PSA: Asking for discounts or a lower price via txt message

Drew_TNBD

Lets say you come across something you want on Gumtree and there is a phone number. If you're too afraid to call them and want to text them only, please be aware that you'll come across much better if you do the following:

1. Say hello
2. Give them your name.
3. Say please and thankyou.

If you just text them with "£60 for the pedal" and nothing else, they're going to think you're an arsehole.

Just a suggestion folks!

Iamnobody

You are not accepting my offer then? That was a waste of 10p...

jd0272

Drew_fx said:

Lets say you come across something you want on Gumtree and there is a phone number. If you're too afraid to call them and want to text them only, please be aware that you'll come across much better if you do the following:

1. Say hello
2. Give them your name.
3. Say please and thankyou.

If you just text them with "£60 for the pedal" and nothing else, they're going to think you're an arsehole.

Just a suggestion folks!

So you'd not accept £60 for it then? As long as I got me money they can be as socially ignorant as they want really.

Bogwhoppit

I find asking what the 'tariff is' usually gets a reply

spark240

I agree actually...My other half tried to sell a phone..Just a load of muppets texting daft offers..

Took the mobile number off in the end, just email.

I suppose if you give your mobile as a contact you got to expect it maybe ...

Paul_C

£55 for the pedal

Iamnobody

I found my local free cycle to be much worse. Typical messages (usually with bad spelling):

What's your address?

Can you deliver it free?

Salutation, a bit of effort and general pleasantries can go a long way in these situations.

randomhandclaps

In fairness it can be just as bad being on the other end.  I saw an ad on Gumtree, sent a very polite and sweet message asking if they would consider a lower offer and all I got back was "No fuckie less than £30.".   No 'thank you' or 'I appreciate the offer'.  Wish I hadn't bothered.

Nunogilberto

Agree with all of this. Such laziness does my head in - I recently had a message via Gumtree saying "U still goh these?"...

No words...

bingefeller

£50 mate.  

Strat_a_tat_tat

People are tossers.

DrJazzTap

I would ignore that message out of principle. Polite manners do not cost anything. I don't expect to be called Sir or anything like that. But that's just rude, no hello etc. I bought a pedal from gumtree a while back and the chap was taken aback at the fact I didnt try and haggle him with a stupid price, i heard the pedal for about five minutes and decided that was that.

guitarfishbay

This is why I don't list my number, the emails I usually get from Gumtree are pretty lazy most of the time, I'd rather not be getting texts through at unsociable hours with lowball offers.

digitalscream

Everything in this thread is why I don't use Gumtree. Much easier transactions on here.

Oh, and I'm an admin so I can delete any shit on my threads I don't like

english_bob

Weird. My experience of Gumtree has been very different- listed two different items for sale, sold one to a perfectly civil and articulate human being with minimal fuss and bother, the other ad was greeted with deafening silence except for one scammer. I also joined my current band after replying to a Gumtree ad- all of them are perfectly civil and articulate human beings too. Even the drummer. So it's not all ignorant monosyllabic knobbers.

TTony

DrJazzTap said:

I don't expect to be called Sir

 

Clearly not.

You're a Dr.

digitalscream

Nunogilberto said:

Agree with all of this. Such laziness does my head in - I recently had a message via Gumtree saying "U still goh these?"...

No words...

You're exaggerating. There are definitely two words in there.

richardhomer

I've only got £40.

mike_l

I'll give £50 and a curlywurly

Cacofonix

Drew_fx said:

Lets say you come across something you want on Gumtree and there is a phone number. If you're too afraid to call them and want to text them only, please be aware that you'll come across much better if you do the following:

1. Say hello
2. Give them your name.
3. Say please and thankyou.

If you just text them with "£60 for the pedal" and nothing else, they're going to think you're an arsehole.

Just a suggestion folks!

Why not just call them?  I believe that telephones can also be used for verbal communication.

This rule does not apply if the seller styles themself "Adolf", "Attila" or "Stalin" and the collection address is in a backstreet in a warehouse district.

jonnyburgo

£10 for the peggle m8?