Trades Section

[Mike]

Rather than add publicity to a specific trade post I though it might be useful to kick off a debate here on how the trades section is managed.

- In my humble opinion, links to Ebay sites should only be allowed where the poster makes clear the 'buy it now' price.

- And to echo Sam's comments, maybe the trades section should only be available to members with a certain number of posts?

Mike

[Longshot]

I know where you and Sam are coming from but I'm not sure it should be limited.

Sure, someone may just use this a an advertising spot for their gear sales on Ebay but they may, at some point, bother to read the posts and chip in.

Anything that entices people onto the site is a good thing in my book. Hopefully our inane ramblings are interesting enough to make them stay...

[Mike]

I'm not really that fussed, just that I thought The Eagle had made some good points. Certainly the 'bar' for being able to post WTS threads shouldn't be too high - say 25,30 or 50 for example. Just something to put off any market stall characters that's all.

[Steptoe]

gord is away at the mo, so this will rumble on somewhat....

but for my money,
the ebay links............fine by me as long as the seller intends to let it run to a finish and is not hawking for 'offers' here.

i do agree that the members who intend on using the site for selling and nothing else may need looking into

its not something that has become apparent with the r7 thats for sale,
ian and myself have been saying the very same via msn for a while now, just needs gords seal of approval,

untill this happens, can you all please refrain from posting remarks to members use of the site in their trades thread?
if you dont agree with the said member then silence speaks volumes...instead of posting and sendin the thread to the top of the new posts page......increasing their exposure
without the replies it would have faded into the murky depths lol

p

[Lowho]

Rather than add publicity to a specific trade post I though it might be useful to kick off a debate here on how the trades section is managed.

- In my humble opinion, links to Ebay sites should only be allowed where the poster makes clear the 'buy it now' price.

- And to echo Sam's comments, maybe the trades section should only be available to members with a certain number of posts?

Mike

I kinda like this idea :yes: A scotty cameron forum uses the same policy and its works very well. I think if you want something like this a poll could be in order. Of course Gord should have the final say in the matter :yes:

[PowerPenguin]

Too many rules will put people off, as Longshot says, if they are drawn to the Trades section like a moth to a light, maybe, just maybe they will stick around. :smile:

Plus it increases the likelyhood of finding something decent. Although, I have to say I personally would prefer it if only eBay auction with BIN were allowed, buts thats just my opnion.

We'll see what the majorty think. :wink: And Gord's in South Africa btw.

Dave

[Steptoe]

Too many rules will put people off, as Longshot says, if they are drawn to the Trades section like a moth to a light, maybe, just maybe they will stick around. :smile:

Plus it increases the likelyhood of finding something decent. Although, I have to say I personally would prefer it if only eBay auction with BIN were allowed, buts thats just my opnion.

We'll see what the majorty think. :wink: And Gord's in South Africa btw.

Dave

well put young man ;)

[Tin Pot]

I understand Sam's sentiment, but I think personal judgement is all that is needed for now. I don't check ebay links there, but I'm tempted by straight up offers that are posted.

Use the Ignore function if someone gets up your nose....


...like Mike.

[Mike]

Surely you have to question the motivation of someone if they are put off by a couple of 'fair' rules.

I'm not suggesting new members cannot buy from the trades, just that they perhaps should 'earn their spurs' so to speak before trying to flog gear. Of course any form of internet purchase is a lottery it's just that I think we could assist matters somewhat.

[Nick Davis]

If you’ve read the courteous exchange between Sam and myself in the Trades section you'll know my views with regards to the negligible differences between advertising a direct sale within the trade section and linking to a BIN eBay auction and, following on from that, linking to a "normal" eBay auction.

I agree with the original sentiment that direct sales ads need to have a quoted price to prevent "blind auctions" which are potentially open to abuse. However eBay auctions are open and clear for everyone to see, and posters who prefer to link to them should not be discouraged.

Having said all of that….I think it is a splendid idea that posters should be restricted from posting in the Trades section until they have reached a certain level of posting history and wholeheartedly support the idea.

[Sam the Eagle]

just for the record and as previously stated I'm not that bothered about how many posts someone's made before he/she hits the trades section. It's up to the interested party to decide whether they trust the seller enough to send money and expect the goods to turn up...
With regards advertising ebay auctions, I would much prefer if MG members offered their goods here first before they auction stuff on ebay. Obviously that's a matter of courtesy rather than one for regulation. Indeed my main concern is that some members, whether regulars or not, seem to be taking advantage of this forum to stimulate the bids on their auctions. Very good if you're a ruthless free-marketeer but not really in keeping with the spirit of the forum IMO.
So my vote goes for a limitation to auctions with BIN option. However if we don't get consensus I guess it's better not to add any rule. Expect the jibes to go on though :rolleyes: (just kidding)

[Steptoe]

the way nick sold his last item through ebay was fine by me.....infact the way it should be in every way
:)

[Tin Pot]

But you can already self-censor just look at the number of posts in the right hand corner. And you don't have to look at a new trade thread.

[Tin Pot]

What does BIN mean anyway?

[rgjusa]

I agree that people should have built up some MG credibility. Also, I think that Golfwrx has it about right in their b/s/t section:

No unauthorized commercial postings
No bumping of your own AD or bumping of others.
No e-bay links in the B/S/T unless you are the seller and add the sale price or trade equivalent.
No negative comments regarding sellers asking prices.
All items must have a sale price.
No selling of surplus goods from other sites.
No selling of questionable goods.
Equipment-Please state whether original or altered. This applies to all equipment and all processes. Refinished, reshafted, lie angles adjusted etc. Pullouts- please remove grip to make sure the shaft is not plugged. Measure accurately. Provide tipping information if known.
MANDATORY! - Please provide original clear pictures in Sell or Wanted to Trade listing and items MUST BE IN YOUR POSEESION.
Please provide all relevant contact information between both parties involed in a BST transaction.
All WTB posts are locked. Replies should be sent by PM or Email.
Please combine all For Sale Items into One Ad.


I removed one that didn't apply...Jon.

[Tin Pot]

I agree that people should have built up some MG credibility. Also, I think that Golfwrx has it about right in their b/s/t section:

No unauthorized commercial postings
No bumping of your own AD or bumping of others.
No e-bay links in the B/S/T unless you are the seller and add the sale price or trade equivalent.
No negative comments regarding sellers asking prices.
All items must have a sale price.
No selling of surplus goods from other sites.
No selling of questionable goods.
Equipment-Please state whether original or altered. This applies to all equipment and all processes. Refinished, reshafted, lie angles adjusted etc. Pullouts- please remove grip to make sure the shaft is not plugged. Measure accurately. Provide tipping information if known.
MANDATORY! - Please provide original clear pictures in Sell or Wanted to Trade listing and items MUST BE IN YOUR POSEESION.
Please provide all relevant contact information between both parties involed in a BST transaction.
All WTB posts are locked. Replies should be sent by PM or Email.
Please combine all For Sale Items into One Ad.


I removed one that didn't apply...Jon.

Woah! I've bought stuff that were sold on these grounds:

One bloke hawking it for charity
One bloke selling off a dented driver

Nice people, nice goods, nice price.

The above rules are for a major commercial undertaking, not a small community passing around their old cast offs.

[Mike]

.

The above rules are for a major commercial undertaking, not a small community passing around their old cast offs.

Agreed. As long as the description and pics are fair there's no problem with regards what can and cannot be sold in my opinion.

[Sam the Eagle]

What does BIN mean anyway?

BIN = Buy It Now

[PowerPenguin]

Agreed. As long as the description and pics are fair there's no problem with regards what can and cannot be sold in my opinion.

As long as we don't get some forumite called 'Phones4me' selling shiploads of Nokias of course. :wink:

I should add what I do like to see, is if people give warning their item will be up on eBay, then when it goes up, they post the link. It gives people who haven't logged in for a couple of days the chance to see and buy it.

Dave

[rgjusa]

The above rules are for a major commercial undertaking, not a small community passing around their old cast offs.

Kinda, sort of, maybe...it is the classifieds where members post their stuff. I don't want to get too rulesy here and I have no idea what kicked all this off but some of this can easily be modified to suit MG. Just my thoughts on the matter. I shall leave it up to the mods to sort out.

btw - BIN = Buy It Now

[Mike]

Whilst we're on the topic of 'trades'

How about their being a 'non golf related' trades section?

Just a thought?

Mike

and before anyone says anything I'd post a phony WTB "woman of any description - but must be posh" thread from PP once and once only.

[rgjusa]

As long as we don't get some forumite called 'Phones4me' selling shiploads of Nokias of course. :wink:

I should add what I do like to see, is if people give warning their item will be up on eBay, then when it goes up, they post the link. It gives people who haven't logged in for a couple of days the chance to see and buy it.

Dave

Can I just say that if you are going to do that can you open up a separate thread for non-golf items...I have no interest in browsing for gay-stations, blueberry's, mobile interruptions, and on and on and on and on.... :smile: and do not want to see it in with the golf stuff. This is a golf forum first and foremost. As per Mike's post above ! Ta...

[PowerPenguin]

Can I just say that if you are going to do that can you open up a separate thread for non-golf items...I have no interest in browsing for gay-stations, blueberry's, mobile interruptions, and on and on and on and on.... :smile: and do not want to see it in with the golf stuff. This is a golf forum first and foremost. As per Mike's post above ! Ta...

Well I don't have 'the power' to create new sub-forums, but I'll put it to Gord when he comes back. :yes:

Dave

[PowerPenguin]

and before anyone says anything I'd post a phony WTB "woman of any description - but must be posh" thread from PP once and once only.

:rolleyesw: :laugh:

Not neccessarily posh, just the ability to speal clear English, and to pronounce words correctly. :wink:

Dave

[Longshot]

:rolleyesw: :laugh:

Not neccessarily posh, just the ability to speal clear English, and to pronounce words correctly. :wink:

Dave

That's fine but if I were you I'd probably think about some aesthetic guidelines too.

Anne Widdicombe's English is pretty clear and correct for example.

[rgjusa]

Well I don't have 'the power' to create new sub-forums, but I'll put it to Gord when he comes back. :yes:

Dave

But you are a PowerPenguin ! Don't shatter the illusion for me ...anyway, I am happy with whatever you guys come up with...I just read what I think is the thread that started all this, and doing stuff like this is a thankless task...good luck...

[georgiemac]

:rolleyesw: :laugh:

Not neccessarily posh, just the ability to speal clear English, and to pronounce words correctly. :wink:

Dave

Speal or Speak?? The ability to spell words correctly might also help!:D

[Stu-Pid]

I've got to agree with Mike and Sam. At the moment we're in a lovely situation where we have a limited membership and a tight knit community, but over the next few months and years that will gradually start to change as we get more and more members. It's an unfortunate fact of life that some people will take advantage wherever possible, so it's a real possibility that someone will sign up just to flog some fake clubs or just to scam some members.

Now there's no 100% way of stopping this happening, but introducing a lower posting threshold to use the trades section would be a good start. It shouldn't be anything huge, maybe 25 posts, but at least it would give forum members some background as to what the member might be like to deal with. You've got to remember that if things go wrong with the sale there's no protection policy like there is on ebay.

If a few sales did go wrong or people got scammed it would ultimately prove damaging to the site and would put people off using the trades section altogether. I don't think that anyone wants that to happen.

On a more positive note, it would also be nice to be able to leave 'positive feedback' for good transactions. I'm not sure how it could work, but I've had very positive experiences buying from Brenty and Ritchie and it might be nice if other members could use this knowledge when they're considering whether to buy from someone or not.

[PowerPenguin]

and doing stuff like this is a thankless task...good luck...

They thank me in their own little way, see above. :eekw: :laugh:

Dave

[PowerPenguin]

I've got to agree with Mike and Sam. At the moment we're in a lovely situation where we have a limited membership and a tight knit community, but over the next few months and years that will gradually start to change as we get more and more members. It's an unfortunate fact of life that some people will take advantage wherever possible, so it's a real possibility that someone will sign up just to flog some fake clubs or just to scam some members.

Now there's no 100% way of stopping this happening, but introducing a lower posting threshold to use the trades section would be a good start. It shouldn't be anything huge, maybe 25 posts, but at least it would give forum members some background as to what the member might be like to deal with. You've got to remember that if things go wrong with the sale there's no protection policy like there is on ebay.

If a few sales did go wrong or people got scammed it would ultimately prove damaging to the site and would put people off using the trades section altogether. I don't think that anyone wants that to happen.

On a more positive note, it would also be nice to be able to leave 'positive feedback' for good transactions. I'm not sure how it could work, but I've had very positive experiences buying from Brenty and Ritchie and it might be nice if other members could use this knowledge when they're considering whether to buy from someone or not.


Hence I have only purchased from people I trust (:laugh:) and all has been superb. I like the feedback idea, not sure if it's an option on the VB software.

Dave

[Mike]

On a more positive note, it would also be nice to be able to leave 'positive feedback' for good transactions. I'm not sure how it could work, but I've had very positive experiences buying from Brenty and Ritchie and it might be nice if other members could use this knowledge when they're considering whether to buy from someone or not.

That'd be a great idea. 'Topscaff' would get 5 stars from me.

[Newnick]

Very sensible suggestion that there be some level of forum interaction before posting trade items. I remember GM had a problem with a guy selling stuff that never arrived, he'd only registered to sell.



I should add what I do like to see, is if people give warning their item will be up on eBay, then when it goes up, they post the link. It gives people who haven't logged in for a couple of days the chance to see and buy it.
Dave


Yup - agree with that, its how I bought a putter that I missed on here:D :D

[Mike]

I could also add positive 'feedback' for those MG members that indicated interest in playing in the Spring Open and subsequently sent me a cheque on time etc. Little indicators like that would potentially give you a touch more comfort in placing a bid for an item in the Trades section.

Oh and having had a grand's worth of MG member's cheques in my back pocket I think I'd have earned a trustworthy rating too :biggrin:

[Tin Pot]

...At the moment we're in a lovely situation where we have a limited membership and a tight knit community, but over the next few months and years that will gradually start to change as we get more and more members. It's an unfortunate fact of life that some people will take advantage wherever possible, so it's a real possibility that someone will sign up just to flog some fake clubs or just to scam some members.


Whilst this is true there is, in my opinion, no point in reinventing the wheel. e.g. Ebay.

It might be worth putting up a formal notice, but you can't save people from themselves. Mods will notice 'xxxFarEastAsianScammer' posting his first post in trades selling fake mizuno blades. More complex frauds can't be handled by a simple internet forum.

[Sam the Eagle]

Oh and having had a grand's worth of MG member's cheques in my back pocket I think I'd have earned a trustworthy rating too :biggrin:


what good will that be to you once you live under a new identity somewhere in south america? ;)

-

[Mike]

what good will that be to you once you live under a new identity somewhere in south america? ;)

-

Yep - and changed my name to Mr Marriott Forest of Arden :laugh:

[Longshot]

Yep - and changed my name to Mr Marriott Forest of Arden :laugh:

A bit like the guy who got his identity changed to Mr I. N. Land-Revenue a few years ago ?

[Tin Pot]

A bit like the guy who got his identity changed to Mr I. N. Land-Revenue a few years ago ?

Those were the days <sigh>, clever little things like that and your British family friendly Ealing comedy criminal would be away to Rio quick as a flash with a cheeky grin on his face.

Sadly things are much different now.

All you need is a sign stating "Out of order", a large sack and a warm spot out of the wind next to a cash point.

:rolleyes:

I suppose that is a bit Benny Hill, too.

[BT@Home]

I would much prefer to buy from people that had used the forum and joined in with discussions, I've had many trades so far from here and have happy with the vast majority of them . It appears that this particular topic has overflowed to another thread aswell, I only made the original comment here as I noticed the poster had rarely contributed elsewhere.

To my mind I see no difference between someone directly linking to a few pics of their item and saying "this is up for grabs, first person who gives me £xx gets it", and a person who says "heres a link to my ebay auction" where the auction has a "buy it now" price. From that position it is only a small step to acceptance of folks linking to ebay auctions that dont have a "buy it now" price.To be honest Nick I have no real issue with ebay auctions, but the important thing for me in your post was the BIN price being included. If someone trades on here then they put a price on it. If they prefer to sell it on ebay with a BIN then there is no real difference, but when it is an auction instead then it is different.

[BT@Home]

I asked for a feedback/trading points system previously, but it never went further than Gord.

[PowerPenguin]

I asked for a feedback/trading points system previously, but it never went further than Gord.

That might have been because it wasn't an option on the forum software.

Dave

[BT@Home]

That might have been because it wasn't an option on the forum software.

DaveIt comes under the admin settings "User Reputation Options" :)

[Bill Poster]

Sorry guys - if I see a post on here to an e-bay sale then that's just spam.

I'd rather not see spam on this site. Didn't this same subject kick off a bun-fight on another site?

Anyway - spam is bad. No if's. No buts.

Put a price on it or use e-bay. Don't do both. That's spam.

I hate spam.

[Stu-Pid]

Put a price on it or use e-bay. Don't do both. That's spam.

I agree with Bill here.

If I'm going to offer something for sale on the forum then I will give a slight discount to the price that I'd eventually put it on ebay for, I wouldn't just use it as an ebay replica. If no one on the forums is interested then it will then go on to ebay.

Members should get some sort of benefit from buying from eachother, not just get the same deal that a stranger on ebay would get IMO.

[Nick Davis]

Members should get some sort of benefit from buying from eachother, not just get the same deal that a stranger on ebay would get IMO.

I'm going to be very contentious here....

I acknowledge that some folks have offered clubs at excellent prices through the Trades section, indeed I acknowledge that I have purchased such a club.

Buy Why SHOULD members get some sort of benefit in terms of a better price...what is their RIGHT to "get a better deal" than a stranger on eBay? The fact that good deals do get offered regularly should not make it a mandatory requirement of any other seller to offer his gear at a "discount" price.

They are allready getting a benefit in terms of the fact that they are likely to have had some sort of social (albeit internet forum based) interaction with the seller and are therefore in a far better position to decide upon the bona fides of the seller and choose whether to buy/bid or not...this is true whther it is a direct sale, eBay BIN sale or an eBay auction.

Just for info I am currently selling a club on eBay but whilst this discussion is evolving I have decided not to advertise it here...I am sensitive to what the wider community thinks (despite what some of you may think:) )and will ultimately abide by whatever the general concensus is with regards to linking to eBay auctions.

However, I will also allways try to develop stimulating debate, hence my "contentious" post above. I'm not having a dig at any individual(s).

[Mike]

I'm going to be very contentious here....


However, I will also allways try to develop stimulating debate, hence my "contentious" post above. I'm not having a dig at any individual(s).

I don't think you're being contentious at all Nick. Whether someone offers a discount to other MG members is surely a personal decision as you point out. I have no problem with links to Ebay as long as there is a 'Buy it Now' price or perhaps an indication from the seller as to what price he is willing to accept in order to pull a typical Ebay auction off line.

[PowerPenguin]

I see both sides of the story with regard to 'special deals'. I think it should be left up to the individual, rather than make it a neccessity, or making people feel as though they should do it.

The value of a club is always what someone is willing to pay. :smile:

Dave

[Sam the Eagle]

as previously stated IMO it's a matter of courtesy rather than a mandatory requirement. You benefit from a captive audience, you advertise for free and can potentially close a deal quickly. It's not necessarily about offering a better deal than you would on ebay, just offering a deal.

[Longshot]

I'm going to be very contentious here....

I acknowledge that some folks have offered clubs at excellent prices through the Trades section, indeed I acknowledge that I have purchased such a club.

Buy Why SHOULD members get some sort of benefit in terms of a better price...what is their RIGHT to "get a better deal" than a stranger on eBay? The fact that good deals do get offered regularly should not make it a mandatory requirement of any other seller to offer his gear at a "discount" price.

They are allready getting a benefit in terms of the fact that they are likely to have had some sort of social (albeit internet forum based) interaction with the seller and are therefore in a far better position to decide upon the bona fides of the seller and choose whether to buy/bid or not...this is true whther it is a direct sale, eBay BIN sale or an eBay auction.

Just for info I am currently selling a club on eBay but whilst this discussion is evolving I have decided not to advertise it here...I am sensitive to what the wider community thinks (despite what some of you may think:) )and will ultimately abide by whatever the general concensus is with regards to linking to eBay auctions.

However, I will also allways try to develop stimulating debate, hence my "contentious" post above. I'm not having a dig at any individual(s).


OK, in the spirit of debate, perhaps offering a [perhaps slightly discounted] rate on MG for a few days could offset the risk one takes with an Ebay auction. Whilst you may get an overbid on Ebay, you may also end up with less than you would imagined. By picking a sensible and attractive price and offering that to MG-ers first, you may remove some of the uncertainty from the process. You also 'know' the buyer or at least have a hope of tracking them down - given the small community we have here at present.

Effectively, you're giving first refusal to 'a mate' first before taking a chance on Ebay.

I don't mind people linking to Ebay sales but I'd prefer an addendum to any such post saying (for example) "On Ebay, but will sell on here for a set sum of £XX and then withdraw the item from Ebay".

[Stu-Pid]

I'm going to be very contentious here....

Buy Why SHOULD members get some sort of benefit in terms of a better price...what is their RIGHT to "get a better deal" than a stranger on eBay? The fact that good deals do get offered regularly should not make it a mandatory requirement of any other seller to offer his gear at a "discount" price.

I personally think of this as a community, a virtual pub almost. People offer advice, share information and basically help eachother out, as well as the obvious entertainment value. Now personally if I'm selling something to someone I know, then I'm going to give them a better deal than someone that I don't know. That's just my personal opinion though.

I think that Lowho is a perfect example of this. He's given several advice sessions in the chat rooms and is even offering mini tuition sessions at the FoA event. He doesn't have to do this of course, he could say that he charges most people for this kind of help and so forum members should also have to pay, but personally (and he obviously agrees) I think that this goes against the idea of a virtual community.

There's also a slight issue for me in that we do not have to pay to list something in the trades section on MG, whereas a club selling for £100 on ebay will incur listing and final payment fees of about £5- 10. Surely this saving should be passed on to the buyer rather than just being extra profit to the seller? If you're willing to accept £90 for a club after fees on ebay then sell it for £90 on here.

Just my opinion though.

[Nick Davis]

There's also a slight issue for me in that we do not have to pay to list something in the trades section on MG, whereas a club selling for £100 on ebay will incur listing and final payment fees of about £5- 10. Surely this saving should be passed on to the buyer rather than just being extra profit to the seller? If you're willing to accept £90 for a club after fees on ebay then sell it for £90 on here.

Just my opinion though.

Thats a good argument which I cant defend against.

Whilst I do agree that it is in the spirit of the forum to perhaps offer a better deal to each other, I'm not of the opinion that I should offer a knockdown price for the sole reason that we are part of the same internet community.

Unfortunately I spend too much time listening to debate on various media in which people are continually banging on about their "rights" and the things that they are "entitled" to. As soon as we get away from this "rights" oriented society back to a society that realises that many of the things that we take for granted should be viewed as "privelidges" then the world will be a better place!

Perhaps this level of angst is particularly high this morning!!!

[Longshot]

Thats a good argument which I cant defend against.

Whilst I do agree that it is in the spirit of the forum to perhaps offer a better deal to each other, I'm not of the opinion that I should offer a knockdown price for the sole reason that we are part of the same internet community.

Unfortunately I spend too much time listening to debate on various media in which people are continually banging on about their "rights" and the things that they are "entitled" to. As soon as we get away from this "rights" oriented society back to a society that realises that many of the things that we take for granted should be viewed as "privelidges" then the world will be a better place!

Perhaps this level of angst is particularly high this morning!!!


I agree with you there Nick - as I said above you should not have to offer a cheap deal.

I think Stu and I were covering the same point that a sale via MG offers you a cheap and simple alternative to the Ebay lottery.

[Sam the Eagle]

Thats a good argument which I cant defend against.

Whilst I do agree that it is in the spirit of the forum to perhaps offer a better deal to each other, I'm not of the opinion that I should offer a knockdown price for the sole reason that we are part of the same internet community.

Unfortunately I spend too much time listening to debate on various media in which people are continually banging on about their "rights" and the things that they are "entitled" to. As soon as we get away from this "rights" oriented society back to a society that realises that many of the things that we take for granted should be viewed as "privelidges" then the world will be a better place!

Perhaps this level of angst is particularly high this morning!!!


It's not a matter of rights, more one of respect of fellow members. Making the goods available to other MGers at a set price is a good way to acknowledge the "privilege" you have to belong to a community (of interest) where you are known and respected.

-

[Stu-Pid]

It's not a matter of rights, more one of respect of fellow members. Making the goods available to other MGers at a set price is a good way to acknowledge the "privilege" you have to belong to a community (of interest) where you are known and respected.

-

I've got to agree with Sammy here. There shouldn't be a rule to say that you have to sell at X% discount to your ebay price, but there should hopefully be enough spirit and respect amongst fellow members that you at least pass on any savings that you will make from the sale, and possibly even a few pounds extra to save you the possible hassle that occasionally comes from bad ebay sales.

I don't think that it's my right to demand this, just as it's not my right to demand that Mike goes through the hassle of organising an event for 32 people. I guess it's just up to each forum member to decide what (if anything) they want to contribute back to the forum and how they want to do it.

[Nick Davis]

It's not a matter of rights, more one of respect of fellow members. Making the goods available to other MGers at a set price is a good way to acknowledge the "privilege" you have to belong to a community (of interest) where you are known and respected.

-

I have to say, on consideration of the words in Sams post, that I concede the argument with regards to offerring goods for sale here first, before linking to an ebay auction (be it BIN or a set duration auction).

I still believe though, that follwing an unsuccessful "direct sale" within the community, that the seller might then be allowed to follow up his failed sale attempt with a link to an eBay auction to allow potential buyers who felt that his "direct sale price" was too high, to bid on the item to a level that they felt was fair.

[Mike]

Nick, Stu, Sam, Si(!) - you all talk great sense.

We're not worthy.

[Longshot]

I have to say, on consideration of the words in Sams post, that I concede the argument with regards to offerring goods for sale here first, before linking to an ebay auction (be it BIN or a set duration auction).

I still believe though, that follwing an unsuccessful "direct sale" within the community, that the seller might then be allowed to follow up his failed sale attempt with a link to an eBay auction to allow potential buyers who felt that his "direct sale price" was too high, to bid on the item to a level that they felt was fair.


Absolutely - why not ? If it's been offered on MG and no-one has responded I see no problem with posting a "OK, it's now going on Ebay" message with a link.

[Sam the Eagle]

Absolutely - why not ? If it's been offered on MG and no-one has responded I see no problem with posting a "OK, it's now going on Ebay" message with a link.

ditto

-

[PowerPenguin]

A few things I will say:

I would only post in someones WTS ad if you have an interest in the item. Mike sensibly (:eek:) started a new thread as the other one was getting bumped everytime someone had an opinion. If you don't post on the thread, it will eventually filter its way down the list and become extinct.

eBay also has regulations. MG doesn't cover you if the item is not of said description, however harsh that may seem, its up to you and the seller to work it out. Although if someone obviously scams people more than once, we would have to look into their selling rights.

Dave