anyone else annoyed with the classifieds around here?

[LeicaTom]

I think there`s been some problems with the PM`s here

I sold a Leica IIIC here last week, (in less than 5 hours!) but had to use the email system outside of RFF to contact the buyer - someone should look into this

Tom

 

[sooner]

I do find it a little confusing under the new interface how to contact the seller. I also just listed a 90mm APO Lanthar lens for what I thought was a reasonable price, some 80+ people allegedly looked at the ad, but nary a bite, so it's up on Ebay right now. That surprised me, 'cause usually good stuff goes quickly around here.

 

[bob338]

i just got an email from jamie, the guy i wanted to trade my skopar to, and he never got my pm.
maybe there is something wrong with the email system here...

 

[jan normandale]

Bob, I've noticed a lot of messages stating that someone's "mailbox is full" here at RFF regarding the classifieds. I think Raid may be onto something. Some one should check this function.

Regarding the membership and 'feedback' there is still a thread I use and you can too to check on sellers and buyers here

 

[bob338]

I do find it a little confusing under the new interface how to contact the seller. I also just listed a 90mm APO Lanthar lens for what I thought was a reasonable price, some 80+ people allegedly looked at the ad, but nary a bite, so it's up on Ebay right now. That surprised me, 'cause usually good stuff goes quickly around here.

this surprised me too. i listed a 35mm summicron asph for $1400 and got no responses. $1400 is the bottom end of what they go for in mint condition, so i was quite surprised.
i was really shocked that a dealer offered me $1350 for it and actually bought it! i think he's selling them for $2000, so how did i not sell it for $1400?

 

[tbarker13]

It really just depends on who is shopping at the time you are selling. I'll start here with a Leica lens, but then move to the L-Camera forum if I don't get a lot of interest.
I was trying to sell a newer 90 elmar last year. I listed it here without getting any serious inquiries. Moved it to the L-Camera forum and it was quickly snapped up.
I had sort of assumed the two sites shared the same shoppers market. I think I was wrong.

And I don't generally have a problem with responding "PM Sent." Unless that PM turns out to be an offer at 60 percent of the asking price or something equally silly.

 

[Pablito]

My experience buying has been excellent. As for selling, in each instance (EVERY time) buyers who said they wanted the item backed out, they said they were sending the money and never did, etc. Sometimes things in the end sold, other times not.

 

[ferider]

I have a real issue with negative comments on people's adds, price or otherwise.

I don't understand it: if an item is overpriced, it won't sell, it's that simple. Why rain on somebody else's parade (that (s)he paid for no less) ?

I wish the seller would be able to delete posts from one of his/her adds.

Roland.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I recently bought a wonderful Leica III and it all went well.

Also one must remember the size of the exposure here is a small fraction of that of an ebay. I love the knowledge base here but the size of the group is small and the higher the price tag (even if its a great deal) the tighter the market. I have also heard the email system here is not always working correctly.

 

[Pablito]

I have a real issue with negative comments on people's adds, price or otherwise.

I don't understand it: if an item is overpriced, it won't sell, it's that simple. Why rain on somebody else's parade (that (s)he paid for no less) ?

I wish the seller would be able to delete posts from one of his/her adds.

Roland.

I'm starting to agree with you. I see ads and I'm tempted to leave a snotty comment, but I think of what it must be like to be on the receiving end. Even if the comment is on target regarding the price, what good does it do the seller to have someone tell him/her publicly "you shouldda looked up the price on ebay finished auctions...." You can still do a naive seller the favor of letting them know by PM or e-mail, I've done this once or twice, seller was glad to have the info. The most naive sellers seem not to be up-to-date on the dramatic drop in the price of film SLR's, they price them using pre-digital prices....Sadly for the sellers, student-grade slr's in great condition now go quite often for $35-50 with lens....even on the 'bay...

 

[dazedgonebye]

this surprised me too. i listed a 35mm summicron asph for $1400 and got no responses. $1400 is the bottom end of what they go for in mint condition, so i was quite surprised.
i was really shocked that a dealer offered me $1350 for it and actually bought it! i think he's selling them for $2000, so how did i not sell it for $1400?

You're just dealing with a small market. Even priced right, there just might not be a buyer along at the moment.

 

[Ororaro]

My only complaint is that the really good stuff usually gets sold before I see the ad!

Exactly! Often I see the ad appear and when I open it it's already received 50 visits and it's already sold. How come?

 

[splitimageview]

OK, here is the secret. But no one else use it but me, ok?

Sign up to get an email when ads are posted. Often, the email notification will arrive before the ad is viewable on the site...

To do this, click on classifieds, then click on a category (such as "Lenses.") Then scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on "Subscribe to Category."

An email (with the full ad) will be sent when an ad is listed.

 

[rover]

I believe the PM max that can be stored in your mail box here is 100. All should check and delete old PMs you have saved.

I will leave a message for Jorge and Stephen to check the PM function.

Oh, keep in mind too, you should check your User CP. Go through the options and make sure your PM and email functions are active. It is a user preference setting.

 

[gregg]

I've done well in the past but this time around I had/have four items: an M6 Classic (0.72) a ZM 35mm Biogon, a Domke F6 bag and a M3 style film lever/wrench combo.

The lever/wrench combo went through three yes-then-no-then-yes responses before the $40 item finally sold.

The F6 went through four similar machinations and has yet to sell.

Three "serious" inquiries on the ZM 35mm and still no sale.

Two people requested my email so they could send "immediate payment" on the M6 - and it is still on the block.

All the items have had their prices reduced and now shipping and paypal included. I'd love to see them sold here but will be taking them to an auction site if they don't.

I'm beginning to think the amount of time and energy needed to manage these types of half-hearted transactions may be worth the $$$ fed to *Bay...

 

[like2fiddle]

You're just dealing with a small market. Even priced right, there just might not be a buyer along at the moment.

Steve has hit the nail on the head, I think. For example, I listed a couple of lenses a while ago that are for sale for considerably less than their counterparts have sold for recently on the big auction site. I have had but one offer from here for an even lower price than I'm asking. You just never know what the market will bear when you limit yourself. I'm probably going to have to put a nice lens up for sale on an outside site in order to get true market value for it. I like this place, and I figure I should at least try to offer it to people who are more likely appreciate and use the lens before putting out to the general populace.

I've bought and sold a few items here and have had people back out of purchase agreements a couple of times, as well as one who took a couple of months to pay (but I still held onto the camera and refused several offers to buy as I waited for the money. Some may feel I should not have been so patient with this buyer, but I told him I would wait...maybe it's a Karma thing🙂)

 

[Sam N]

I'm not sure how old the feedback system is here, but it seems like not many people are using it. It's actually pretty decent although the interface could use some work.

As for negative comments and "price policing", some forums (like Fred Miranda's) don't allow it. I don't think it's a big deal in most cases.

I think the reason some people send messages and later don't respond is that sometimes things sell so fast here. Potential buyers don't want to be beat out so they message first and then think about wanting/needing/being able to afford the item.

Anyway forum classifieds like the ones here or on FM are much better than eB*y (why doesn't anyone just write the actual name of the site?). Established sellers on the auction site demand higher prices, and less established sellers are often scammers or at least difficult to deal with. Forums are better for sellers as well, since there are less flakes and less listing/final value fees.

 

[like2fiddle]

I believe the PM max that can be stored in your mail box here is 100. All should check and delete old PMs you have saved.

I will leave a message for Jorge and Stephen to check the PM function.

Oh, keep in mind too, you should check your User CP. Go through the options and make sure your PM and email functions are active. It is a user preference setting.

FWIW, I just checked my classified and noticed that PM's had supposedly been sent to me over the last few days, but I have not received them. I have, however, received other, unrelated PM's during that time.

 

[pevelg]

I've purchased several items, all pleasant transactions. I've also said "yes, I'll buy," but had to retract. In one case I was going to buy a flash and sent the PM, but the next day the same flash with all accessories was listed so I went with that. In another case I was going to buy a Zeiss Ikon when a M6 TTL was listed for a few $$ more. I went for the M6 😀 Lastly, I almost bought a Jupiter 35mm, but when I found out that there is problems when using the in camera TTL metering, I went with the Ultron 35mm. I did sent a apology though in every case describing why I did not follow through with my transaction.

As for selling, I listed items once and had them up for a week. Only one person replied, half interested, so I listed on the EvilBAY and sold for a little more/less (multiple items) than on my RFF add. Next week or two, I saw a similar item as mine go for more that my original RFF price. I guess it's all about the timing.

 

[vdonovan]

I've only had good experiences buying and selling here.

There IS a problem with PMs. On my last deal the seller sent me a PM with important information. I never received it and thought that he'd flaked on the deal. He never got my answer and figured I'd flaked. Fortunately we worked it out.

I'd say both PM and email and POST to make sure your message gets through.