P3D Re: Selling

[roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (John W Roberts)]

>Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1998 07:08:03 -0700
>From: "Alexa Smith" <arws@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: P3D Re: Selling

>If someone just emailed me to say they're interested but want to wait a few 
>days, they can forget it.  What I'm talking about are messages that ask 
>specific questions about the item.  This usually implies an interest and if 
>I don't hear back in a day or so I move on after sending an email to the 
>original person to let them know.  

That sounds reasonable - I would expect you're good at judging the level of
interest from the initial message.

>(BTW, this is only how I do it for an item with a "fixed" asking
>price....putting an item up for bids is a different matter - then I just take 
>the best offer at any time).  

I'm glad you separate fixed price items and bids - in the past I've sent
in an offer to buy an item at the stated fixed price (to someone else),
and been told that there were several interested buyers, so I should
submit my "bid".

>Another reason to do things this way is that (as far as I know!) I've never 
>had an unhappy buyer of my items.  

If it works, that's the best test.

>> Perhaps in some cases you could make a conditional offer: "I'll buy it at
>> the asking price if it comes with a case and the user's manual" - that
>> way you've locked in an offer if it meets your requirements, and you're not
>> committed otherwise.

>This is an excellent way to state it, John!

I'll try to "practice what I preach" next time I send an inquiry about
an item.

John R


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