[HighwayStar]

OK, I've got a few things to say about what's been going on in Buy/Sell lately... The following is my opinion and my opinion only. And I'm sure it won't be popular and I won't be making any friends.

First, I replied to Scoutt's for sale thread. This is a "first post/for sale ad" post. Specifically his reply to erix, which I took offense to...

"I have been lurking for quite a while, and I thought that selling some of my equipment might actually be a SERVICE to you. "

Let me set the record straight. This guy isn't selling anything. He's running an auction. And providing a service ? Indeed yes. A service to himself. What a great way to sidestep eBay's pesky fees.

This is a community of like minded individuals. Auctions only pit member against member. And the last time I looked, that particular forum was listed as Buy/Sell. Set up for buying, selling and trading. Linking to outside auctions is fine. But running an auction here, I don't think it's a good thing.

Second, a very similar situation with a regular member. Looking to sell some goods. Doesn't post a price, has one in his head... I ask for a ballpark figure and express sincere interest in the item. I receive a price. Before I can reply (we're talking twenty minutes here...) I'm contacted again that the item is sold... Nice. Very nice. When I inquired why he sold before I could reply he stated he'd received a higher bid. So I guess first come, first served doesn't cut it anymore. It's become the highest bid these days... Personally I wouldn't have bent another member over like that, but that's just me.

Third, another regular member beats out many other members for a couple of items on a related site. There were quite a few members here who would have loved to buy and use these items. But no, this member buys them for a sweet price and posts each item for sale here at a price that is more than he paid for the whole lot. That's nothing but naked profiteering at the expense of Head-Fi members.

Me, I've bought and sold here. I've gotten some great opportunities when another member has upgraded or tired of a particular piece of equipment and I'm thankful for it. Heaven knows I couldn't afford to buy some of these items new. And when I've sold, I've priced items at a loss hoping newcomers can enjoy the same progession. I think the majority of the members here have treated eachother very well and I've enjoyed dealing with most of them. I believe there should be a certain protocol followed (and there usually is) regarding transactions. But auctions and this highest bid crap that I've seen lately stinks. And these three incidents are not exclusive. I've seen a couple of others lately (not involving me) and I have voiced my concerns regarding auctions to moderators in the past.

This might be opening a can of worms, but lets have at it. Lets clear the air. Lets define something here that's fair to all. I certainly can't be the only one who sees a problem here...

On the other hand, if this gets deleted like my other posts, I guess I am the only one...

 

[mbriant]

Please see my post HERE

 

[Ebonyks]

Nice rant.

I've got nothing to say, you've said everything that i would have

 

[HighwayStar]

Quote:

Originally posted by mbriant Please see my post HERE

Mike,

My post addresses more than just that one particular ad. And my original post in it was deleted. It was suggested that I post my concerns here. That's what I'm doing...

 

[joelongwood]

Personally, I agree with everything you say, HighwayStar, and I will NEVER participate in any auction here on Head-Fi. I have gotten some great deals here, and at HeadWize, thanks to the generosity and fairness of the people who are here for the love of this insane hobby. Unfortunately, due to my inability to part with anything (a real sickness), I am unable to reciprocate.

But when I spot something that I think fellow Head-Fiers may want, like the Grado RS2s/Cosmic (or was it Supreme)/extension cable setup for $250, I posted it here, in the hopes someone would get it and enjoy it. I could have attempted to purchase it myself and made a nice profit, but that is not in my nature. I believe that is the item that you are referring to Highwaystar.
My suggestion is that, if you don't like auctions, don't participate. If everyone refrained, then they would go away. Maybe it's just my sixties way of looking at things, but we can change things without having to set rules. Just a few random thoughts.

 

[williamgoody]

This is a community. The buy/sell forum offers us all a chance to sample goods from someone else where we might not have the chance to purchase these otherwise. I believe that using an "auction" type setting totally defeats the purpose of this community. To have the members bid against each other here on this site is IMO an action of bad taste and really goes against what the true purpose of the sale forum is about, to give others a chance to have what you don't need anymore. If you're looking to get something from your equipment, this is the place. If your looking to make a profit, you should be on Ebay, Audiogon, or you belong in the Mall-Fi section, for that is the true definition of a reseller.
It's also time I believe we adjust the rules concerning new members posting their wares for sale. Someone mentioned a possibility of limiting sellers to those of us haveing 100 posts. I believe it's an excellent idea, as odds are, with those posts you've contributed to the community in a way other than selling your goods and never being heard from again. I understand buyer beware, but it also prevents someone who has absolutely no interest in this place to come in, take advantage of the situation, and leave. Something this aformentioned blatant auction has the potential to do.

 

[williamgoody]

...and joelongwood, I completely agree with everything you say as well. I don't think anyone minds references to auctions on Ebay or wherever if it's a good deal or something someone may want.

 

[john_jcb]

My 2¢ worth.

Whatever Jude has to say about any policy will be the policy.

That having been said I never thought that the buy/sell forum was a place where individuals tried to make a profit on their items for sale. Perhaps this is a bit naive. I saw it as a place where members would pass on equipment at a fair price to other members. There are other avenues to sell your items if a profit is what you are after.

Buyers need to know what they are getting and research the price before they buy and then make an informed decision.

 

[mbriant]

Quote:

It was suggested that I post my concerns here. That's what I'm doing...

...and that's good. That's what we want. Open discussion in the General Forum...not in a specific For Sale thread.
My thread was not meant as a rebuttle to your complaints. I made that thread to address some of the concerns expressed in the posts which had been deleted from the For Sale thread and to advise everyone concerned of the existing policies and why they are what they are.

I also started that thread to let people express their opinions, but your thread appeared at the same time. That's why I've posted the link.

We've had auction concerns in the past, but past discussions are in the past and many newer members haven't been brought up to speed. And of course, like every policy in existance, some people agree and some don't.

We're always open to suggestions so feel free to vent.

 

[sacd lover]

As the one with the price in my head; I asked for bidders. Most everyone wanted to ask this figure I was thinking of and did not bid; you included. I was flooded with pms and I could only answer one at a time. You had the figure, did you bid, NO! I said I would take the first bid that came in that was my price. The moment I emailed you it came in. I immediately sent you a pm, in the time it took me to type the five or six word response. In fact, only two people bid out of the many inquiries I received. The person who didnt play games and bid won. NUFF SAID!

 

[williamgoody]

Quote:

I saw it as a place where members would pass on equipment at a fair price to other members. There are other avenues to sell your items if a profit is what you are after

That's what it's supposed to be. That's why this thread exists.

 

[mbriant]

Quote:

Buyers need to know what they are getting and research the price before they buy and then make an informed decision.

Exactly !

There have always been a few benevolent members on Head-Fi who sell/re-sell their equipment and services at below market prices, but most sellers would prefer to get as much as they can when they are selling something. We live in a capitalistic society and that thinking is considered mainstream.

As much as Head-Fi is a community, it is an open community and a community which has grown immensely in the past year and a half. There is no way we can force people to be kind, considerate, generous, etc. There are members who complain we have too many rules already.

There's definately no way we can force people to only sell at cost or at a loss for the good of the community. Who's to say what the exact perfect price should be on any given item?

If you don't like the seller, the item for sale, the price, or the way it's being sold.....don't get involved in that particular transaction.

 

[williamgoody]

If you want to profit from something you have you are a reseller and belong in Mall-Fi, according to "the rules".

 

[williamgoody]

Quote:

The person who didnt play games and bid won. NUFF SAID!

Like how you played games with your "make a bid" nonsense?

If I'm buying something I want to know the price. If I need to bid I'll do it on ebay. If your accepting bids maybe that's where you should have been.

 

[mkyy]

Quote:

I was flooded with pms and I could only answer one at a time

I guess there's a lot of members don't even know what's the ballpark figure to offered a bid, hence the flood of PM.