The market appears to be slow in RFF Classifieds

[splitimageview]

Many items for sale, but not much movement, or so it seems...many items which appear to be well-priced and good quality, offered by well-known reliable sellers, sit unsold for weeks...items which would have sold quickly in the past.

Significantly under-priced bargains appear to be the only things moving.

Anyone else notice this or am I off-base?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Good priced, high demand items usually sold quick here. Been not total stranger from Gusia also the factor.

 

[Rob-F]

Good priced, high demand items usually sold quick here. Been not total stranger from Gusia also the factor.

Gusia? What's that?

 

[enasniearth]

gusia

an island where people dispose of manual film cameras

 

[CameraQuest]

Many items for sale, but not much movement, or so it seems...many items which appear to be well-priced and good quality, offered by well-known reliable sellers, sit unsold for weeks...items which would have sold quickly in the past.

Significantly under-priced bargains appear to be the only things moving.

Anyone else notice this or am I off-base?

I have been buying in the classifieds, doubt if I am the only one.

that said, the first 3 months of the year are traditionally slow for camera sales.

Stephen

 

[css9450]

gusia

an island where people dispose of manual film cameras

Its a lot like the Island of Misfit Toys.

 

[Rob-F]

that said, the first 3 months of the year are traditionally slow for camera sales.

Stephen

That's interesting! Worth remembering.

 

[Austintatious]

Just my observation.
After 40+ years in sales, things tend to pick up after April 15th. 😀
Income tax deadline.
Not sure why it is. Just reality.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

My entirely anecdotal observation is that there’s been a significant shift away from forum classifieds and towards Facebook but/sell groups. Not just here, but all the photography forum classifieds seem slow lately.

 

[splitimageview]

Facebook is grabbing classifieds from Craiglist and also focusing on interest groups/communities/forums...they spent a few million on a Super Bowl ad promoting fb groups. There are untold numbers of fb photo related groups...

 

[Guest]

TLR, 120 folders and even Hasselblad postings have all but ceased. I have a bunch of images I would love to add of these beautiful cameras but sadly this forum is pathetically user friendly in regards to sharing users images.
We may be at the tipping point of the medium format demise. The Leica film camera is as strong as a small pony, mine have been put to bed. Either way when I buy film, I spend a good $150 to make my contribution towards keeping this medium alive.

 

[kxl]

The sheer volume of traffic on FB all but guarantees significantly more sales than any photo-related site, and even more so when compared to a niche site like RFF. In addition, it's a largely different market altogether with perhaps a very small overlap. Browse the RFF classifieds -- most FOR SALE items are RF-related or otherwise niche related. FB's photo groups cover the same niche items, but also DSLR and mirrorless cameras, which I would think attract more buyers. Personally, if I'm selling an RF-related item, I'd certainly consider posting something here, but if I were selling a DSLR or MILC, I'd probably post in one of the FB groups.

 

[Peter Jennings]

Sales may be slow, but it appears people are still looking. I've had a camera listed for just a few days and it already has well over 700 views. That's as much or more than I'd expect from an Ebay listing.

BTW, I know nothing about selling on FB. How does it compare with other outlets as far as seller and buyer protections?

 

[splitimageview]

Protections are the same on fb as here.

 

[rfaspen]

I prefer buying and selling here. I don't think I've sold through any other site.
Oh. Once through Craigslist....

 

[Emile de Leon]

I have noticed a slowdown of actual stuff I would be interested in in the classifieds..for a long time now..
I think people are keeping the good stuff..
As well as having less disposable income to spend..

 

[Mackinaw]

Things should pick up when folks start getting their income tax refunds (in the U.S.).

Jim B.

 

[splitimageview]

This has been the situation for some time, several months at least, so I’m not sure it’s related to tax season.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

In addition, it's a largely different market altogether with perhaps a very small overlap. Browse the RFF classifieds -- most FOR SALE items are RF-related or otherwise niche related. FB's photo groups cover the same niche items, but also DSLR and mirrorless cameras, which I would think attract more buyers.

I don’t think it’s a different market at all, it just depends which groups you join. There are fb groups for every niche imaginable. Personally I’m a member of very active groups for Takumar lenses, Hasselblad film, Olympus OM bodies, Leica M film etc etc, and I can’t remember the last time any of my groups had a dSLR for sale...

 

[olifaunt]

Just my observation.
After 40+ years in sales, things tend to pick up after April 15th. 😀
Income tax deadline.
Not sure why it is. Just reality.

Tax refunds?