So my Father who is a big Honda/Acura fan was searching for a few things for his NSX. He came across a classified on his forum and PM'd the seller stating he would take both of the pieces if still available (he then went to bed). He woke up this morning too 4 new PM's all from the seller. The first stated that both pieces are available and he was going to check out shipping prices. The second PM was the seller giving my father a price. The 3rd stated that one of the parts sold and the fourth stated the last part was pending sale. I don't know about you but that is kind of messed up. My Dad is the type of guy that believes in first come first serve when it comes to these kinds of things. Ya you might not want to wait a week for the first responder that said "ya ill buy it!" but what is the point of changing buyers in a matter of 6-8 hours when the first said he'd take it? What am i missing?

 

Sounds like he did go with FCFS to me. Not sure what you're complaining about. Your dad never responded with an agreement to the price plus shipping, nor did he actually make payment on either of the items. Until the guy actually receives payment, he has no obligation to hold the items for your dad.

It's the internet... lots of people show "interest" in buying stuff, but until they pony up the cash only an unwise seller would hold an item for an anonymous buyer. Cash in hand > "yeah I'll buy it."

 

Sounds pretty fair to me. I have had countless people said "I'll send payment over in a few" that never did and never responded again.
So first payment get's it which is what that seller did. Seems fair to me.

 

I see your point to a certain extent. I guess i just think differently about the whole ordeal. I just think going with first come first serve is being polite. Thanks for your opinions!

 

Cash is king. I don't see anything wrong either. Sorry dude.

 

its because OP is prejudiced. Its his dad, obviously OP knows the dad isn't going to flake out... As for the seller, he doesnt know if OP's dad is legit.

 

if you ever try to sell some parts that have decent demand or are well priced you'll quickly see what the seller was up against, you get multiple offers from potential buyers sometimes within very short periods of time and you go with the person who puts the money in your paypal account first, then send apologies to the others.

 

I see your point. If you got 5 people breathing down your neck money in hand its kind of hard to hold out for the first responder when you are not positive they can deliver. I guess it is because i know my Dad, and when he wants parts he will pay for them. Thanks for all the opinions guys, i guess i am just bummed out he didn't get his parts.

 

When it comes to auto parts for sale, it's usually not down to just one buyer (obviously in this case). Someones bound to feel left out, ripped off, victim of poor a poor business deal. Unfortunately as a seller, usually you usually leave the disapointment to the people that didn't fully negotiate a sale and/or the ones who didn't put up cash first.

Does it suck for your dad, sure. But when you're dealing with limited supply, that's how it goes. To (hopefully) avoid this in the future, tell your father when looking to purchase a part to state the amount he is willing to pay (if the price wasn't firm), and state that he will be willing to make a payment (whether cash, or paypal) as soon as he hears back. As I'm sure you may have personally experienced and/or seen on the FS boards here, lots of people say they have interest, hell a lot of people say they'll downright buy the part... and never make payment leaving the seller in limbo. If your father states blatantly that he's not just price negotiating, and that he's downright ready to make a payment asap, he may have better luck.

 

This.