For Sale rule update

[mojo]

I posted this in another thread, but wanted to bring it to everyone's attention:

In the moderators meeting (open to everyone) on 9-25-08, it was decided that, as ares said, the "auction style" forsale threads would no longer be allowed. See the http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19738"><span style="color: #800080;">full notes here</span></a>.

Quote:
You are expected to place a FIRM asking price in your thread. Threads without a listed price, auctions, "first to PayPal" and "best-offer" threads are not allowed and will be removed on a daily basis.
While the rule was voted on and approved, it was my mistake that this text didn't make it into the forum rules. The rule has been enforced over the past couple of months, but I forgot to add it to the forum rules.

The rules have been updated and a summary of the For Sale rules has been added to the top of the forum.

 

[tsunami]

Does this mean that I can not say the tank is $50 obo or something like that?

 

[harleyguy]

Tsunami;256213 wrote: Does this mean that I can not say the tank is $50 obo or something like that?

I would assume that is ok... that's what you're allowed to do on every other site.

 

[jetchris]

alot of reef other reef clubs has the same deals. I know DFW does. It keeps people from being shady and keeps everyone happy. I believe it is a good idea.

 

[tsunami]

I think it is probably ok. I just wanted to make sure that I'm in the clear, if I wanted to sell something. Thanks.

 

[skriz]

Tsunami;256213 wrote: Does this mean that I can not say the tank is $50 obo or something like that?

No, that's perfectly fine. You have the price listed and you are willing to take less-no problems there!

The auction style: product x for the highest bid, or pm for price, etc, are not allowed.

chrisjet;256249 wrote: alot of reef other reef clubs has the same deals. I know DFW does. It keeps people from being shady and keeps everyone happy. I believe it is a good idea.

For this exact reason! Thanks Chris.

 

[mwitten]

mojo;255794 wrote: I posted this in another thread, but wanted to bring it to everyone's attention:
You are expected to place a FIRM asking price in your thread. Threads without a listed price, auctions, "first to PayPal" and "best-offer" threads are not allowed and will be removed on a daily basis.
.

One minor issue with this as stated.. I have had a couple of cases over the year where someone was first to PM or otherwise agree to buy something, then drug it out over weeks and even (in one case) over a month, then just disappeared. (Note, this is NOT directed at the folks who wanted to come take a look and decided not to buy! A final look or if the situation changes before you buy and you let me know, is just life and no problem). These were folks who generally either did not have the money but hoped to "soon", or otherwise did not consider the sale any kind of commitment. They also did not have the courtesy to tell me they had decided not to get the item.

For this reason, I almost changed my last couple of sale posts to "first to arrive and pay gets it", which is what I interpret the "first to paypal" gets it statement to mean. This is not really an auction: The price was fixed. This board is not really setup to do fair auctions, of course. I also don't like PayPal in general, as they take too big a cut (I am usually selling fairly low to begin with).

Anyway, this is just food for thought. Perhaps I am misinterpreting this part of the statement. I have never sold anything for more than the posted price, and have usually tossed in freebies when they came to pick it up.

Thanks!

-Mike

 

[mojo]

I believe the "first to Paypal" quote is directed more at the people hoping to say "send me money, and we'll work out the details later", without a set price.

I don't see any problem listing an item for sale, and letting people know that the first person to pay is the person that gets it, as long as the price is set up front.

IE- I can't just say "I have this coral for sale. The first person that sends me money gets it."

 

[linda lee]

I'm not clear on the *no comment* part of the rule, as I'm still seeing discussion in for sale threads. Never really saw a problem with that, even the occasional joke that is posted to the seller and responded in kind. It's seems to be the usual friendly interaction between members.

I think the big problem with comments is the tendency to hijack, but aren't other comments pretty much okay?

 

[mojo]

Linda Lee;256403 wrote: I'm not clear on the *no comment* part of the rule, as I'm still seeing discussion in for sale threads. Never really saw a problem with that, even the occasional joke that is posted to the seller and responded in kind. It's seems to be the usual friendly interaction between members.

I think the big problem with comments is the tendency to hijack, but aren't other comments pretty much okay?

"You're selling for too much"

"You can get a cheaper one from ZZZ.com"

"Someone else is selling the same thing for cheaper"

"Good luck selling that"

etc...

None of those type comments go over very well...

 

[mojo]

dawgdude;256405 wrote: So long story short of it, as long as there IS a posted price you are OK? If so Ive got no problems with the new rules!

Yup. Well, assuming you're not selling fully automatic assault rifles. With Interceptor tablets as shells. To minors...

 

[mwitten]

I figured, but wanted to be sure. By the way, I tried to go to the link to the main text in the first post and it says I don't have permission to access... Is that the link to the BOD version by chance?

I wanted to read the item Linda is talking about. Not sure what the comments thing is referring to.

Thanks!

-Mike

mojo;256400 wrote: I believe the "first to Paypal" quote is directed more at the people hoping to say "send me money, and we'll work out the details later", without a set price.

I don't see any problem listing an item for sale, and letting people know that the first person to pay is the person that gets it, as long as the price is set up front.

IE- I can't just say "I have this coral for sale. The first person that sends me money gets it."

 

[mojo]

dawgdude;256410 wrote: I see what your saying but I think its a slippery slope that is hard to avoid so it became no comments.

Precisely. Most comments are ok, which is why they don't get modded- there's just too much. But it's difficult to say "only on-topic, supportive discussions, questions related to the sale, remarks about how good the person is... " etc - one blanket rule of "no comments" is just much, much easier to manage.

 

[linda lee]

mwitten;256412 wrote: I wanted to read the item Linda is talking about. Not sure what the comments thing is referring to.
-Mike

Click on any *For Sale* thread. The rules are abridged at the top of the page, with one of them being "no comments in sales."

Or click on the forum itself:

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56</a>

Personally, I like the idea of eliminating irresponsible comments. Thanks, mods, for putting the time and effort into instilling this forum rule.

 

[mojo]

Linda Lee;256416 wrote: Click on any *For Sale* thread. The rules are abridged at the top of the page, with one of them being "no comments."

It's a summary of the http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=890">full forum rules</a>, item 15:

[QUOTE=]15. Please, no comments in sales! - Only questions pertaining to the sale at hand.[/QUOTE]

 

[xyzpdq0121]

Long and short of it is the Mods and Myself have spent ALOT of time debating and discussing every aspect of these forum rules. We feel that we have done a pretty good job of taking everything into account and making the best decision for the members and the club as a whole. Some rules are in place to protect the buyers and others to protect the seller. Sure, there is going to be times that you do not know what to sell something for and just want to say, "I do not know what this is worth, just make me an offer.." It might be innocent and the new rules might restrict you from doing that. So instead how about: "I do not know what it is worth so I am going to set the price at $XX OBO. I am open to offers if you think I am too high!"

Again, ALOT of thought went into each rule and the pros and cons of setting each rule. In some cases we decided not to set a rule because the pros did not out weight the cons. The list you see is the best of the best! The Mods greatest his if you will.

So please remember, we want everyone to have fun and we want everyone to enjoy being here. But as the club grows, it is important that our rules and guidelines grow with us, for the betterment of the club as a whole!