How Would YOU Play It?

Last year we got a new HDTV. Unfortunately, we never got rid of the old 40" console projection TV, and it's just been taking up space in an "unused" corner of our dining room.

So, two weeks ago I got tired of looking at (and dusting) our pretty white elephant, so I placed an ad in the PennySaver and the phone calls started coming in. On the 2nd day, this young fellow (about 24 years old) stops by to look at it. He likes the TV and pays me in full. He agrees to pick up the TV the next day.

Unfortunately, he doesn't show up to pick up his TV... and he doesn't call. I try to telephone him... no answer. Three days later, he phones to let me know that his application for a new apartment lease was denied, and that he was too busy looking for a new apartment he "forgot" to call me. He assures me that he'll pick it up on Monday. Then he tells me he'll pick it up on Wednesday. On Wednesday, he tells me he'll pick it up on Thursday morning (today).

Meanwhile I'm still getting telephone calls from people who want to buy the TV, and I keep telling them that it's sold. BUT NOW... I'm thinking about selling it AGAIN (to the first person who can actually come and GET the damn thing) and just giving the first fellow a refund of his money.

Would that be too unfair of me? The purpose of selling the TV was to get RID of it, not to STORE IT for free in my dining room for someone ELSE!

What would YOU do?

You tell him the time to pick it up and that if he fails to do so, you will sell it to someone else.

Eventually I could see myself selling th TV again and telling the guy to come over and pick up his money. I'd feel it fair to give him a warning or two that that's what you're going to do tho.

the transaction is not complete so it can be voided by a simple requirement like picking it up in a timely fashion. 1 warning is all that is necessary (like you and I have said).

sorry, i didn't read carefully enough :hangover:

just sit on it, you have his cash

if he's really cute, keep his number for later or give it to me

No, he's not someone that I'd ever want to have contact with again. Irresponsible, not-too-bright, and he smells bad (cigarettes and B.O.).

EDIT: The thing is... even though having the CASH is nice, that wasn't the main reason for selling it! That's why I priced it so LOW! I wanted to GET RID OF IT! And it's still here!

there's a great scenario that could accompany that: "would you like to try my new camcorder out on it before you take it home... just to make sure the tv works? the vertical control is here in the back" ... oh well :(

anyway, if he has mafia connections & you sell it from under him, he might break the windows of your house or something

that would be such a "people's court" moment

Tell him that he either picks up the TV by a certain time, or you'll sell it to someone else, and refund his money.

He had his chance. And it's gone.

Sell it to someone else.

You helped me to make up my mind. Thank you!

I called him and left a voice message letting him know that if he didn't pick up the TV today, I would sell it to another interested buyer, and that he should come get his money instead.

... and I was able to sell the TV in less than six hours after that.

How pleasant it was to actually have a buyer who was interested, and who ACTUALLY returned the following morning to COMPLETE the transaction and pick up his new TV set.

I've already refunded the money to the first guy and I had him sign a receipt for the money too. (I did learn a thing or two from watching Judge Wapner and Judge Judy!!)

I also learned a valuable lesson: "Cash-and-carry" does *not* mean "Cash and let-me-just-store-it-indefinitely-for-you-until-you-get-ready-to-pick-it-up-from-me-whenever-it's-convenient-for-you".

~Allen