More and More Jr. Members Selling Things?

[MDJAK]

I always troll the classified sell forum looking to see what's available.

Okay, truth be told, I'm waiting for Ronald to sell his 696th Brick.;)

No, really, it seems as if more and more new people are coming aboard and selling big ticket items. I may just be paranoid, but I think as a whole this we forum members are a trusting bunch and I'm getting worried that someone is going to get ripped off.

Has it happened to anyone here, other than the peleng group buy fiasco?
And I refer to here, not ebay or craigslist or anywhere else.

mark

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I always troll the classified sell forum looking to see what's available.

Okay, truth be told, I'm waiting for Ronald to sell his 696th Brick.;)

No, really, it seems as if more and more new people are coming aboard and selling big ticket items. I may just be paranoid, but I think as a whole this we forum members are a trusting bunch and I'm getting worried that someone is going to get ripped off.

Has it happened to anyone here, other than the peleng group buy fiasco?
And I refer to here, not ebay or craigslist or anywhere else.

mark

I've never gotten ripped off here. FM once, a few times on ebay, but never here. I figure the huge group of new members are mostly fm'ers.

and by the way, it'd be lucky number 13, not 696. ;-) Why are you waiting, anyway? You've got one!

...one that should have been mine. ;-)

[Citizensmith]

I agree, I'd only be comfortable buying from another forum member if I felt like I knew them well enough. Basically someone with a good post history who I've interacted with a few times. Even if that interaction was just to persuade them that PCs really are better. :)

[tommykjensen]

Has it happened to anyone here, other than the peleng group buy fiasco?

I have never heard of anything except the peleng group buy. I have read about a few close calls but they were more a case of impatient buyers in my opinion.

Unfortunately I think it is going to happen some day and there is nothing we can do to prevent that other than encourage everybody to be carefull when dealing with anybody. Yes I mean anybody not just first time posters.

[Franko515]

Maybe have something like for the G&N section (so many post before posting in the Buy&Sell section)

That way if someone comes just to rip somebody off, at least they have to take the time to start a post history (which I dont think most would take the time to do) ;)

[tommykjensen]

Maybe have something like for the G&N section (so many post before posting in the Buy&Sell section)

That way if someone comes just to rip somebody off, at least they have to take the time to start a post history (which I dont think most would take the time to do) ;)

That will only give buyers a false sense of security.

[Franko515]

That will only give buyers a false sense of security.

Not really.

Check the persons post, see what and where they post and you can make your decision from there. I doubt somebody trying to rip another off would take the time to get 500 post or even 250 for that matter.

What sense of security do they have now? At least its a start ;)

[tommykjensen]

Not really.

Check the persons post, see what and where they post and you can make your decision from there. I doubt somebody trying to rip another off would take the time to get 500 post or even 250 for that matter.


You would be surpriced what some will do to cause problems around here.

A post limit will not give any kind of security that the member won't rip you of.

Besides this has been debated many times and a post limit in the market place is not likely to be implemented.

[Franko515]

How about designated third party holders (i.e. I sell camera here, negotiate a sale and send it to a third party holder until funds have arrived and are cleared. The third party then ships the item to the buyer)?

[tommykjensen]

And who should that third party be ? I can guarantee you that no moderators will take that responsibility.

[Franko515]

Maybe post a thread to see who is interested. Im sure a few people would be willing. Then have some sort of vote amongst the mods to pick the group.

Or a third party holder for funds.
An acct for P.O.T.N members

Just trying to brain storm to come up with something :confused:

[tommykjensen]

Anything of this sort would need to be 100% by members (and I don't know if Pekka would allow it). You are not going to get any moderators involved in electing members for this task.

[Franko515]

Oh well, let the buyer beware

[GilesGuthrie]

And who should that third party be ? I can guarantee you that no moderators will take that responsibility.

If people want, they can do this through a commercial escrow service.

[condyk]

Why create a solution to a problem that doesn't exist ... waste of time.

Let buyer beware is a simple rule. Take extreme care if you are sending money to someone you don't know. Not that difficult!

[Anke]

I have only been on here for a few months and sold quite a few things with some very satisfied people. I was quite pleased to be asked "do you have any positive feedback or sales/purchases from someone else".
Its a good idea to ask that to someone you don't know.

[RTRIDER]

I too, have only been on this forum since Nov 06, I have only made 29 posts, and although I have not sold anything yet (later in the year maybe) I have learnt so much, and I have also purchased my first L lens, which was off a forum member. I can see where you are coming from, but the buyer has always had to beware. It would be a shame to set up more rules.
Anyone just starting off, probably would not have big ticket items to sell, and I think if people will just take their time and read up on the sellers history, checks their posts, they will get more of an idea of wht kind of person they will be dealing with.

[JaGWiRE]

I agree, I'd only be comfortable buying from another forum member if I felt like I knew them well enough. Basically someone with a good post history who I've interacted with a few times. Even if that interaction was just to persuade them that PCs really are better. :)
Yep. I think the peleng fish eye story is an interesting one anyway. Anyone can have an evil plan in mind, but I feel members with several thousand posts who have no life from POTN (okay, that is exaggerating a bit, LOL), and who are almost like siblings and good friends that I can talk to about my hobby, are quite trustable, and I would much rather buy from them then an absolute stranger with 10 posts (or whatever.)

[steved110]

I don't think we need rules on the market place - firstly the mods make it clear that it is unregulated, and secondly we should all be capable of taking due care.

I second what Jagwire says about getting to know posters - or at least the side they display to the forum - you guys can't see the rolling eyes, massive facial twitch and drooling can you...hope I turned that webcam off....;)

Seriously, I have no friends who like cameras like we do, so the forum has become an important place for me - and it fills my on-call time nicely.

[DocFrankenstein]

What happened to the peleng buy?

[blonde]

Why create a solution to a problem that doesn't exist ... waste of time.

Let buyer beware is a simple rule. Take extreme care if you are sending money to someone you don't know. Not that difficult!


agreed. common sense will beat escrow service and security tricks any day of the week. just talk to the person, try to find out about him by reading his posts and decide if the deal should go through. if you see a person with 1 post and the deal is too good to be true....

[MDJAK]

What happened to the peleng buy?

It was a group buy where many members sent money to the originator of the post.

Without going into details, many never got the lens and never got a refund.

If you search "peleng 8mm group buy" you can find the post.

I didn't post this in hopes of making more rules for the "sell" section, though it may not be a bad idea.

It's quite easy to say take great care when sending someone money, but exactly how is that put into practice? You correspond with someone, maybe even call them, see pictures of the gear, and then decide to buy. What more care can one take?

I was actually just curious, as it seems as if more and more people are joining; may see us for what we are: a rather close-knit group of great people, and may want to take rank advantage.

If this post helps stop even one person from getting ripped off in the future, it's done its job.

mark

[blonde]

It was a group buy where many members sent money to the originator of the post.

Without going into details, many never got the lens and never got a refund.

If you search "peleng 8mm group buy" you can find the post.

I didn't post this in hopes of making more rules for the "sell" section, though it may not be a bad idea.

It's quite easy to say take great care when sending someone money, but exactly how is that put into practice? You correspond with someone, maybe even call them, see pictures of the gear, and then decide to buy. What more care can one take?

I was actually just curious, as it seems as if more and more people are joining; may see us for what we are: a rather close-knit group of great people, and may want to take rank advantage.

If this post helps stop even one person from getting ripped off in the future, it's done its job.

mark

for me at least, even if i see an amazing deal but it is from a person with 10 posts, i will simply pass on it. i only buy from people that i "know" from the forum so i never had a problem yet. as for the Peleng group buy, i am surpised to be honest...

[JaGWiRE]

for me at least, even if i see an amazing deal but it is from a person with 10 posts, i will simply pass on it. i only buy from people that i "know" from the forum so i never had a problem yet. as for the Peleng group buy, i am surpised to be honest...
I don't like playing with fire. About a month back I decided to, and I ended up with a second degree burn on my thumb. NOT FUN!

[dave kadolph]

I'm one of the new FM refugees and a junior member. I have chosen to use my real name, location, and picture so my true identity is available to anyone that chooses to look it up.

When buying or selling have used and requested USPS money orders as you know they are always good unlike standard money orders or Paypal.

Any suggestions to help establish a good reputation here would be appreciated.

[txduggan]

I'm one of the new FM refugees and a junior member. I have chosen to use my real name, location, and picture so my true identity is available to anyone that chooses to look it up.

When buying or selling have used and requested USPS money orders as you know they are always good unlike standard money orders or Paypal.

Any suggestions to help establish a good reputation here would be appreciated.

Real name, location and picture?

You look like a car.....

:p

I, on the other hand, had my icon image taken by Jay Maisel after bribing him with some screw-top wine, Oreos™ and some Te-Amos™ that were sitting at the bottom of an old college laundry bag that I forgot existed....

I also use USPS money orders for much the same reason you do, Dave...

I've only had one minor glitch selling an astronomy-related item, but all worked out and I held my tongue :)

Tom D <-- someday hoping to have as many posts as Doc Jak :shock:

[dave kadolph]

Never underestimate the power of a bottle of mad dog---forget "The Force"
:)