Where is all the classifieds go???

[G1X]

Hey, I agree that the classifieds are not the purpose of this Forum and certainly not the reason I visit the site, BUT if you are going to post in the classifieds, (1) have the common courtesy to respond to emails/inquiries/etc., and follow-up on all communcations until the discussion is concluded (regardless if a deal is made); (2) communicate clearly your intentions from the outset; and (3) don't post in the "Items Wanted" section unless you have funds available. On the latter point, if your reason for posting is that you are "looking to see what is out there", there are better methods and places in the Forum to find out that type of information. (Refer to #2 if you still do not understand.) I cannot tell you how many times I have negotiated a deal and agreed to a price and THEN being told that they do not have the funds in hand to make the purchase. Of course, I almost never hear from them again down the road.

I don't know very many folks who like to have their time wasted, especially when they are being given the "run-around". Most of us have other responsibilities and obligations such as jobs, family, etc., so time is a precious commodity.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

Always looking for World Football League jerseys, NFL/AFL durene jerseys, Atlanta Falcons jerseys, and any Darren Lewis and Willie McGee game-used items.

[ironmanfan]

Iron -

I agree with you, but like many of these guys have pointed out, here is a current example / situation I'm having:

Tigers AU/GU Home Plate - July 4th, 2004

- Smitty

Smiity & Mark:

My point was more addressing the OP topic that the # of classified ads were smaller than in the past (how he came to that conclusion I don't know), but I'm certainly with you that once you have an item in the "C to C" or "Items Wanted" listings, there is an etiquette/decency that certianly should be followed.

Let's face it, look how you get jerked around by the tire kickers for relatively small $ items, just think what the forum would be like for higher dollar items listed??

[34swtns]

Hey, is is just me, or do Football collectors seem to complain a lot more than Baseball collectors do? Do you suppose it might have something to do with the physically aggressive nature of the game, itself? Would that be an interesting thread topic, d'ya think? (Only half kidding.)

Aggressiveness and the nature of the sport has nothing to do with it. Overall, we're dealing with pricier and harder to find items than most baseball stuff.

It stands to reason. A single baseball season lasts somewhere between 100-200 games and a football season is a mere 16 games.

This equates to far fewer items and infinitely higher prices.
Hence the need for selling platforms without a mid 3-figure limit.

Those platforms are out there and we use them but it would be nice to be able to use this one as well.
The rules being what they are eliminate that possibility for most items we would be selling.

[jsage]

In my experience most of the time - it is a waist of time.
Too many "Buyers" say the will pay TOP DOLLAR etc and when they are contacted - many emails and photos are exchanged and then it comes down to it they either say they are not interested or they offer very low buy prices.

It is definately FALSE ADVERTISING on the buyers part.
Jerry Sage

[frikativ54]

In my experience most of the time - it is a waist of time.
Too many "Buyers" say the will pay TOP DOLLAR etc and when they are contacted - many emails and photos are exchanged and then it comes down to it they either say they are not interested or they offer very low buy prices.

It is definately FALSE ADVERTISING on the buyers part.
Jerry Sage

While I appreciate that the forum owners allow for a Collector to Collector Classifieds section, I've been very disappointed by some of my interactions on there. I sold several items, yet only one person has thanked me for what he bought or even confirmed receipt of a package. And yes, in all but one instance, the packages arrived at their destination. Many of the items I've sold meant a lot to me and spent a good deal of time in my personal collection, yet I wonder how much they are truly appreciated in their new homes.

[godwulf]

(3) don't post in the "Items Wanted" section unless you have funds available. On the latter point, if your reason for posting is that you are "looking to see what is out there", there are better methods and places in the Forum to find out that type of information. (Refer to #2 if you still do not understand.) I cannot tell you how many times I have negotiated a deal and agreed to a price and THEN being told that they do not have the funds in hand to make the purchase.

If you negotiate a deal, and then get stiffed, obviously you have a valid complaint. The Sellers who don't have any kind of valid complaint, in my opinion, are the ones who respond to a potential buyer's "Items Wanted" ad, and then get pissy because the Buyer didn't like their price, didn't need or want the item - whatever the reason. I've heard Sellers complain on this forum because they responded to an "Items Wanted" ad and ended up not selling anything. If I post that I'm looking for items for Player A or Team B, that doesn't mean I'm necessarily willing to pay your price for any item you happen to be trying to unload.

And for the record, the only kind of Seller whom I must admit I may not always respond to is the one who doesn't say how much they want for an item, but responds to an inquiry with, "Make me an offer", or "What's it worth to you?" I'll inquire about your asking price once, but if you want to continue to play silly games, you can do it without my participation. Chances are, my offer isn't going to come anywhere near what you really want for the item, and then you're going to accuse me of "lowballing" you, so I generally prefer to just skip that whole scene.

[xpress34]

If you negotiate a deal, and then get stiffed, obviously you have a valid complaint. The Sellers who don't have any kind of valid complaint, in my opinion, are the ones who respond to a potential buyer's "Items Wanted" ad, and then get pissy because the Buyer didn't like their price, didn't need or want the item - whatever the reason. I've heard Sellers complain on this forum because they responded to an "Items Wanted" ad and ended up not selling anything. If I post that I'm looking for items for Player A or Team B, that doesn't mean I'm necessarily willing to pay your price for any item you happen to be trying to unload.

And for the record, the only kind of Seller whom I must admit I may not always respond to is the one who doesn't say how much they want for an item, but responds to an inquiry with, "Make me an offer", or "What's it worth to you?" I'll inquire about your asking price once, but if you want to continue to play silly games, you can do it without my participation. Chances are, my offer isn't going to come anywhere near what you really want for the item, and then you're going to accuse me of "lowballing" you, so I generally prefer to just skip that whole scene.

GW -

Valid points across the board. My issue with contacting 'Items Wanted' ads is the ones who literally put - "Looking for ANY and ALL items of Player X".

When you respond with what items you have (regardless of price), you get the 'I'm not looking for THAT item' response.

What don't they get about the meaning of the words ANY and ALL???

- Smitty

[G1X]

If you negotiate a deal, and then get stiffed, obviously you have a valid complaint. .

That is precisely my complaint. I've been in this hobby much too long not to understand that sometimes two parties will not come to an agreement on the price. No hard feelings from me when that happens, regardless if I am on the buying end or the selling end. But once we come to an agreement on the price and the offer is accepted, I becomes very irritated and frustrated when the other party "disappears" and ceases to communicate, or else turns around and tells me that they don't have the cash. It amazes me how many times this has happened to me in dealing with folks in this Forum, especially over the past 12 months.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

Always looking for World Football League jerseys, NFL/AFL durene jerseys, Atlanta Falcons jerseys, and any Darren Lewis and Willie McGee game-used items.

[short84]

The classifieds no longer leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling as a buyer. Last month, I negotiated a deal with a seller in writing (emails are a written contract). I stated I wanted to purchase their item and after a couple of emails the price was agreed upon. When I asked about payment information the seller sent me his mailing address for a snail mail payment which I mailed the next day. I sent the seller a message indicating payment was in the mail. Two days after my last message to the seller, I receive a message informing me the item was sold to someone else instead -- this is after almost 2 days of no communication from the seller after notification from me concerning payment. I will be honest - I was mad as hell because it was an item I had purchased as a gift for a family member.

I purchased an item last week from a forum member. We communicated several times and I felt comfortable buying from this member. I sent a paypal payment on Wednesday and still have not received any shipping information or tracking number even though this is what the seller sent to me in an email last Monday " i will get it in the mail and a tracking number right to you by weds afternoon ." I have received no communication from this seller since Thursday when he again agreed to sending me a tracking number even though I have made numerous requests to him for this information.

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt but I can honestly say I am tired of being jerked around by other forum members. I would rather buy an item on eBay where I have buyer protection and once you commit to buy an item it is yours -- you can pay for it immediately and the seller is obligated to complete the transaction.

It is still enjoyable to see what others have available but unless I personally know the person I will no longer buy items through this venue. Thanks for letting me vent!

[otismalibu]

If you're using CL (through the mail) or message boards to buy and sell, it's pretty much the wild west.

People bad mouth eBay, but there is at least a hint of accountability there.