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Thoughts on an TB classifieds "etiquette" sticky?

#41
i'm going to move this over to the classifieds discussion forum - not only what that forum is meant for but also it is visible to non-supporting members so it has more exposure.

lots of good points in this thread. we'll be keeping an eye on it and considering everyone's input with regard to new/modified rules for the classifieds.

thanks guys.
 
#42
i would like to also add a few things

sellers : you guys are not obligated to do anything you don't want to for potential buyers. this means :

1. you don't have to weigh/measure/photograph/record/describe/fondle/do anything to your for sale gear you do not feel inclined to do, for anyone. granted, providing as much information as possible will definitely help your sale, but do not allow potential buyers to brow-beat you into submission.

2. you are not obligated to sell to anyone. if you don't like a particular user, you don't have to sell to them. period.

3. you ARE obligated to send your gear in a fast manner (like asap/now) once you accept money for it. backing out of a sale in that manner is one of the ways you can not only earn a bad feedback here but potentially jeopardize your access to our classifieds.

4. you do not have to tolerate anyone coming into your thread and posting -anything- not specifically complimentary to you, your gear or anything else. if anyone posts neutral or negative comments that you do not want in your thread, please do not engage them in any way, just report the post and allow us to deal with it. we take a harder line against folks who disrupt classifieds than we do inappropriate posts in the regular forums, so rest assured any dipwads will be addressed asap.

if any of you guys have any questions, you can pm them to me, or you can post them here and i or one of the other admins or classifieds mods, will attempt to answer them.

thanks for your support.
 
#44
guy n. cognito said:
I would never leave feedback for someone until the transaction is complete. I have had some buyers that were great to deal with....until they received the item.....
Click to expand...

This.

As a seller, I wait until they say they've received it and that everything looks good before I leave feedback. I'd rather not leave positive feedback for them and then have them try to swindle me once they've taken possession of whatever it was that I sold them.
 
#45
jmattbassplaya said:
This.

As a seller, I wait until they say they've received it and that everything looks good before I leave feedback. I'd rather not leave positive feedback for them and then have them try to swindle me once they've taken possession of whatever it was that I sold them.
Click to expand...



Plus one here. I used to always leave feedback after payment until one creep did just that to me. In fact it was the impetus for me creating this thread.
 
#46
Here is my TB Classified Commandments:

Selling:
  • Always list as much info as you can muster, good and bad.
  • Embed at least one or two key pics in the posting, don't send folks away from TB with a link to photobucket just to get a glance.
  • Be very clear on your asking price.
  • Be very clear on the shipping costs and policy.
  • Subscribe to the post with email notification so you can respond quickly to questions asked in the thread.
  • Put any new info in the original post.
  • If someone makes a lowball offer...politely decline.
  • If someone asks a stupid question...politely answer.
  • If someone says "I'll take it!" give them the payment info and tell them to pay ASAP because others may be interested, do not "hold" the item without payment unless you are very comfortable with the buyer.
  • Once you are paid, be clear with the buyer regarding the timeline for shipping. Send tracking info if available.
  • When the buyer indicates he's received the item and is happy, leave feedback right away and encourage the buyer to do the same. Do not wait for the buyer to leave his first.
  • Take your funds and go cure whatever GAS made you sell your gear.

Shopping:
  • Be sure to read the entire thread before posting a comment or sending a PM.
  • Do not make negative remarks in the thread or even in a PM knocking the sellers item, asking price or whatever...if you don't like it, move on to another thread.
  • If you are not necessarily serious about buying but have a comment or question, post it on the thread. Everyone loves to be bumped.
  • Sit back and enjoy the vast selection of basses...I have learned more about electric basses from the TB Classified than any where else!

Buying:
  • Once you've decided you want to see what kind of deal you can strike, PM the seller with your offer.
  • Try to be prepared to send payment as soon as possible if your offer is accepted.
  • If you don't have the money now, do not ask the seller to hold the item...get the money and then contact the seller to see if the item is still available. Remember, the first person that can get money into the sellers hands wins!
  • If you do convince the seller to hold the item...stay in consistent contact! PM at least every other day with an update so they know you haven't flaked out.
  • After you've taken time to gather funds...contact the seller again before sending the payment, even if they accepted your offer they may have landed a better deal in the meantime or decided not to sell altogether.
  • Be very clear about the shipping address you wish to use, send it with your payment notification.
  • Once you've received the item, inspect it an test it ASAP so you can notify the seller of any issues quickly.
  • If you are happy with the item leave feedback immediately and encourage the seller to do the same. Do not wait for the seller to leave his first.

Trades (in addition to most of the above items):
  • Work out the trade parameters in advance...who is sending what and when and who's paying shipping. There are no hard and fast rules here, depends on your comfort level and what is decided between the traders.
  • If you have any reservations about the deal, iron them out or drop it altogether. It ain't worth the risk.
  • It really is best to meet in person for a trade so both parties can inspect the items with the other one there and either shake hands or cancel the deal. Neat and clean.
  • If you are happy with the item leave feedback immediately and encourage the other party to do the same. Do not wait for the other party to leave thiers first.

Payments and Shipping:
  • All I can say here is be sure of what you are comfortable with and be accepting of the other party's terms or move on. You may love/hate Paypal, UPS or whatever but assuredly others have had their own experience to draw from that has shaped their opinion.

Resolution of Issues with the Transaction:
  • There are too many variables to make a comprehensive list here but basically you'll always manage if you treat others as you would like to be treated. Never disregard the other party's concerns just because it may not be a big deal to you.

IMHO, YMMV
 
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#50
Great post, Double E!

Here are a few that I'd either add on or emphasis more:

**Shipping**
- When giving an address, write it down exactly how it should look on a package. I've had 3 items get lost (but thankfully recovered) because of a buyer posting their address incorrectly or in a manner which Fedex or UPS didn't recognize.
- Likewise, be sure you send the seller the correct address you want them to ship to. I have two residences, so it's my responsibility to make sure the seller knows which one is correct.

**General Classifieds Usage**
- You must put a location in your location heading (see the top right of any of your posts) in order to use the classifieds. This is a simple thing to do and one that will prevent a lot of headaches.
- Do not question a seller's asking price in the seller's thread, in another user's FS/FT thread, or anywhere else on the Talkbass forums.
- Please delete past bumps and close your thread once an item has been sold. On the flip side of this coin, please note if a thread has been closed or if the word SOLD appears in either the first or last post the OP has made before sending a PM.

**Trades**
- General rule of thumb, the parties involved in any trade should attempt to ship on the same day and provide tracking to one another. This way you can recall your item before it reaches its destination if the other party neglects to send their item.
 
#51
jmattbassplaya said:
Please close your thread once an item has been sold.
Click to expand...

Yes, please. Once again looking today and I bet 1/2 the threads I went into had a sold bass but were still open threads.

jmattbassplaya said:
please note if the word SOLD appears in either the first or last post the OP has made before sending a PM.
Click to expand...

I disagree. If you can take the time to post/edit the word sold in the thread, you can also make one more mouse click to close it. It's VERY easy. I do it. Why can't everyone. Expect a PM.
 
#52
SteveC said:
Yes, please. Once again looking today and I bet 1/2 the threads I went into had a sold bass but were still open threads.



I disagree. If you can take the time to post/edit the word sold in the thread, you can also make one more mouse click to close it. It's VERY easy. I do it. Why can't everyone. Expect a PM.
Click to expand...

Sometimes, people forget. You can spaz out about it, or realize that it will occasionally happen.
 
#57
guy n. cognito said:
It has happened to me and, like I said, I don't see the big deal.
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It's not a big deal. yeah it sucks to go into a thread of something you want only to find that it's been sold but I can't remember the last time I wanted something that wasn't even marked as sold even though it was..that would suck more.

But life goes on. You can't buy something you really wanted? Chances are another one will come along eventually.

Actually I'd love it if you could filter closed threads.
 
#60
guy n. cognito said:
Sometimes, people forget. You can spaz out about it, or realize that it will occasionally happen.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but a lot of people "forget" to close their ads. Like I said, if you're there to add the word sold, you had to remember you sold it, and if you're there it takes one click. I don't think that's "spazzing out" about it. I make sure I do it as a responsible seller.
 

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