Why "PM Sent"?

I've done it now and again, I think always as back-up to a PM agreeing to buy and to the seller's terms. I had no idea I was being "thoughtless" let alone a "dodo." I've never let a "PM sent" message dissuade me from asking about an item I wanted, even if I just tell the seller to consider me a back-up if the first deal falls through.
 
Gumby said:
Ben,

Did you receive my PM?

Sincerely,
ed, the thoughtless dodo

;)
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Oddly, No. But I did get one from Gigantor and one from Davy & Goliath.

[Edit] BTW, I have not used the word "thoughtless" or "dodo", nor would I to someone with such a classic sobriquet.
 
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Benjamin Marks said:
Was this practice imported from Fred Miranda or one of the other forums?
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I think that, this "problem" comes from the fact that some forums, outside photography too, see it as a sign of good maners, while some see it as anoyence.

When I started buying from forums I didn't think that writing "PM sent" was of any real value. Well, until I got reprimended by an admin to do so. From that moment on, I always check buy and sell rules for hint on "PM sent". If there's no clear rule, then check ads to see how the community behaves.

On RFF most if not all ads get some kind of comment or "PM sent" message.
So I've posted this message on two occasions, based on what I saw.

As a novice here I would appreciate if all RFF agree on how to go about this, especialy if some of you see it as detrimental to their ads.

I don't think that calling people dodo is of any particular value in this discussion. Especaily as maners are being discussed in this thread.

Please excuse me for a long post.
 
Benjamin Marks said:
I am curious about something: Why do RFF'ers write "PM sent" in response to classified ads?
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Way back during the Classified Gentlemanly Days, it was a means of calling dibbs by those who were committed to making a purchase.

As some have pointed out, they just do it and it doesn't really mean anything. It is a PITA for sellers, too, because committed buyers see that and get discouraged by the (unmannerly gratuitous) "PM sent" postings.

Since this happens now, there's no way to know that "PM sent" means a commitment to buy.
 
Clarification on the RFF "rules" would be great. I've seen it done frequently and assumed it was the accepted practice on the boards! As it turns out the couple of times I did it I was breaking some unwritten rule.

As an aside, instead of insulting those who respond "PM Sent" how about politely sending them something saying it isn't the accepted practice on the RFF boards.

And if all else fails, the simple solution already mentioned is to turn off all comments.
 
While we're grousing about the classifieds, I object to the phrase "net to me." Unless a trade is under way, isn't everything "net to you"? :)
 
Seller's Choice, IMHO

Seller's Choice, IMHO

This solves the problem...sellers that don't mind or even welcome the "PM's Sent" will have their wish. Those sellers, like Frank Petronio (whose posts I greatly admire, BTW), will state in their ads that no PM's are to be sent unless for immediate purchase at the asking price and agreeing to all the seller's terms.
Having said that, I did recently respond with a PM to a seller's ad because the seller was in a completely different time zone and I was afraid that he might not check his PM queue unless I alerted him to my message. My PM immediately agreed to his price, but no shipping cost or PayPal costs were stated in the ad, so I had to PM to get all the details. Do I get a pass, Benjamin?
 
Thanks for your clarification

Thanks for your clarification

But as a buyer and seller here, it makes little sense. First of all, there is no more accurate date stamp in a comment in the classifieds section than a time stamp in a real email, let alone a real actual PM that may or may not have been sent/or received.

Second, a lot of people prefer to sell locally based on a variety of reasons, ability to have items picked up for shipment, reduced paperwork, insurance, etc.

I have a large microwave in the garage, ideal for heating up those cold chemicals to proper development temps. I've posted it on Craigslist because I honestly don't want to package and ship it, but also don't want it to end up in a landfill if someone local can make use of it for parts, or better yet fix it.


chippy said:
seems to be a lot of angst and complaining over a very trivial thing to me, present company exempted of course, but its usually the people that buy and sell on the forums as side buisness (buy and flip!) that most often complain about "PM sent", because it somewhat slightly hinders the benifit it provides sellers, to 'screen' the buyers and possibly get a higher price or sell to someone (else) closer (?).

the answer and alternatives are simple, when someone leaves a "PM sent" in your advert, you can reply, as is customary and accepted etiquette with a "Still Available". on many forums that also provides the seller with a bump to the top for thier advert which is advantageous to the seller!!..

as for prefering to sell to someone closer (or other such reason) that replied, at a later date, than someone offering to purchase first, within the parameters (inc price) of your advert, usually strikes people (buyers) as unfair DUH!, which is another reason why they leave the PM sent sign.

if the seller prefers to sell to someone closeby, stipulate it in the Ad or better still, sell via a different medium that is designed for local, instead of using the wider market to collect the higher price, when in fact you dont have any intention to sell to that market!...in other words, if you advertise worldwide or nationwide then you take first come first serve--pot luck and stop whining!
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kkdanamatt said:
This solves the problem...sellers that don't mind or even welcome the "PM's Sent" will have their wish. Those sellers, like Frank Petronio (whose posts I greatly admire, BTW), will state in their ads that no PM's are to be sent unless for immediate purchase at the asking price and agreeing to all the seller's terms.
Having said that, I did recently respond with a PM to a seller's ad because the seller was in a completely different time zone and I was afraid that he might not check his PM queue unless I alerted him to my message. My PM immediately agreed to his price, but no shipping cost or PayPal costs were stated in the ad, so I had to PM to get all the details. Do I get a pass, Benjamin?
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Hey, you don't need a pass from me! ;)
 
There are no rules on RFF regarding posting "PM SENT" messages. There is a rule regarding posting negative comments on an Ad. Posts such as "This is over-priced", "Or what a lousy camera" are not allowed. Post such as "PM Sent" are not negative comments.

With a PM, you get a little number on the top right of the screen. Easy to miss, especially with a new member not used to the software. I've sent PM's on buying items, even after "PM Sent" messages are posted. Many times, I get the item as the "PM Sent" was a low-ball offer, or inquiry for a trade on the item. I've bought items where the first two "PM senders" changed there mind or backed out.

SO: What harm does it do? It relays information that a PM was sent, and does not prevent subsequent PM's from being sent.
 
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It's no big deal. If a seller has such as high falutin attitude about their merchandise to be bent-out-of shape by this then they really need a thicker skin.
 
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Thanks for bringing some common sense to this discussion, Brian.

This is a weird, seller-centric thread, folks. But even as a seller, why don't you just post "still available" and get on with your life? Have you considered that not all of us are trusting this forum with their actual email address, so PM is how you get in touch with them? Has it occurred to you that one needs to be logged on to see PMs, but not to check the comments?

I have posted "PM sent" comments, and bought the item at the seller's price and conditions within minutes of them getting back to me. I will continue to do so.

Tire-kickers are a fact of life in classifieds. If you don't like it, sell at auction, and live with the downsides of that system.
 
batterytypehah! said:
Thanks for bringing some common sense to this discussion, Brian.

This is a weird, seller-centric thread, folks. But even as a seller, why don't you just post "still available" and get on with your life? Have you considered that not all of us are trusting this forum with their actual email address, so PM is how you get in touch with them? Has it occurred to you that one needs to be logged on to see PMs, but not to check the comments?

I have posted "PM sent" comments, and bought the item at the seller's price and conditions within minutes of them getting back to me. I will continue to do so.

Tire-kickers are a fact of life in classifieds. If you don't like it, sell at auction, and live with the downsides of that system.
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Well said .....
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
Since this happens now, there's no way to know that "PM sent" means a commitment to buy.
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Agreed, and as a potential buyer it is relatively easy to ignore the "dibbs" and send a PM with an offer to buy. It it is still available (or in the case of some sellers... if they choose to sell to you instead of the first reply) then it all works out. In summary, I find it just as easy to ingore a "PM Sent" as to be intimidated/influenced by it.

I know it is an "additional burden" on the seller but I like it when sellers reply to the PM Sent with a message indicating that an offer has been accepted, or that the item is still available. Sometimes I'd like to see something like "Rediculous low-ball offer made, but rejected" posted in reply.

While I'm typing... I find "PM Sent" to be much less offensive than "Wos, your price sure is high" or "I just bought one like it and you need one too", etc. But I do understand how annoying others find it; I always found "dibbs" to be annoying when my brother shouted that before jumping "shotgun" in the car. I really would have been much happier if he just did this instead: :p What is a "dibbs" afterall?
 
dibs pl.n. [...] 2. A claim; rights: I have dibs on that last piece. [Short for dibstones, counters used in a game, prob. < obs. dib, to tap.]

American Heritage Dictionary
 
Benjamin Marks said:
. . . now the seller, who has paid for an ad, never gets to evaluate my offer and it is because of the actions of other potential purchasers. That isn't really what the seller paid for is it?
Ben Marks
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".... and it is because of the actions of other potential purchasers."

Not so. It is because of a decision YOU made. Nothing at all to do with the seller or the other interested parties. We all make decisions every day about things and learn to live with the consequences. You decided - nobody else. Suck it up!
 
ampguy said:
But as a buyer and seller here, it makes little sense. First of all, there is no more accurate date stamp in a comment in the classifieds section than a time stamp in a real email, let alone a real actual PM that may or may not have been sent/or received.
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This has been a complaint for years, and it was never addressed. Part of it is the "who cares!" culture, and the other is the "if you hate RFF so much, why don't you leave it?" response that sometimes creeps up, so most of us just ::shrug::
 
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