Tool ads, hiding brands

[Hal]

Is it just me, or do people intentionally obscure the brand marks on tools advertised on craigslist and such? Or is it just poor photography? Unless the ad actually says "Snap-on" or another brand, when you look at the photos, and everything is turned so that the brand doesn't show, or the picture is blurred just enough so you can't read it.

Sometimes I can identify things, especially wrenches, by the shape, or one is turned enough that I can partially make out a name.

I would be more likely to answer an ad if it actually said Harbor Freight, or something.

 

[rburke65]

I think it’s lazy people. I see ads for riding mowers and the sellers don’t even hose off the mud from the mower or blow the dead grass from the deck. I’m shocked that they sell anything

 

[PugetDude]

You can be assured that if it's a red tool, it will be almost always be "rare, collectible" well-described and priced accordingly.

 

[CJM8515]

Its just laziness. I am usually in the market for ATV's and Dirt bikes. 80% of ad's dont even hose the mud off

 

[Hal]

And tires, don't make me guess at the size.

 

[like2wheel]

And tires, don't make me guess at the size.

Yes.

Any item that size matters, it should be required to be in the title.
Especially frustrating when it's not even in the description

 

[ScottsGT]

I look at CL ads and think the same thing. Sometimes I wonder if I should buy the item, clean it up and repost at 2X the price. Out of focus pics, dirty items, wrong photos. Gotta wonder sometimes.

 

[Bendibal]

The sellers who advertise brand are the flippers, or people who care. As mentioned, most just don't care.

Tires bug me because they never show the DOT so I can see that the "lot's of tread left" tire is actually 12 years old.

I love car parts that just say, "brand new rotors" "transmission".

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

And tires, don't make me guess at the size.

I'll go one better-
Wife advertised a piece of furniture on one of those "other" sites- full description, pictures, dimensions, etc.

She gets a response from a person interested in buying it. Wants to know "will it fit in my car?" That was the question!!! Are you F'ing kidding me!? Like she knows what you drive!!! I told my wife I wouldn't even bother responding- dumbasses!!!!

 

[bad_idea]

CL is the place people go to unload their **** and other people go to buy stuff cheap. It amuses me that sellers are amazed that people low ball and buyers are surprised sellers are lazy. That's half the fun of CL. If you want good descriptions of goods, expect to pay top dollar. Sorting through the **** is how you find the deals on good stuff.

 

[MShaw]

And search flebay by description ans see the bs. I recently searched for a model A ford carburetor and one hit was a holly four barrel double pumper and the ad said "fits model a ford". Yeah, right!!!!

 

[bad_idea]

I recently did some welding for a guy on his 1928 Model A. It had a SBC in it. Bet that holley four barrel would fit it.

 

[ScottsGT]

And search flebay by description ans see the bs. I recently searched for a model A ford carburetor and one hit was a holly four barrel double pumper and the ad said "fits model a ford". Yeah, right!!!!

Got on ad in my local CL right now for a Holly DP and in the pic it's obviously a vac secondary. It is a dual feed though.

Got another ad the guy finally updated with a Delta floor model drill press. First ad had a close up of the work table and that's it. Problem is, its a 20 yo Delta and I can go to Northern Tools and buy a Klutch with the same specs for $50 less.
He claims its made in the USA, but he doesn't show the tag.

 

[Professional Tool User]

CL is the place people go to unload their **** and other people go to buy stuff cheap. It amuses me that sellers are amazed that people low ball and buyers are surprised sellers are lazy. That's half the fun of CL. If you want good descriptions of goods, expect to pay top dollar. Sorting through the **** is how you find the deals on good stuff.

It's more down to sloth. If sellers actually took good pictures, don't making any spelling mistakes, and don't omit any important information, they would have a much easier time selling. However, if you know what you are looking for, spelling mistakes might actually help you. That $40 Record vice would probably have been snapped up before I could get to it if the seller paid closer attention to the sticker with the last two letters missing.

 

[Alexander]

It's more down to sloth. If sellers actually took good pictures, don't making any spelling mistakes, and don't omit any important information, they would have a much easier time selling. However, if you know what you are looking for, spelling mistakes might actually help you. That $40 Record vice would probably have been snapped up before I could get to it if the seller paid closer attention to the sticker with the last two letters missing.

That's more or less how I feel.

When I list items, I aim to make the listing as helpful and user friendly as I can while not expecting top dollar - because that's the type of listing I want to see when I'm buying.

For buying, it feels like many of the sellers (with exception) don't really care to actually sell the item they're listing. They just snap a blurry picture on their phone with a five word description and expect the buyer to understand what they meant or what the item is. Then they won't respond or get upset when you ask for the basic sort of information that should have been in the ad in the first place.

I've also gotten lucky with misspellings or ads with nice products and zero information. It's fun when you get a deal, but I'd prefer looking at better listings over trying to decipher what I'm looking at.

To the OP's point, I've noticed hidden labels or misrepresented items plenty. Sometimes those same listings pop back up day after day for years. Some used HF item will be listed at snap-on pricing saying 'FIRM'. I used to get frustrated enough to call them out on it even if I didn't want the item, but now I just ignore that sort of thing. Some people are ignorant, others are trying to scam a few bucks out of someone.

Lately, I've been having a friend list some of my items for sale while he stays in my house. While I don't want to micromanage, his listings are more or less the epitome of what I don't want to see as a buyer - little to no info, mediocre pictures, wacky pricing (I gave him general direction but let him set his own prices since he's getting commission). He's having mild success though, so who am I to judge?