IceTrade Classifieds

[Allan]

I think we need a feedback system in our classifieds, like they have in Cloudy Nights and Astromart and other astro classifieds.

I sold a scope to an IIS member a few years ago, and it was a horrendous experience. When I advertised my NP101is recently, and the same guy replied that he wanted to buy it, I busted out in a cold sweat. As it turned out, my fears where well founded. I’ve just spent one month getting basically trolled by this guy, and then one day before handing over the scope, I get a one line text that he has to hold off longer before paying for the scope. Now he’s not responding to any messages.

He’s a known IIS member who buys and sells stuff. He needs feedback on him that he is a troll. I would certainly warn anyone against dealing with him if we had an IceTrades feedback system.

[toc]

Sounds like a great idea to me!

[xelasnave]

I am sorry that you have had such an unpleasant experience Allan however I can not fathom why after having had a bad experience with this chap you went back for seconds.

Alex

[leon]

Just name and shame him, not good enough, and protect others.

Leon

[RB]

Sorry, but this has been discussed before.
Mike has stated that he has no intention of introducing a feedback system on IIS.

IIS offers Icetrades as a basic service for members but does not take responsibility for any transactions, see TOS.

We don't allow 'naming and shaming'.
If there has been a breach of the TOS, we'll have a look and act accordingly.

If anyone wants more info on the transaction, you can ask the OP via PM.

RB

[xelasnave]

Naming and shaming is difficult...probably runs legal risks ..it one of those good ideas that can never work.

Trading with someone you don't know opens doors to problems and sure most times all is ok but that does not mean a transaction with someone you don't know is risk free...if you have ever been in a lawyers office you will notice book shelves full of books and many of those are reporting cases...this alone tells you not everything goes nicely in the world of human interaction.

Mike has adopted the correct policy in my view.

Alex

[RB]

This is exactly why Mike and mojo won't allow it.

:thumbsup:

[croweater]

PMed you Allan.

[Allan]

I’m a slow learner.

[Allan]

I re-advertised the scope yesterday and looks like it’s sold already. So I have no hard feelings. I think IceTrades is brilliant and have bought and sold a lot of stuff there over the years and it’s been a 99% great experience.

[xelasnave]

Well better a sad experience of being mucked around than someone emptying your pockets...my background was in Law so I learnt from the mistakes of others. You can never be to careful.
Alex

[Hans Tucker]

https://youtu.be/mS7Ss8kx_CA

[carlstronomy]

This is a shame, but I think these occasions are extremely rare. I have never had an issue either buying or selling here. Just be careful make the right decisions before giving out personal information.
A feedback system is only as good as the people who leave it and most never bother, I use buying and selling platforms that have it and most of the time it is not even used by the majority of people.
IIS has the same terms as CloudyNights, they offer the area to advertise and sell but do not get involved in anyway.
Like already mentioned I would have ignored any offer from someone who gave me issues the last time I sold anything.

[Huey]

I have bought a lot of items over the years and all but one have been positive. I often wished there was a way to acknowledge the excellent service that I got from every member that I bought items off. Maybe we don't need to name and shame but instead leave a positive reply instead.

Just a thought..............

Huey

[Allan]

Ok, so I started answering PM’s about this, but it has gone out of control. I can’t reply to all the messages now, and please, no more PM’s. Thanks

[Rainmaker]

:lol:

[RB]

:lol:

[croweater]

:lol: I'm glad I got in first Allan

[EpickCrom]

Strewth, I was just about to PM you to find out who the scoundrel was:lol:

[Nikolas]

Yep would be good to find out as I am considering selling a few big ticket items soon

[Boozlefoot]

IIS classifieds are a great forum. As with any purchase elsewhere, I always do a little research first - normal due diligence.

Most purchases are 110%, but a couple of exceptions re packaging/poor maintenance have occurred - that comes as caveat emptor - and I simply won't consider trade with that seller again. Never any argument or disagreement - just walk away, we are all different in our individual ways. :shrug:

As a result of the positive interactions, I have "met" many IIS'ers and continue to have great PM discussions and received a wealth of assistance from them - thankyou!

Important note though, IIS classifieds and its success in our community are a reflection on the organisers and moderators who have provided us with an irreplaceable means of contact with like minded people, my hat goes off to you! :thanx:

[Shano592]

If I'm buying off IIS Trades, I assume that I can be gazumped at any stage. It happens, and I'm all for it. At the same time, I don't approach a seller until I'm ready to pull the trigger then and there.



I haven't sold anything on here recently, and thankfully the items I listed were in demand enough to get fast transfers. No tyre kickers!



My line is that it isn't sold until the funds land.


Sorry you had to endure Groundhog Day, Allan.

[Leo.G]

I've had both pleasant and not so pleasant experiences, the not so pleasant experience was when someone tried to play me and another prospective buyer against each other asking for us to both bid higher amounts to secure the item. I quickly retracted my offer.

My other problem is car and health issues (30 year old Falcon, 63 year old owner with chronic migraines on a daily basis (for over 50 years)) which restrict me as far as driving from Lithgow to Sydney. I prefer not to drive out of the local area, it's no fun trying to get a headache relieving nap (along with strong medication) at the side of the road. I'm lucky my sight doesn't go with the migraines but intolerable pain can make me quite impatient on the road, especially when there's idiots traveling in the right lane up and down the not so great western highway at 20kph below the speed limit.


I can still drive with bad migraines, I've done it all of my life on motorbikes and in cars and trucks but it's far from a pleasant experience and I'd prefer not to drive to pick items up. Though I have always offered sellers postage and handling, I have no problem throwing a few extra dollars at a seller for the inconvenience of packing and taking something to the post office.


Mostly though the people I've dealt with have been great and I've purchased mainly some lenses for my Nikon I generally couldn't afford to buy anywhere else.
One day I'll get a good astro camera for a good price (within my price range which isn't great having been on disability pension for 30 years because of these headaches).


In saying what I've said, if I don't have the money to pay for an item I don't bother contacting the seller, I either have the available cash or I'm not responding to any ads.

[Constant]

Many of the issues described in this thread would be resolved if the standard payment vehicle became PayPal. ATM there’s no consumer/buyer protection within the Iceinspace classified system, we cannot reasonably expect moderators to act as financial agents, no can we expect moderators to be “policemen “
You can’t be “half pregnant “ by insisting upon PayPal as the vehicle for all transactions within the classifieds then, at a stroke, significant protections are offered to both buyer & seller.
The argument that it costs a few shekels to use PayPal over looks the fact that by employing PayPal as a vehicle will resolve most every complaint I’ve read within this thread. The days of using “cash” bank transfer are over, we’ve a reasonable expectation that as either buyer or seller that basic protections are in place.

[N1]

Hi Alex, maybe because not all incidents, even if they occur with the same party, necessarily warrant the same reaction or treatment.

Re the OP, I've found ICEtrade more pleasant to deal on than other, more general platforms with a much lower rate of dodgy interactions, which may be to do with the type of person this hobby attracts. While I'd consider ratings somewhat helpful, it's actual descriptions of what went wrong in a particular case that would really help me with due diligence. I don't see how that could be done other than via PM or other personal communication though.

[JA]

And then there's cash.... REAL CASH and the chance to say hello and shake a hand.

Not so good for interstate transactions unless you're keen.

Best
JA

[Leo.G]

There's nice people around. I just inquired about a tripod in the classifieds and asked for a quote on postage, as it happened the seller contacted me and said they were on their way to the post office and they are a trusting soul and posted the tripod before my payment.
I have a conscience, I had the amount including the postage in his bank account within minutes of receiving the information and the tripod is already on it's way.
The bank transfers can take 24 hours to go through but it will be there.


And with paypal I've often offered to cover the fees with a little extra.

[g__day]

I have only had excellent experiences to date buying gear off here - 3 scopes a mount and some modded Canon IR cameras (so over $14K) - and I follow only two rules - is it quality gear that I really want and does the seller come across as a known, rock solid member. So one or two remote guys I have trusted and sent thousands to in advance and had no issues, other folks that seem genuine I have meet in person and handled over a wad of cash.

If I am almost ready to deal or there is a timing contingency - I will let the other person know up front - and state I would like to be notified but its totally up to them who they sell it to - another deal will always come along in 6 - 18 months so you can play the long game - same if the price is too exorbinant.

So trust your gut and avoid poor qualtiy - gear or people - is my advice in a nutshell!