No replies unless pertinent to ad

[Justanoldguy]

what about no reply at all? except the seller themselves. keep all the chat to PM's.

That would be my solution as well.
Simple and effective and everyone gets treated the same.

PM works just fine for me.

I often use the "new post" function and at times, nearly post in a thread, then realize it's a WTB or WTS. Easy enough to do when you caught up in the moment. Only the OP posting would stop that too.

 

[nolatoolguy]

How would you feel if you was selling a tool and someone posted in your classified that the tool was Junk and not capable of being used everyday? Its common sense, The classified section is not the place to debate a tools worth or your opinion of it. The rules are FINE, If you dont have any interest in the item, Move on. Its the people who like to throw there judgement around on a tools value that get us to the point where we have to have special rules because they lack common sense.

How would you feel if you bought a tool that was of poor quality? You are now stuck with a tool and you pretty much waster your moeny on.


It can alos help by saying that that tool is good. Its a 50/50 if its good its a good tool you will get good feedback, if its a bad tool youle get bad feedback.

 

[Hiball]

How would you feel if you bought a tool that was of poor quality? You are now stuck with a tool and you pretty much waster your moeny on.


It can alos help by saying that that tool is good. Its a 50/50 if its good its a good tool you will get good feedback, if its a bad tool youle get bad feedback.

Ok.. Stop.. Think... Listen... This is a Classifieds section, Not the General Discussion forum on Tools if you want to voice your opinion on a specific tool or brand, Do it in the General Tool section. Question...When see a tool for sale in your local trader or in the Newspaper do you list a add telling would be buyers that the tool is poor quality, so dont "waster your moeny on" it? What if i was a anti Ford guy and you tried to sell your truck here in the classifieds and i jumped in with both feet claiming that Fords are JUNK, Buy Chevy's. Does that sound like a good idea to you? I would say that 99% of the people buying here at GJ, Know exactly the what Tools are everday tools and which ones are better suited for Weekend warriors. Your actions and comments are exactly why we have to have rules like this, Its because people think they know everything about a tool and its limitiations. If i followed the some of the opinions on this board i would have never got anything done early in life. Im not scared to admit when times were tough i swung Import tools, Amazingly the jobs still got done.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Ok.. Stop.. Think... Listen... This is a Classifieds section, Not the General Discussion forum on Tools if you want to voice your opinion on a specific tool or brand, Do it in the General Tool section. Question...When see a tool for sale in your local trader or in the Newspaper do you list a add telling would be buyers that the tool is poor quality, so dont "waster your moeny on" it? What if i was a anti Ford guy and you tried to sell your truck here in the classifieds and i jumped in with both feet claiming that Fords are JUNK, Buy Chevy's. Does that sound like a good idea to you? I would say that 99% of the people buying here at GJ, Know exactly the what Tools are everday tools and which ones are better suited for Weekend warriors. Your actions and comments are exactly why we have to have rules like this, Its because people think they know everything about a tool and its limitiations. If i followed the some of the opinions on this board i would have never got anything done early in life. Im not scared to admit when times were tough i swung Import tools, Amazingly the jobs still got done.

"waster your moeny on"



Good one...

 

[Bull]

I stand by my belief that, overall, the Classified section works pretty well here.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

How about a requirement that, at a minimum, anyone that wants to sell something in classifieds put at least the state they're in?! It's frustrating as a possible buyer to have to ask the seller this basic info.

 

[Justanoldguy]

It's frustrating as a possible buyer to have to ask the seller this basic info.

A PM takes less than 30 seconds..

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

A PM takes less than 30 seconds..

Even easier when the seller puts his location on his profile...then there's no need for people PM'ing him asking where he is. It's a no-brainer that some still haven't grasped.

 

[Bull]

How about a requirement that, at a minimum, anyone that wants to sell something in classifieds put at least the state they're in?! It's frustrating as a possible buyer to have to ask the seller this basic info.

I agree with this.

 

[Vinko]

I think it was the right thing to do. There is nothing wrong with mentioning that it is available cheaper without insulting the seller. Facts are facts

I agree with this because if this forum is supposed to be informational and helpful to its members, then this type of heads up only complements that sort of info and help.

I've seen more than a few times where a guy is selling something and you can get it new for cheaper on a place like Epsteins, etc.

If I'm the seller and that happened to me, well, I would actually be glad someone let me know what I was up against selling wise, and I would lower my price as a result.

I think it'd be interesting to have a free-for-all in the classifieds where you could call a seller out: "hey you greedy *******!", "you've got to be kidding! 80% of retail for that rusty old worn-out Snap On tool!" "Hey, don't buy that over-priced hunk of metal for $20 -- you can find the same thing, new in packaging at Epsteins for $22 shipped!". "Hey, there's 32 other deluded bastards selling an SAE set of OEX snappy wrenches with grind marks and engravings for $150. You ask why no one's interested? Try getting a clue!";

 

[fxt]

what about the sellers updating their thread, such as if an item is sold or not.

 

[woody 73]

what about the sellers updating their thread, such as if an item is sold or not.

That is a fantastic idea it sure would help this old geezer (me) from sending a pm and asking if the tool is sold. I feel kind of stupid when the person selling the tools comes back and yells haven't you been looking at what has been sold?

Speaking of being old my eyesight is not the best when guys post several pictures of tools I get confused; a few pictures well marked catch my eyes and those are the ones I respond to.

Sorry just my two cents...

 

[tool whore]

Some of the posts (for sale) are months old and have multiple pictures and multiple *SOLDs next to items. Would it be too much to ask that if you are selling tons of items, to retake the photos once a month and delete what is gone?

It is (in my mind) retarded to look at a post and see that a screwdriver was sold 6 months ago (even though it is marked as sold), but still listed in the post. It's a PITA to follow as some of the old guys have already mentioned. It creates a bottleneck of pm's that are unnecessary and wastes alot of time and bandwidth.

Since the most recent post in this thread is over 2+ months old and my morning stroll through the classifieds still show my complaint alive and doing well, I suspect this will take more than self-discipline to get done.

What if CL were like this? Would anyone use it? Would it be as effective?

I'd like to see just the post (OP) and pm sent on item 'x' and that's it. It would be so much faster and more effective. If there were a particular seller overpricing items, there are ways to deal with that elsewhere. My .02.

 

[eborcim]

I would say stuff for sale over six months old should be deleted and also three month old stuff with no replies.

 

[midnightcruise]

I do like having a history of items that have sold to see what a fair price for an item is. 6 months would be a good expiration time, but 3 months is a bit short to me... just my $0.02

 

[johnnybentwrench]

I do not understand what is going on here?

 

[Bull]

You guys know how much work it would be for us to keep culling old threads after a certain amount of time, deleting them, asking OPs to retake pics to eliminate sold items from showing etc.?

I've been using the classifieds here for a long time, and haven't found this stuff to be a problem.

If I list fifteen items for sale, and they sell piecemeal over a period of weeks, I'm supposed to keep retaking, hosting, then linking new photos just so someone doesn't have to see an item marked "SOLD"?

 

[eborcim]

You guys know how much work it would be for us to keep culling old threads after a certain amount of time, deleting them, asking OPs to retake pics to eliminate sold items from showing etc.?

I've been using the classifieds here for a long time, and haven't found this stuff to be a problem.

If I list fifteen items for sale, and they sell piecemeal over a period of weeks, I'm supposed to keep retaking, hosting, then linking new photos just so someone doesn't have to see an item marked "SOLD"?

Bull, Updating pics should be up to the OP, not mods. I just offered a suggestion to cleaning up the bandwidth footprint...I would think an expiry date could be put on the post at its inception by the software. Ads that don't have posts after three months to me are taking up space which the owner is paying for. I don't want mods to be going through spending time deleting old stuff either.

 

[Bull]

As for the pics issue, I was talking as a seller and not a mod. I sell lots of stuff at once, usually. It's hard enough for me to find the time to arrange all the items, take pics, upload them to my computer, host them, then insert them here in the first place. I don't want to have to retake pics every time a few items sell just to save other people from looking at them. What I do is let the thread sink to the bottom after a few "bumps", then take the unsold tools and combine them with new stuff in a future post.

Ryan would know about expiration dates placed by the software. But, some guys on here have, even recently, mentioned that they find old for sale threads useful as they help them price their own items.

But, if some of this stuff can be done automatically and the members seem to want it, then I'd be ok with it.

Bull, Updating pics should be up to the OP, not mods. I just offered a suggestion to cleaning up the bandwidth footprint...I would think an expiry date could be put on the post at its inception by the software. Ads that don't have posts after three months to me are taking up space which the owner is paying for. I don't want mods to be going through spending time deleting old stuff either.

 

[tool whore]

As for the pics issue, I was talking as a seller and not a mod. I sell lots of stuff at once, usually. It's hard enough for me to find the time to arrange all the items, take pics, upload them to my computer, host them, then insert them here in the first place. I don't want to have to retake pics every time a few items sell just to save other people from looking at them. What I do is let the thread sink to the bottom after a few "bumps", then take the unsold tools and combine them with new stuff in a future post.

My post wasnt about you in particular, but...

If you dont have time to take pics maybe you shouldnt be selling. I'm just sayin'. You have to service your ads if you are going to be a seller. It's polite and its responsible. Not doing so is being irresponsible, so find the time.

I wasnt singling you out. I have never seen an issue with your ads, but in a few others they are a PITA to read and cull through what is still available or not. For instance, at the beginning (post#1) there is a picture of 50 items (screwdrivers, sockets, lint balls, whatever) and down on post 39, lint ball SOLD, post 69 "hey fella, you still got that lint ball? hows about .25 cents and you ship it to 12345 anytown, usa. Post 77, lint ball sold, sorry. Then I come along after work and see the picture in post 1 and decide I'd really like that lint ball. I gotta read 79 posts to find out, SORRY pal, already sold it.

That is retarded. Normally, I dont do alot of retarded stuff for lack of time. When I want a tool, I seem to find the time to do retarded stuff. Once I realize I did alot of retarded reading for no reason it scratches my ****.

What I and other might have been suggesting is 'seller responsibility'. Some already do it, but not all. They post sold on post 1 and not 77. Makes it alot easier to read and buy. I like SOLD in RED but not everyone has caught on. If it were a rule, the forum could help to moderate that. You shouldnt have to unless it is a repeat offender. Also, selling a couple of old tools you dont need is one thing, but some are running businesses on here and for free, so I dont think asking for clarity would be putting them out that much. You mention not having the time. If you have the time to run a business, you have the time to manage it, period.

This shouldnt be offensive to anyone, these are just suggestions. I've taken the time to write them based on my experiences in the classifieds. I waste alot of time here as do others. Please and THANKS!

 

[Bull]

I'm not offended. I've been here since 2005. I have sold a lot (a lot) of tools on here. I find time to take pictures, once for each listing. That's enough. Maybe you need to find the time to read through the ads to see what has sold and what hasn't. From my perspective, my time is just as valuable as your time. So, if you don't want to waste yours reading through my ad, consider that I don't want to waste mine taking new photos every time something sells to save you a few seconds. The logic there doesn't work for me.

But if other people want to do it, that's their business.

My post wasnt about you in particular, but...

If you dont have time to take pics maybe you shouldnt be selling. I'm just sayin'. You have to service your ads if you are going to be a seller. It's polite and its responsible. Not doing so is being irresponsible, so find the time.

I wasnt singling you out. I have never seen an issue with your ads, but in a few others they are a PITA to read and cull through what is still available or not. For instance, at the beginning (post#1) there is a picture of 50 items (screwdrivers, sockets, lint balls, whatever) and down on post 39, lint ball SOLD, post 69 "hey fella, you still got that lint ball? hows about .25 cents and you ship it to 12345 anytown, usa. Post 77, lint ball sold, sorry. Then I come along after work and see the picture in post 1 and decide I'd really like that lint ball. I gotta read 79 posts to find out, SORRY pal, already sold it.

That is retarded. Normally, I dont do alot of retarded stuff for lack of time. When I want a tool, I seem to find the time to do retarded stuff. Once I realize I did alot of retarded reading for no reason it scratches my ****.

What I and other might have been suggesting is 'seller responsibility'. Some already do it, but not all. They post sold on post 1 and not 77. Makes it alot easier to read and buy. I like SOLD in RED but not everyone has caught on. If it were a rule, the forum could help to moderate that. You shouldnt have to unless it is a repeat offender. Also, selling a couple of old tools you dont need is one thing, but some are running businesses on here and for free, so I dont think asking for clarity would be putting them out that much. You mention not having the time. If you have the time to run a business, you have the time to manage it, period.

This shouldnt be offensive to anyone, these are just suggestions. I've taken the time to write them based on my experiences in the classifieds. I waste alot of time here as do others. Please and THANKS!

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Just for the record, I think the classified sections works very well as is.

 

[wrenchr]

Just for the record, I think the classified sections works very well as is.

Agreed

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Just for the record, I think the classified sections works very well as is.

I don't know...I think it should be a requirement that the sellers post pictures of their tools in use so the potential buyers will know they work!

 

[Rickster]

Where to start... I think the classifieds are run great.

There are a few negative posts that show up but usually someone reminds them that isn't allowed.

Posting everything in one ad is good when possible. But somtimes you may have a couple sets of sockets, and some measuring tools and some vintage tools. All three appeal to a different buyer. I think if you're posting one of each then a single post is fine but if multiples of each then maybe an etra post or two is warrented.

Someone posts "wish that was in metric" is a great post. Tells other sellers that this guy is looking for a metic set and you can follow up with a PM offer.

Just because you don't get a response doesn't always mean it's priced wrong. I've had a lot of stuff not get an offer and go on to sell for the same price later. The right guy who was looking for that particular tool just didn't see it before and mixed in a later post of for sale stuff it may sell. What looks bad is the OP post of "What, nobody interested".

I love the WTB posts. If you have some extra tools it's a great way to make a few extra dollars.

 

[Bull]

Just for the record, I think the classified sections works very well as is.

Absolutely, my sentiments exactly.

 

[tool whore]

I'm not offended. I've been here since 2005. I have sold a lot (a lot) of tools on here. I find time to take pictures, once for each listing. That's enough. Maybe you need to find the time to read through the ads to see what has sold and what hasn't. From my perspective, my time is just as valuable as your time. So, if you don't want to waste yours reading through my ad, consider that I don't want to waste mine taking new photos every time something sells to save you a few seconds. The logic there doesn't work for me.

But if other people want to do it, that's their business.

I am a very logical person so I can relate. However, a few seconds is an understatement. I spend hours reading useless posts. Useless because there is NO info contained and the little info could be placed in POST 1. So I think you missed the TOTAL in the logic. The total is large not small. I think you could see this if you think it through, not say my perspective, but hundreds of other members perspective. You wouldnt want everyone to skip your ad, would you? If that were the case (and I dont think it is) no one would buy your stuff which would make your time wasted and you dont have alot to waste. You see that logic, right?

Somehow this went from "No replies unless pertinent to ad" to a ******* match. I apologize for getting off the original topic. I was thinking 'suggestions' and it has been mentioned in other places that updating the first post is a GREAT idea and also very easy for the OP (seller). It also speeds up the forum. Sorry you are short on time.

However, I never said, wrote or implied that you should retake the photo every time something sells to save me any time. High horse? You must have heard that somewhere else and it got under your skin, but I havent read it and it wasn't from me. I did suggest retaking the photos where there are ALOT of things in them and I think I said 'monthly' or the like (if alot of stuff had sold). It wasnt any type of hard and fast suggestion, just an idea rather.

Since you mentioned you cull what hasn't sold and republish into a newer thread it sounds as though you HAVE found a way to handle the issue. It is an issue! You are hereby exempt from my suggestion. Glad you were not offended, but you sound hostile with the 'go somewher else attitude'. I get that you are a moderator and as I mentioned I never had a problem with your ad. You stated you handled it in a sufficient way. I appreciate that. Others dont do so well and that's what I was referring to. The attitude wont help anything here. I also mentioned no names but somehow you made yourself a target with the defense. Delete the post if you dont like what you are reading. You certainly have time for that!

I like the forums. I havent been here a long time. I have purchased form the forums here as well as bought and sold on alot of others. I dont do it as a business but appreciate that others do. I am also not the only one to have a suggestion or a complaint. In the past there were alot of non-pertinent posts and some 'didnt mind them' others did. Now those posts are not allowed. While some were full of info and/or funny, the forum IS better NOW. I think there is room for improvement to make the forum better, not to just save me time or to cost another more hassle. Some ads are real easy to go through others are a PITA. Id just like to help the PITAs get better through policy rather than bitching. That is/was my goal here.

Since you mentioned it I'll ask about it. When YOU republish with the leftovers, do you remove the original ad? If yes, great IMO, if not, why not?
I see a few people with the same stuff in multiple ads and it is confusing when the quantity is 1 but they have it listed twice. Do you or anyone else see this as an issue?? Curious. If we or (I) need to take this to another thread please advise, I'd really like to know what the thoughts are on these.

 

[tool whore]

I really like how this guy does his ad.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80154

It's super easy to read, understand and I suspect manage (for those of you short on time)! I noticed he removes the pics of sold items. Speeds up thread loading, reduces bandwidth (saves the forum $), and still allows the research a few have said they like. The description and price is still posted. Awesome job. If I were looking for a template, this is it.
---------------------------------------------

Similar but not as clean. Harder to figure what is sold as they are not ALL in the first post. Also, what is in the first post is not organized like the first. Not a slam on that seller, it is pretty nice, but not as nice.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80048

I'm thinking optimum efficiency. I've got some time, clearly, but I know a few who dont!
---------------------------------------------------------

Some are not nearly as good as these two so I wont post those. These are what I would expect from the garagejournal.com classifieds.

 

[back2class]

I have to say I hate when I see something listed here for more $$$ than new, or way overpriced. It does more harm to here than a few comments. I don't know if I can stand by and watch a member get taken like that here as I sometimes do see happen. Hey, but it's not my site so oh well.

 

[Boiler]

I really like how this guy does his ad.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80154

It's super easy to read, understand and I suspect manage (for those of you short on time)! I noticed he removes the pics of sold items. Speeds up thread loading, reduces bandwidth (saves the forum $), and still allows the research a few have said they like. The description and price is still posted. Awesome job. If I were looking for a template, this is it.

What a treat to get to the end of this thread, ready to post, and see this! Thanks.

As a recent regular seller I'd like to give my 2 cents. I think this classified section is great. Lots of action and buyers and seller, and its easy to deal with. I'd like to see as few new regulations as possible. Leave it up to the OP. If they want to take the time to make it nice, they will, if not, they'll sell less. It took me about 4-5 hours to make my listing. Sounds crazy but I organized the items, wrote down descriptions, weighed them, photo'd them, cropped the photos, and THEN started putting it in GJ. Its a lot of work but worth it. Do I expect everyone to do this? No way. But if you have a lot of items, it really helps to be on top of things if you have it organized well.

I've found what works for me. It may not be the way for others. When someone says "I'll take xyz" I mark that item with a red "pending payment". When I see money in paypal I remove the price and photo, and mark it sold in red bold. Then I copy the entry, delete it, and paste it at the end. That way people don't have to wade through a sea of sold items to find the available ones. Some people don't like that I remove the price, but I need the characters freed up so that I can add more items, mark things as sold or pending payment, etc. I frequently meet the max characters for a post and need to trim it slightly. Also I typically update my threads every couple hours if needed.

I get a lot of PM's asking if stuff is still available anyway. So I was posting that the thread was up to date every time I updated it. Well the mods got on me for bumping it. I can handle their point of view, but I know after the first day of activity a relatively full thread can die off while containing lots of good deals still. Personally I think a daily bump for an active thread isn't unreasonable. If you're selling one wrench and you bump it every day with no replies, that is a little annoying. With my current sale I sold about 20 items in the first two days, got in trouble, and now I've sold about 5 items in a week since. Just my opinion though, I'll live with whatever the owner / mods want here.

Bottom line if you want to sell well, make the thread as easy as possible to navigate. Keep cleaning it up. If you shop on one of my threads, you don't really need to read the whole thread, just the original post and maybe the posts in the last 12 hours (accounting for me being asleep...).

As far as banter goes it can be a problem. I have found that items sell better when there aren't 3-4 pages of posts. The faster you hit 2 pages, the sooner your sale cools off. I welcome all comments after the sale (if thats ok by the rules) and am comfortable with the odds that they'll be positive. I do however like the feedback thread that one guy has and I plan to start one of my own, and link to it at the begining of each sale.

I just hope we keep the rules to a minumum, keep the section free, and allow people to trade freely. It is really a great thing IMO and brings activity to the site.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Bottom line is this....as long as the vast majority of buyers and sellers don't have a problem with the way the Classifieds are now, they'll stay the same. As they should.

 

[Bull]

Bottom line is this....as long as the vast majority of buyers and sellers don't have a problem with the way the Classifieds are now, they'll stay the same. As they should.

Correct.

As for Tool *****, you lost my interest in discussing this with you somewhere around the "high horse" or "hostile" or "go somewhere else" portions of your last reply.

I'm just one mod among several. Changes don't have to go through me, anyway.

 

[Flash21]

Just for the record, I think the classified sections works very well as is.

Agreed - I very much enjoy buying and selling here.

When there are issues, I think most of the time it is because the seller doesn't manage the ad very well.

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

On a different note, how do you all feel about businesses creating advertisements in the classified section? I am of the opinion that it is a bad thing since this place is such a nice ad-free oasis.

 

[mhm993]

I agree with Banjo re business ads masquerading as classifieds.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

On a different note, how do you all feel about businesses creating advertisements in the classified section? I am of the opinion that it is a bad thing since this place is such a nice ad-free oasis.

I think it's spam and needs to be reported immediately.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

rules are rules. I think it ***** when guys start bashing someone. especially if they are new to the forum. Rememebr the old saying " if you do not have anything nice to say, Shut the F up"

I would throw anyone off who used curse words, There is honestly no need for it, but I am an indian here not the chief.

 

[JohnFreeman]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it...."

My .02.

There's a lot of fine folks here and it seems to run quite nicely as is.

 

[kc-steve]

Even easier when the seller puts his location on his profile...then there's no need for people PM'ing him asking where he is. It's a no-brainer that some still haven't grasped.

He-he, yes there are people who still think they are anonymous on the Internet. That can be the only possible explanation I can think of as to why people don't show their location. It's funny to me, but Bull and the moderators have access to all our IP numbers and can trace us back to our computers if necessary.

It's sort of like locks, they keep honest people honest is all. Maybe if people realized they are NOT anonymous then maybe the flaming would be far less.

Steve

 

[JPRACING]

It is working 100% in my eyes