Furniture Bought but not collected - and we’re moving house

[58armadale]

What to do? With only three days to go before we move out, a bulky item is still with us. The buyer paid a couple of days after purchase two weeks ago but said he hadn’t yet made collection arrangements. I have sent a message gently reminding him of our deadline but had no response. Any suggestions??

[58armadale · Accepted solution]

Thanks all for your suggestions. What happened? The buyer got his brother to contact us the night before we moved, and we helped him carry the item out as the removalists locked up their van. Not ideal but a happy ending nevertheless.

[arctoph_49 · Accepted solution]

I am glad to hear everything went well.

[countessalmirena]

Give him a deadline. No need to be gentle; something along these lines: 

Dear [buyer],

Re the item that you purchased (item no. xxxx) on dd/mm/yy, please arrange collection no later than dd/mm. After that time, as previously explained, we will no longer be there and will be unable to be responsible for additional storage time.

Yours sincerely,

[your name]

Keep it simple and don’t mention any extraneous details or make any further explanations.

[domino-710]

Seems to me - given - the buyer has not responded for 2 weeks - and the seller has 3 days - the only option would be to take the item with them. .

[arctoph_49]

They probably wanted to sell it exactly because they were moving, so I doubt they would want to take it with them. Most people try to get rid of stuff when they move.

[domino-710]

Stating the obvious. The item has been sold - but not collected. What would you do - leave it in an empty house - with the key under the mat. lol??

[arctoph_49]

Personally, if it is not something very expensive, like antique furniture, I would just donate it to an OP shop if I had to move. They pick it up (and they really do), and with the money they make when they sell it, they help people in need.

[domino-710]

Well - it's not about you. The OP thought the item worth selling - and it obviously was - given - it was bought and paid for.

[davewil1964]

I'd leave it in the front yard. If the buyer wants it, they will collect it.

[domino-710]

Seriously - I mean - seriously - that's the advice here. Paid for - no QR code - no proof of collection - OK - INR - coming right up.

[arctoph_49]

"Seems to me - given - the buyer has not responded for 2 weeks - and the seller has 3 days - the only option would be to take the item with them." LOL - Maybe you forgot to say to cancel and refund the buyer? You say that davewil1964's suggestion could mean an INR case for the OP, but yours would *most definitely* mean that. At least in davewil1964's case one could hope that the buyer is honest.

[domino-710]

Silly me - I would have thought the OP with 3 days to go - no communication - would cancel - before loading it on the truck. lol

[arctoph_49]

Well, maybe davewil1964 expected someone to be present when the item is picked up, maybe a friend of the OP who still lives in the area. Maybe he also forgot to mention something.

[davewil1964]

Forgot nothing, arctoph. Item paid for, available at the advertised address...