The iPad Market in NYC is Nuts!

[jb007clone]

The student might be struggling, but does that mean she isn't allowed to buy what she wants with the money she saves? Just because she's a struggling student she has to buy strictly necessities and nothing more at all?

Yes. That's the definition of 'struggling'. Struggling means that your are having a hard time with your finances. If that is the case, you should not be spending $750 on a luxury item!

The OP does NOT have a right to tell the buyer what to do with their money, but THEY ARE RIGHT by saying that if she's struggling, she probably shouldn't be buying one in the first place. $750 = rent or lots of food to someone who is truly struggling.

The thing about Craigslist is you don't have a contract with anyone. If you did, then what the OP did was wrong. But he WASN'T bound by a contract, so what he did is fully within his rights. Don't get mad at SUPPLY & DEMAND in it's purest form.

Gentleman & Business = an oxymoron.

 

[sim667]

but NYC is Nuts!!!

I know that, people are rude but polite at the same time...... I've never met a woman so apologetic over breaking the zip on my jumper when i put it in the cloakroom at the massive museum once.... She was insisting the museum would buy me a new one........

(ive only been to NY once)

This place cracks me up. You defend the resellers cause it's "free enterprise" their totally within their rights but then you crucify a seller for upping the price. Why isn't it still free enterprise!? Where are the "she should of got there earlier on Friday if she wanted one" comments?! Hypocrits.

If you agree in principle to sell someone something for a price, you dont make them travel to you, and then up the price once they get there...... Its a really arsehole thing to do...... Its basically like gazumping someone.

 

[epgoldie]

Yes. That's the definition of 'struggling'. Struggling means that your are having a hard time with your finances. If that is the case, you should not be spending $750 on a luxury item!

The OP does NOT have a right to tell the buyer what to do with their money, but THEY ARE RIGHT by saying that if she's struggling, she probably shouldn't be buying one in the first place. $750 = rent or lots of food to someone who is truly struggling.

The thing about Craigslist is you don't have a contract with anyone. If you did, then what the OP did was wrong. But he WASN'T bound by a contract, so what he did is fully within his rights. Don't get mad at SUPPLY & DEMAND in it's purest form.

Gentleman & Business = an oxymoron.

a verbal agreement is a contract?

 

[DougFNJ]

A lot of jacked up He-Man types in here that would love to punch, hit, and smack eh? I love reading big violent words from the comfort of anonymity behind a keyboard.

As far as the topic, if you agree on a price, you honor that price period, no way to justify yourself around it, there was no right way to handle it but honoring the price you agreed to sell it to her for. You don't like that being on your concience particularly that the girl cried? Do what you say you would do.

Karma, the Loan Shark of the Universe, you always pay it back....with interest.

 

[ravenas]

a verbal agreement is a contract?

Precisely. Trouble is verbal agreements are hard to enforce becausse one requires proof. There used to be a time when men fought duels to defend their word of honor.

 

[epgoldie]

Precisely. Trouble is verbal agreements are hard to enforce becausse one requires proof. There used to be a time when men fought duels to defend their word of honor.

lets say shes reading these post and has proof from the original post. can she go out and overpay even more for an ipad and i guess sue the original poster for the difference in small claims court?

but i guess once you're late, that already breaks the verbal agreement?

 

[jb007clone]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (Android; Opera Mini/5.1.22460/24.741; U; en) Presto/2.5.25 Version/10.54)

You can sue anybody for anything really, the question is, will she win? She needs to prove, definitively, that they had a verbal contract and that the other party broke the deal. Basically all the OP has to do is deny that and say he never agreed to anything. I think craigslist has some fraud policies, but I don't know what proof they require or what exactly they are able to do about the situation. Really, the hassle it would be to do all this would probably end up costing her far more money/time. Craigslist isn't the place to find the most reputable of individuals. You have to be smart. I personally don't consider a deal to be final until I have the item in my hand and have handed over cash. Up until that point, I value my option to be able to walk away from the deal.

 

[nicegoogly]

There is no contract. The Parol Evidence Rule requires contracts over $500.00 to be in writing to be enforceable. There were no services rendered so you can't do a quantum meruit.

She was an hour late, that is not outrageous. In any other circumstance you would have patience. The additional offer brought his greed out and he blew her off.

He was such a creep about it I am surprised he didn't ask the "cute little Asian" girl for a pair of her panties. Why was it even relevant what she looked like or that she was Asian? It would be okay to do it to an Asian person because of the "Asian gangs" buying up all the iPads?

What part ofnyour story made you think you would get validation on this forum? You complain how hard it is to get an iPad but sell two instead of enjoying it for yourself. Also, you complain about her struggling, but you sold two iPads that really didn't make you wealthy after you consider the time and cost. Sounds like your are struggling morally and financially yourself.

 

[Campbell80]

"You know, I got some offers for $800 but since I already agreed to you, here's your brand spankin' new iPad. Hey, we should exchange email addresses to test out the FaceTime!"

In.

LOL what a genius! Do you by any chance work at the genius bar?

 

[tstarks33]

There is no contract. The Parol Evidence Rule requires contracts over $500.00 to be in writing to be enforceable. There were no services rendered so you can't do a quantum meruit.

You should probably leave the law to the lawyers

 

[gmans46]

i think everyone here has valid points but what it comes down to is your a real *******. I understand wanting to make a profit and this is america and you have the right to get whatever you can but honestly you just shouldve been patient it was you who agreed to the offer if she was already there there is nothing you can do. She paid for the gas to get there and not to mention probably was ecstatic that she finally got her hands on an ipad. On the other hand, your not in any legal issues but your ethic compass is real ****ed up nice one **** face

 

[Phil A.]

I guess everyone has their own moral compass and lives their lives accordingly.

I know I personally couldn't renege on a deal that had been agreed and have had first hand experience: Many, many years ago in the 1980's, I was selling my first house. I had an offer around 5% below my asking price and accepted it. The purchasers then went about sorting out surveys, etc and I told the estate agent to take it off the market. However, they didn't do so and about 2 weeks later I got an offer of 5% over the asking price which was therefore considerably more than the 5% under asking price I'd accepted.

I didn't even have to pause for breath before I refused the higher offer and tore into the estate agents for not taking the house off the market: as far as I was concerned, I had agreed a sale and would honour it: I might have made a few grand by selling it to the people who had offered more, but I wouldn't be able to look myself in the eye in the mirror if I had. I'm not a religious person but I do try to live by the adage "do unto others..."

 

[jb007clone]

I guess everyone has their own moral compass and lives their lives accordingly.

I know I personally couldn't renege on a deal that had been agreed and have had first hand experience: Many, many years ago in the 1980's, I was selling my first house. I had an offer around 5% below my asking price and accepted it. The purchasers then went about sorting out surveys, etc and I told the estate agent to take it off the market. However, they didn't do so and about 2 weeks later I got an offer of 5% over the asking price which was therefore considerably more than the 5% under asking price I'd accepted.

I didn't even have to pause for breath before I refused the higher offer and tore into the estate agents for not taking the house off the market: as far as I was concerned, I had agreed a sale and would honour it: I might have made a few grand by selling it to the people who had offered more, but I wouldn't be able to look myself in the eye in the mirror if I had. I'm not a religious person but I do try to live by the adage "do unto others..."

That's very admirable. I wish there were more people out there with your principles and integrity, but unfortunately I think they're few and far between. I think in regards to scalpers a lot of people are having a hard time telling the difference between what's ethical, what's moral and what's illegal.

 

[tigres]

I guess everyone has their own moral compass and lives their lives accordingly.

I know I personally couldn't renege on a deal that had been agreed and have had first hand experience: Many, many years ago in the 1980's, I was selling my first house. I had an offer around 5% below my asking price and accepted it. The purchasers then went about sorting out surveys, etc and I told the estate agent to take it off the market. However, they didn't do so and about 2 weeks later I got an offer of 5% over the asking price which was therefore considerably more than the 5% under asking price I'd accepted.

I didn't even have to pause for breath before I refused the higher offer and tore into the estate agents for not taking the house off the market: as far as I was concerned, I had agreed a sale and would honour it: I might have made a few grand by selling it to the people who had offered more, but I wouldn't be able to look myself in the eye in the mirror if I had. I'm not a religious person but I do try to live by the adage "do unto others..."

I took pause, then smiled. There are more of us out there.

 

[djkinetic]

I just can't believe what is going on with iPads in NYC. Everyone is probably aware of the Asian gangs buying up all the iPads from Apple stores in the city. Now the market seems to be heating up on craigslist. On launch day I bought a 32gb 3G from an AT&T store. The store only had 8 units but they took my name and I only needed to wait 30 minutes. I planned to keep it but when I paid for the unit a guy in the store immediately offered to buy my iPad. After discussions we agreed on $1,000. The best ROI I have ever had on an investment.

On Saturday I went to the 5th Ave store in late afternoon and for some reason they still had some Wifi and Verizon models. I picked up a 32gb Wifi model thinking my dad would want it. Unfortunately he didn't. Before returning it, I listed it on CL for $750 just to see what I could get. No hits until today when I had about 6 people contact me and bidding up the price. I sold it for $800. The funny thing is a cute Asian girl wanted to buy it for $750 and I originally agreed but then received 3 offers at $800. She was already on her way to my place and I met her on the street. When I told her it would cost her $800 she just started crying right there on the sidewalk. This whole thing is crazy.

You my friend are a douche bag, for pulling that. I like most people understand wanting to maximize your return on investment, but as stated you both agreed to 750 before the 800 dollar offers, By doing what you did, u not only screwed a poor girl who took the time to meet u and not only that you had the audacity to tell her how to manage her money, sorry but you never tell anyone how to manage money that isn't yours unless they are paying you (consulting work) to tell them what they should do, you also showed how poor your character is along with how unbelievably unprofessional you are in business dealings, also you basically tarnished the rep of ppl who actually are good sellers and stay true to their word.

My advice to to you on how I would have handled the situation, you list on craigslist for 800, girl calls you and says 750, obviously you agreed to the offer, she says she's on her way, during her commute you receive offers of 800, at this point this is where YOU TAKE DOWN THE CRAIGLIST LISTING!!!! Also this is where you should have had the morale compass to say i'm sorry but i've already agreed to sell it to someone for 750, however if the person does not pick up the item in the next 24 hrs I will contact you. The whole she was late an hr arguement is irrelevant, you should have held onto that iPad for 24 hrs from the initial agreed upon price, 24 hrs would have been sufficient time for her to pick up the item/notify u that she would not be picking it up. BTW 24 hrs wouldnt have made a difference you would have been able to unload that iPad just as fast.

Really did u need that extra 50 bux, nope probably not as u initially agreed to 750, also did u really need to get rid of that iPad 2 that very day/hr, was someone dying or some pressing emergency where u needed to get the money so fast... my bet is nope.. u were just being a greedy capitalist. While there is no problem with this the problem lies within ur business ethics...It's a rule you dont reneg once u agree upon sale, unless there is a significant change that compels u to do so, and even then you notify the initial buyer of that, if it was 500 bux she would have understood, but 50 bux cmon.. there's no defending what you did and this is coming from a business owner myself.

 

[coldpower27]

Something like this infuriates me to no end.

You have no business telling someone how to spend their money....it's their hard earned money.. not yours...

You agreed to a price and then up it at point of sale literally... very douchebag move... I would be furious if it was me... wasting my time....

 

[nicegoogly]

You should probably leave the law to the lawyers

Admitted to the NY Bar twelve years ago.

 

[princealfie]

I just can't believe what is going on with iPads in NYC. Everyone is probably aware of the Asian gangs buying up all the iPads from Apple stores in the city. Now the market seems to be heating up on craigslist. On launch day I bought a 32gb 3G from an AT&T store. The store only had 8 units but they took my name and I only needed to wait 30 minutes. I planned to keep it but when I paid for the unit a guy in the store immediately offered to buy my iPad. After discussions we agreed on $1,000. The best ROI I have ever had on an investment.

On Saturday I went to the 5th Ave store in late afternoon and for some reason they still had some Wifi and Verizon models. I picked up a 32gb Wifi model thinking my dad would want it. Unfortunately he didn't. Before returning it, I listed it on CL for $750 just to see what I could get. No hits until today when I had about 6 people contact me and bidding up the price. I sold it for $800. The funny thing is a cute Asian girl wanted to buy it for $750 and I originally agreed but then received 3 offers at $800. She was already on her way to my place and I met her on the street. When I told her it would cost her $800 she just started crying right there on the sidewalk. This whole thing is crazy.

Capitalism creates terrible manners which is why I am a post-Marxist with an iPhone.

 

[JoJoCal19]

You my friend are a douche bag, for pulling that. I like most people understand wanting to maximize your return on investment, but as stated you both agreed to 750 before the 800 dollar offers, By doing what you did, u not only screwed a poor girl who took the time to meet u and not only that you had the audacity to tell her how to manage her money, sorry but you never tell anyone how to manage money that isn't yours unless they are paying you (consulting work) to tell them what they should do, you also showed how poor your character is along with how unbelievably unprofessional you are in business dealings, also you basically tarnished the rep of ppl who actually are good sellers and stay true to their word.

My advice to to you on how I would have handled the situation, you list on craigslist for 800, girl calls you and says 750, obviously you agreed to the offer, she says she's on her way, during her commute you receive offers of 800, at this point this is where YOU TAKE DOWN THE CRAIGLIST LISTING!!!! Also this is where you should have had the morale compass to say i'm sorry but i've already agreed to sell it to someone for 750, however if the person does not pick up the item in the next 24 hrs I will contact you. The whole she was late an hr arguement is irrelevant, you should have held onto that iPad for 24 hrs from the initial agreed upon price, 24 hrs would have been sufficient time for her to pick up the item/notify u that she would not be picking it up. BTW 24 hrs wouldnt have made a difference you would have been able to unload that iPad just as fast.

Really did u need that extra 50 bux, nope probably not as u initially agreed to 750, also did u really need to get rid of that iPad 2 that very day/hr, was someone dying or some pressing emergency where u needed to get the money so fast... my bet is nope.. u were just being a greedy capitalist. While there is no problem with this the problem lies within ur business ethics...It's a rule you dont reneg once u agree upon sale, unless there is a significant change that compels u to do so, and even then you notify the initial buyer of that, if it was 500 bux she would have understood, but 50 bux cmon.. there's no defending what you did and this is coming from a business owner myself.

Quoted for truth.

I buy and sell pretty new phones on Craigslist all of the time because I upgrade every 6 months or so to the latest and greatest. I can't tell you how many times I've lost out on an extra $20 to $40 because I committed to a contract to sell the phone and received higher offers before delivering the phone. One time I had a $40 offer emailed literally minutes after I agreed to sell to another person. I always tell higher offers that I have a sale pending and they will be first in line should the sale fall through. What goes around comes around.

And for those who obviously have no clue about basic contracts, contracts can be written or oral to be legally enforceable and to have a valid and enforceable contract requires competent parties, legality of the object, consideration (object being offered), and offer and acceptance.

Therefore OP, you entered into a legally binding contract and the girl can sue you in court for either specific performance (going through with the sale at $750) or compensatory damages (extra money for what you put her through).

 

[swy05]

No i'm cheap and go the $10/beer route, but cocktails can easily hit $20+ midtown unfortunately. It's an expensive city, but thought London was the same.

I don't think I was off point, I just think that a lot of people think $50 is easy to give up, but it's a lot of money. I don't blame the OP, there was no contract.

What the hell are you talking about.

Bars in midtown and downtown are no more than $10-$13 for a mixed drink.
Upscale restaurants will charge no more than $15 for a mixed drink.
Lounges/clubs will charge no more than $15-$20 for a mixed drink.

There are a handful of spots that have outrageous $50+ mixed drinks but, no normal person goes there to drink it up. These $50+ cocktail places are akin to the place that serves the $175 hamburger in NYC. A niche "showcase" that no one in their right mind would go to.

I've worked on Wall St. and Park Ave. and even in those areas the $20+ cocktails are the extremely rare rare exception, not the norm.

You make it sound as if though every bar on the street corner has a $20 minimum cocktail.

Also, $10/beer route? What do you go to a lounge/club every time you drink?

 

[tstarks33]

in line should the sale fall through. What goes around comes around.

And for those who obviously have no clue about basic contracts, contracts can be written or oral to be legally enforceable and to have a valid and enforceable contract requires competent parties, legality of the object, consideration (object being offered), and offer and acceptance.

Therefore OP, you entered into a legally binding contract and the girl can sue you in court for either specific performance (going through with the sale at $750) or compensatory damages (extra money for what you put her through).

Off topic, but she wouldn't be entitled to specific performance for an ipad sale. And that's not what compensatory damages are - it's not extra money for what someone's been put through (perhaps you mean punitive damages, which isn't going to happen in a contract dispute).

 

[beeskward]

I guess everyone has their own moral compass and lives their lives accordingly.

I know I personally couldn't renege on a deal that had been agreed and have had first hand experience: Many, many years ago in the 1980's, I was selling my first house. I had an offer around 5% below my asking price and accepted it. The purchasers then went about sorting out surveys, etc and I told the estate agent to take it off the market. However, they didn't do so and about 2 weeks later I got an offer of 5% over the asking price which was therefore considerably more than the 5% under asking price I'd accepted.

I didn't even have to pause for breath before I refused the higher offer and tore into the estate agents for not taking the house off the market: as far as I was concerned, I had agreed a sale and would honour it: I might have made a few grand by selling it to the people who had offered more, but I wouldn't be able to look myself in the eye in the mirror if I had. I'm not a religious person but I do try to live by the adage "do unto others..."

Same thing happened to me when I sold my house about 8 years ago. I left about $50,000 on the table... and don't regret it one bit. The buyers I'd originally agreed with were ecstatic.

It's a question of integrity and trust. The money meant nothing... I can always earn more. My word and my agreements are far more important to me...

 

[JRoDDz]

Same thing happened to me when I sold my house about 8 years ago. I left about $50,000 on the table... and don't regret it one bit. The buyers I'd originally agreed with were ecstatic.

It's a question of integrity and trust. The money meant nothing... I can always earn more. My word and my agreements are far more important to me...

As Tony Montana used to say: "All you have in this world is your balls and your word. Don't break 'em for nobody."

 

[HasanDaddy]

Yea, that was kind of rude to not sell it to the girl who came over to pick it up after apparently agreeing on price. Capitalism #1

ehhh.... I'm a self-proclaimed and proud Capitalist, but Capitalism is based upon rule of law, honesty, and transparency... not lies

Not to trash md, but that was low, brother - word should be bond, not broken

 

[HasanDaddy]

Yes. I guess so. I offered to walk over to the bank with her (1 block away) so she could get the money. She said she couldn't pay any more because she was a struggling student. I said to her since she is a "struggling student" maybe she should rethink buying the iPad 2 since its very expensive at the moment and just buy the original iPad. That is when she started crying.

Seriously?

My God - you're a jerk