Selling Etiquette on RFF

[sooner]

I'm curious what you all feel are some basic rules for selling or buying items on this forum. One member just tried offering a black Yashica GX by taking bids through the weekend, and one guy backed off bidding against fellow RFFers and someone must have PM'd him because he's now selling it on Ebay.

I had a recent experience of low-balling a fellow RFFer selling his Canon T90 for about $100/1/3rd more than I could get it from the guy in Texas selling CLA'd versions with a warranty, which by my book made the one here way overpriced. I cautioned the seller that he was asking too much but also made an offer, and he reacted with offense. Someone else chimed in that it's tacky or rude to low-ball someone's offer. Think he had added "or best offer" so I thought no problem making my best offer.

There is an advantage to buying here as we deal with folks who love these cameras and presumably take good care of them, and won't rip us off. There is also an advantage to selling to people who will take care of our babies and be trustworthy payers. So both parties get something.

Having lived abroad, where haggling is standard and meant only to find a price where both parties part happy, I see nothing wrong with making offers, unless a price is listed as "firm." What do you all see as other guidelines?

--John K.

 

[kiev4a]

I don't believe there is anything wrong with haggling. If I offer someone less than the listed price it is not meant as a insult. I'm just trying to get the best deal possible. I wouldn't do it if someone listed their price as "firm" however.

 

[Pherdinand]

I think as long as everyone does in in a civilized, friendly way, and nobody wants to rip the other off, there are no strict rules needed.

However, three 'rules of thumb' i noticed are:
-First advertize here and then e-bay etc (and not advertize the e-bay listing directly)
-Don't sell crap unless you make it clear, what the problems are
-Don't disturb an ongoing trade.

As to commenting on too high prices, some people take it as offense, while some people take it as a help on selling the stuff. I also said myself once, that a 'for sale' item can be bought new in the shop for a bit less and the seller did not really like my comment; thinking about it later, i regret doing it, but luckily the person did not take offense.

 

[back alley]

don't get too caught up in 'rules'.
this makes for more trouble than it's worth.

as far as your low balling offer, had you made it in private and continued the conversation in private nothing would have come of it.

one thing i find irritating on other sites is when there is a for sale post and someone comes along and says that the price is too high or too low.
i like to help a sale along, as a courtesy, by stating i think the price is good. if i think it's too high/low i generally stay out of it.

considering the number of buy/sell/trades that happen here, we have very little complaint from members.

common sense is a wonderful thing and i suggest that the membership continue to use it.

joe

 

[pshinkaw]

I think it's polite to preface a for sale item in the header with "FS:" That way I can skip it when I'm broke.

-Paul

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Maybe we as a group can come to some sort of general consensus on what is proper for selling and trading RFF. They don't have to be laws "set in stone," just guidelines. Once we have a set of rules we like we could publish them in an FAQ or a sticky that goes at the beginning of each "For Sale" section.

What do you think?

 

[RayPA]

The rules for buying and selling on RFF are not very difficult to discern really (no offense meant at all to Sooner) 🙂 Watch a few transactions take place and you'll know all you need to know. Like Joe said the rest is commonsense, and an extension of the goodwill and good-natured attitude found here at RFF.

For instance, from my own experiences viewing and participating in transactions, I would say that questioning a seller's price publically in the FS thread is a faux pas, and doesn't fit the etiquette here, and neither does the bidding approach. Again, those are things that just seem to be "the way it is done here." I think the membership sets that standard, so if the above practices become acceptable to the membership that could all change. Ownership/moderators will eventually set the boundaries. 🙂

 

[back alley]

I think the membership sets that standard...

good choice of words.

jorge rarely interferes unless he truly sees a need.
i am much the same.

the rff membership has thus far proven itself to be able to self - rule in an incredibly common sensical manner.

watch other sites, there will always be those who have never left high school. set a rule and they try to find a way to 'break it' without 'breaking it'.
this leads to frustration on the part of many and retaliation in like manner.

i make no time for silliness.

joe

 

[Flow]

How safe is it to buy things from from other members from RRF? Sometimes I notice there are people joining the forum just to post an item for sale message... Sometimes it is something I am interested in, but I never actually contact hose sellers because it makes me feel uneasy...


Flowen

 

[sooner]

No offense taken, RayPa. The members here do keep things civil and well regulated among themselves. In my case with the T90, I did actually go back to the buyer in a PM, but later went public in response to other posts in the thread. Maybe this thread should have been called "buying/selling pet peeves" rather than a search for hard rules. But then again, I always say that "common sense" is the uncommon virtue.

 

[back alley]

How safe is it to buy things from from other members from RRF? Sometimes I notice there are people joining the forum just to post an item for sale message... Sometimes it is something I am interested in, but I never actually contact hose sellers because it makes me feel uneasy...


Flowen

i think we welcome sellers generally, but it makes sense to stay away from a complete unknown.
on ebay there are seller ratings to judge by, but here, like any site, we have only the interactions between members to go by.

i generaly stay away from first time posters who start with a classified ad.

joe

 

[Doug]

That makes sense, Joe, and I feel the same.

I think it's generally good form to post something supportive for a seller/buyer in the thread if you've had previous good transaction experience with them. And I like to say something nice about the item being sold if I have experience with that model and like it.

 

[rover]

Being an "active trader" here, I always try to be very honest and fair regarding the items I am selling. My "reputation" in the community here is important to me so I feel I owe the other members a lot of respect regarding what I am passing along. I also don't take any negotiations personally. A deal is either right or wrong for both the seller and buyer. I have offered items for sale, and had descussions which didn't result in a deal, and that is fine, no offense, hopefully for either party.

When buying I tend to be cautious. I am much more comfortable with those who I "know" here or have done business with here. I guess I am more comfortable dealing with those who I think feel the same way I do.

As for rules, as long as we proceed with respect and courteously towards each other we will be fine. I know I do and I expect others monitor sales too. For temptation, but also to see how people deal. Not that I am looking for an advantage, just trying to get to know people to feel comfortable when they offer a wonderful LTM 50 that I need. 🙂

Which brings me to my final statement, don't act if you feel you are at risk. If someone isn't comfortable dealing with me, that is OK, I would prefer to let another pass on a deal than try to force them into one. The more you know about an item and a seller the more confident you can be in a deal, but don't make a deal if you feel things aren't right.

These are the rules I work with and I think are generally the way others deal here too.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I think Joe's policy is quite commendable. I too find it terribly annoying when there is a FS thread and countless people jump in and say it is either too high or too low. These are usually people who have no interest in purchase regardless of price. As Joe suggests, if you think the price is reasonable, help out by saying so. If you think the price is off a bit, email the seller privately and offer some friendly advice. When I see someone who I have dealt with positively before, I leave a comment stating that I've dealt positively before with the seller.

As always, act with the same courtesy as you wish to be treated, simple 🙂 cheers

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

oh, and a last thought ... in the age of emails, respond as soon as you can. If you are waiting on your response for some reason, let the seller or buyer know your estimated time of reply. In this day of modern technology, there will frequently be many people in the queue who might be interested in same item, so it helps to answer as soon as possible or ask for a hold if you can't. It is always sad to have a misunderstanding due to crossing emails in cyberspace. cheers

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I think the protocol or rules are easy to figure out. As Pherdinand stated above, you offer the item here first for a nice, courteous price, and if it doesn't go, you go to eBay for the profitable chance. Thorough descriptions and photos help, and so does replying to e-mails or PMs right away.

As for price disputes and lowball offers... better done privately.

And, of course, if someone has a previous experience with the seller, it does help to post an encouraging note.

Needless to say, I'd buy from Rover or Joe in a heartbeat if they ever offered something I need. 😀

 

[back alley]

thanks for the thumbs up francisco.

joe