Classifieds Rant

[Allan_L]

This will no doubt upset people, but probably only those who do it.

Let me just say I am not happy with the growing trend for people to list an item, with scant details and often no photos, with the throw away line at the end of

Make me an offer and I will consider... !

What is this, eBay!

Do your homework, Post a price, and sell it to the first person who agrees to that price, or who makes a near offer that you accept.

I hate people playing others off against each other.

My advice, dont respond to such adds.
[end RANT]

[Peter Ward]

Yep. That's why I use my real name and don't have an avatar with my face backed out on it.

[mental4astro]

Allan, it is what is called a 'free market', and is a valid form of trade.

I don't mind it so much as it puts the onus on me to inform myself on the gear for a fair price.

I do understand it can be irksome though.

[Visionoz]

It would certainly help in wasted time getting back to the punter to extract information which should have been there in the first place

Perhaps the stated Terms & Conditions for the IceTrade Classifieds should be enforced strictly which would then solve this issue for you

Generally speaking I have many times purchased items here in the past 12months without any hassles (all done thru PMs) by contacting the seller directly each time to enquire - I do agree with you that its frustrating when the ad lacks pertinent informational details etc but if I need the item I just PM and then decide if I want it or not, so far so good to date

My 2cents worth

Cheers
Bill

[Waxing_Gibbous]

My BB speed is so variable and often so slow that I CAN'T post pics a lot of the time. Good points though.
I try to think of all the questions I would ask and answer them in the copy. It makes for a wordy ad, but its better for both parties I think.

My Rant :):
I hate "EOI" (expressions of interest). Silliness from the real estate & goverment auctions sectors.
Unless its an AP Mak, a BoB Spitfire or a 17th century Chateau in the Loire, my mute response is generally "None!"
Why jump through hoops if you have no idea if the poster is serious?

Whew! I can sleep now! :D

[mswhin63]

It is a fair trade method, and with someone like me if i don't wish to research it I don't buy it, fairly simple. Only takes a short amount of reading then discarded. Actually i dont really look at a product unless it has a good title. Things like Garage sale don't really turn me on so i usually ignore it. I have no problems listing what ever way they want just don't expect to get much results from the sale.

[Moon]

Why not? It's only worth what someone is willing to pay, how is a seller supposed to know that in advance?
I think this is much better than listing items with sky high and unrealistic prices that sit there for months. What is the point of that I ask?
James

[sasup]

Free trade is free trade. However it does seem like hard work. I often just over look the adds that require me to investigate as well as pay.

[dannat]

Allan, i agree with you to an extent

for a meade 10" SCT with GPS - some don't include nearly enough details..

but if its a $25 plossl - a pic is a waste of time and what details do u need

[astroron]

The title of the forum is "BUY, SELL & TRADE" nowhere is there a mention of an Auction:shrug:

[pgc hunter]

Agree 1000%. At the very minimum the seller should list the item's make/brand, type, relevent specs and ofcourse the PRICE!

Very frustrating seeing ambigious crap like "make me an offer" when you want to pruchase something. How am I supposed to know what "offer" I should make....the seller is the one who purhased the thing, so he/she should know what they want for it. It also results in unneccesary and time consuming exchange of emails/PMs in an attempt to wring the price from the seller. :rolleyes:

[lacad01]

Only thing I can chip in on is that for substantial gear a photo or two isn't that hard to include.

[Terry B]

I don't care about the '"make me an offer" but a pic of anything over $100 seems mandatory.

[Allan_L]

Hey Peter,
Are you flaming my avatar?
and its not b(l)acked out, its just poorly lit.
Anyway, I thought it quite appropriate.
Thats how everyone at the Pony Club recognises me . :)
anyway blame my wife's photgraphy. I dont take pictures of myself.

as apposed to a car? Hmmm!

Anyway, what that has got to do with people not posting their adds in accordance with the "Icetrade Classifieds Terms of Service" I fail to recognise.

Or have I missed your point

[gb_astro]

...and I guess 99% of forum members use an alias...

gb.

[tlgerdes]

Have you seen PWs face, it looks just like the arse end of a Ferrari.:rofl::rofl:

[dugnsuz]

:lol::lol:Sexy!!
That's where Enzo concentrated the cosmetic focus as we're always watching them speed away from us!!

Could be worse, my face is like the arse end of a Kia!!!

[Octane]

I don't know, Doug. Your avatar makes you look like Joe Satriani. And, in my books, that's pretty awesome.

H

[dugnsuz]

The Satch eh!?:question:, You're a sweet, sweet man H!!!:lol:

[Waxing_Gibbous]

I've just spent 40 minutes trying to upload pics of some lovely Parallax rings I'm selling (how's that for secondary marketing? :) ). Nothing to do with IIS, just Telstra. So bear with us borrel-folk without ADSL.



H,
You're probably the best looking guy on this forum! In a totally strait, non-gay or pervy way of course.
I think you should go back to your original Avatar!
If I never see another Ha Horsehead, it'll be too soon.:D

[Octane]

LOL, Peter. I've been sitting here laughing my ass off for the last five minutes.

H

[jjjnettie]

Oiy! I think my Kia looks pretty damn sexy.

[Davros]

i must say "make an offer" is one of my pet hates, set a price or be prepared to be offered a half eaten bag of chips !!!!!

[Lismore Bloke]

I couldn't agree more. If you are trying to sell something, it should be described properly, price listed and a photo attached if possible. That way it's fair to both buyer and seller.

[pgc hunter]

Exactly. "Make me an offer" is just so incredibly stupid and infuriating for the prospective buyer. What I mean is, how the bloody hell is the buyer supposed to know what to "offer" to the seller, when the seller is the one who paid for the equipment in the first place and thus should know what he/she wants for it. Sometimes one has to ask for the price 10 bloody times before the seller FINALLY manages to get to the freaking point.....

This is equivalent to the dreaded "call for price" crap that some companies use. Really, Really bad way to market yourself and creates nothing but frustration.

People who post "make me an offer" are simply just wasting peoples time. Certainly one of my pet hates, and it should be made compulsory to give a clear indication of price in IIS classifieds.

[Screwdriverone]

Jeez, you guys (and now Peter too), get a room will ya?

Cheers :)

Chris

[Screwdriverone]

I'll give you 10 bucks for that half eaten bag of chips Davros.......

can you post a pic?

;)

Cheers

Chris

[Octane]

Chris,

I'm a sweet man, apparently.

Want to make an offer? I'll post a pic later.

H

[Screwdriverone]

H,

I know what your mug looks like, I was offering for the bag of chips...and wanted Davros to post a pic of them...(humour, its what I attempt to do)

I will only make you an offer if you can assure me that you are one owner, in pristine condition, have your original box and will ship at your own expense (insured of course). I will add the external scratches later, if you know what I mean.......oooooohaaaaaaaah!, sounds a bit camp sweetie!

Love you, you big hunk of a man....;) I suspect the Horsehead is a thinly veiled indication of your assets??????? Enquiring minds want to know.....

Cheers

Chris

[Screwdriverone]

I agree with that one JJJ, very sexy indeed. Wait, hang on, are we still talking about cars?

Cheers :P

Chris

[Octane]

I'm in raptures. And, at work!

H

[Screwdriverone]

:lol:

Chris