Bartertown.com

So still being a noob, here is another question.

If a person asks me how much I want for an item and I respond with the amount, then before I hear back, I get a second inquiry from a potential trader/buyer, what obligation do I have to the first person? is there a standard wait time, should I advise that in my responses that I will accept other offers while they are mulling it over. Is it acceptable to move on the second offer? Thanks. Scot

As long as you didn't tell the first person you had a deal you can move onto the second person. It would be polite to at least send a PM to the first person to let them know you have had another offer. This gives the first person a chance to possibly up their offer and is just good form as it doesn't leave them thinking they're still in the process of dealing with you.

I concur. I haven't been here as long as some, but long enough to know that I have only had one problem with anyone here on Bartertown and he made it right. I've also made some awesome friends here. This is a fantastic community.

The key part of what HarlequinZero says is,

As long as you didn't tell the first person you had a deal...

If you "agree" and commit to a deal, then you'll get slapped w/a bad trader report if you make a deal for the same item(s) with someone else, and rightfully so; however, if there was no 'agreement' then you're free to do what you want with your items.

Many a time I have yanked an item away from someone and sold/traded to the one that was quicker/higher in their offer, and I've also lost out on deals due to my own slowness, procrastination, etc. but never if I have agreed to the trade/purchase/sale. Don't feel guilty doing what is best for your trade/pocket-book so long as you haven't committed to an agreement.

I also agree w/the comment about it being good form to send the first person a PM and let them know you've had another offer. I've packaged & shipped items before the original/first person even reads my PM stating I had another offer - the one I shipped to!! It's just the nature of the beast

WELCOME TO BARTERTOWN!!

Cheers,
Rik

Thanks for the replies! That is helpful. My thoughts was this is similar to the person looking at an item on the sale table at a store and they walk around the store mulling it over and 10 minutes later when they go back the item might have been purchased. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't breaking any "cultural" norms.

In general, if you haven't reached agreement on paper (or in principle), then you have no formal obligation to any potential trader or buyer. However, out of courtesy, you should let people know if you start making any commitments, and let people know when deals or items are off the table.

For example:

1. I offer to sell an item.
2. Eric asks "how much", and I say $20.
3. Dave offers $20 before Eric replies.

No deal has been set, however, #2 presents an open, binding offer to Eric. I can withdraw the offer if some "reasonable" time passes and Eric fails to act.

#3 is an open binding offer from Dave, and I can accept or reject (outright for Eric, or counter for a higher price)

So I have a couple options:
4a. Accept Dave's offer and then tell Eric that the item is no longer available due to a faster buyer.
4b. Tell Dave the item has other interested buyers, but would sell at $25 if we can conclude the deal quickly.
4c. Withdraw offer to Eric and choose to work with Dave instead.

#4A is if I'm moving fast, and want to get deals done.
#4B presents a second (conditional) offer contingent on Eric not accepting #2.
#4C would be if there were relevant non-price factors - Dave is local; Eric international; Dave is cash, Eric is PayPal; Dave pays first, Eric receives first, Dave is established, Eric is flaky. And so on.

Clear communications are the important thing. Don't conclude a deal and then change your mind. But prior to that, you have a lot of flexibility.

Eric is flaky.

Hey!
I resent being used as your example there. That's not fair.
It's not an accurate representation.
I mean, I'm not actually international to you.


Eric

MagickalMemories wrote:I resent being used as your example there.

Check carefully - he's your evil twin.