What's the right thing to do here?

[SLCentral]

I put my PowerBook up for sale about a week ago, and a couple days ago, a guy made an offer to come to me and pick it up for $1,900. I said this would work, and for the past two days, we've talked about the deal. He is supposed to call me any minute now (he actually said this afternoon) to confirm times for tomorrow, when he should come by.

However, I'm a bit worried about whether this guy will come through. This is the 3rd time (out of three calls) that the guy has called late, and the previous two times, he called the next day. It's been frustrating.

On top of that, I just got a deal yesterday that's better then the other guys offer. The new guy knows that I have an offer pending, but the original guy does not. Considering proper business ethics, what do I tell the first guy? I want this deal to be done ASAP, and if this guy does come tomorrow, I'll sell it to him considering he asked first, but I'm not sure whats the correct thing to do. Do I tell him tonight about the other deal on the table?

Nothing has been FINALIZED with the original guy, as he's calling tonight to confirm, but we have "agreed" informally for me to sell him the computer.

Thanks!

Forgot to mention: The second guy told me last night he would send me an e-mail today letting me know if he wants to go through with the deal or not (if he can round up the cash).

 

[Epic Fail]

Sell to the second guy if he offers more, not your fault if the first guy is taking his time to get his act together.

 

[TheNinja]

I think you realize that you should give the first guy the first chance at it. Next time you talk to him set an ultimatum. I think you are just looking for ATOT to justify what your conscience will not....that you can just take the 2nd person b/c it's more money even though you promised the first guy.

 

[Ronin]

Second guy. It's a business deal, and you don't have time to wait for some Charlie Brown to be wishy-washy about it.

 

[ZOXXO]

The mere fact you are questioning this points toward you beleiving the first guy has dibs but you can rationalize anything with "that's business".

Are you a person or a money making entity?

 

[suse920]

second guy, but call first guy and leve a message

 

[silverpig]

What would you do if you waited for first guy, second guy went and bought somewhere else, then first guy ended up not buying?

Take what you can.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: ZOXXO
The mere fact you are questioning this points toward you beleiving the first guy has dibs but you can rationalize anything with "that's business".

Are you a person or a money making entity?

I'm "just" a person, not a company of any kind. Just trying to sell my laptop. I just feel bad saying to the first guy "Screw you, I found better" when I already semi-agreed.

I should add that the first guy offered to buy it the day he made the offer if I came to NYC. Since I can't do that, he told me the next evening he could come Friday.

 

[DaveSimmons]

It's time for "Ask Mr. Goody Two-Shoes!" (theme by Adam Ant)

Well caller, as a full time professionally certified Goody Two-Shoes, my judgment is as follows:

Buyer #1 has an obligation to complete the purchase in the time that you agreed to. If he does, you have an obligation to sell him the laptop.

But if buyer #1 tries to delay his purchase again, you are under no obligation to agree to additional delays. You are then free to sell to buyer #2.

PS - note that you have already agreed to this one delay:

He is supposed to call me any minute now (he actually said this afternoon) to confirm times for tomorrow, when he should come by.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
It's time for "Ask Mr. Goody Two-Shoes!" (theme by Adam Ant)

Well caller, as a full time professionally certified Goody Two-Shoes, my judgment is as follows:

Buyer #1 has an obligation to complete the purchase in the time that you agreed to. If he does, you have an obligation to sell him the laptop.

But if buyer #1 tries to delay his purchase again, you are under no obligation to agree to additional delays. You are then free to sell to buyer #2.

Great, this is more or less what I was looking for. Seems fair. Last question: The guy said he would call me this afternoon to make plans. At what point do I call him? I still need time to backup the data, format the laptop, etc...

 

[MX2]

Snooze ya lose

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
Great, this is more or less what I was looking for. Seems fair. Last question: The guy said he would call me this afternoon to make plans. At what point do I call him? I still need time to backup the data, format the laptop, etc...

Since he is apparently late, call him now and ask him to confirm that he will be able to make the purchase tomorrow.

If he says no, the "asking for an additional delay" rule comes into effect.

 

[ZOXXO]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: ZOXXO
The mere fact you are questioning this points toward you beleiving the first guy has dibs but you can rationalize anything with "that's business".

Are you a person or a money making entity?

I'm "just" a person, not a company of any kind. Just trying to sell my laptop. I just feel bad saying to the first guy "Screw you, I found better" when I already semi-agreed.

I should add that the first guy offered to buy it the day he made the offer if I came to NYC. Since I can't do that, he told me the next evening he could come Friday.

In that case, IMHO, you should sell to the first guy but if he proposes any further delays, let himknow it is now or it's sold to someone else.

 

[SLCentral]

Just gave him a call. Phone rang twice, and went into voicemail. I basically said that I need him to call me back ASAP, preferrably tonight. I told him that I have another offer, so I need to know quickly if he isn't interested. I gave him my number again, in case he lost it, and said thanks. Hopefully, he'll give me a call back tonight or early tomorrow morning. If he delays it again, and decides not to come tomorrow, I'm just going to call it off, based on the "Goody Two-Shoes" rules.

 

[SLCentral]

Still haven't heard back from the first guy. Called him again this morning (twice) and both times it went to voicemail. The other guy hasn't e-mailed me since 11AM yesterday. I guess both deals are down the drain...

 

[leftyman]

Originally posted by: TheNinja
I think you realize that you should give the first guy the first chance at it. Next time you talk to him set an ultimatum. I think you are just looking for ATOT to justify what your conscience will not....that you can just take the 2nd person b/c it's more money even though you promised the first guy.

 

[habib89]

call first guy.. say he has till tomorrow to come pick up the computer and give you money (since second guy has to round up cash anyway).. tell second guy (if he emails you) that you're gonna give the first guy one day since he was first, then after that, the second guy gets it...

 

[mitmot]

2nd guy. 1st guy had his chance and didn't move on it fast enough.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: habib89
call first guy.. say he has till tomorrow to come pick up the computer and give you money (since second guy has to round up cash anyway).. tell second guy (if he emails you) that you're gonna give the first guy one day since he was first, then after that, the second guy gets it...

Be firm about setting a deadline for the first guy. You've been letting him string you along - you need to be sure he's clear that won't keep happening. If he doesn't meet your deadline, then you are free to make arrangements with anyone else. Tell the second guy he'll know for sure 5 mins after that deadline passes.

Oh, yeah - the second guy probably realizes that you are being strung along, and doesn't want to play. He probably now has something else in the works, with you as a fall back. If the first guy can keep you hanging, the second guy will assume he can too.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: sixone

Originally posted by: habib89
call first guy.. say he has till tomorrow to come pick up the computer and give you money (since second guy has to round up cash anyway).. tell second guy (if he emails you) that you're gonna give the first guy one day since he was first, then after that, the second guy gets it...

Be firm about setting a deadline for the first guy. You've been letting him string you along - you need to be sure he's clear that won't keep happening. If he doesn't meet your deadline, then you are free to make arrangements with anyone else. Tell the second guy he'll know for sure 5 mins after that deadline passes.

Oh, yeah - the second guy probably realizes that you are being strung along, and doesn't want to play. He probably now has something else in the works, with you as a fall back. If the first guy can keep you hanging, the second guy will assume he can too.

Bah, I think I'm just going to stick it up on eBay or something...despite the high fees I probably can get more for it, and it'd be much less hassle.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
Bah, I think I'm just going to stick it up on eBay or something...despite the high fees I probably can get more for it, and it'd be much less hassle.

You're probably right.

 

[SLCentral]

Well, he just called (the first guy). He apologized for not having called last night, and said he's been swamped at work because of some major disaster. He sounded believable. He then said that I could go ahead and sell it to the other guy if he's still interested, but that he is EXTREMELY interested in the PowerBook. But, he said he could not come today, and probably couldn't make it here until mid-next week. Frustrating, to say the least.

Lastly, he said that if I come to NYC, he'd be able to make it to the train station, and pay my train ticket (which is about $20). I'm not sure if I can make it to NYC though, which is the problem to begin with.

 

[TheGeek]

i say ebay. you could get a ton more

 

[SLCentral]

Just got ANOTHER offer from a guy who will pay $1900 (same as the first guy) and wants to come today. I'm gonna go with this if he comes through.

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
Just got ANOTHER offer from a guy who will pay $1900 (same as the first guy) and wants to come today. I'm gonna go with this if he comes through.

That's what I would do.