Sellers on IIS

[iceman (Mike)]

Having a dealers forum on IIS is something that Terry and I have discussed a number of times - most recently a few weeks ago.

Will keep you posted.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Originally Posted by richardda1st

Thanks for that Doug, I was going to say the same thing. What's wrong with dealers selling on IIS?

Nothing, so long as it's legal. What we're just curious about is where some people who very regularly post there can cough up the money to buy all this stuff, only to eventually pass it on in a very short space of time. Not only that, if you're going to buy something like astronomical equipment, wouldn't it be prudent to know what you want beforehand and what you want to do with it, before you go plunking down literally thousands of dollars to acquire it??. It's like why buy a C14 when 2 weeks or so later you start to think "Maybe I should've got a 20" dob instead" and then sell the C14. Know what you want, make up your mind, buy it and stick by the purchase.

[renormalised (Carl)]

A dealers forum would be brilliant, especially if the dealers can keep us up to date with the latest news and reviews in astro gear.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by renormalised

What we're just curious about is where some people who very regularly post there can cough up the money to buy all this stuff, only to eventually pass it on in a very short space of time.

It's not really any of our business how they can cough up as much money as they like (as much as it amazes us stuck on pensions) and then dump it again fairly quickly.

Maybe they have very big bank accounts

I know of one member in here who regularly buys expensive equipment, tries it out, maybe uses it for a while, then passes that gear on for free to quite a few other members.
Yes, free.
Telecopes, adaptors, lenses, accessories etc.
This member is in a situation where they can do it, and enjoys doing it to help others.

But I feel a bit annoyed about a couple of buyer/sellers who may be just using this site to run a small business in buying and selling for profit.
I know it isn't against any rules and it is 'just business' but it doesn't seem right to me. Especially when they buy the item here, then resell it in here immediately for more.
They are more of a worry than someone regularly unloading unwanted gear at cheaper prices (which we should be happy about)

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by renormalised

Nothing, so long as it's legal. What we're just curious about is where some people who very regularly post there can cough up the money to buy all this stuff, only to eventually pass it on in a very short space of time. Not only that, if you're going to buy something like astronomical equipment, wouldn't it be prudent to know what you want beforehand and what you want to do with it, before you go plunking down literally thousands of dollars to acquire it??. It's like why buy a C14 when 2 weeks or so later you start to think "Maybe I should've got a 20" dob instead" and then sell the C14. Know what you want, make up your mind, buy it and stick by the purchase.

Maybe I earn a bit more than you Carl or I have expectations which are harder to fill or I just buy on a whim and sell on later or maybe I just see a bargain and think I can make a few bucks on it selling it here.
Whatever the reason it still doesn't make me a dealer unless I make the bulk of my living from it or choose to register as one. You can still make a small income selling second hand gear without requiring a second hand dealers lisence.

I hate to think what I have lost over the years through all of the reasons stated above but with that in mind I have never had someone who bought something from me offer more because it was too cheap.

[Stu Ward]

I nearly bought a 14" Goto from the Classifieds here, but coupled with the guys inflexibility to view the thing, some of the excuses made, and the fact that all of the guys contributions to these forums have been Buy / Sell then i decided to pull out.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Originally Posted by Hagar

Maybe I earn a bit more than you Carl or I have expectations which are harder to fill or I just buy on a whim and sell on later or maybe I just see a bargain and think I can make a few bucks on it selling it here.
Whatever the reason it still doesn't make me a dealer unless I make the bulk of my living from it or choose to register as one. You can still make a small income selling second hand gear without requiring a second hand dealers lisence.

I hate to think what I have lost over the years through all of the reasons stated above but with that in mind I have never had someone who bought something from me offer more because it was too cheap.

I don't mean you specifically, Doug. I don't think anyone does. I don't see you in there all that often anyway, and not with very expensive stuff for the most part. I'm talking about people who regularly sell things like expensive scopes and such. That seem to appear every few weeks to months with near brand new stuff to sell on. It's great that they do, we're the ones benefiting from it. But you have to wonder about why they would do such a thing...what are their motivations.

[Jeffkop (Jeff)]

I decided to scratch my 50 year itch to look into the heavens. I didnt have a clue what to buy ... I joined this forum and asked questions and told all those interested in reading my posts about what I was interested in etc etc ... I know now that to be properly guided I really needed to know the right questions ... I spent thousands on equipment that later after some experience realised that the gear I bought would never cut the mustard ... so I sold it on this forum. I'm sure this story can be repeated times over and over by members here ... (but I can assure you Ive nothing for sale amongst my present stock !!!) This situation can be repeated at many levels of experience I would imagine, but all the same, I understand this post as there are "for sale" posts that regularly appear from the same people ... some with no other posts other then equipment. Personally I dont care, but anything I decide to purchase from members will only ever be from just regular contributors to this forum as I have a 100% confidence in the word of those people with regard to equipment they are offering ... It is analagenous to buying from someone you know if you like ... and thus far the formula has been very rewarding and all happy endings.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Jeffkop

but anything I decide to purchase from members will only ever be from just regular contributors to this forum as I have a 100% confidence in the word of those people with regard to equipment they are offering ... It is analagenous to buying from someone you know if you like ... and thus far the formula has been very rewarding and all happy endings.

Not always true unfortunately as we have all witnessed with the Statton Broxham experiences of late

A long standing regular member who turned out to be a conman!

Be careful.

[Jeffkop (Jeff)]

Ken ... I dont doubt your post for a second .. but that name I have never heard of ... was he better known as another name ???

As a matter of fact .. Im that far under the rock that Ive not even seen any talk of this and Im on the forum every day ... As usual, Im my own worst enemy hahahahaha

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

I know of one member in here who regularly buys expensive equipment, tries it out, maybe uses it for a while, then passes that gear on for free to quite a few other members.
Yes, free.

um, who did you say that was ?

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Jeffkop

Ken ... I dont doubt your post for a second .. but that name I have never heard of ... was he better known as another name ???

As a matter of fact .. Im that far under the rock that Ive not even seen any talk of this and Im on the forum every day ... As usual, Im my own worst enemy hahahahaha

Yes Jeff, you must be under a rock to miss all the excitement that went on about Statton.

Here ya go: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=75232

and here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=75862

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by 5ash

I have observed some notable members consistently selling/reselling quite expensive gear , and by this means improving their equipment over a number of years . Good luck to them , in many cases it is the only way to afford high end equipment. Only wish I had the gumption to follow their lead.
Philip

Hi Philip,

I am with you in this thinking. I have rarely bought new, being cheap by nature and I intend to slowly buy and sell 2nd hand here on IIS until I either die, get tired, or smugly satisfied with the setup I finally arrive at. They might all happen simultaneously

I have little but good feelings here about being able to lurk in the bushes waiting for that ideal buy to pop up, and if it happens to be a dealer selling out of the bathroom while sitting down with his notebook , I don't mind, as long as it is all honest.

Cheers

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by GeoffW1

um, who did you say that was ?

That member will let you know, if the occasion ever arises where you would need to know

If I said anything, the member would be bombarded with requests for stuff.

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

That member will let you know, if the occasion ever arises where you would need to know

If I said anything, the member would be bombarded with requests for stuff.

Of course, I am suitably chastened

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by renormalised

I don't mean you specifically, Doug. I don't think anyone does. I don't see you in there all that often anyway, and not with very expensive stuff for the most part. I'm talking about people who regularly sell things like expensive scopes and such. That seem to appear every few weeks to months with near brand new stuff to sell on. It's great that they do, we're the ones benefiting from it. But you have to wonder about why they would do such a thing...what are their motivations.

I really didn't take any offence to the comments but fail to see why anyone would really be concerned. Even if the sellers concerned are in buisiness what does it matter as long as the price is right. We have the option to buy or not to buy.
There may be a million reasons why so much gear is bought and sold and to worry about a conspiricy ? seems very secondary to the fact that nice gear is offered for sale regularly. Keep it coming for me.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by tlgerdes

I think the government should do something to help this minority group.

Maybe have a licensing system for everyone to be able buy and sell anything, that way they can keep track of the shopaholics and protect them from themselves, maybe a pre-commit limit attached to it.

Um ar! P-O-L-T-I-C-A-L tut tut tut.... Chriiissss...?

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Um ar! P-O-L-T-I-C-A-L tut tut tut.... Chriiissss...?

Ummm, yes Mike? what can I do for you??? POLTICAL? What is that? I think I know the word you wanted......

Cheers

Chris

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Screwdriverone

Ummm, yes Mike? what can I do for you??? POLTICAL? What is that? I think I know the word you wanted......

Cheers

Chris

He he wrong Chris...just joshin real Chris

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by nightstalker

I've lost out over $1000 buying and selling on high end eyepieces over the years, I've even bought and sold orthos twice because I don't like the eye relief

In light of recent events here I'd be more concerned about the number of times an item has been sold or if it exists at all rather than any long standing member selling on fairly new gear , I can think of a mod here
who in a past life likely got x-mass cards from the freight companies the amount of gear they'd regularly move on

which mod would that be?