Don't put it for sale if you can't follow thru

None of us have to buy from fellow HAMBers but we do because it is good for our "community." And naturally we even get good deals most of the time. However, lately, I've a terrible time communicating with sellers after they receive the money. They are great communicators until they get paid, then no answers to questions like, "When are you shipping it?" I have one right now, a week after he was paid, still won't tell me if he has shipped, is planning to ship, or if I made a charitable donation. Yes, I've even had a couple of those who decided my money was good enough to keep but not strong enough to motivate them to send me what I've bought. Not big things, just small stuff.

If you are selling something, your part of the bargain doesn't end with receiving the payment. Keeping the buyer posted on shipping details is as big a part of the deal as taking his money.

Follow up, guys. When you don't, it's a bit like pissing in the well. You will be thirsty, one day.

Now I've ranted.

Tequila Bob

 

Well and diplomatically put.

I would also make this suggestion to sellers- Just send the buyer the tracking number so they can keep track of the item as it is making its way to its new home. Seller can also see when the item has been delivered. A simple courtesy that benefits both parties with no major effort required.

 

Totally agree, especially if you've inquired by message.

 

Another "courtesy" is to package the item like you were shipping it to yourself (and around the world via 20 different carriers.) It's amazing how little care is exercised by some folks, e.g. wrapping a large, fragile item with a few layers of paper and expecting it to get there undamaged.

 

i fully agree with dale. wrap it and ship it the same way you would want to recieve it. i try to ship the day after payment and keep in contact with buyer letting him know when shipped, approx. when he should recieve it and ask to be notified when recieved. i also insure the package.

 

On the other side of the coin, I’ve made a few purchases from fellow HAMB’rs and was treated as if part of the family when it came to courtesy, price and shipping. This place is a wealth of knowledge, information and a connection to many hard to find pieces. I hope a few bad apples don’t spoil the bunch.

 

I like the guys that list a car, or part..and you respond to the ad, just to have them say.."I decided not to sell it"

WTF?

 

Maybe I'm different.......

I'll pack everything like it was a Fabrege' egg.

The day the payment is recieved, the item is shipped, and the buyer

is notified by email of the same.

More often than not, the item is pre-packaged and labeled awaiting

payment. I also ask the buyer to return an email as soon as they

recieve the part, so I know they got it, in what condition, and if they are

satisfied. Communication rules.

 

Remember when you payed AFTER you received your parts? I miss trusting people.

 

So far I've done real well. One thing I always do is check the post count. A fresh new guy makes me Cautious. Next I go to there history and read several posts and comments. Helps to know if it's a Real Car Guy or just someone using us instead of E-Bay. Maybe all that's just peace of mind for me but so far so good.
The Wizzard

 

It also helps to get motivated and ship the parts. If the parts have not shipped there is no tracking number.

That said I am the world's worse at the getting motivated part of the deal. I used to be better at it but now I am a long ways from the Fed Ex or UPS barn. So it is one finger pointed at you and three at me.

 

I've bought a lot of art and parts from HAMB'ers and only got screwed once. And he was a FNG that was never heard from again (I should have known better), but you're advice is prudent.

BTW - about buying art on the HAMB - I'm professional artist myself so I know a thing about art. If you guys aren't buying art from the amazing tallent on this site you're really missing out on some incredible deals! ~ sorry to get off track.

~ Carl

 

I always insure as a shipper. It's the only protection I have and it costs very little. I had an experience with a HAMB member who shipped me a pair of forged steering arms USPS in a reinforced envelope and all I got was the envelope. He didn't insure it but he was a standup guy and refunded my money. We tried to get USPS to check back on the route to no avail.

Charlie

 

ashame, i had a member on here take me for a shit pile of money......then i've others here that have been very honest and trustworthy

 

The internet is a scary place. I have to agree. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Pack it like it means something....because it does.

 

I have sadly gotten to the point that I insist on talking with the seller on the phone before I send any money. It's free, I get the guy's phone number for future contact if needed, and if the guy comes across as an idiot on the phone, there's a good chance he IS an idiot, and I bail on the deal. Most of the time I end up jawing for a good while with a fellow knucklle-buster, a positive experience.

 

In reference to knowing your seller, what is the etiquette here on the H.A.M.B.?
Do you peruse his or hers personal file and albums? Perhaps taking notice of who are friends and then PM'ing them regarding the purchase? Or is this seemingly untrustworthy and would this possibly frustrate the sale. Are our members adverse to such "inquires"?
I have paid to be a part of this site and consider this to be a place I want to share and not to take.
Have we a thread for mention of "known best sellers"?

Ohh... and what's a FNG? I am still such the newbie

 

FNG is a "f-----g new guy", please pardon the language.

-danny

 

This works Grate. U.P.S. has a pick-up system. I use it a lot. If you don't have an account you probably know someone that works where there is one. All you need is the shippers address. Give it to U.P.S. and they will send the truck to pick it up, they put the label on it, You have the tracking number and they bill your account just the actual shipping costs. Now all you need to do is have the seller put it in a box and set it out where U.P.S. can get it. No more "I can't get there today stuff.
The Wizzard

 

"Absolutely correct"!!!---Thats the way I treat MY buyers!!(no complaints).

 

I treat everything I ship like it was being shipped to myself. I wouldn't want damaged/broken stuff I paid good money for, I assume all others wouldn't either.
I let everyone know when and how things are shipped (carrier, tracking # if available) and ask that they let me know when they get it.

This is all just common sense to me.

 

I'm happy to say I've never had a problem with either buying or selling but I have come across two individuals that wanted to charge me for their time packaging items like it was their job or something , either way I told both to shove their parts and packaging up their ass. Other than that I'm a happy HAMBr!!

 

I've always had good luck, but like every thing else, as it grows people filter in under the radar. I wish we had some sort of rating system.

 

The other side of the coin is the guy who tells you he wants whatever it is you have for sale and then you never hear from him again. I won't ship without insurance and use USPS unless it's overweight or length. No tracking number to pass on but it's insured and if it doesn't reach the buyer the post office can track it. If not the buyer receives his money back. Over the years and all the shipments I've made I've only had two buyers collect. One was damage, the other the part never showed up but a piece of the box was sent back to me by the post office. A pet peeve of mine is the buyer you never get a response from after delivery to let you know it arrived

 

i'm really glad i found this thread...because i couldnt agree more with you guys. i'm proud to say i recently made my first purchase from a fellow HAMBER, and was quite pleased with the transaction. as difficult as it is to trust anyone these days, it's tough buying/selling from an unknown individual sitting on the other side of a keyboard, but i like to think everyone in this community shares that common ground and integrity that comes along with being an old school hot rodder. i also know that's in a perfect world, and THAT we do not live in. before i wear out my welcome, i just want to make one point. when buying/selling, communication is key..all it takes is an ACCURATE description from the seller and a status update on their order from time to time to keep the buyer from feeling like they've done a little something more than just contribute to YOUR project. same responsibilities for the buyer as well...let the seller know you've received your package and are satisfied/dissatisfied. IMO, that's the only way we'll keep the movement alive. just my two pennies..

 

That’s a completely unrealistic suggestion to make

 

You know as well as I there is no perfect solution that guarantees both sides fallow threw. There’s not a thing in the world you can do about a lazy and or the I don’t care guy.
And shipping COD is no answer …. No need to state the obvious reasons.

That being said
Sellers
1. Provide good photos.
2. Communicate promptly.
3. Don’t except personal checks
4. Ship timely and provide tracking info

Buyers
1. Don’t buy without photos.
2. Communicate promptly.
3. Don’t expect to send a personal check
4. Pay timely

In my case / what I sell
When I do an axle from my stock / axle outright. It is made to specifically what the customer wants. In this case I feel justified in expecting payment up front.

Example of many of the people that contact me.
One of the last guys that called me …. Wanted an axle for his 40 merc real quick to get it rolling because he needs to move.
I said fine …. That was over 10 days ago and iv yet to see payment.
If I had went ahead and done that axle id be sitting on it now w no buyer …. People flake all the time no matter how real they sound at the start.

People that have screwed me and how.
1. I paid for a 32 axle from “brick-32” on here …. With no photo … assuming he knows what one is.
I got a worthless big truck axle shipped to me at $390.00 for that mistake.

2. I excepted a check from Knuckle Head Customs in Texas … assuming it was a real shop.
Yes it was no good …. They / he burned me and sucks big time !!!!!