Sales post

[Joe]

If someone wants something for their collection bad enough they will offer more. if they are told they aren't first plus as everything is done in pm there is no way you or me can tell what happens!

Let's be clear most sellers have integrity but some haven't with no transparency you don't know what goes on!

You and I both know that collectors are capable of being quite ruthless when it comes to acquiring certain items, I'm not sure there is any real way around that though because if they want it they'll PM regardless just to see what happens but like you said, most sellers have integrity and will sell to the first person that contacts them.

It's only human to be tempted by a higher offer but it's still wrong. If anyone feels they may have been the victim of a back door attempt with someone (especially if a deal had been made) then I would definitely recommend approaching the admins here or even posting a thread about it for discussion and to see what happens.

We often get new members here trying to sell their collections and unfortunately those kinds of sellers often care little about their forum reputation because they won't be returning after they've sold up and are obviously here to make some money. We try our best to send them to the valuations section first if they need assistance and for the most part they do go there for help but there will always be people that do it their own way and are easily swayed by more ££.

I don't think it's possible to run a sales section on any platform (FB, eBay or forums) without running into some issues. As long as most people are on the same page though things usually run quite smoothly.

 

[Mr-shifter]

Hey Paul.

I know you are an admin over at Echo. Whilst I don't entirely agree with all the rules etc over there I do understand the fundamental desire Adam has with trying to create a fairer marketplace.

It's no different over here, but this is a different place and doesn't need the policing Facebook does. Generally the forum members look after one another. I think there's a lot more anonymity on Facebook because of the size and nature of it.

It's just different rules for different places. Sales rarely go awry here, but I also know every sales rule you have on echo will have a backstory where someone got screwed over and you had to try to stop it happening again. We have called people out for underhand tactics here before, and they don't last long. If a buyer with no integrity and a seller with no integrity cross paths there's not a lot you can do about it.

 

[jayums]

Hey Paul.

I know you are an admin over at Echo. Whilst I don't entirely agree with all the rules etc over there I do understand the fundamental desire Adam has with trying to create a fairer marketplace.

It's no different over here, but this is a different place and doesn't need the policing Facebook does. Generally the forum members look after one another. I think there's a lot more anonymity on Facebook because of the size and nature of it.

It's just different rules for different places. Sales rarely go awry here, but I also know every sales rule you have on echo will have a backstory where someone got screwed over and you had to try to stop it happening again. We have called people out for underhand tactics here before, and they don't last long. If a buyer with no integrity and a seller with no integrity cross paths there's not a lot you can do about it.

^ that's the kind of intelligently written, coherent response I wish I was capable of!

There are always circumstances where sales rules are about as much use as a chocolate fireguard (that goes for this forum, facebook or the free ads in the paper).

For instance, if I had found a bunch of star wars stuff in my loft I wanted to flog to the highest bidder (which I have every right to do!), then why would I care less about echo base or forum rules, whatever they happened to be.

I could just as well sell my items that were advertised on echo base privately elsewhere, even if someone else has sent a pm first. Equally a prospective buyer could just as well send a private message on facebook to the seller on echo base with an offer, as they could here.

The culture on this forum gives me confidence that I'm treated fairly... otherwise I'd go elsewhere.

For me, uninforceable rules are pretty pointless however well intentioned they might be.

 

[Richard_H]

A good community rarely needs admins and that's what we have here. Good sellers get good feedback. Bad sellers get their asses handed to them on a plate. The buyer has to take responsibility when dealing with new sellers and no amount of cumbersome rules will protect in that situation.
I would never expect to be backdoored on this forum but if I ever was I'd never buy from the seller again. Move on, it ain't the end of the world.

 

[SAVORY100]

A good community rarely needs admins and that's what we have here. Good sellers get good feedback. Bad sellers get their asses handed to them on a plate. The buyer has to take responsibility when dealing with new sellers and no amount of cumbersome rules will protect in that situation.
I would never expect to be backdoored on this forum but if I ever was I'd never buy from the seller again. Move on, it ain't the end of the world.

^^^THIS^^^

 

[kingshearer]

If someone wants something for their collection bad enough they will offer more. if they are told they aren't first plus as everything is done in pm there is no way you or me can tell what happens!

Let's be clear most sellers have integrity but some haven't with no transparency you don't know what goes on!

I completely agree but I guess you just have to keep an eye on the sales thread, get in there as early as you can and hope for the best.
My experience on the sales thread has been very positive. I've only pm'd interest on 1 sales thread about a month back and the seller said I was third in the queue for 1 item and 5th for the another. He kept me (and the rest ) updated on queue position during the course of the day and in the end I managed to bag both items. I thought the way he conducted this was superb.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah I think I'm just used to buying on fb now kind of forgot what it's like to need to throw your hat in and hope for the best buying style.

Thanks for all the replies :wink: :wink:

 

[jedisearcher]

throw your hat in and hope for the best

Did you not read what anyone said?

You're making it sound like buying on SWFUK is some completely random process where anything goes, when many people have explained to you in this thread that it doesn't happen that way in the vast majority of cases.

You've clearly got some kind of axe to grind so why not share it with people so they know what you're actually going on about because as most rational people have stated, the sales policy on here is working just fine without the need to treat people like babies.

 

[kingshearer]

throw your hat in and hope for the best

Did you not read what anyone said?

You're making it sound like buying on SWFUK is some completely random process where anything goes, when many people have explained to you in this thread that it doesn't happen that way in the vast majority of cases.

You've clearly got some kind of axe to grind so why not share it with people so they know what you're actually going on about because as most rational people have stated, the sales policy on here is working just fine without the need to treat people like babies.

He's right though, you send a PM to the seller and hope for the best since you don't know if someone PM'd the seller before you or in some cases the seller might pick who he sells to. So you 'throw your hat in the ring and hope for the best' is a good way of putting it. I don't think he's trying grind anyone with his axe :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

no axe to grind mate just my opinion

throw your hat in and hope for the best

Did you not read what anyone said?

You're making it sound like buying on SWFUK is some completely random process where anything goes, when many people have explained to you in this thread that it doesn't happen that way in the vast majority of cases.

You've clearly got some kind of axe to grind so why not share it with people so they know what you're actually going on about because as most rational people have stated, the sales policy on here is working just fine without the need to treat people like babies.

 

[Anonymous]

so im not alone

throw your hat in and hope for the best

Did you not read what anyone said?

You're making it sound like buying on SWFUK is some completely random process where anything goes, when many people have explained to you in this thread that it doesn't happen that way in the vast majority of cases.

You've clearly got some kind of axe to grind so why not share it with people so they know what you're actually going on about because as most rational people have stated, the sales policy on here is working just fine without the need to treat people like babies.

He's right though, you send a PM to the seller and hope for the best since you don't know if someone PM'd the seller before you or in some cases the seller might pick who he sells to. So you 'throw your hat in the ring and hope for the best' is a good way of putting it. I don't think he's trying grind anyone with his axe :lol:

 

[SAVORY100]

I'm finding this thread all a bit Forum vs Facebook.. again...DO we really need to go there? Some guys like Facebook, some like Forums, some like both and some like elements (or specific forums/facebook groups) in each. For me:

FACEBOOK
I hate the whole overly officious rules and regulations on some Facebook groups.
I can also see the benefit of dibs, though I'm not a fan as I feel its flawed in many groups.
A world of experts, most of which are err... lets say, not experts turn me off.
The US groups (mainly run by Ross Barr) are the only ones I regularly frequent now; they don't generally conform to the above gripes, they're also a bit more fun and better priced than many others.

FORUMS
SWF.UK - big tick from me, in the whole time i've been on here, nothing to complain about, no rules to worry me.
Rebel Scum - huge fail from me, don't get it, tried a few times, never going to get it, decided I don't want to get it.

So, in essence I like forums... oh, no I don't like Rebel Scum, ah.. right, I must like Facebook... oh, no, I don't really spend time on the UK groups, but I do like the US groups... wait a minute... I've got it...

I have used my head and chosen to enjoy and be involved in the elements of the Forums and Facebook groups that suit me, the ones that don't suit me I don't go to, or if I do I pay a visit, keep my own council and leave. It's not rocket science, its a bit like looking at a restaurant menu and choosing to eat what I like and not trying to choose a meal for all the other folk in the same restaurant who undoubtably have different taste to me.

 

[kingshearer]

I'm finding this thread all a bit Forum vs Facebook.. again...DO we really need to go there? Some guys like Facebook, some like Forums, some like both and some like elements (or specific forums/facebook groups) in each. For me:

FACEBOOK
I hate the whole overly officious rules and regulations on some Facebook groups.
I can also see the benefit of dibs, though I'm not a fan as I feel its flawed in many groups.
A world of experts, most of which are err... lets say, not experts turn me off.
The US groups (mainly run by Ross Barr) are the only ones I regularly frequent now; they don't generally conform to the above gripes, they're also a bit more fun and better priced than many others.

FORUMS
SWF.UK - big tick from me, in the whole time i've been on here, nothing to complain about, no rules to worry me.
Rebel Scum - huge fail from me, don't get it, tried a few times, never going to get it, decided I don't want to get it.

So, in essence I like forums... oh, no I don't like Rebel Scum, ah.. right, I must like Facebook... oh, no, I don't really spend time on the UK groups, but I do like the US groups... wait a minute... I've got it...

I have used my head and chosen to enjoy and be involved in the elements of the Forums and Facebook groups that suit me, the ones that don't suit me I don't go to, or if I do I pay a visit, keep my own council and leave. It's not rocket science, its a bit like looking at a restaurant menu and choosing to eat what I like and not trying to choose a meal for all the other folk in the same restaurant who undoubtably have different taste to me.

I've never used Facebook but I do like this site (I've bought the T-shirt to prove it!)

 

[Jez]

I've never really thought about it. I think it's fine how it is.
Sometimes i send a PM, sometimes i send a PM and then say 'PM sent on XXX' sometimes i simply reply in the sales thread "I'll take the XXXX please Iain", that way there is no need for PMs.
The seller knows i'll take the item at the asking price and so does everybody else. Once in a while i'll get a reply saying that i'm 2nd or 3rd in line, so clearly some others have PM'd without saying 'PM sent' but i'm not going to get concerned about it. It's no biggie to me.
There is also a good chance that there will be pan platform sales threads; A seller might be selling the same items on both Forum and Facebook, so even if no one has commented in the sales thread the items could still be selling.
Lets not get worried about it. Just looking at the news today there are far more things worth my worry than this.

 

[skywalker]

I would be pissed off if I sent a PM for something and was told "You were first but I am selling to someone else because I know them better than you" but this has NEVER happened and I have never had a problem with any seller from this forum.

I mean if a seller wanted to do this there is no stopping them as it is there item for sale I suppose they could put in the listing that it is NOT first come first served and seller has the right to sell to who he / she likes....

 

[decipher28]

hi guys new here but did introduce myself in the intro thread

So now to participate

Don't do facebook,twitter,instagram all that nonsense don't feel the need for it.I can live without having an online social life.I have lots of friends on it but I like to resist these big multinational companies that can find out everything about a rat's arse and your past or present life from it.I think its nice to have a bit of ambiguity about yourself now-a-days.

I may miss out on the old deal here and there but really aint that fussed about it.There are plenty of places to pick up the items you want i.e ebay,forums,conventions,toy fairs,auction houses.

As for the buying/selling etiquette I think most has been said already.Really shouldn't be that complicated to workout.

I have in the past pm sellers without replying in their sales thread,as have also replied in sales thread pm sent.Really doesn't think it makes much difference a seller will see the pm regardless.

I think there is really a unspoken rule that it should be based on first come first serve basis in regard to receipt of pm in a sellers inbox not in a sales thread.That I believe makes it a level playing field for everyone and doesn't encourage cliques or mates favoritism.What will this require however is being actively proactive in seeking and responding quickly to sales threads.

I do wonder if this thread may have been bought about by the recent sales thread from sparky.Did notice a few comments there

 

[jayums]

I do wonder if this thread may have been bought about by the recent sales thread from sparky.Did notice a few comments there

Yep seems like Sparky missed the memo where it says he's not allowed to get on with his actual life because he opened a sales thread.

First world problems eh

 

[tiefighterboy]

I think that there really are no issues with the forum. I have been on here since 2008 and we self police it very well. It's a community and always has been. Anyone caught or called out is swiftly set ablaze and sent on their way. No need for rules.

 

[kingshearer]

hi guys new here but did introduce myself in the intro thread

I think there is really a unspoken rule that it should be based on first come first serve basis in regard to receipt of pm in a sellers inbox not in a sales thread.That I believe makes it a level playing field for everyone and doesn't encourage cliques or mates favoritism.What will this require however is being actively proactive in seeking and responding quickly to sales threads.

Bang on, yer we need to avoid the dreaded cliques - I see enough of that at work.

I do wonder if this thread may have been bought about by the recent sales thread from sparky.Did notice a few comments there

Yep seems like Sparky missed the memo where it says he's not allowed to get on with his actual life because he opened a sales thread.

First world problems eh

Not sure what first world problems has to do with this.
I've just had a look at this sales thread you refer to and I can see why there could be some confusion and frustration the guy didn't list prices for everything and was away most of the day. If I had a sales thread I would make sure I'd list it when I know I'm not going to be up to much and able to proactively respond to requests etc like decipher28 has said above.

 

[Andyclarke]

On my sales threads it is simply first come first serve and I take note of both PMs and topic replies. I have notifications set on both so I can be completely fair. Generally most sales will be made in the first few hours of listing so I try and clear the decks and be ready to answer emails as I think that's good customer service and as a collector myself I appreciate we're all keen to get an answer as soon as possible.
I reply to people straight away and update the thread as quickly and as often as possible.
Please note: I have never had a buyer back out once I've marked as pending. I'm sure it will happen I just don't want people to get their hopes up unnecessarily. If it did it would go to the next person to make contact and so on.
Occasionally I have done deals outside the threads but generally these would be for duplicates of the ones I have listed in slightly worse condition.