What's with the Auctions lately?

[Widge]

This is a firearms community, not an firearms Auction site. If people want to list something for sale that's fine, but these auctions leave a bad taste in my mouth. Especially when they're being done by people who seem to contribute little or nothing to the site but register just to sell their stuff. At least if we're going to allow auctions we should charge a commission for use of the forum, unless we want to end up as 'Gunbroker lite'.

How long before we get accusations of members being 'sniped'? Auctions should take place on auction sites. Sales should take place here with a firm price. None of this 'OBO' or 'starting at $XXX' crap.

My 0.2 cents (starting bid)

[Wadero]

Who gives a **** about "OBO?" That's how people sell things in classifieds. They want $500, I will only pay $450, someone else will give them $475.... Why the F would they sell it to me?

[Wadero]

I will admit the auction thing is kind of dirty but that is the beauty of a small online community, if someone pisses you off, post it on his next for sale item and let the next buyer beware.

[nyffman]

This is a firearms community, not an firearms Auction site.

Good communities are supposed to be diverse, right? Something for everyone? If I don't care for an area of the forum I don't go there, or, at least, don't go there very often. My $.02 Firm

[Wadero]

This is a firearms community, not an firearms Auction site.

Good communities are supposed to be diverse, right? Something for everyone? If I don't care for an area of the forum I don't go there, or, at least, don't go there very often. My $.02 Firm

I'll give you $.01 and not a penny more....

[Stradawhovious]

This is a firearms community, not an firearms Auction site.

Good communities are supposed to be diverse, right? Something for everyone? If I don't care for an area of the forum I don't go there, or, at least, don't go there very often. My $.02 Firm

I'll give you $.01 and not a penny more....

I'll up that to $.0175.

[Widge]

What are you lot? Gas Station owners?

[Widge]

Whatever. I just think it's pretty low class to join a community, then try and squeeze every last cent you can out of people that have welcomed you in. if something's posted for sale at $XXX and a member says 'I'll take it at $XXX', to turn around and up the price to $XXX + $YYY because someone else is interested shows a lack of integrity IMNSHO. I wouldn't do it, and I don't like it when someone else does it.

Still, it's not my house, and I guess if everyone else is good with it, that's ok.

[Stradawhovious]

I'm not OK with that style (put it up for sale, and mysteriously raise the price) either, but if the sale is clearly set up as an auctionesque format from the get-go, and Rucker and the mods are OK with it, who are we to complain. I think the key is to be clear as to how the sales are being handled. Is is OK to come on to the board just to utilize the sales forum that was set up for the members and not participate in anything else?, while I feel it's kind of a cheap-ass thing to do they aren't breaking any laws (that we are aware of)............ unless they are dealers using this as a venue to unload overstock at the tune of five to six guns a week posing as a FTF seller, to bypass FFl transfer work and sales tax, that would be a different story.

Once again, my .02

[DeanC]

Well, you don't know the whole story.

[Stradawhovious]

Well, you don't know the whole story.

Yep, you're right. My post wasn't making reference to anything in particular, I was simply making a statement. Care to fill us in on your recent experience?

[westberg]

In regards to how firearms are listed on the forum and the way the owner of said firearm conducts business, should in my personal opinion remained between the seller and potential buyer or buyers. The reason I say this is so the forum owner can not be sucked into an dispute between two other parties. This area was set up as a service to the members. I also think if someone has a bad transaction they should be able to let everyone else know about it. If you want the best price say that it is up for bids in your original post or you will take the first dollars that get to your door. I think this will be self regulated by the members if they don't like how someone does business.

[Stradawhovious]

I think this will be self regulated by the members if they don't like how someone does business.

I'd bet you're right there!

[monschman]

Hmm this is a sticky one, I have both bought and sold on this site and had a good experience so far. As for the format of the sale, if you post for .....$500 o.b.o. that means "i want $500 or as close to it as i can get to it as possible" in my book, not, "at least $500 but if someone else really wants it and is willing to pay more, they will get it instead of you with your money"
there will always be dissent as regards non contributors registering on forums for the sole purpose of selling their wares, and i really dont have an issue with them usually, there is always a bad egg in every bunch, but for the most part they are good honest people who really dont feel like getting into the discussion, so, why should we complain about the honest non interfereing sellers(dont get me wrong, the bad ones deserve the whole ball of wax and worse)
As for Auctioning items, i completely agree, if you post with a price, then that should be the most you take for the item (except in the very rare occasion where the op misposts)
obo is what it is, someone trying to get a few bucks or just out window shopping, its not an auction, its just like saying i would like to get this as a fair sale price but i will negotiate slightly if nothing else is happening and i find something else i want. Its not like the best offer you get for your new glock is $50, if indeed it is then dont dignify the idiot sender with the time of day let alone a response
Perhaps we could form a comittee like the government and pre-vet the posts for compliance?
then we could have another one to monitor the original committee
and of course one or two people from each of these committees would have oversight and be able to overturn decisions at will

Seriously though, enjoy the service of the classifieds, use them as the valuable tool that they are, dont start auctions and the rest of you sit back and finish your drinks

[hammAR]

I think this will be self regulated by the members if they don't like how someone does business.

Possibly not....................
classifieds ads are one thing,
but IF someone was to look into auctions further one just might find that the Department of Commerce, and possibly Revenue, may have some differing opinions.............might even include licenses and such..........

but then IANAL.....

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