Why do people edit/blank out the sale price in classifieds?

[Colonel Monk]

OK, I know this ain't the classifieds, but that's not a discussion forum.

Since I'm usually browsing for new toys, I see this in effects more than any other classified forum, and I'm curious what you all think on the subject.

I like to know what the going price is for used gear on the market -- I'm sure we all do. In fact, when I sell used gear this is one of a few places that I check to see what it is worth.

So, why do folks "edit" "blank" "XXX" out the selling price after it's been sold?

There doesn't seem to be a rule suggesting this is necessary, so what do you think? Leave it there or blank it out?

I'll start. Leave it there, as it's useful to other TBer's.

out

[SundanceChile]

I never blank out my price. Just lock it up and put a post saying it's sold.

[grygrx]

I always wonder about that, it's kind of nice to have a reference to the prices things are fetching used.

[JehuJava]

I hate it too. What about magazines or websites? "Call for price" really makes me mad.

[grygrx]

Originally Posted by JehuJava

I hate it too. What about magazines or websites? "Call for price" really makes me mad.

Well, that's a bit different. Lots of retail outlets are bound by minimum advertised prices (MAP) as part of their distribution deal. They can sell at less then that, but they can't advertise it.

[fenderhutz]

Because people on here have a habit of being particular about peoples pricing.

People on here expect to get a good deal if you got one regardless of what an item is worth.

Say for example a person is asking 600 dollars for a SVT head. I offer up about 900 in trade for the head for trade purposes. I decide I don't want the head for some reason, people get anal if I ask for more than 600 when I try and sell it without even caring that I traded 900 in gear to get it.

I think of it as a damage control measure, I always price stuff cheaper than what you can get on Ebay if you wanted to buy it, if I get questioned about pricing I shouldn't have to explain myself if I am selling under the current going value.

Understand?

[KarateKid25]

It bugs me too!

Its not just on TB. A lot of places that sell used basses, replace the bass price with the word 'SOLD' as they sell.

If someone scored a good or bad deal at the time, thats their business. I just like to see the spread of what something may be worth. At the end of the day, used items are only worth what someone is paying for it anyway.

[GBGLJE]

I use ebay to see what new and used items have sold for. You must be a registered ebay user to do a "completed item" search.

[Zooberwerx]

I always scan TalkBass and E-bay completed listings to get a feel for the market and, hopefully, a square deal.

Riis

[seventhson]

i believe the practice is used a courtesy to future sellers...that whatever it was advertised for on TB is not used a precedence in a negotiating process: "well this last LMII sold for only $550".

people do fire sales all the time on TB, so it wouldn't fair if someone found a SOLD listing with the fire sale price in it and assumed another seller should sell it for the same price. If you want market values, go to eBay completed items.

in other words, they are trying to consciously NOT make TB a market maker on used bass gear.

[Colonel Monk]

Originally Posted by seventhson

i believe the practice is used a courtesy to future sellers...that whatever it was advertised for on TB is not used a precedence in a negotiating process: "well this last LMII sold for only $550".

people do fire sales all the time on TB, so it wouldn't fair if someone found a SOLD listing with the fire sale price in it and assumed another seller should sell it for the same price. If you want market values, go to eBay completed items.

in other words, they are trying to consciously NOT make TB a market maker on used bass gear.

OK, some interesting opinions here.

Seventhson, actually I think you have this backwards - in that you're saying that ebay is market value. I disagree: there's a weird phenomenon that occurs on ebay, particularly with used gear where people end up spending as much or more than retail (factoring shipping, fees) from a store. We all know that any uncommon item will fetch more on ebay, but that's a different market - meaning, typically you won't get as much for an item on Talkbass or Craigslist as on Ebay.

I also don't think it sets precedence -- we all know a fire sale when we see one. Also, any TBer is entitled to ask whatever price they like, and though people can make offers it's not allowed to publicly debate the price. If people want their item to sell in two days, there's a price that will accomplish that. If they want more, a higher price will take some days longer. If they can't sell it here for that price, Ebay is often the ticket.

I use prices I find here to offer my items at a fair price for my fellow brothers, not to lowball them. I don't care if people make me lowball offers, I just don't accept them.

[Colonel Monk]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

I always scan TalkBass and E-bay completed listings to get a feel for the market and, hopefully, a square deal.

Riis

Indeed.

[Colonel Monk]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Because people on here have a habit of being particular about peoples pricing.

People on here expect to get a good deal if you got one regardless of what an item is worth.

Say for example a person is asking 600 dollars for a SVT head. I offer up about 900 in trade for the head for trade purposes. I decide I don't want the head for some reason, people get anal if I ask for more than 600 when I try and sell it without even caring that I traded 900 in gear to get it.

I think of it as a damage control measure, I always price stuff cheaper than what you can get on Ebay if you wanted to buy it, if I get questioned about pricing I shouldn't have to explain myself if I am selling under the current going value.

Understand?

I say screw the buyer who get offended by price they consider too high. The rules state sellers can ask whatever price they like, and buyer can make a private offer if they want.

So I'm saying you should not be questioned nor should you respond or bother justifying your price to someone who wants something for free.

As far as trading, that's just how it works. Like when you trade your car in -- you always get more money if YOU sell it.

monk

[nad]

Agreed, it is most annoying.

I never do that by the way. I put a giant SOLD! at the top of the thread and leave the price there. It may or may not be what the buyer actually paid of course.

[Jared Lash]

I never really thought about it. I always replace the price with sold, not out of some desire to hide the price but simply so people stop PMing me about gear that I no longer have.

[lowendgenerator]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

I never really thought about it. I always replace the price with sold, not out of some desire to hide the price but simply so people stop PMing me about gear that I no longer have.

True dat!

[TheMutt]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

I never really thought about it. I always replace the price with sold, not out of some desire to hide the price but simply so people stop PMing me about gear that I no longer have.

That's why I've been doing it. I never thought anyone looked at the old and dead threads sitting at the bottom of the for sale forums.

[The BurgerMeister]

i don't think it's too big a deal. if i want to research market value on something, i'll usually check ebay's completed listings (that way i can see what the item sold for, if it sold).

as for my own classifieds... i don't have a rule. sometimes i'll remove the price, sometimes i won't. i go on whims.

[grygrx]

Originally Posted by nad

Agreed, it is most annoying.

I never do that by the way. I put a giant SOLD! at the top of the thread and leave the price there. It may or may not be what the buyer actually paid of course.

I may move to the giant sold standard.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

It's so you dont get people going "Oh, but ****** sold his/her ****** for this much . . . "