When Trades Go Bad
We've all had a bad experience or three on Trade Me.
It's not the company per se, it's the people who use it. A bit like hand guns.
You've wrapped the six sets of Merino wool, never-worn socks. The money has just gone in your account. You decide to post the item right away, because you are magnanimous. Your Trade Me handle is turntheothercheek2001, and you have one thousand successful trades to your name, all with positive feedback.
You post the item, and wait for weeks to receive the positive feedback you crave.
It never comes.
On another occasion, you are attempting to sell a car. It's straight as a die, and your thesis-length description covers the condition of every bolt and washer and that you have recently replaced every single car part. As soon as you click the 'Start Listing' button, a barrage of questions ping into your inbox like bullets being fired into a tin bucket.
When does the WoF expire?
Has the cambelt been done?
I'll give you $500 for it.
What's wrong with it?
And, quiet as a mouse, you duly answer:
Thanks for the questions. They are really well thought out, and I love the way they probe me. As mentioned in the very first sentence of the description, the WoF has just been issued. This car does not have a cambelt to begin with, so we're alright there. As specified in the description, I have requested no low-ball offers, or actually any offers, because it is an auction. There is nothing wrong with it, I just want to upgrade to something a bit gruntier. Thanks! :) :) :) A+++++++ questions.
and soon after ...
Can I pay you for it in a series of installments, of $20 a month?
and then the unthinkable ...
$350.00 22 Nov 2:05 am uselesslifeform(0)
Yes, despite your best efforts to shy the above-mentioned bidder away from your completely transparent trade, he's put a drunken bid on it.
Hi again Mate. I've put a bid on, not sure if I'm near the reserve? What's the reserve?
and ...
Thanks for your ever-poignant line of questioning. I don't wish to reveal the reserve. If I am honest, I'd like to get as much for the car as I can, not just reserve. Thanks, happy bidding.
Then ...
There's heaps of these up at the moment, all going for $1500 or less, it's not the only one, so you might find you are the one who looses (sic) out.
so ...
Thanks for that. A cursory look at your feedback shows a person who has never actually completed a trade, although there's been many attempts by people to get you to. Are you sure you want to be bidding on this item?
resulting in ...
So you a stalker now too Mate? Bad look, remove my bid loser, there's heaps of Toyota Corolla GLs on, gonna go get a really good one, not this piece of crap.
Think once, think twice, think "why the fuck am I doing this?"