Forum Marketplace - How long do you hold items for buyers?

[shmup-o]

Just out of curiosity, when you guys are selling on a forum how long do you hold items? There are plenty of factors like type of payment (money order slower than PayPal), people who PM constantly vs people who don't PM at all, someone waiting on payday and the like, but when it gets down to it how long would you wait on them?

On top of that - does that warrant bad feedback?

[TonK]

I held a game for Spadgy for a month. But that's Spadgy, and I know and trust him.

If I know the person, I'll hold the game for whatever they request.

I usually don't hold games for people I don't know.

[maxlords]

Usually if I don't have other offers, a week, unless they ask specifically for a certain payday date. I've held things for up to a month on occasion, but I find if it's over 2 weeks, people tend to lose interest or devote their money to other obligations.

If I have other offers, my limit is usually 3 days, because 2nd offers tend to fall through after about that long....

[Never_Scurred]

....Until someone comes through with that payment.
I've never traded on this forum, but from experiences on other forums, I found its better to go with whomever clearing that paypal the quickest. And I state that upfront-No Holds, no deals, no check-in-the-mail, Paypal only within 6 hours of confirmation or I put it back up on the block.
I don't wanna wait around, to get jerked around. I've only made exceptions for people I know that have a reputation of swift payment, especially if I don't know any of the other interested parties. But that isn't often.
That is also why I never ask someone to hold something for me, if you can't put your money up asap, you shouldn't even bother looking, go kick rocks or something. Prompt payment is just common courtesy. Why block someone's route to a sale?

[kernow]

I hold games to make friends, so basically forever until I feel the need to mention it or vouch for someone etc.

[Lordstar]

I think ive only ever held items for friends. no ones ever asked me to hold it I usually offer it if someone says something to the effect of. Oh I will get it if its still there in two weeks. I usuallt send out the item first (if i know them)

[idchappy]

Usually a week tops, after that it's try and flog them again

[brentsg]

I quit doing this unless I know the buyer well.

I had a couple of transactions where extremely well known/popular/reputable members strung me along for days, then bought the item from a new sales post that came along and beat my price by $5 or something.

So no, not doing that any longer.

[shmup-o]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm thinking I might have to go with PayPal only and 24 hours to pay or it can go to the next in line to avoid these kind of issues. Special consideration for folks I know and are waiting for payday or something.