The one that got away thread

CCC

gelkster said:

HOW IS THIS STILL AVAILABLE???

Probably just a classic misleading facebook listing as you don't need to tell the truth about pricing on facebook. I see loads every week that are "free" but then have prices in the post or prices if you contact the seller. The same with ones that list items as £1 or £10 or £123 or £12345, they often only give the real prices once you contact them if they are not in the text of the listing. There was a post showing half a dozen modulars located near me last week listed as £100. I assumed they were selling at £100 each given £100 would be low for 6 modulars. But when you contact the seller their response is "make me an offer". And they were not accepting £100 each.

Oldfan

The 10-pound reference in the listing is your "cover charge"; you have to pay this up front just to begin talking to the seller about how much you are willing to pay for the set.

(Just kidding...I hope...)

560Heliport

lowlead said:

^^ $10 bucks for a Silver Champion?
The cost of a coffee and sandwich at the drive thru...so is this the part where the seller gets flooded with offers and starts to jack up the price, or?

"Oh, sorry, I meant $100." 
Which would still be a great deal, I think!

gelkster

Upon closer inspection of the sale photos it seems the seller's box is without the original plastic-partitioned parts tray...& I can only make out one wheel in there, & those things are HUGE.

Seller is taking her time answering replies as well. I'm still waiting.

Even if it's partial, $10 may be worth it. Bait & switch is pretty weak though.

Brainslugged

Apologies if this is a bit off-topic, but what's the deal with buyer protection on Facebook marketplace? I paid for a Lego set just over two weeks ago. I was surprised that there wasn't any way to pay through the app so instead sent the guy £60 through PayPal (paying for goods and services).

So I've spent every day looking forward to it arriving, but last week he messaged apologising for having not sent it yet due to a "family emergency". I messaged Friday asking if he'd sent it yet. He said yes and that he'd send me the tracking when he got home. He didn't provide the tracking, and he hasn't responded since I messaged earlier today asking him for the tracking again.

I've never purchased stuff off Facebook before so I don't know what the safeguards are for not getting scammed. I wouldn't have sent anyone much more than £60, but I figured it was worth the risk. Not sure at what point I should cut bait and contact PayPal or Facebook. Or would they even do anything about it?

I also don't want to be a dick in case it is a bad family issue. Although I equally don't want to be treated like a sucker. It's just frustrating because the set I bought has some pieces that only appear in that one set in the colour I need (blue window panes in an Alien Conquest set) and those are the only pieces I need to complete a MOC.

Any thoughts/feedback would be appreciated. 

WesterBricks

If he can’t provide tracking in the next day or two, open a PayPal case. You’ve been quite patient.

Astrobricks

Even if it is a real “family emergency” (doubtful), he shouldn’t expect you to wait even a week.

560Heliport

Yes, he should at least be able to send another message, if not the package.

CCC

Brainslugged said:

Apologies if this is a bit off-topic, but what's the deal with buyer protection on Facebook marketplace?

There isn't any. This is why you always need to pay using something that has buyer protection like PayPal and not bank transfer. Or use cash on collection.

PDelahanty

Brainslugged said:

So I've spent every day looking forward to it arriving, but last week he messaged apologising for having not sent it yet due to a "family emergency". I messaged Friday asking if he'd sent it yet. He said yes and that he'd send me the tracking when he got home. He didn't provide the tracking, and he hasn't responded since I messaged earlier today asking him for the tracking again.

In my experience, a high percentage of people selling things online seem to have "family emergencies".  It makes me never want to sell anything online so that my family will stay safe.  ;)

Seriously though...back when I've sold some things online, I took down the listings if I wouldn't be able to mail it the next day.  It's not that hard to be a responsible seller.  Hypothetically, if I had already sold something and suddenly wasn't able to mail it for whatever reason, I would have given the buyer a reasonable expectation of when it would be shipped.  Lying and having people constantly wondering if they've been scammed is not good behavior.

Switchfoot55

Saw on FB Marketplace last night a semi-new (half built, half still in bags) Ninjago City for $250. 

It appears to be pending for someone else. I'm desperately hoping it all falls through and I can snatch it up! More than I'd usually spend, but would likely get it for the sole purpose of reselling it. (After building it myself to ensure it's 100% complete!)

PDelahanty

Switchfoot55 said:

Saw on FB Marketplace last night a semi-new (half built, half still in bags) Ninjago City for $250. 

It appears to be pending for someone else. I'm desperately hoping it all falls through and I can snatch it up! More than I'd usually spend, but would likely get it for the sole purpose of reselling it. (After building it myself to ensure it's 100% complete!)

Would you only build the half that's not in original bags to make sure those pieces are there or would you also open the sealed bags?

Switchfoot55

Well, I guess it's a moot point as the seller just confirmed the original buyer showed up (not surprised). I likely would have only built the unopened bags. But it would have been tempting to do the full deal!

todler

This one is a bit frustrating. So Walmart had the Star Wars set #66708 (triple pack) for sale and it’s an exclusive. Only the US seems to get these multipacks. As I was going to be on holiday in the US thought I would I would buy one. Had it in my basket and wouldn’t let me pay as I had to have a US billing address. Tried customer services etc without success. Anyway now in the States and went to Walmart to see if it could be ordered in store which they couldn’t . They did come up with a solution though. Buy a gift card and then I could order online for delivery to the hotel 🎉

Now Out of Stock !!!!! 😢

560Heliport

^ Even better... It's now listed at $89.99!
Those sets add up to $89.97 RRP. So you can pay two cents more to get more packaging!

Edit: I just realized that's from a third-party seller.

todler

560Heliport said:

^ Even better... It's now listed at $89.99!
Those sets add up to $89.97 RRP. So you can pay two cents more to get more packaging!

Edit: I just realized that's from a third-party seller.

They were for sale at $50

560Heliport

todler said:

560Heliport said:

^ Even better... It's now listed at $89.99!
Those sets add up to $89.97 RRP. So you can pay two cents more to get more packaging!

Edit: I just realized that's from a third-party seller.

They were for sale at $50

I know- I'm hoping more will be available as we approach Christmas.

WesterBricks

Who’s the lucky dingo who got these three sealed Super Chiefs for $25?

Switchfoot55

^This makes me sick to my stomach that I missed out on these, and I'm not even in the same region as you! What a steal!!!

WesterBricks

I'm a couple hours away and couldn't get over there today to snap them up. I've gotten other good deals over the years, but it would have been a nice addition to my collection.  I hope the buyer enjoys them.

Astrobricks

They just say “3 boxes”. Who knows if there’s actually Lego in them.

Bumblepants

Astrobricks said:

They just say “3 boxes”. Who knows if there’s actually Lego in them.

Yeah looks pretty scammy/scummy. You probably just missed out on a headache.

lowlead

Bumblepants said:

Astrobricks said:

They just say “3 boxes”. Who knows if there’s actually Lego in them.

Yeah looks pretty scammy/scummy. You probably just missed out on a headache.

Indeed.  Only 10 of these available on BL in the U.S. (NISB) starting price is $320. 

WesterBricks

I texted him and asked if they were sealed, he confirmed. He has over 4 stars from 20 facebook buyers, so I was willing to take the chance, but I was otherwise engaged yesterday.

Astrobricks

Weird that someone would have three sealed boxes, but have no idea what they are worth.

arathemis

Maybe he found them in an abandoned storage container. Like in the storage wars show. 
Or maybe he stole them. 

WesterBricks

I’m second in line. Not holding my breath.

FollowsClosely

^ Offer the seller $100 to cut in line.

WesterBricks

I absolutely hate when people snipe me as a buyer, so I won't do it to someone else.

FollowsClosely

^ I look at it as doing the seller a favor.

CCC

WesterBricks said:

I absolutely hate when people snipe me as a buyer, so I won't do it to someone else.

That will mean the person offering $25 will get it!

In my experience telling someone they are on a waiting list is another way of saying they are waiting for offers.

FollowsClosely

The listing was for the mobile command center. However, look at the box on the far left! Not the MMV, the CC!

I am second in line for the real prize in this listing...

WesterBricks

I remember seeing that ad and I noticed the Medieval Market Village, but I didn't look left enough to see the Cafe Corner. Nice spotting, here's hoping for a long shot that you'll get it.

vanvonfull

It was 25 for the lego potion of this sale:

vanvonfull

There was clearly some castle and fabuland mixed in the lot too. 

iwybs

Saw a 99% complete BTTF Time Machine at B&M for $100, just missing the minifigs and the extra parts for the Part II and Part III versions. Came back the next day and it was gone. They also had a 99% complete UCS Landspeeder for $115, just missing the minifigs, and it was a mighty fine hunk of plastic, but I passed on it because it was so much less exciting than the Delorean.

FollowsClosely

I am second in line for this lot. Second, dang it!

Switchfoot55

Is it bad for me to wish for the first in line to get a flat tire and not be able to make it?

FollowsClosely

It is gone. Sold for $1,500. If the figs are there that's a steal!

FollowsClosely

FollowsClosely said:

It is gone. Sold for $1,500. If the figs are there that's a steal!

Well, turns out the guy that purchased my lot it is playing a quick flip game. It has been re-listed on facebook marketplace for $1,700...

After some negotiating (I know he paid $1,000 for it just 3 days ago), the lot is now secured in my van.


It did not take me long to verify that the figs have not been picked through.

The goats where sitting on the bottom of the tub, just waiting to be discovered.

Switchfoot55

WOOO! Looks to be such a great purchase. Congrats on being able to secure it! 

I hope you find a herd worth of goats in one of the bins to really make it worth it!

Bobflip

Wow... as if he knew it was possible to flip it for another $200, but not what he could *actually* flip it for.

Keilup

FollowsClosely said:

FollowsClosely said:

It is gone. Sold for $1,500. If the figs are there that's a steal!

Well, turns out the guy that purchased my lot it is playing a quick flip game. It has been re-listed on facebook marketplace for $1,700...

After some negotiating (I know he paid $1,000 for it just 3 days ago), the lot is now secured in my van.

The goats where sitting on the bottom of the tub, just waiting to be discovered.

Wait.  Is that a typo?  Sold for $1500 but he paid $1000?  You didn't mention what your "negotiating" got it to.  Regardless, A) strange that he knew he could flip it for some profit, but didn't know he could pretty easily get more for it than he did and B) that's quite deal you got there.  It's more of a "one-that-sort-of-but-didn't-get-away."  Enjoy the goats and all all the other lovely sets in those bins!

FollowsClosely

Originally I was told that someone was picking up this lot for $1,500 and I was second in line. Then it sold. After reaching out to the original seller again he said he let it go for $1,000.

The next day the guy that purchased it for $1,000 relisted for $1,700. I negotiated down to $1,500. I probably could have gone lower, but I did not want to loose the lot as I have been wanting 6086 for a long while now.

Bobflip

I don’t like that guy, hahaha

Plenty of us resell to an extent (me included though that’s not where the flip in my name comes from), but he clearly went there saying he’d pay $1’500 then messed the seller around when he arrived.

Then to resell, no restoration of sets, just straight up relisted the same bundle. 

I bet he made up some rubbish reason about why he could only pay $1’000 as well. Really underhand. Glad you got it for the original price at least!

MaffyD

^ Could've been worse - he could've taken all the minifigs out before relisting...

Keilup

^^^ Got it!  That's would be a lot of money for me to spend.  However, that is an amazing haul for what you spent.  I can't help but drool over the stuff that's in there.  Would be awesome to see what sets you all ended up with out of that.  Wait, maybe not as it might make me cry.  So conflicted...  But seriously, congrats again on "the-one-that-almost-but-didn't-get-away"!

FollowsClosely

^ I'll post updates in the brag thread as I progress. 

oldtodd33

FollowsClosely said:

Originally I was told that someone was picking up this lot for $1,500 and I was second in line. Then it sold. After reaching out to the original seller again he said he let it go for $1,000.

The next day the guy that purchased it for $1,000 relisted for $1,700. I negotiated down to $1,500. I probably could have gone lower, but I did not want to loose the lot as I have been wanting 6086 for a long while now.

   All of this begs the question, if the seller wasn't offered his original asking price of $1500 from buy number one. Why in the world wouldn't he jump to buyer number two for his full asking price? I certainly wouldn't be willing to give $500 away to a person whom I don't know and don't owe any favors to. 

Switchfoot55

Well, speaking from experience and trying to sell a few things on Facebook MP or OfferUp, I've had at least a few people show up and try to offer me less at the last second. No doubt a tactic that works in at least some situations. 

Not saying that's what happened here. Maybe they offered $1000 cash and trade of another item on top of it?