Sometimes it doesn't pay to try to select "just the right buyer" for your favourite machines

[Eddyde]

Buying used machines is the perfect example of "Caveat Emptor". You the buyer are ultimately responsible for deducing any issues with the item. You must be willing to take the risk that there might be problems with the machine after you purchase it and that the seller may or may not have known about them. If one is not willing to take that risk they should buy new.

As a seller I always am totally honest, but I know not all are like me so when buying, I always inspect thoroughly or if buying site unseen, I am willing to take the loss.

 

[Dabbler]

@TorontoBuilder About a third of the guys you meet online will try to game the system and game you as well. I'm sorry, but that is the reality of today's people, not matter where you are. He is trying to lower your price and discourage others by spouting nonsense. Discontinue the ad, restart the sale at the same price, and offer to a first come with cash basis. Use strong support comments such as: "this is a known good lathe that has variable speed".

It is hard to do, but you have to step back of any emotional involvement in the selling process. It needs to become no different than selling 5 - 20s for a 100 dollar bill. It's just business, the money, the lathe. Accept no bull.

[update] the guy is clearly no newbie. he is playing dumb. As dumb as a fox.

 

[projectnut]

Okay so clearly none of you were scarred by the sale of a antique barnes treadle lathe in near mint condition, or rather finding out the new owner abused it and let water sit on the ways and rust them severely

I'm a minimalist, I buy used almost exclusively where possible. I believe machines should last decades, I know most other people dont share that view and can sell things without guilt or worry, I'm just not one of those people. I get anxiety when I have to sell things I like.

I do share the view that machines should last decades. The oldest machine in my shop is a 1916 Seneca Falls Star #20 lathe. It is in fact a family heirloom that my wife's grandfather made prototype vending machine parts on for over 40 years. The machine was obsolete in the 1940's but he continued to use it until he retired in the 1950's. The company gave it to him as a retirement present. When he passed it went to my wife's father. I'm not sure where it will go when I pass. I do have a couple nephews that might be interested, but currently at only 6 and 8 years old it would be up to their parents for several years to come.

Like you the machinery in my shop is all dated. It's a mix of pieces from the early 1900's the 1940's the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's. The newest piece of equipment is from 2011. It will all be with me until the time they put me in the box. After that I have no control over what happens, and I'm not going to waste what time I have left worrying about it.

 

[rabler]

IMO, you should shorten the title of this thread to remove the "to a newbie" part.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

i'm a total jerk to people who play games with me, especially in an equipment sale.
i give them one chance, and one chance only to purchase the piece for sale
any funny business, they get cut off at the knees
too many insincere folks nowadays, everyone trying to scam each other

 

[7milesup]

too many insincere folks nowadays, everyone trying to scam each other

This has been happening since the beginning of man, just not electronically.

 

[TorontoBuilder]

I get what you are saying, but unless the item was a family heirloom, it should not matter. I understand the anxiety when selling things you like and the belief that they should be taken care of forever.
It is somewhat interesting that you mentioned that you are a minimalist. That makes perfect sense when feelings of anxiety creep in due to the concern that the machine is taken care of. It is a good thing that I have limited money and space, otherwise, I would be "saving" machines from "abuse." LOL

I've positive that I saved my chipmaster from a fate worse than death...

 

[TorontoBuilder]

@TorontoBuilder About a third of the guys you meet online will try to game the system and game you as well. I'm sorry, but that is the reality of today's people, not matter where you are. He is trying to lower your price and discourage others by spouting nonsense. Discontinue the ad, restart the sale at the same price, and offer to a first come with cash basis. Use strong support comments such as: "this is a known good lathe that has variable speed".

It is hard to do, but you have to step back of any emotional involvement in the selling process. It needs to become no different than selling 5 - 20s for a 100 dollar bill. It's just business, the money, the lathe. Accept no bull.

[update] the guy is clearly no newbie. he is playing dumb. As dumb as a fox.

If he was playing dumb he failed, because I blocked him and went to my other potential buyers and sold to the guy who wanted to come friday and pay cash, except he had to come sunday since it is the first day available. If he does not show I have two others as fall back buyers. They just didn't exhibit any passion about owning this specific lathe.

 

[TorontoBuilder]

IMO, you should shorten the title of this thread to remove the "to a newbie" part.

True. but too tired to do so.

 

[projectnut]

If he was playing dumb he failed, because I blocked him and went to my other potential buyers and sold to the guy who wanted to come friday and pay cash, except he had to come sunday since it is the first day available. If he does not show I have two others as fall back buyers. They just didn't exhibit any passion about owning this specific lathe.

I can't imagine anyone exhibiting a passion about owning a piece of equipment they've likely never seen or run before. They're probably more interested in whether it runs and learning how to operate it. The closer it is to its original state the more likely there's information and parts available to help them through the learning process.

A person showing passion at the point of sale is often one that pays far more for the product than a wise measured buyer who calmly and reasonably assesses the strong and weak parts of the product.