selling used stuff pricing idea....

So I was looking at the members classifieds for my friends torch he's selling, and in general pop my head in from time to time to see what's on the used market and I saw a few things I'm kind of interested in, but really, between being alternately busy and lazy, I don't want to send a PM to someone to get a price...why should I? Will I get a different price than someone else? Will the seller respond in a timely manner?

I am on another (non-glass) forum where used equipment gets sold quite often and they have a policy in place that seems to generate much better buying experiences and quicker sales, as well as keeping the prices on used equipment more stable from month to month that I think would work well here as well.

Basically, their rule is that any posts offering items for sale MUST include a price in the post, as well as pictures of the item(s). You can post a price and "OBO" to turn a sale into a bidding war, but generally speaking, used items have a value, and that value is set buy the buyers, not the sellers.

If nothing else it's a smoother more egalitarian system for selling used gear, and prevents the quick sale of stolen goods by having pictures that EVERYONE can review, not just potential buyers at the sellers discretion.

Anyways, that's my suggestion.

Fantastic idea.

This recent glut of "pm or email for pictures/prices" for sale posts is getting a little lame.

Good suggestion, we have discussed requiring an image recently. Supplying prices right away makes sense, too. Both are in the seller's best interest as well.

Having a photo reduces the potential of fraud or distribution of stolen goods, as it proves the seller not only has the item, but also the condition and distinguishing features.

Not supplying a photo, item details or a price discourages buyers who aren't highly motivated, as noted. If you're hoping to sell an item easily, the listing should always include a photo and the price. The same principle applies to anywhere items are for sale, such as eBay, Etsy or Craigslist. Pretty much every 'real' marketplace requires a price. Our setup is more freeform, like Craigslists or your typical classifieds.

On the other hand,

Quote:

---

but really, between being alternately busy and lazy, I don't want to send a PM to someone to get a price...why should I? Will I get a different price than someone else? Will the seller respond in a timely manner?

---

As for those specific conditions, if you're too lazy or busy to negotiate a sale, you probably don't want the item a great deal, do you? Next, if the seller doesn't respond in a timely manner or you can't trust them to charge a fair price, maybe you shouldn't be doing business with them.

Imagine if I went into Walmart and nothing had prices, and everything was in a box with just the name of the product on it, no description or picture... and I had to track down a manager to get a price and be allowed to look in the box then I would probably just go somewhere else.

I agree that if there's something I _REALLY_ need I will put in more effort to get it... but some days I have an extra few bucks burning a hole in my pocket and I will buy something on impulse, and the more work I have to do to spend that money the less likely I am to spend it.

Yes, it's in the best interest of the person selling the item to make the transaction as frictionless as possible.

We're looking at this from a policy and also a software angle, and hopefully some improvements will made in the new year. Thanks for the Doug perspective.

Yes this is a very good way to approach a sales thread. i hate the pm bullshit.

DO IT DO IT DO IT good idea doug

+1 great idea

I love the idea, though I cant say much cuz the first homefill I ever sold I was asking for offers not having a clue what they would sell for. I can understand if it is a unique item, but I would love to see prices on everything.

I hate dibs it is dumb in my opinion. I have had people dibs things of mine in the past and not want it or back out several days later. I think it should be the first person able to pay gets it.

Whether or not to pay any attention to 'dibs' is entirely up to the seller.

Good suggestion. Further, on other non glass related forums that I am on that run Vbulletin, they require a minimum number of posts before a user gets access to the classifieds. Seems to just about eliminate the BS and scammers. Somewhere around 25 posts is typical.

Doug,
Thank you for bringing this up.

I completely agree. Pricing and pictures should be required, it makes buying and selling a lot more easy!

well?

did this fall off the table like so many other of our good ideas?

lets get this into action!

+1 I might be new but I think these rules are worth implementing!

It seems this legislation will be waiting for the next session of Melting Pot Congress.

I hope you aren't beaten with a cane.

Excellent idea..........says I gotta spread the love.......can't REP ya, Doug......DAMN....hate when that happens.

A little rationality lifts the qualtiy of the debate here. Thanks for contributing!

I think it should also sell in the open forum also, not thru pms. "1st posted I'll take it , gets it". That way it truly goes to the first person, not a behind the scenes sell. I think its the most honest and integrity driven way.

Make it happen mods. We're not talking about some sort of infrastructure change to the forum software here... Just post a sticky.
The people have spoken.

If there's more to it, then by all means I'm an ass. But if not, then just post the (new) rules.