Classified section on this forum

[fordbroncodave]

Is it just me or has our classified section on this forum lost its edge? I haven't found anything to on my list in months. Last year it was like money going out like once a week and money coming in every other week, I was doing business on there ******** but I just can't buy anything anymore.

I know garage sale season is here right now and things should start turning up but still, I feel its not as great as it was

 

[purplezr2]

basically feel the same

 

[Outlawmws]

I do far more trading than selling here.

 

[ganymede]

I've seen a few things I'd like to buy but from people who only take pay pal.
So, no go.

 

[zkling]

I personally feel that quite a few of the items are over priced, especially when you add shipping on top of it. We all love to get great deals at garage sales and the like, so it does seem a bit ironic. It also seems that it is more for the collector or someone looking to finish off a specific set, than it is for someone that needs some quality tools at discount prices.

I have seen things bumped for months at a time. You would think that would be a clue to the seller that their price is a bit much for the majority.

Personally I am not a professional mechanic or someone that collects tools. Just someone whoenjoys working with quality tools that I need on a regular basis to fix things around the house, my car, mom's car, friends stuff, etc.

On the other hand I just recently purchased a large lot of stuff from a member on here at a fantastic price, great quality stuff almost all of which I really needed. And I must mention that all of the transactions (few sales, few trades, few purchases) I have had with the members have been extremely positive and warm. None of the typical craigslist BS.

 

[cburnscrx]

I guess to me, the listings with 1000 things on them are annoying and it takes too long to find things I am interested in, so I just quit looking.

As an example, I am looking for old SK screwdrivers, and the search says SK is too short, so it gives me any listing with a screwdriver. Yea, sort through that. 702 wrenches and sockets...and 1 screwdriver listed on the bottom.

 

[fordbroncodave]

Yes I agree to that, everyone on here that buys/sells/trades is very welcoming and upfront in a good manor. I have had good luck in all 3 of those, I am not trying to make serious money doing this, I just buy stuff cheap somewhere and list it on here for a few bucks ( truck brand tools mainly)

the ongoing trend in the classifieds is all the snap on promo buy this get that free deals that people split up and try making money on. I do not like this. I do not take advantage of those who do not have a dealer to get in on the deals. I would sell for cost and shipping expenses.


What goes around comes around I like to believe. I help others out and think that someone will help me when the time comes.

 

[woody 73]

I liked the old days now I get confused somewhat as to what is still for sale, most people want the pay-pal method and I just kind of gave up looking.

 

[Holt]

I seem to see a lot of member with only 1 or 2 post selling on there. Not really a big deal just some come on here to make money. If its cheap and I need it I'm ok with buying it. This is just something I noticed.

 

[pipsters]

I've been seeing some hot deals priced well above their buy price in there too, that should be flagged.

 

[OHMS LAW]

What's up with people just posting wtb with a part number? Seems discourteous.

 

[G_P]

Since the classifieds went to PM only I think it *****. I did find an SK wrench to finish off a set I got from a pawnshop though. Transaction went great and I got a good tool at a good price.

Sent from my C5120 using Tapatalk 2

 

[fordbroncodave]

What are your thoughts if the classifieds was broken into 3 sections;

used cheap tools
new tools at reasonable prices
misc garage sale type stuff (NO NEW ITEMS or STORES SELLING)

 

[Holt]

People need to post pictures too. Not stock pictures either or just part numbers please.

 

[Skin]

Since the classifieds went to PM only I think it *****.

Disagree. I've made a couple for sale threads so far and am fine with the amount of interest. The old version was completely broken. People would bump their own threads multiple times a day responding to questions and other members would turn sale threads into conversations looking for specifics. It was asked, repeatedly, to keep simple questions to PMs. A lot of people didn't do that hence the changes. Considering most people probably weren't going to look through more than 1-2 pages worth of classified history, that system simply does not work as far as equality for all goes. Now its a fair shot for everyone.

Most importantly its fee free so I can happily discount my items that much more before i'd resort to ebay (15% off the top) and i'm absolutely fine with that. I'll keep selling and buying what I can here because its just plain easier and its far more personable as opposed to "my automatic paypal delivery schedule thingy said I should have my package in two days, where is it! here have some negative feedback, now give me my item! Oh I don't like this color, here have a brick in a box back instead and i'll take my refund"

 

[HaroRider]

When I first got on here I bought a few things, but now I dont see much that interest me. Then again it could be because I have so much more now

 

[Justanoldguy]

The Classified section is NOT the focus of this site.
It is an added extra and is not worth whinging about.
I'd be just as happy if it disappeared completely.

 

[Fordman7795]

What's up with people just posting wtb with a part number? Seems discourteous.

Yeah that is dumb. One just came up with a "Wtb cornwell jr72". Hey buddy id like to help ya out but if you cant even tell me what a jr72 is, im not gonna bother

 

[stratman977]

Yeah that is dumb. One just came up with a "Wtb cornwell jr72". Hey buddy id like to help ya out but if you cant even tell me what a jr72 is, im not gonna bother

Thats my add, I'm guilty. It's one of those things that if you have one you know what it is. I will go back and add a description.

 

[vlpronj]

How about guys selling things for $20 that are available for free with an online request? That guy's been bumping his listings again and again.

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

I've given up. Not a big fan of giving my stuff away for free.
Hell they expect you to lose money. "I'll give you $5." Well it will cost $7 to ship. "Okay then I'll give $6."

 

[ianguilly]

I still like the classifieds, I buy from a couple times a month.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

I think the prices on the classifieds section are very good. I don't care if the seller gets the tools in a deal with his truck guy.

 

[ephotrod]

There is a definite slow down in the classifieds. I try to price things fairly but sometimes whats fair for one isn't fair for the next person. I do my best to take good photos of what i'm selling and give a accurate description but to no avail. I buy and sell to finish sets or just to pass on a good deal I came across but its getting harder.
Josh

 

[Packard V8]

Rust never sleeps and entropy is inexorable. I asked one member why he posted "WTB" in the Classified instead of the Wanted section. He said, "More people look there, so I'll be more likely to get a hit."

So, bottom line for most selllers, prospective and wanters, it's all about them. Without some rules, monitoring, updating as mores change, any forum degenerates to the point no one uses it any more. Overall, GJ has a reasonable balance of freedom/regulation.

jack vines

 

[sk farmer]

Since the classifieds went to PM only I think it *****. I did find an SK wrench to finish off a set I got from a pawnshop though. Transaction went great and I got a good tool at a good price.

Sent from my C5120 using Tapatalk 2

^^^^this. i still cruise the ads from time to time but not being able to publicly respond to and ad has most definately slowed the activity. i have not made a purchase from here in a long time. not for lack of interest but lack of availabality. i have wanted to buy bonney made v-cut wrenches, proto pebble line wrenches and quite a few other things. no luck.

bring back being able to respond and thing will pick up, but maybe not as the action has already been killed.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I've given up. Not a big fan of giving my stuff away for free.
Hell they expect you to lose money. "I'll give you $5." Well it will cost $7 to ship. "Okay then I'll give $6."

Same here... even with fees (both eBay and PayPal, I usually make out WAY better over there)...doesnt seem to be much interest on the buying side over here. Unless your selling brand new SnapOn Dual 80 Ratchets for 7.99 each.
I think I've only ever successfully sold one item here...and as mentioned, the experience was A+++, same with the buying side. Eventually I told myself "Why Bother"

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

"What are your thoughts if the classifieds was broken into 3 sections;"

I'd like to see a split with new tools in a separate category...there are lots of them, stuff readily available through normal channels, that I think belong in their own place.
Vintage stuff (most of what I'm chasing) is a separate game, with people looking for things that are not readily available on main street.

 

[Toolhorder]

I don't sell anything here. I spend time listing everything with details, post pictures and post reasonable prices and I get low balled, my ad disappears because of multiple "bumpers" that bump their ads every 15 mins. and in general it's just NOT worth the time. I can list the same tools on Ebay and have them sold in 7 days and it's over and done with. Probably make more $$ at that.

 

[Subyroo651]

What are your thoughts if the classifieds was broken into 3 sections;

"What are your thoughts if the classifieds was broken into 3 sections;"

I'd like to see a split with new tools in a separate category...there are lots of them, stuff readily available through normal channels, that I think belong in their own place.
Vintage stuff (most of what I'm chasing) is a separate game, with people looking for things that are not readily available on main street.

I would agree with this 300%

I am hesitant to even look anymore, for two reasons. One being that you can no longer reply (which some folks like) and the big one is that when I m looking, I m looking for new or current generation tools.

Now, I have nothing against the old tool collectors etc.. But I do think it should be a separate area. It'll save me from sorting through pages of rusty single sockets and someones estate barn finds. It will work likewise for those looking to find old tools as it will sort out the new stuff.

 

[STGFordCrazy04]

I've had some luck with the classifieds but not a lot and absolutely zero from my want list. I've also had a couple posts deleted because I listed the price as best reasonable offer including shipping. I didn't care what I got for those items as long as shipping was paid.

As far as buying goes its hit and miss. I've got some great deals here but I've also passed on used items with an asking price higher than new off the truck after discount.


I don't post much but I do read several hours a day.

 

[sk farmer]

apparently it is ok to use for check for interest in real estate if the price is "to be determined"

either it is for sale and you have a price in mind or it isn't........ wtf


the want ads are screwed up.

 

[biscuit141]

For those that don't like PayPal what's your preferred Method of Payment? I also say Paypal preferred because it is fast and easy and as the seller I don't mind taking the 3% hit to get payment quickly. But I am open to other options I am just curious what others would prefer instead of PayPal? Certified check? Cash in an envelope?

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

I find it of bad taste when people push for "gift" paypal transaction. Pay up the fees dudes. You're using a service. Man up.

 

[fordbroncodave]

I am against paypal, I handle my money the way I want to, not a company to do it for me.

money order or cash is how I roll, almost as if you were really at a garage sale.

as said above, the new tools need to be separated from the old tools.

I hate seeing a thread for snap on and all it is is new socket sets, new extensions, new ratchets. most of the time they are bundled pairs off the truck that were bought at a very good price. flooding the market with "common" tools is getting annoying especially since I come here to get used worn etched tools to fill sets or create sets.


does someone want a moderator to divide the sale section?

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Not you

 

[kc-steve]

I think part of the problem might also be the economy.

PayPal is supposed to be a convenience and I use it regularly. Some people think the dollar is worthless so they started their own "digital" currency called a "BitCoin." But it isn't backed with anything either so when their network was attacked (DDoS), everyone started selling their "bitcoins" at lower prices. People will never learn I guess.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin

Steve

 

[jeffmoss26]

I do a fair amount of trading also, mostly with the guys in the garage sale thread. I like to think we look for what we know others might want.

On Sunday I posted that I was looking for a particular style of Channellock pliers, long discontinued, in the WTB section. Very shortly after, I got a PM from a member who had exactly what I needed, NEW, for a reasonable price. I've always gotten good deals on the classified section. If I do not like the price someone has an item listed for, I just skip right over. I will say that it does irk me when people join JUST to post on classifieds, or buy a bunch of stuff straight from the truck JUST to make a profit.

JM

 

[nahudson]

I think part of the problem may be the expectation of the classified section. I believe overall most feel like it should be the "Great Deal Section" and not just a normal classified section. In reality is it just a classified section, if you like it you buy it, if not you don't. Just like the classifieds in the paper or craigslist.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Agreed.