Negative iTrader Reviews?

[Ruffo3]

I'm pretty new to Calguns and within this time have had exceptional experiences with fellow Calgunner's buying, selling, and trading (some reviews not posted) BUT up to this point I've encountered my first negative experience and want your feedback:

I was selling, received an offer, a deal was confirmed via text and then a meeting time and place was confirmed. I agreed to travel 1.5 hours to meet. 2 hours before our scheduled meeting I received a text from buyer saying he changed his mind and in short backed out of the deal. I'm a man of my word and never think of doing this once a deal has been confirmed.

Question: Have you guys had a similar experience? what do you do to prevent this as I scheduled my day around this and it was a waste of my time? do you guys ever post negative reviews? Lastly, I'm reluctant to do so because I'm now over it and not in the mood to get into a slinging mud scenario back and forth with buyer.

Thoughts?

[Merc1138]

A way to prevent wasting your time on flakes? Don't agree to drive 90 minutes to meet up and sell something, make the buyer do the traveling. If they really want the item, they'll do it or otherwise have it shipped.

As far as the itrader review, if you left the buyer who flaked a negative for backing out of a deal, they can dispute that. A neutral rating would be appropriate.

[VictorFranko]

It stinks but it happens. At least he let you know before you drove the 1.5 hours to meet him.
When selling, I always assume the buyer has a right of refusal once he inspects the firearm.
No negative iTrader should be given, repost your ad and best of luck with the next buyer.

[Franklincollector]

It could have been much worse. I've had people cancel while i'm on the way to meet them. It happens, imo no rating should be left.

[PatC415]

Unfortunately there are a few members that treat Calguns like Craigslist.
Most of my transactions have been very pleasant.
According to the rules, you can't post negative feedback because a transaction never took place...
But...I have sent a few PM's to "flakes".
Just roll with it, and move on.

[SunsetIE]

negative only if you lose money or items - Travel time is money.

Neutral otherwise. I had one guy decide he didnt want to sell his rifle a day before the deal was to happen, so he got a neutral for flip flopping.

[Ruffo3]

Don't agree to drive 90 minutes to meet up and sell something, make the buyer do the traveling. If they really want the item, they'll do it

I agree, however, my first buy the seller agreed to drive out from Riverside to LA to sell to me. I really appreciated it, especially since I didn't have to travel back there after the 10 day waiting period. So, that courtesy to buyer has kinda stuck with me IF the buyer requests and it's not too far out of my way.

[Merc1138]

I agree, however, my first buy the seller agreed to drive out from Riverside to LA to sell to me. I really appreciated it, especially since I didn't have to travel back there after the 10 day waiting period. So, that courtesy to buyer has kinda stuck with me IF the buyer requests and it's not too far out of my way.

If you want to, fine. Just keep in mind that as VictorFranko pointed out, the buyer can still refuse to complete the purchase when they inspect the firearm(and no, they don't need to give you a specific reason). You asked how to avoid wasting your time, promising your time to travel to a buyer is a risk that you take when you're willing to travel to sell a firearm.

As far as preventing your time being wasted even if your only agreed to travel 10 minutes, you simply can't. Someone posting "I'll take it!" on the forum is not some contractual obligation(even if it were legally binding, you'd be out more of your own time and money to fight it in court anyway), and isn't going to be avoidable. It can be minimized by only dealing with potential buyers that have a streak of positive itrader ratings(yes, you can refuse to sell to someone on the forum just because you don't like them for whatever reason).

[Ruffo3]

It could have been much worse. I've had people cancel while i'm on the way to meet them. It happens, imo no rating should be left.

You're right, it could have been much worse for sure.

[Kokopelli]

Unfortunately there are a few members that treat Calguns like Craigslist.
Most of my transactions have been very pleasant.
According to the rules, you can't post negative feedback because a transaction never took place...
But...I have sent a few PM's to "flakes".
Just roll with it, and move on.

^ This.

I sent a guy some small items and he agreed to reimburse me the postage. He didn't keep up his end of the bargain. No big deal to me. But I bet he will find karma somewhere. Don't sweat it. Move on.

[BigPimping]

I would make it a point not to post negative feedback. If there was an issue, I would take it up with the moderator.

[Cody805]

They key to calguns(and life in general) is be considerate. Don't flake on people if you want to back out of a deal just say so. Time is money

[ZirconJohn]

Wowww ... the guy called you before you drove 1.50 hours to meet.

That's not negative, that's a positive. Not that you should now leave positive feedback. It's not completed deal, therefore it's a wash.

But, my point is ... he called you before you wasted your time and travel money. I've seen deals go wayyyyy worse than this. I hope you thanked him for the call.

Get over it and move on.

[Garv]

IF I ever sell, this situation is why it will be reasonably local to me.

I would have given a neutral rating if I had made the drive, but having to put up a new for sale ad is not enough.

[wireless]

Wowww ... the guy called you before you drove 1.50 hours to meet.

That's not negative, that's a positive. Not that you should now leave positive feedback. It's not completed deal, therefore it's a wash.

But, my point is ... he called you before you wasted your time and travel money. I've seen deals go wayyyyy worse than this. I hope you thanked him for the call.

Get over it and move on.

100% right.