Trading Post rant...

[alan0269]

There are several things lately that are really starting to piss me off about the trading post sections.

To start off with, how hard is it to read the rules for posting there? Apparently, it's pretty darn hard to do, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense since in order to get information from this site (as with most websites) you need to be at least minimally literate. However, people still are creating enough issues with not following the rules that the mods are now thinking of raising the minimum post count to be able to post in these areas.

Second, for those of you mod wanna be sorts out there, if someone posts a want to TRADE ad, they are not required by site rules to post a price with it (this stems from a recent post I made wanting to TRADE a certain firearm for another certain, listed firearm that is from the same manufacturer and has the same value as the one I had). I received three emails from people telling me that I MUST post a price in my ad, none of them are mods from the site. Two of the emails were actually pretty nasty, one of them included a personal attack to my lack of intelligence for not posting a price. I've seen this subject covered many times, some of them by actual mods for the site, and it has been clarified that if you post something for SALE you must post a price, but you are not required to post a price for a want to TRADE ad. I don't have an issue with someone asking on a trade ad if there is a cash price because they would rather purchase the item than trade for it, but respect the poster of the ad if they would prefer to only trade - their item, their choice!

People that state they'll take an item, without any disclaimers when they say so, but then when you meet them, they try to haggle on price. I woudn't have an issue witht his if the item they are purchasing is not in the condition listed in the ad, but I've had this happen twice in the last couple months where both people said the item was in better condition than I stated in the ad. If you want to haggle over price, don't say you'll take, have me drive 40 miles out of my way, tell me my item is in better condition than described, then ask for a better deal. Be a person of integrity and stand by your "I'll take it", or don't put it in those terms. If you want to haggle, let it be known up front that you are interested, but that you may want a better deal.

It's also pretty pathetic that people are posting used items at prices that are higher than you are able to walk into a local shop and purchase the same item new! Whatever, that's your decision, and if someone is willing to pay what you're asking that's their problem not mine. Hell, if you have no idea what your used firearm is worth, go to GB and look at the auctions that have ended, find the items that actually sold (not just what people were asking for them), and price your item accordingly. That or if you're going to be doing a lot of selling/trading invest in a book that provides current gun values.

There are other things that have been annoying there lately, but those are the big ones. I don't really care if you have pictures posted of the item (or if you post a stock picture), if I want to see pictures I'll ask, and if you don't have any, I'll make any deal contingent on inspection of the item prior to the deal being finalized. I'm personally fed up to the point that I've made the decision to no longer post in the trading post areas. I may still check out the other ads there to see if anyone has something I need at a reasonable price, but I'm to the point that I'd rather post anything I have for sale or trade on cologunmarket or armslist and deal with the BS there.

There are a lot of great people on this site, many of whom I've met through the trading post area, but there is also a high level of people lately that make it easy to understand why the mods have started looking at the trading post as more of a nuisance to them than a positive area.

[Danimal]

I understand your frustration, and there have been many times that I have felt the same way. What you are describing are the same problems associated with any FSBO site that is in operation. As a seller I just assume that the person buying my item will act just as you described and make my life a living hell. I make sure that everything is worked out prior to me committing to a sale and going out of my way to meet them including all negotiation points for the sale.

The only reason that the trading post has the good deals that it has is because there are people out there that don't know/care what they are selling, or just want to sell something quick. If everyone knew what something is worth to everyone else we would all just go to the store to get it. This also leads to people not following up on ads or not answering PM's, but that is the name of the game for a quest for a good deal.

The point where we are at now is bad though. When it becomes this much of a burden on the mods those of us here with good intention to follow rules and learn the way of the site will be the ones who suffer for the illiterate who are causing the problem. I love the trading post, but if I were the one to regulate I am sure it would be a different story. Sorry to hear that you are so fed up with it. Hopefully some changes will come about that make it an enjoyable place to buy/sell again.

[Graves]

No sh*t Alan!

"WTT: blah blah"
-OP: "I have blah blah ft and I'm lookin' for blahblahblah or a blah"

-Dbag1: "cash price?" <- coulda pm'd but nooooo.

-OP: "PM me with an offer - worst I can say is No."

-Dbag2: " You must post a price per forum rulez!!!1!"

[AirbornePathogen]

My rules of thumb on the trading post:

1. I have READ AND UNDERSTAND THE SITE RULES.
2. I don't nitpick on other guys' posts. That's the mods' job. If they got some of their info wrong or something of that nature, I PM them and tactfully point it out.
3. I don't hesitate to pay asking price if it's fair or more than fair. If the post says OBO, I may make a REASONABLE offer. I DON'T LOWBALL.
4. If the post has specific trades only, and I don't have what they want, I leave it alone. If they say to ask about trades, and I have something I think they may be interested in, I ask.
5. I don't say "I'll take it," unless I know I have the money/trade, and any other terms are agreeable to me.
6. I make every effort to accommodate the seller, including driving out of my way, etc. I've driven to Larkspur for a deal- the deal I got on those mags was worth it.
7. I keep my word. Once a deal is worked out, I honor it. Things come up and meets may have to be rescheduled, but once I've said "I'll take it for $X," and the seller has agreed, any chance to haggle is over. I pay what I said I'll pay.

Pretty common sense/common courtesy stuff, IMHO. Haven't dealt with anyone off of Armslist, but I would MUCH rather deal on here than Craigslist, for reasons we all know. Following these rules, I've gotten some great deals on great gear, and met some awesome guys. Just my $0.02...

[ray1970]

My rules of thumb on the trading post:

1. I have READ AND UNDERSTAND THE SITE RULES.
2. I don't nitpick on other guys' posts. That's the mods' job. If they got some of their info wrong or something of that nature, I PM them and tactfully point it out.
3. I don't hesitate to pay asking price if it's fair or more than fair. If the post says OBO, I may make a REASONABLE offer. I DON'T LOWBALL.
4. If the post has specific trades only, and I don't have what they want, I leave it alone. If they say to ask about trades, and I have something I think they may be interested in, I ask.
5. I don't say "I'll take it," unless I know I have the money/trade, and any other terms are agreeable to me.
6. I make every effort to accommodate the seller, including driving out of my way, etc. I've driven to Larkspur for a deal- the deal I got on those mags was worth it.
7. I keep my word. Once a deal is worked out, I honor it. Things come up and meets may have to be rescheduled, but once I've said "I'll take it for $X," and the seller has agreed, any chance to haggle is over. I pay what I said I'll pay.

Pretty common sense/common courtesy stuff, IMHO. Haven't dealt with anyone off of Armslist, but I would MUCH rather deal on here than Craigslist, for reasons we all know. Following these rules, I've gotten some great deals on great gear, and met some awesome guys. Just my $0.02...

This, exactly. Sounds like you and I are cut from the same mold.

[Graves]

This, exactly. Sounds like you and I are cut from the same mold.

What if he bite his toe nails?

[ray1970]

What if he bite his toe nails?

Doesn't everybody?

[AirbornePathogen]

What if he bite his toe nails?

I'm not that flexible.

[BPTactical]

My rules of thumb on the trading post:

1. I have READ AND UNDERSTAND THE SITE RULES.
2. I don't nitpick on other guys' posts. That's the mods' job. If they got some of their info wrong or something of that nature, I PM them and tactfully point it out.
3. I don't hesitate to pay asking price if it's fair or more than fair. If the post says OBO, I may make a REASONABLE offer. I DON'T LOWBALL.
4. If the post has specific trades only, and I don't have what they want, I leave it alone. If they say to ask about trades, and I have something I think they may be interested in, I ask.
5. I don't say "I'll take it," unless I know I have the money/trade, and any other terms are agreeable to me.
6. I make every effort to accommodate the seller, including driving out of my way, etc. I've driven to Larkspur for a deal- the deal I got on those mags was worth it.
7. I keep my word. Once a deal is worked out, I honor it. Things come up and meets may have to be rescheduled, but once I've said "I'll take it for $X," and the seller has agreed, any chance to haggle is over. I pay what I said I'll pay.

Pretty common sense/common courtesy stuff, IMHO. Haven't dealt with anyone off of Armslist, but I would MUCH rather deal on here than Craigslist, for reasons we all know. Following these rules, I've gotten some great deals on great gear, and met some awesome guys. Just my $0.02...

Good post.
I feel it all boils down to integrity both on the purchaser and sellers behalf.

[car-15]

Good post.
I feel it all boils down to integrity both on the purchaser and sellers behalf.

yep, I've even bought stuff I said I'd take even after going and seeing it and it was not what I wanted, but I said I'd take it so I did. on the other hand I was selling a carbon-15 bushmaster and after driving a hundred miles, and the guy saying he thought it was carbon fiber, not plastic he changed his mind. and several will you take less for it? after wasting 40 bucks in gas and it was better than I said it was. I know the feeling.