"I'll Take it" etiquette question

[Turbinator]

Trying to get the seller to hold out longer than that waiting for payment, without his prior consent, seems like stretching the terms of the deal.

I agree on this. It seems that to make the seller wait 2 months without a clear agreement to purchase, is a bit long. Unless the item is truly undesirable with little demand, the seller could have been missing out on other unconditional "I'll take it" offers while he held the item for the OP.

As lessons learned, I would say don't engage in a purchase negotiation unless you are pretty sure your schedule and funds will permit you to move forward quickly if the deal looks good.

And of course, no "I'll take it" posts unless you'll really take it, unconditionally.

Turby

[Noboundaries]

I've been involved in sales or contract negotiations for over 30 years. The art and validity of the verbal agreement has changed drastically since my father and grandfather's time, and even since I started. In today's world "I'll take it" is more often than not just the start of negotiations and posturing. Not to put a negative spin on anyone's culture, but some cultures have thousands of years of negotiating tactics that get handed down from generation to generation. The headaches and stress involved with extended purchases are almost never worth the final result for the seller. A quick sale eliminates those headaches and moves that stress to the buyer.

When I post anything for sale anywhere, I do everything I can to eliminate the extended or delayed sale. First, I always offer a price that is a deal, leaving almost no room for negotiation. Second, I make it clear the first one with the money becomes the new owner. Third, cash takes preference over any other form of payment unless the transfer of ownership can be stopped if a bad payment is made. Fourth, when someone pays with cash, ALWAYS make sure it is real money.

When someone tells me "I'll take it" I expect them to show up with cash fairly quickly. If they need time to get the money together I make it clear it stays on the market and the first one to show up with cash takes possession. As a seller, my perspective is "your cash problems are not my cash problems." Conversely, I never go shopping for anything unless I have the cash or ability to buy immediately in my hands. It works out well for both parties that way.

Edit addition: always remember, in the buying/selling world, a desperate buyer or seller is almost always going to lose in the end. Avoid becoming or appearing desperate and you can get what you want with no hassles.

[Brutish]

Uh, if you say "I'LL TAKE IT" it means you have NO MORE questions about the item and you are ready to buy it have the money on hand and have a flexible enough schedule that you can meet in the seller's vicinity. It means you WILL buy the gun as long as it is as described. "Conditional I'll Take Its are NOT I'll Take its.

[professionalcoyotehunter]

This is about my A5. I waited way to long for the seller to meet with me. Two months and still I had the shotty in my safe ready to shoot or sell. I had to move on to the next in line. I needed the money for a new project. Our schedules could never be arranged to meet. I was not available during the day and he was not on weekends. What was I to do. I guaranteed you that it shot well. Several people on this forum have shot it and loved it but were not engaged to buy it they just wanted to shoot an old A5 so you could ask them if it worked. I did not mind to meet with you and I offered to pay for the round of trap/skeet and you did not have to pay for the PPT or DROS of it. I feel bad it did not work out for us to meet but I had to move on because there was a deal I could not pass up. I even offered to ship it and you pay me once you received it. Not many people will do that.

[AgentAK]

I agree that "I'll take it" means I'LL TAKE IT! There are some things to take into consideration though. I've noticed a lot of first time posters selling items and they don't seem too knowledgeable about them. It's the buyer’s responsibility to ask all questions before posting "I'll take it." The problem with this is that more times than none, there isn't a chance to ask any questions before someone jumps on an item. I suppose an "I'll take it, pending PM, or questions would suffice. At least that way, others can be in line. I also believe that the seller and/or buyer should be available for a response within a reasonable amount of time, especially when an item has just been listed. I've been involved in transactions many times where the seller posts an item and I PM, and do not hear back from the seller in over a day, sometimes more. If you have time to post it for sale, you have time to stick around and reply! Another thing I hate is when I'm selling something and a person PM's with an offer or trade, and then they don't reply to my response! Hellooooo, I'm trying to sell this thing! Don't waste my time if you don't really want it, I could be missing out on other offers!

[smle-man]

If you're not certain that you will take it regardless of condition or any other qualifying factor, don't post "I'll take it". That phrase should be reserved for unequivocal purchase.

I agree also. I had a buyer tell me that he would take a C&R rifle without reservations. When we met up he changed his mind. Fortunately the guy that I passed on in favor of the local (non) buyer still wanted it. Don't say you'll take it no matter what and not mean it.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

When you post, "I'll take it", it means you are ready to meet and purchase the item. No bargaining, lowball offers or other discussion.

I recently had an item up for sale... a member here posted "it's mine!" and then attempted to make a lowball offer via PM. I told that member that he could have the item at the posted price as he'd posted before making his lowball offer. I didn't sell that item to that member... and won't do business with him in the future.

If you post, "I'll take it" or words to that effect, be ready to take it.

[professionalcoyotehunter]

Not to step on anyone's toes but I don't remember Nemesis1400 ever posting I'll Take it.

[K5Cruiser]

Not to step on anyone's toes but I don't remember Nemesis1400 ever posting I'll Take it.

Correct. He indicated that in his first post of this thread.

[professionalcoyotehunter]

Okay! just confirming it.

[tacticalcity]

You should only say I'll take it if you are 100% certain you want it. Nothing is more frustrating than telling 10 or more people it's sold only to have you back out. Often times they move on. So you really screw the seller over if you say you want it and then flake on him.

I don't usually sell C&R or iffy stuff. So that's not usually my issue. For me the issue is people's wants being bigger than their wallets. I do understand how that can happen. But it doesn't make it any less frustrating.

Just my $0.02 worth!

[professionalcoyotehunter]

[kalguns]

I'll Take IT! Means I am ready to buy it now. Not in 2 months not in 1 week NOW.

It is not that hard.

[hellraiser]

i always thought if you had questions or somthing that what "pm sent" was for.

if your gonna buy it NO MATTER WHAT but just need to iorn out the details thats what "i'll take it" was for.

ive lost a couple with a "pm sent" and somebody tossed in a "ill take it" right after... i was really really surprised once when i got a pm that read "i got quite a few ill take its right after but you had a question first so you got dibs"

[professionalcoyotehunter]

That is rare. I hate back door PM deals. If you want it post I'll take it and change it after your questions have been answered and then the OP can go in order down the list in order of PM sent.