Appropriate time for calling Classified Ads

[BERGS2]

Gents -

Just a quick poll of sorts...

when do you deem it appropriate to phone a classified ad?

reason for asking is that I've had my car for sale (ebay auction and PH classified) for a couple of weekends now and on BOTH Sunday nights I've had a call post midnight....

Last one i just killed the phone - last nights one left a very genuine sounding message - couldn't bring myself to call back as would have felt the need to give him an earful of abuse - thus more than likely negating any potential sale...


I'd have thought 9am-10pm weekdays, with a little later on sunday mornings?

is it so unreasonable to expect a degree of common sense?

[PumpkinSteve]

Well I would've thought after 6pm to give most people time to get back from work, or past 10am on a weekend. I don't think It'd be sensible to phone somebody past 9:30pm.

[muthaducka]

Past 10:30pm in the evenings I switch my phone to silent when I've got a car for sale and collect the voicemails in the morning.
If interested parties are that keen, they can wait long enough for you to call them back.

[Herbs]

I started reading this thinking that this will be another thread with someone moaning for no real reason and was about to respond with "well if you want to sell the car then be prepared to take the calls"...............

















then i saw the time was after midnight!

I think the times you quoted are spot on. I used to work evenings as well as days so when looking for a car i wouldn't think twice about ringing after 2100 if i saw one i was interested in but those times are taking the piss!

[VR6 Turbo]

last few ad's I have put please don't call after 11:00pm. this is because I either in bed or to pissed. seems to have worked the last two times.

VR

[TooLateForAName]

I think some people deliberately ring in the middle of the night with the intention of railroading a half asleep person into a deal.

Happened to me last time I had a car for sale - got calls after midnight, all very high pressure make a deal at best price, innit. Collect in the morning, etc.

[Gallen]

If it's after 9pm, I've text to see if it's ok to call!

Some people have no morals though, and it can be the early (or late) bird that catches the worm and I was gazumped recently.

I viewed a Range Rover after work at 9.30pm (arranged With the owner as I commute 2hrs each way). Finished viewing at about 10.30pm.

I couldn't fault the car and we agreed that I'd go home to speak to the mrs and call back the next day. I'd already hpi'd it. Owner said call anytime in the morning.

I waited until after 9am (thinking I was polite), and phoned to say I'd buy it and pay a deposit - only to be told someone called at 7.30am and was looking at it right then - and it was "only fair" that they have first refusal. I'd already agreed to pay what he wanted for it!

Lost out! So although it might be annoying, guess you have to do whatever suits yourself!

G.

Edited by Gallen on Monday 20th February 19:54

[redgriff500]

I work on 9-9pm BUT as a mate pointed out - if your mobile is on, it means you're willing to accept calls.

Hence I switch mine off when I go to bed.

[W41RU5]

sometimes it can create other problems, was selling a bike a few years ago and had a very interested bloke phone a few times and was very keen to buy, he phoned very late to confirm a time to come and buy it and i was a little bit 'well oiled', cant remember what I said to him but had a polite voicemail in the morning saying her was no longer interested. Dammit!

But in answer to your query I'd say it is a bit rude to call after about ten in the evening.

[BorkFactor]

I would usually call between 6 and 9 pm, when people are back from work and not getting ready for bed! During the afternoon on weekends seems to work too.

[parapaul]

Completely agree with the OP - anytime after 10pm is too late, and I'd even think twice about calling after 9. However:

redgriff500 said:

if your mobile is on, it means you're willing to accept calls.

Hence I switch mine off when I go to bed.

This. Long standing habit of mine - unless there's exceptional circumstances, my phone goes on silent when I go to bed and I'll look at it again in the morning.

[Pet Troll]

BERGS2 said:

Last one i just killed the phone - last nights one left a very genuine sounding message - couldn't bring myself to call back as would have felt the need to give him an earful of abuse - thus more than likely negating any potential sale...

You're missing a trick here, if he sounds genuinely interested then get back in touch and secure a sale without mentioning the late night call. Once sold, give him a few days then ring him up at 3am to see how he is getting on with the car

[LeeThr]

Everyones up at these times anyway posting on PH whats wrong with a car related phone call at this time of night? If I know its a pistonhead type person selling the car I want from now on I will be making a point of phoning between 1am-5am