What is the right thing to do?
 

OK fellow members I need your advice and input. Last week I put my 1997 SeaDoo XP on the web to sell and I got a couple of quick responses. One gentleman told me he was ready to buy it if I could meet him halfway between our two cities. I began looking for a place to meet to put the ski in the water and had basically considered it sold. I even took it off the web. Then today I get a call from another gentleman who had seen the ad and offered to pay significantly more, buy the trailer, and come here and pick it up. Now here's my dilemma, I told the first guy about the new offer and he told me he has already bought a trailer and gotten the money together. The other guy is coming saturday to look at the ski if I choose not to sell it before that but I don't feel totally comfortable breaking my first deal but it is significantly more money. What should I do?? I need advice.

Do the "right" thing :)

Integrity is worth the price. I endured a jackass not to long ago that listed a swim platform (from OSO classifieds by the way) for $500. He sent me pictures and everything and I was doing the normal probing to see what his bottom line was. We were going to meet next Saturday in a middle area. When I emailed him to make final arrangements for the meeting, he informed me that he had a lot of response and the price was now $600. This thing was in the classifieds on this site for $500! I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I knew I was that kind of no values turd. Some things money can't buy.... values and integrity are two.

My .02

BT :cool:

Put yourself in the first guy's shoes and the answer is crystal clear!

Sorry, but you 'sold' it to the first guy. Unless you want to buy his new trailer from him.

A deal is a deal!!!..... A Bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush

I no understand.........bush?

do the right thing and sell it to the first buyer.

you will sonn forget about the extra money the second guy offered AND you will feel good about your choice for years to come.

If you want to explain to the 2nd guy the situation and he's willing to leave a 2nd deposit great! And if things don't work out with the 1st guy for whatever reason your in! I've seen buyers turn into jerks at the last minute (dick you around after you've driven all the way thinking he's got you by the balls)

A deal is a deal but...

Call the first guy and make sure he is serious. Have him Fed-Ex a deposit. If he "hem-haws" about that he may planning to get yours, but would change if he got a better deal elsewhere. I've been on the wrong side when people said "I'll take it" then never show up. (Read the thread about the Cigarette deal earlier this week.)

However, I would not be the one to back out on a deal...

Like Birddog says "Do the right thing", but just make sure it is the right thing first!!

Oh boy ,you did it now ! YOu have no choice ! You will never live it down on the board if you don't do the right thing . If that guy did get a trailer and find the money it's got to be his . I hope he is telling you the truth though . I did a deal like that once .The guy said he wanted it for sure ,the price was right but I had to meet him half way and he would then pay me to deliver it because he had no truck . When I got there he was 25% short on the cash and no exttras to pay for trucking !!:mad: I told him to stick it ! He had the nerve to run after me begging me to take his money and deliver it for free ! THat was a waste if time ........

Good luck

Do the right thing and follow thru on the first deal. If it falls through the second party may still be interested. Either way you'd be doing the right thing.

Ask an Attorney...... He'll create a way that the "right thing" becomes a "topic for negotiation". He will then offer dozens of examples pro and con. Next , he will negotiate with all the parties and take you out of the process. Finally he will charge you all the money you make, regardless of who you sell it to.

Ain't life in America grand?

T2x

You have to sell it to the first guy, or at least admit to him what your dilemna is, and see if he may chuck in a few bucks.

On the other hand, it is a PWC, and I would get that thing out of my sight as soon as I could if I was now a powerboater!
(A little exaggeration, but I really like my 26' better than any of my old skiis.)

You made a deal with the first guy, You called him & he said he wanted it. If he is seriious he will send you a deposit ( he already got all the money together) If he does not get you the deposit means he is not serious & HE wants to give you the run around. You are worred about doing the right thing, is he?

T2X- "Ask an Attorney......" I take it you have first hand knowledge.

blue thunder- I have had people do that to me & I tell them to take a hike. Most time a better deal comes along then the first deal.

Fountain525sc - You don't need an attorney. Treat the other guy the way you would want to be treated if the roles were reversed - regardless of dollar value.

I would hold to the deal I made. I have always felt that when I tell somebody something, they can take it to the bank.

On the other hand, a few months ago, I had two jet skis on ebay, and I had plainly stated "as is where is". Then this jackass in Md wins the auction. I contact him, and he wants me to ship them to him. I told him if he could arange the shipping, it was ok with me. But I knew the shipping would cost him more than the jet skis. I emailed and called him several times, and his wife always told me he wasn't there. Now the ad is over, I still have the skis, and I have to fight with ebay not to charge the final fee.

Two jet skis and trailer still for sale:D

Do the right thing. You'll feel alot better about it when you think about it later.

That's what you'd expect if the roles were reversed. Wouldn't you???

Its better to sleep at knight soundly knowing you did the right thing. Do the right thing sell it to the first guy.:) Do as you'd do to others, as they would to you.:)

I agree with do the right thing but I have sold too many things and had deals fall through. Now I feel that nothing is sold untill it is paid in full. Deposits are useless because you can't keep them. I sold my Yamaha Virago a month ago to a guy 400 miles away. I held it for him because I trusted him. He fedexed a check and picked it up two weeks later. I was really scared because I had several offers while waiting for his check. I guess I did the right thing, but you can't count on everyone else doing it.

Keep the first deal but make shure he has the money. I wish more people kept their word, everyone has been on the flip side of this one.:cool: :cool:

Make sure the deal is firm. Unless the other guy backs out you should consider it sold. Money is not as important as how you will feel after the sale.

Any luck on organizing that Poker Run?

Dan

Sold...
 

Always remember, "you are only as good as your word" Didnt you tell the first guy it was his? Too bad a lot of other people don't follow this advise. It would be a lot better world.....Its your life.
eliminator219:D :D :D

Look at the subject line for your post. If you're asking what should you do, that's up to you. But "What's the right thing to do?" is pretty obvious

Fountain525sc...
 

Tell the first guy that you decided that you don't want to sell it anymore for whatever reason you can come up with and sell it to the second guy...!!!
The right thing is NOT always the thing to do...
Maybe I've just been screwed over too many times though...:rolleyes:

lkasy year when i bought a 34' (gave the guy a deposit and was ready to pick it up with the transporter and pay the balance) 3 days prior to picking it up he called me and said he was "keeping it" I am pretty sure someone else gave him more money for it.

At least i got my deposit back but biy was i pissed. Quite frankley it still pisses me off!

it's a clear case of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" OH-ZONEs method sounded good......I would just be honest with each party...at least that way you can almost consider it sold....

I agree, sell it to the first guy, but also make sure the first guy is sincere about closing the deal :)

People can say what they want. The piece is still for sale until somebody shows up with the money. First come first serve. But for future reference, when I'm courting two different buyers, I try to keep them separate. People generally don't like knowing that they have competition.

Thank you all for your help. I decided last night that I cannot go against my morals and I am going to stick to my deal. Money isn't everything. I almost feel bad for even considering the other offer. I knew this was always the right thing to do but also owning a business pulls me both ways. I have to stay good to my word or else I am no good. I hope noone thinks I'm slime for considering the other deal but I really appreciate the help. You are all right, more people need to stick to their word. Money may be lost but I know I'm still gaining something much more valuable.

Thanks,
Ryan

True, but I've had people tell me that they are going to buy the item and that the check is in the mail. Several weeks later when I call because the check didn't arrive, they then say that they changed their mind. The biggest problem is that it's too hard to prove a verbal contract. If they want it so badly, then they should overnight a chashiers check, show up in person with cash, or sign a bill of sale.

honor your committment

Call your first guy. Tell him the whole situation and that if HE has any doubts or is planning in finding "this or that" wrong and try to fudge on the price when you get there knowing that you won't want to drag your old unit back home and waste the day, to let you know now and you'll let HIM out of it. Otherwise you will expect a bank check or cash for the FULL agreed upon amount on delivery. If he goes for that then you sorta hafta stick with him. Also, have him call you the morning when he leaves so that you know that he hasn't had last minute rethinks. Also call the second guy and try to get him to hang on and that you'll call him one way or the other when deal #1 does/doesn't go through. --- Jer

Fountain.... I never consider anyone slime until they prove that they are.....asking for honest advice is most admirable

well let me rethink that.... some people are just slimy ...I think you know what i mean...

You already know, else you would not have asked.

I agree with JPClear, firm up all avenues,Cover yourself .

Good for you Fountain !!!! Our word is all we take with us through life.:)