Marketplace MissOnline marketplaces can be very useful, but they also often lead to strange, unexpected and sometimes downright unwanted interactions. In this series we highlight the strangest experiences. This time Tineke van Ravenswaaij, who usually has nice interactions via Marktplaats but also loses a lot of time with buyers who don’t show up.
“I am a real Marktplaats fanatic,” Tineke says. The stylist from Sliedrecht is a fan of ‘thriften’, in other words: buying second-hand treasures for as little money as possible. She does this with clothing as well as with furniture and accessories. ,,After a while I’m tired of clothes and I sell it again. Or customers ask me if I want to resell clothes that they no longer want.” For example, Marktplaats has now taken up a significant place in her daily life: she gambles that she sells something about ten times a month.
I always make it personal, tell me what I’m going to use it for and why I like it
the favor factor
For Tineke, Marktplaats has become a fun hobby, allowing her to meet all kinds of people. “It makes me happy when I can make someone happy with something I no longer need.” She is therefore not the most difficult: for her it is more about the person than about earning as much money as possible. ,,I even sent something for free because someone wanted a piece of clothing so badly but was short on cash. Then I grant them that and I assume the good.”
The other way around, that sometimes works to her advantage: she recently bought a designer chair for 60 euros, which normally costs 875 euros. ,,I attribute that to the way I communicate: I always make it personal, tell what I’m going to use it for and why I like it. I also prefer to sell to people who tell me a personal story. I stay away from buyers.”
Tips for trading on Marktplaats:
– Ask what the buyer’s intention is. Danny immediately regretted when he sold a lamp.
– Make clear agreements with the buyer. Muriël knows from experience that sometimes a buyer does not show up. In her case, that was a happy accident.
– Check whether a cupboard has been emptied. Corinne bought a cupboard with contents.
– Report misconduct from other users. Laurette sells clothes: ‘I do receive an intimidating message every week’
– Always take a warning from Marktplaats seriously, Michele knows by now. “I thought the airfryer was very cheap, but it had a believable story.”
– Check the user’s profile, says Sanne. “I immediately thought: I can polish what I want, I will never get that smoke smell out.”
Guilt
Yet there are also interactions that make Tineke less happy. She is especially annoyed by people who make an appointment but then don’t show up. “That happens regularly,” she says. But one situation stayed with her the most: ,,A lady wanted to buy a bag from me. I had put it on Marktplaats for 50 euros, she wanted to haggle. In the end we agreed on 40 euros.” The buyer was supposed to pick up the bag at 7 o’clock in the evening, so Tineke made sure she was home before 7 o’clock and she was waiting.
She said she had sincerely forgotten and that she regretted it. She still came by
But even well after seven, no one had come by. Tineke: ,,It was the second time that week that someone didn’t show up and I was a bit irritated.” Her reaction? “I didn’t get angry, but I did send her a message asking how she would feel if someone didn’t keep an appointment.” That comment hit the mark: The buyer felt enormously guilty. “She said she had sincerely forgotten and that she regretted it. She still came by.”
Moments later, the lady was at the door with a 50 euro note in her hand. She didn’t want the change: ‘She said: ‘You wanted 50 euros for it and I made you wait, so this is for you.’ I liked that again.” Her tip is not to let it drive you crazy. ,,It should remain fun, so just stop a conversation if someone gets angry and don’t react from emotion yourself. If it makes you grumpy, it’s better not to Marketplaces.”
Do you want to stay informed about useful tips to manage your money and get inspired about how others manage their finances? Then follow us facebook and Twitter†
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.