Poor purchasing etiquette

[wolf_bluejay]

I read a lot of post about ppl getting upset about being "low-balled". I'm wondering if there is a different definition than the one I know. "Making a low offer"!
I do low-ball on larger items. And can you really get upset when you post a 10 year old 20 gal tank for $100 and someone "low-balls" you? I have and probably will do again and again in my life, it's called haggling.
The "I've only got $x money with me" is an age old line. I don't think is wrong when it is done as part of the haggling. Agreeing on a price and then pulling it after the fact is just not cool.

As my wife is "de-junking" the house again -- my big one is people who go hunting for free stuff to re-sell and make a buck. If I'm giving something away for free, it's because I don't care about the little bit it is worth and would rather see more people enjoying the hobby.

For both me and the wife, the trick we find works is this -- TRADE the item for something common in the hobby (almost worthless) for what you were giving away free. I did trade a 3 year old 90 gal for a SPS frag a few years ago
I honestly was giving it away, but the frag shows he at least has an interest. My wife usually asks a stupid low price for things she is giving away as it avoids the "FREE" label, and then just lets them have it for free when they show.

Around Kamloops there seems to be quite a few that spend all day hunting for free stuff people are giving away -- to re-sell and make a few bucks. I sell/give away any older salt water gear to be nice and promote reef tanks, not so some putz that doesn't even know what it is other than he can sell it on ebay.

[shrimpchips]

Quite a few forums have, and successfully use a buy/sell/trade feedback system with little abuse. On my local forum we use the iTrader system which allows users to leave feedback regarding deals they've made with people on the board. The overwhelming number of them are positive - and where a negative rating is left, the mods all get notifications so we know if there's a situation that might arise. All in all though the system works well, and people are nice and leave good feedbacks regarding their dealings with other people which helps you get a feel for what you might be in for:
http://gtaaquaria.com/forum/itrader.php?u=2724

Just like in general life, there are a few arseholes out there, but most people are good in this hobby. From all my dealings locally, I've only had a few poor experiences (the examples could go on and on, but usually people trying to stiff you).

All in all, like was mentioned previously, I like to approach most things as pay it forward, and hope that people get what they deserve

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by shrimpchips

Quite a few forums have, and successfully use a buy/sell/trade feedback system with little abuse. On my local forum we use the iTrader system which allows users to leave feedback regarding deals they've made with people on the board. The overwhelming number of them are positive - and where a negative rating is left, the mods all get notifications so we know if there's a situation that might arise. All in all though the system works well, and people are nice and leave good feedbacks regarding their dealings with other people which helps you get a feel for what you might be in for:
http://gtaaquaria.com/forum/itrader.php?u=2724

Just like in general life, there are a few arseholes out there, but most people are good in this hobby. From all my dealings locally, I've only had a few poor experiences (the examples could go on and on, but usually people trying to stiff you).

All in all, like was mentioned previously, I like to approach most things as pay it forward, and hope that people get what they deserve

This is exactly what I was talking about, I think it would work as well.

On a side note SHRIMPCHIPS, anyone on GTA AQUARIA have any nice zoa's that they are selling and would ship

[Parker]

IMO There's a difference between haggling and wasting people time.

I have an item listed for sale on-line ( not here and not aquarium related ) That's a week old and in MINT condition, cost $500.00 Brand New, I'm asking $300.00 for it, a prettt good deal. I was offered $100.00 for it a couple of days ago.

[fencer]

I think if a person responds to your ad and low balls the price you have to choices
1. Not to respond
2. Counteroffer
The reason why people low ball is because of the term obo put in ads

BUT

If you strike a deal and they try to low ball you at the door. They get an invitation to walk right back out. I have no further interest in every selling anything to that party again. Sadly there are some Canreefers who do this.

[H22_TURBO]

I hate when you have a wtb post about something and someone pm's you saying they will sell you one. then when you pm them back 2-3 times they never get back to you and you see them online everyday.

[Myka]

I pretty much never "make an offer" unless I am buying several items from one person, like say 6 heaters for $20 each...would you take $100 for all of them? I think haggling is embarassing. When I place an item for sale I always post it for what I think is less than market value, and I expect people to pay full price for it unless they are buying several other items.

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Christy, I can say "Jewed" because I have Jew in me. I am immune.

[christyf5]

Myka, please don't continue to use that term. As far as I'm concerned it is a racial slur (even though its not "racial" it has that connotation and I don't know what else to call it, for me its equivalent to "the N word"). I don't care what religion you are, what color you are etc. Please refrain from continuing to use it.

Thanks.

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by Myka

Christy, I can say "Jewed" because I have Jew in me. I am immune.

What was his name?

[MKLKT]

Originally Posted by wolf_bluejay

I read a lot of post about ppl getting upset about being "low-balled". I'm wondering if there is a different definition than the one I know. "Making a low offer"!
I do low-ball on larger items. And can you really get upset when you post a 10 year old 20 gal tank for $100 and someone "low-balls" you? I have and probably will do again and again in my life, it's called haggling.
The "I've only got $x money with me" is an age old line. I don't think is wrong when it is done as part of the haggling. Agreeing on a price and then pulling it after the fact is just not cool.

As my wife is "de-junking" the house again -- my big one is people who go hunting for free stuff to re-sell and make a buck. If I'm giving something away for free, it's because I don't care about the little bit it is worth and would rather see more people enjoying the hobby.

For both me and the wife, the trick we find works is this -- TRADE the item for something common in the hobby (almost worthless) for what you were giving away free. I did trade a 3 year old 90 gal for a SPS frag a few years ago
I honestly was giving it away, but the frag shows he at least has an interest. My wife usually asks a stupid low price for things she is giving away as it avoids the "FREE" label, and then just lets them have it for free when they show.

Around Kamloops there seems to be quite a few that spend all day hunting for free stuff people are giving away -- to re-sell and make a few bucks. I sell/give away any older salt water gear to be nice and promote reef tanks, not so some putz that doesn't even know what it is other than he can sell it on ebay.

Most of what these people are talking about is AFTER you've agreed to a purchase and the individuals purposedly do not bring enough cash to pay the initial agreed upon price. The forum is your point of contact, that is where you should get all the info and if you're gonna try to whittle someone down tell them if the condition isn't perfect you might not be interested in paying full. Trying to give someone 25-30% less or even more after they've gone out of the way to meet you is stupid.

That being said I've only had excellent experiences with canreefers, they've always been generous but I'd like to think I'm pleasant enough to deal with too.