A WORD TO THE SELLERS-
1) Selling or auctioning?
If you have a set price for your plot of land, you are selling it. If you are auctioning it, you need to set: a starting bid, increments and a date when the bidding end and the highest bidder gets the land.
Example: Auctioning a plot.
Starting bid: 5k
Increments: 500g
Bidding ends: April 10
2) Address- undisclosed for security reasons
Do NOT disclose the location of the plot to be auctioned. That information should only be known by the final buyer, after he/she has payed you in full. If someone else gets there and plants their home before the person who won the bid, you will have to refund the gold.
Since plots of land are free, the first person who sees it has every right of claiming it, and that's the way it goes.
Update: The only way to completely disguise your address is to use a mule, because people can find where you live through your username. The downside to that is that most people don't feel so compelled to buy from mules. But perhaps it's worth a shot to make sure the final transaction is safe. Thanks Gubusu, for the tip^^
3) Refunds
If something goes wrong and the person who paid is unable to plant a house in your lot, you need to refund the gold or you are liable for scamming. So be clear on your terms and make sure you have a good plan to pass on your plot of land.
4) Reserving spots
Many people are saying that in order to make sure the buyer gets the land, the seller will uproot, put the buyer on his friendlist and then reserve the spot. There is one big problem about this idea: Gaia allows you to reserve an entire area, that is 6 houses, not a single one.
So unless you mean that you will be able to reserve the whole area and then hand in the desired spot, do not use this argument, because it is FALSE.
A WORD TO THE BUYERS-
1) Risky business
You need to know that paying for plots is risky business. There is no actual guarantee that you will get what you paid for, since Gaia does not have a way to ensure this transaction. That said, it can be done successfully.
2) Refunds
If you pay for a lot and the seller is not able to successfully allow you to have it. He or she needs to refund your gold, otherwise you may report that transaction as a scam.
3) The 2k cost
There is a 2k cost for someone who has a plot in Gaia Towns to leave it vacant. Bear in mind that most likely, if you win a bid for a plot, even if it goes wrong and the person refunds your gold, that person may keep those 2k. Find out what the seller policies are on this regard.
4) Your seller should have a reasonable plan
Do not give your gold to someone who seems like they do not know what they are doing. Choose threads that clearly specify how the owner of the land plans on passing on his/her plot of land to the buyer.
5) Before making the trade final
Make sure you understand all the terms of the buyer before sending the final trade. However, rest assure that if someone takes your gold and fails to deliver, you can contact the Moderators for assistance.
A FINAL WORD TO BOTH-
When done responsibly, selling plots is a good way to help those who want a place in Gaia Towns get one, while helping your pocket, so everyone is happy in the end.
In any case you have to remember that in Towns: first come, first served.
If there is an available plot, it rightfully belongs to the first Gaian who sees it and claims it.
That is the rule of the land, so plan accordingly to have a successful transaction. Good luck! biggrin
Boxed Lunch 