Non-sensical Classifieds
It is almost two months I have been living in Qatar and, being someone from the educated lot with access to the internet, QL.com is known to me for the same time period.
I have found this website extremely effective in terms of attracting visitors and serving them as well. So much so that I would go on to say that it is most likely because of this very website that the need for a Facebook page where in to socialize has been rather obviated.
I have, however, under all your patience, one reservation regarding the classified section of this website. To be more precise, I am talking of the ''cars" and "Items for Sale" sections.
Now anyone who comes here obviously is seeking used items, and in that sense, the website is equivalent to craigslists.com elsewhere. However, I have found that the listings on this sites are rather unreasonable sometimes even funny.
For example, oftentimes I have seen an "Throwaway price sale" from "Expatriate Leaving" or "Expat Leaving--- Urgent Sale!" types of titles. Now whenever you open these ads, you find that although the expat seems to be in a rush, he or she also seems to be interested in getting higher price than was originally paid for the item in question. I mean HP laptop for 2500 QR is available anywhere in the market, why the hell does the expat think that has worn out piece would be purchased for 2600?
It is the same with most of the ads for cars. Anyone with a little experience with car prices can tell that most of the listings have higher prices for the cars than their market value. It is simply difficult to understand why people put up such ads.
It is my sincere request to the QL community members to be more realistic while posting an ad, especially regarding their prices. Ideally if you are an expat leaving, you are expected to sell of your things "cheaper" in a rush than you may sell if you had time to buy.
You have just put it the most correct way. This is exactly what I am trying to say. How on earth would someone buy a used item when they know the price is higher than the price of a new such item (without being aware of the bargaining game)?In fact, it is in the interest of the "rushing" expats to set the thing at a genuine and reasonable price and write clearly: no negotiations. Anyone who would need the item for the price would go and buy it.
titan.... it sounds too harsh to comment on both "buyers & sellers " in a forum. Someone next to me whispers, every moment such stupids are born to make unwanted comments !!!!!!!!
The poster is expressing his impression about the prices of classifieds; which I believe many others share it with him including me.
If any of the commenters think it is senssible enough, they can express that without these "Pandora box" and tracking the poster's lies ......etc.
The only comment that was to the point was that Bargain here is the rule, as it is in my own country. So whoever posts a classified is being Non-sensical to have a good starting point.
The backdraw of this technique is the reasonable buyers are out of the game as they are not expecting a half-price final deal.
there are idiots born everyday, let them buy.
Ahan, so are you trying to say the sellers know the prices would be reduced by the buyers. May be I am a novice then. Alright then. I am going to assume that a price listed in the ad is more than what the seller intends?
You should be a seller yourself to feel how things work.... whatever price realistic or unrealistic you put up people would almost tend to get it free. And I am not saying it just based on hearsay, but by experience in selling my household stuff and car as well. To beat an unrealistic purchaser you have to be an unrealistic seller...:) works well IMO...or atleast worked fine with me...
First and foremost, it is fallacious thinking upon your part to mention that I have opened a pandora box. I only called the attention of the people to an observation that I had made. I can perceive how crippling it could be for some people finacially to survive here given the cost of the new items that they have to purchase upon their arrival in Qatar. I know some people have pays too meagre to make ends meet. Being a web-designer and a frequent buyer of laptops I have a pretty good notion of what laptops normally cost. I was never talking of someone who bought an HP laptop for 6000 selling it for 2500 now. I was referring to a situation in which a 2500 new one would be offered at 2600 even though it be used. I am never saying expats leaving should really through their items away. Heavens portend I should be author to someone's unjustified loss. However, most of the buyers, as you mentioned too, are well-aware of the price, they would not even think of negotiating with a person who is selling a used item for a price which is more than the price for a new similar item. In this sense, it is just waste of money. Now, there is this guy who is selling Nissan 2007 for 28,500 and he has been spamming the page like hell. I wonder what is the point of posting such a post a hundred times? And I agree with you absolutely. It is better to dispose it with a nominal price (bringing benefit to both buyer and seller) rather than waste it (loss for both). But what I am talking of the kind of postings in which the sellers are posting higher prices which is totally unacceptable. I am again on your side, I would want to protect any new comer from buying things more expensive then they should be bought. And yeah, thanks alot for the wish.
Dear Segmund, thanks for joining QL team and opening your pandora box. As far as QL, these are the most visited sites by readers. Thers's a reason, here, most of the people / families when they settle they spend a lot of money buying all the house hold items, when they get better job they move out, the exodus rate is more, the only option is to sell them back for best prices. Not all the companys provide furnished villas. HP laptops price ranges from 2500 upto 6000 depending on the configurations, you cant deny that, besides seller is also equally clever to check, bargain then buys. There's absolutely no crime in this. Because of this any shops closed their business ? no, its best way to dispose at nominal cost instead of total waste. I think your 2 months " living in Qatar" is premature to understand + & - of " Qatar living " Have a nice time ahead.