold it just for me and pass up other buyers. Would you do that for a yard sale? No. I don’t think its too different.

    Now about these chairs…I think we need to see them ASAP. šŸ™‚

  36. haha. i think your justified…

    i have the worst luck with craigslist… i get all excited and then i call and it’s already spoken for! i’m going to try your tactic the next time i can’t live without something!

  37. Bahaha! This post and the comments crack me up! Don’t feel guilty Mandi, it’s just CL. As a seller I let potential buyers know that it’s either my asking price or the best offer, and nothing is a done deal until I’ve got the cash in my hand. (First come, first serve) While I can empathize with the buyer who gets under-handed, I think people need to realize that sellers are just trying to make a buck. If someone offers more money than I do, I either try to top them or let it go. It’s JUST Craigslist.

    Can’t wait to see the chairs… you’re a dream Mandi. =)

  38. I have done that before only…i offered the same amount and the girl really wanted the dresser gone so I hoped on it ASAP…you snooze you lose, learned that the hard way many a times…

  39. Wow people are nuts on here! CL is first come first serve. Everyone should know that. I have been On both the selling side and the buying side. I have held stuff for people and have tOld people that there was a hold. If someone offered me more money I would take it without a hint of guilt. I have had many people not show up for appt. I also have been beaten to a deal. Was I mad? Um maybe at my husband for not getting there fast enough. Never at a seller and certainly not at another buyer.

    By the way can’t wait to see these chairs!!

  40. I don’t hate you Mandi! I agree that Craigslist is first come first served. As a seller I’ve hated when people say they’re going to come get something, then put it off for days, and meanwhile I’m wondering if they’re even going to come or if I’m just missing out on getting my item sold. Craigslist isn’t Walmart- you can’t put stuff on layaway! So while it’s too bad for the lady that missed out on the chairs, you helped make the seller more money, so think how happy you made her! šŸ™‚

  41. As a person who has furnished her home largely on the back of Craigslist dealings, I have been there on all sides. It blows to be the one that got knocked out of the deal because someone offered more $$ or could come sooner. There have been some items that I just couldn’t believe I MISSED for stuff like that, but then again, I understand. As a seller, you just want to get it GONE already with cash in hand. Basically, I’ve just learned along the way that if you want it you’ve got to let the seller know ASAP and plan to pick it up at the seller’s first convenience . . . whenever that is. It’s not always easy to be that flexible, but I’ve definitely used that fastness tactic on some inopportune times for some stuff that was TOTALLY worth it in the end. In my experience, that’s just the only way you can make sure it’s yours.

    The real problem I have is sellers that change their mind and decide NOT to sell after you already drive out there. Had that happen to my husband once. RIDICULOUS. He took a long lunch during work hours to go pick this thing up during the time convenient to the seller and she put it in the back of her car and DROVE AWAY WITH IT about 5 minutes before he got there. Her daughter answered the door and called her and realized what happened. That was crazy. I think there was some kind of a hoarding issue going on there, because who puts a butcher block kitchen island in their car just to drive around for awhile? Clearly, you don’t really want to sell it.

    Sorry for the novel. Apparently I have a lot to say when it comes to CL.

  42. Bah! This debate is hilarious! I hope some of these make it on Favorite Hate Mail. Really, if the item is that important to the potential buyer, they should rush over! Once, I found this buffet on ksl for $50. I loved it, and called only to find out it was being held. I offered more money but the seller said no. Craigslist = no rules. Pictures soon please!

  43. I think it is bad – I feel bad for that other person and you should too!! What ever happened to people giving their word and standing by it????

    I guess your word isn’t any good on CL

  44. Ha! I totally did that once…well I was on the other side. Someone offered to buy something from me and then another person offered more. I gave it to the “highest bidder” and had to all the other guy back and tell him sorry! I think ya snooze ya lose. If you want something that bad you buy it right then!

    I say great job. šŸ™‚

  45. You know, I don’t think you did anything wrong. Seller probably should have posed the counter-offer to the original buyer. End of the day? You got your chairs!!!
    I love that you felt the need to publicly confess this. You are so funny!

  46. man I’m just excited I want to see what you got! I know for me if I’ve said I’d buy it (from someone on CL), I’d be bummed but I’d know that people can’t hold things, especially for a better offer.

  47. I’m pretty sure you’re overthinking this. They were selling the chairs. You bought the chairs. The end. Congrats on your purchase! Can’t wait to see em!

  48. Mandi I totally support your Craigslist etiquette! I have had so many ppl say they are “really” interested and will call back or come by tomorrow and then I never hear from them again. As a seller, money talks. And as a buyer, well I told a lady that I would pick up a headboard the next day but when I called back she said another lady was also wanting it so whoever could come by first could have it. I had to run out the door fast but I made it first šŸ™‚
    Craigslist is all about first come first serve.

  49. I don’t like what you did, and would have been in tears if I had called and the woman said she was holding them for me, and then I showed up the next day and she had sold them to you. What if the person was not able to get there until the next day because of car reasons or something — it it not that they were lazy or “snoozing”…it is that they were trusting. They are the one who saw them 1st and you should have been the one to lose out. I think you know this to be true, you just don’t care to accept it because you want the chairs and being a human, you are justifying your selfishness to make yourself feel ok about the greedy thing you did. I think because no one will speak up and say this is wrong, this will be common practice and will be the norm, but it is not nice, and it is not kind.

  50. I totally agree with you Valerie!! I am surprised by Mandi’s behavior. She DID NOT DO THE RIGHT THING. And all you other ladies that think that she did, should do a check on your morals as well.

  51. eh, it just doesn’t set right with me. i think the real onus in on the seller, but you put her in a bad position. if i really want and item i call back the next day after the first person was supposed to pick them up rather than waiting for the seller to call me.

  52. You made me completely laugh with this post. I’ve been looking for a rustic pine console table for three months on Craigslist.

    I’ve dealt with TONS of nutjobs. I finally found the perfect one. The sellers were moving in two days. I drove over an hour in major traffic to get it last week. I’m sooo happy I did that.

  53. Why are you the bad person for offering more money, shouldn’t the guilt be on the seller for accepting? CL is tricking isn’t it? I’ve been the first caller, make the appt and the seller has sold the piece before I get there for one reason or another, I don’t blame the buyer but the seller…just my thoughts.

  54. You made me super paranoid when I found the perfect Victorian couch on CL last night. It needs work, but it was only $30 and I was so worried that the seller was going to sell it out from underneath me. I have been looking for a couch like this for months and hadn’t found anything in my price range. So, now I’m all terrified that my house will remain furnitureless if I can’t get to something this very minute! Thanks for that! :p

  55. Etiquette is never for suckers. It’s for a civilized society. You’ve got lots of supporters but that doesn’t make a wrong right. I try to be honest and fair in all my dealings and hopefully I don’t justify an unethical act by rationalizing the way so many of your fans seem to have done. They are just chairs but there is a greater principle involved. Don’t be mad. I only commented because you invited it. You are a VERY talented girl!

  56. Haha, this is exactly what has me tied up in knots right now. I found a screamin’ deal on something (way under $100 for something that should be $300-$400) and I’m picking it up tonight. And I’m SO worried that something will happen before it’s in my possession.

    But no, you are not evil. Just smart šŸ™‚ I’m sure the other buyer could have offered to pay more than you and kept them and if someone offers more for what I am about to pick up then I’ll pay more because it’s seriously a great deal and worth it.

  57. You didn’t do anything wrong! For all anybody knows the seller called the first buyer and told them about your counter offer and the declined to match or offer more $. I can’t believe anyone is seriously questioning Mandy’s morals over this?? This happens at for home sales and at garage sales all the time! She made an offer on some chairs and it was accepted. THE END.

  58. I think you rock, sistah. Good for you- and yes, this is a free market economy (heard that on TV somewhere) so you technically are following the rules!! It’s all Economics 101! Go girl and keep on getting down witcho bad self….and sharing the love, of course.
    Mwah!

  59. I think the problem is mainly with the seller – BUT – Mandi certainly knew what she was doing as well so there has to be a bit of blame there as well. Not eternal damnation but certainly bad karma.

    Craig’s List is only first come first served IF the seller makes it so. If the seller says they will hold then they OUGHT TO.

    The comments re questioning Mandi’s morals – well obviously she was doing that herself or she wouldn’t have posed the question!

  60. You saw chairs you loved and went for it! Craigslist is first come, first served! The seller could have told you no, and she didn’t! If you can’t pick it up right away, it’s not really a done deal! You have no idea how many times people tell me they are coming to pick something up, and then they never show up or even call!

  61. I’m kind of mixed on this one because if I was another buyer and worked, maybe later that evening was the only time I could have gotten them. thankfully I am a stay at home mom so my schedule tends to be wide open and I can tell the buyer that I will be right over. However as a seller, I would want the most money of course! I was selling a couch that I should have listed for much more (my husband and I were not talking about the same listed items when we were talking about price resulting in a lower price than it should have been). I had so many responses. The first fell through because of so many things so I skimmed through the emails and found one where the people would pay far more than the asking if I held it for them until the weekend (they lived two hours away and I just had that feeling that they were honest people and would come). I skipped several emails that were before this one to find the better buyer. Probably not the nicest to the other people but I got the sale and at a higher price. I’ve learned that you also do not want to just list very basic one liners in your email to the seller. I always try to share with them when I can pick it up, get overly top excited about their item, and let them know that I appreciate their time and thank them. It usually gets me a better response!

  62. TOTALLY ok to offer more money. Seriously! I have been selling things and when I have more than one person interested, I tell them both and ask if someone is willing to go higher. Totally fair, I think! P.s. WOWZERS, you were on the Nate show…just watched it…so fun! Since we are besties from our CWTS days, I’ts like I’m on the show right there with you;)I am in serious need of help in my master re-do…do you want to see pics and give me ideas?

  63. If your biggest flaw is out bidding people on Craigslist then you are a lucky girl… We should all be that
    lucky…I find it funny that someone will stop following you over this yet people in jail have fan clubs..

  64. Really people? Bad karma for offering someone more money for chairs on CL?

    Whatevs.

    Flip side…

    Even when I agree to buy something on CL, I don’t hand over money & agree to take it until I see that I really like it in person and that it is the same as presented in the pics. How is this any different? Or uncivilized? Should I buy it just because I made a commitment to the seller? No, don’t think so.

    Hope I haven’t been invoking some bad CL juju…maybe that’s why I haven’t been able to find my capiz chandelier on CL.

  65. Hey Mandi,
    I wanted to give you a well deserved thank you!
    I follow your blog and read this post awhile back/ Your advice helped me nab the perfect chair to makeover!!
    Thanks for the tip- I didn’t even have to pay that much more and this baby was well worth it.

    I gave you a shout out and posted some before pics on my blog- here’s the link if you’re interested!

    Thanks again!
    Becca

    https://gardenberger.blogspot.com/2011/10/get-what-you-want-thrifting.html

  66. Personally, I think the onus is on the seller to be professional, fair, what-have-you, etc. They handle a deal poorly or unprofessionally, it’s their reputation which is directly affected. This is one reason why brand names and furniture stores — which rely on a returning customer base and gain status in the community as a reliable vendor — need to keep their products and service in good standing by being professional.

    Craigslist sellers aren’t really held to that standard. For the most part, they’re just one-off deals with the only real cost to sellers being that they have the item, will or won’t make a profit off of it, and they may have to wait a long time to do so if the price is not right. So these sellers have just the issues of possession, potential for profit, and time/convenience. These instances, it’s the seller who makes the rules and can afford to be flaky or rude in favor of the logical business decision. All they need is to succeed once in a deal and get their money, not make friends.

    In this case, the specific seller did the logical thing by taking the offer with more money. Whether or not they were fair or professional, is another matter and I think that reflects directly on that particular sellers values and attitudes. I’d say most CL buyers should be aware that they are not owed anything beyond common courtesy such as being informed that an item has been sold or that there is another offer on the table and can they match that? After all, between sellers and buyers, who sets the rules and has the better bargaining power (i.e. the item) in hand?

    In as far as I’ve read, CL has rules merely about postings, harassment, malicious adverts, “phishing”, etc. Nothing about how people should run their personal deals and business decisions.

  67. Wow people are cray-cray!! You were totally in the right. Money talks and you really wanted those chairs lol. My husband and I had been on the hut for a rectangle small 2 person pub table for awhile and they were over 100 new I found on bookoo for 10bucks. I had to have it so I offered 20 and I could pick up that day. They thanked me but indicated they were going down the list to give other people and opportunity to respond. I ended up with it anyhow šŸ˜‰

  68. What an awesome post! And no, I don’t think you should feel guilty at all. If you snooze you lose. If you want something on CL you should offer to go get it right away for the asking price or offer more money if you are going to ask the seller to hold it for a day or two. Now what would be rude, is the seller not telling the other buyer she had sold it and just letting her show up.

  69. Haha. This is hilarious. If the seller let the other buyer know, then it’s not terrible. If they didn’t it’s on them. You gotta do what you gotta do and CL’s is not a place of “manners.” I don’t care what “karma” that brings. Whether I’m a fair buyer or not, I’ll still get screwed over.

  70. Are you kidding?! I do this ALL.THE.TIME. Especially in Alaska where the pickings are really, really, exceptionally slim. Sellers like to get stuff out of their house and feel like they didn’t lose money. Craigslist buyers should understand the true meaning of ‘you snooze you lose’. Seriously. If I am selling something and the person can come RIGHT.NOW. then I’m selling it to them…even if someone said they could come tomorrow. Too bad. No holdsies people. You wanted them, you made it happen. Done. The other sellers can cry over their soup for not being willing to go and get them when they called. SO there.

  71. Ha!! Had to come read the comments after today’s post. “Bad karma” is about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard second to all the “scolding” comments. I consider myself a very moral person in addition to an extreme rule follower, and I think what you did was just fine. The seller was the one with the discretion to tell you “no” which clearly she didn’t. Yes, I would have been upset as the buyer losing out on the chairs, but as a seller, I wouldn’t have sold them to you without attempting to contact the original buyer first. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, so they say. Seller to blame.

    Also? Didn’t you just sell these chairs at the Hoard Sale?? Lol!

  72. I had a similar situation happen to me today, except I was the buyer! I was selling an antique buffet listed as 220 OBO. Someone offered me 180, so I waited a few days then accepted her offer and arranged a meeting. Soon after I arranged the meeting, someone offered me 200, so I emailed the first lady and said I got a higher offer and asked if she wanted it for 200 AND she FREAKED OUT on me!!! Was I really wrong?? I listed it as best offer/? And I even asked her if she wanted it instead of just selling it to the second person.
    Give me your honest opinion if you think Im right or wrong šŸ™‚

  73. Lol, No way, sweetie! You did the seller a FAVOR because so many times things are held for people and the jerk never shows up! First come first serve on CL.

  74. I had to search the internet if I was really a bad person lol
    I know Iā€™m years behind this post but I had a chair for sale. Had another lady set up a time with me for the next day for pick up. It was still early in the day. So another lady shows up to buy other chairs and sees this chair. So she makes me an offer and actually bought 4 chairs instead of only 2. Now I had to tell lady no 1 that the chair is gone… SHE goes completely nuts and calls me low class and more. LADY! ITS A CHAIR! If you have to wait a day to come get it – you snooze you lose!

Leave a comment!

Keep the conversation going! Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.