Traders Airsoft Forums

I thought I would open the floor to discussion about various Sale Thread issues that warrant policies to be implemented in the future.

1) Shitting on people's sale threads - Too often, people criticize people's prices, often stating that they could get the same item somewhere else, for cheaper (and often it is not true). I feel that sometimes it can be harmful, but other times it can be helpful (like when people try to rip everyone else off with those Arena Flakjak Goggles that you can get for $13).

2) People buying items from another user for cheap, then selling it for a lot more to someone else - I saw one case where someone bought a used pistol for $80, and then sold it to someone else for almost double that price, without making any improvements to its condition at all (Allizard knows who I'm talking about). I feel that this is wrong, and shows a lack of ethics. If you're not ethical about your prices, then you're probably not ethical about your other selling policies.

3) Bumping - Sometimes users make posts in their threads that add no new information, or just have the word "bump" in them, for the sole purpose of bringing their thread back up to the top of the first page. I feel that this is really lame, and basically just a cry for attention. If nobody took notice of your gun the first time around, it's pretty likely that they just weren't interested. It is much more effective to lower the price a little bit, or just throw something else into the package.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. I'd love to hear all your opinions about these issues. With your opinions and suggestions, we can help Colin make this the best place to buy and sell Airsoft on the entire Internet!

-Fat

Let me address this;

1) I've personally seen many instances where sellers had an item for sale that I felt was grossly overpriced, or had an uncertain history. I think it's every member's responsibility to make a sales environment a positive one, and more often than not, more good than harm is done by it. Of course, this will be something that's handled on a case by case basis, as policies here aren't set in stone.This is also where the reputation system, and trader feedback forum will come into play. The people who consistently demonstrate high standards, will invariably rise to the top. Those who come here looking to scam people, are going to quickly be shown the door.

2) I think my response to item 1 covered this as well. Feedback and reputation can and will make a difference here, as well as our verification process. If we find verified traders acting unethically here, they WILL be no longer welcome, believe me.

3) I've been buying and selling things online for a number of years, and I've personally seen many sites where allowing bumping of a thread worked out just fine. The truth is, the MAJORITY of buyers will oftentimes only give the first page of a forum a glance to see if anything interests them. Until people figure out how to search, as well as use other forum tools to find what they seek, a simple bump on an item can bring fresh eyes onto your sale. I've seen this first hand, and have made many sales in just that manner. Therefore, bumping is going to be allowed, but will be limited to once per day at the most. Adding things to a package, or lowering the price on something are effective tools in selling your items as well, but I do not believe they should be the only reason to allow people to bump up ads for a fresh look. I can really counter the whole "lower the price" and "add something to the package" arguments with the statement that serious buyers will contact sellers with an offer, if they're truly interested in the item. The market will set the price for the item, regardless of what the seller thinks. It goes back to the old saying; It's only worth what someone will PAY you for it.

Part of the reason I started Traders in the first place, was because of the very poorly managed trading areas on many airsoft sites, and even just poorly managed sites overall. I have many other hobbies besides airsoft where I've engaged in buying and selling in forums. I've seen many good things, and I hope to adapt these policies and methodologies to our community here.

Just as an example that no-one's tried yet; Doing an auction-style sale.

Most sites always want you to set an asking price. I haven't instituted that policy here yet. Granted, I don't believe we have the traffic yet to really support this style of sale format yet, but I'm perfectly willing to allow it if the seller chooses to do that. Of course, if this format is chosen, I DO believe one of the stipulations will be a time-limited listing. So, if you choose to sell your item to the highest bidder, you're going to only have a limited window to do it in. Otherwise, you'll have to set an asking price.

These are just ideas I have myself, so don't be afraid to mention your own! The beauty of this site, is that the MEMBERS are going to have a large effect on how things are done. If the vocal majority wants something, we're going to change policies within reason to give it to you! You can't truly have a 'community' driven site, if you don't LISTEN to the community that exists there.

All good points. I'm also interested to see what everyone else will have to say.

I really like the idea of this forum being community-driven, I have high hopes for its future.

I agree with most of all the things that have been said so far. I am begining to spend more time here because I like where the site is headed. I do agree about bumping with Colin. I have sold many items because I was able to bump it. I do think different sections of places to list items will help people from bumping too often. I Know that I often only read the first two pages but that is because I always check the place I shop most often on a daily sometime hourly basis for a few hours and by then most items have been bumped to the top pages.

The marketplace will be broken down into more specific areas, once we start filling it out. There are going to be sections for long guns, pistols, gear, etc. This will most certainly have an effect on how things are listed, and you'll see the bumping won't affect much, if anything. Because most places just lump it all together, you see the problems they have now. The Bartertown! forum is just a temporary thing, until we get the individual forums laid out. We wanted early site adopters and contributors to have a spot to actually start trading on, with the site open.

Hey one other thing I thought of today.....trading non airsoft items for airsoft items. I don't mind if the items are legitimatly worth something. IE if they can't trade it at least they could take it to the pawn shop and get something for it. I dislike card's for trade unless it is a collection that is valuable. (granted something is always worth something to some body) I think this type of trade deffinatly belongs in a seperate category at least.

I'll definitely take your idea into consideration, Deathstroke, as I imagine we'll work something like that into the final marketplace sale categories.

there needs to be a set of 'forums rules' posted some where on these forums and also some sort of sale guidelines or rules with this info posted in the sale forum would be nice

These are all coming. Hence why I said Bartertown! is just like the wild west right now; kinda lawless. Funny though, people seem to be doing just fine without a big set of rules thus far.

lol, indeed. but thats probably because we are all veterans of one site or another that are feed up with annoying ass 1337 h4xX00r5