Expecting too much ?

srtiwari

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The timely availability of cash, while suffering an attack of GAS, makes buying really easy. Selling one's prized gear, however, is another matter altogether; the money never quite seems to make up for giving up one's stuff. Even after the sale, I remain reluctant all the way to the Post Office until I have actually mailed the package, and things are completely out of my hands. The package gets delivered, and the buyer is presumably ok with it. Thats the last I hear of it ! And that leaves me feeling that something is unfinished. It seems to me that the buyer should have at least one more communication with the seller. But I never hear anything at all (usually).
I keep waiting to hear something more- such as how excited and satisfied the new owner is (or is not) with the deal, and how much he/she is (or is not) enjoying relief from his/her GAS, etc.
Wouldn't that make it a more satisfying transaction for both ? Wouldn't it be cool to know how someone else felt on acquiring the stuff that gave you such a thrill when you were the buyer ? Does anyone else feel this ? Or, Am I just expecting too much ? :(
 
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No...I think you just said what some folks feel when they sell/trade a piece of gear that's been good to them...
I tend to get attached to my camera gear if it's something I've used and like using...(I rarely sell or trade gear)
I did a recent trade with a member here and when he got the part he let me know and thanked me for it...he was happy...so I was happy too...
 
I like to give some feedback to seller like "thanks for nice deal, fixed and it works just fine". Also learned here on RFF to pay additional if camera I got for dirty cheap is in better condition than advertised.

Oh, I still want to send print to seller from whom I got Lynx 5000 - I guess he would appreciate than someone has fixed and is using it.

Matter of thread is "human communications" instead of "money in, gear out/tx closed". People want human communications in age when industries are pushing "fast life" approach - work more, loan more, buy more and do it again, do it again. That's why so many start collecting and using old cake boxes or cameras or whatever else.
That's why people get tired of fast life, fast food, fast partners and start looking for slow cameras (no, they are just old not slow), slow vehicles, slow something which can be enjoyed while using instead of in/out/again/in/out/again/in/out/again.
 
like divorce, once i made up my mind its gone --even if I still have custody. the rest is academic. sure ya loved that gear at one time, now its not in your vision of things anymore. you grow, you move on.
 
Xmm, I used to consider a closed loop model of communication in particular when it comes to any kind of business relationships.
When buying something online, be it RFF, Ebay or even a large scale stores such as B&H, I always get back to the seller with feedback upon arrival the goods and in most cases once again upon checking the goods out.
When selling I also expect and actually insist on similar attitude from the buyer - to inform me upon receiving the package and a timed delay after that (say, within a week or two) - let me know whether the condition and operability is as expected/agreed prior to closing the deal. That seals the deal loop, but I always open to a good communication even after that, often finding the other side to be rather interesting party to discuss things or even to learn from.
 
Believe me, its not weird at all. After a sold my mamiya 6 and never heard anything from the buyer about it again or anything it left me wanting. Sort of like what's going on here with me now, I have need of some money, getting ready to sell a bulk of my gear but feel relucant to do so because I know I will be left wanting and sooner or later I will buy into it agan.

Do I get another job and avoid the chopping block or do I make some people on rff really happy with some quality gear and a bleeding heart?
 
well,just ASK if u want to hear more.
Most of the sellers don't give a damn about what you do with the stuff, and especially the higher volume ones don't even have time to communicate in lengthy e-mails during the sale - restricting themselves to the absolutely necessary info.

If you sell someting, you have the contact info of the buyer - just ask.
 
Avotius, what you will have to sell is second hand gear that keeps its value relatively well. You can sell it and buy it back later at about the same price, when you can afford it again
dont fret over it ;)
 
You can't assume buyers of your gear have the least interest in cameras or photography. I've sold gear over the years that I've seen within a week on eBay (at a much higher reserve). To lots of folks, it's just business. But I don't get emotional toward camera gear, so it doesn't bother me when there is no feedback from a buyer.

I didn't think many people bought here just to sell on eBay. Most times, I am referring to those buyers who seemed all excited at first; the " I can hardly wait to get my hands on..." types. Somehow their silence feels the most surprising. Who knows, maybe they're enjoying the goods so much, they have forgotten all about the transaction. That would be ok with me ! :)
 
People are self-absorbed. Once they get what they want, they could care less.

Hearing nothing from the buyer is better than:

"I want my money back"

"I took out the part I needed to fix my broken camera and want to send your non-functioning camera back to you"

"I found a little scratch that you need a 25X magnifier to see. I want a partial refund"

"I tried this out for six weeks, dinged it all up, but I feel this is not for me. I want to send it back"

"I can't figure how out to work this camera, it's your fault"

"My uncle's friend at work says that this was not CLA'ed properly"

"I'll call you at home at midnight if you won't give me my money back"

"I dropped this camera and I think it's your fault, I want a refund"

"I took this camera apart and tried to adjust it according to that internet page I saw. Something's wrong with it now, so I want you to take it back"

"Ha ha, you sent it to a non-confirmed address, so I did a chargeback on my PayPal account, and now I get the camera for free and the money back too"
 
Since I always use tracking, I know when the package has been received. If I have not received confirmation after a few days, I'll send a short message '"Everything OK? Any problems?" and usually get a positive response. I know its silly, but the sale just doesn't feel complete until I know that the buyer is happy...
 
Since we grumble when we find something wrong with what we've bought, it's only fair that we express our happiness too. It will not matter to all sellers, of course.
 
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