"Sale pending"--why post it ?

Tobias,
I do it as you do, reasons mentioned above. I do get emails asking to let other potentially interested parties know should the deal fall through.
When I have received payment, I mark it sold, when the check clears, I delete the add. I didn't think there were so many gyrations of 'sale pending'.

I also add "sale pending" to my ad title when I have a firm offer. I do this to reassure the buyer that his/her offer is being taken seriously, the item is reserved and all that's keeping me from calling it "sold" is the payment's getting to me.
I also want to let other interested parties know they shouldn't get their hopes up. I'll offer to email them if the deal does not work out for some reason.

For example: you sell the item on ebay but place some extra ad here and say *sale pending*. If the auction won't go successfull you'll probably continue selling or taking offers from audiogon.

I never use "sale pending"! To many variables can happen to a "firm offer", as many previous threads have indicated! Why discourage another potential buyer with a "sale pending" if the original deal falls through! I let my feedback speak for my reputation, and I'm in constant communications with the person who gave me the firm offer.

I do it for the same reasons as stated by Tobias, Porschecab and Lak. Tobias, you didn't think I was serious about opening a ad that way, did you? I was merely commenting on my shock that some folks came at me harder AFTER I posted the sale pending sign. Even going so far as to tell me that they could get me more money and quicker. I have a legitimate sale pending. I also told the hound that I will wait longer for less because I had a verbal agreement, however I don't mark it sold until money has exchanged hands. Sale pending should mean that a new buyer understands that he doesn't have first dibs, even if he's willing to pay the asking price or more. I will take his name and let him know when and if the transaction has been completed.

Only a fool would put sale pending on an item with no sale pending. It discourages good people (like me) from offering to purchase it.

Thanks for your responses, folks. I think I will be guided by Fatparrot and in future I will not put "sale pending" on my ads at all.

Jmcgrogan2, I'm afraid I did think you were considering opening an ad with "sale pending". I beg your pardon if the misunderstanding caused you any offence.

I posted on the subject because I wanted to benefit from others' ideas, not because I thought my own were the best.

Fatparrot your reply speaks volumes. tks

If the buyer sez the cash is on its way, mark it as sold. Worst case you don't receive the money and have to spend $2 to re-list it. BFD.

Thank you Tobias and Sayas for your kind words. Let me also add that although I don't post "sale pending", if another potential buyer contacts me, I will inform by email that a sale is pending, and that I will be in contact if the sale falls through. Just common courtesy.