Wanted/For Sale Forum Rant

[AtLarge]

My suggestion would be to have a standardized form. There are to many posts in the wanted/for sale forum that have incomplete info. I think it may cut down the posts if there was a template that had all the essential cue descriptions. ie shaft diameter, shaft ferrule material, weight of shaft, weight of butt etc, cue maker, wood combos. I see to many posts have cue for sale $500 with a blurry pic and no details and then you have 5 bumps / posts for additional details.
Thanks for listening.

This idea would indeed make things easier in many cases, but I would vote against it. Here's why.

The way someone presents their item for sale can tell the reader quite a bit about the seller as well as the item -- Is he thoughtful enough to present most of the information a buyer would want to know? Does he have good attention to detail? Does he sound at all intelligent? Does he sound trustworthy? If I seek additional information via PM, does he reply courteously and completely and, again, sound trustworthy? Or does he view my questions (the answers to which are always part of my decision-making process) as just a nuisance or as "tire kicking."

If everyone used a standardized, fill-in-the-blanks form, we'd actually lose a lot of information about the seller. Today's way may take extra time and effort to get everything needed for an informed decision, but it gives me extra comfort in what I learn about the seller.

 

[rayjay]

I agree with the above, also agree that a fee for a "classified for-sale ad" is not out of line at all, maybe a flat rate of $5 or $10. I don't think it would be that hard to set up a new listing connected to a billing form.

 

[Hidy Ho]

... but the fact is there is a severe slow down in sales, cues are taking much longer to sell. That is the reason for the repetitiveness, it goes along with the current selling climate. ...

While this is true, there are other *things* that happens and is allowed to happen here

1) People posting up eBay listings in which they aren't the seller .. typical "hey, there is a Searing on eBay" .. type of posts/threads

2) People with a bunch of cues for sale ("trunk dealers") who creates bunch of threads per cue and bumps them all at once and creating a traffic jam on the page 1

3) People who decides, for whatever reason, that they like the cues and take it upon themselves to bump other people's for sale thread ...

4) People who send PMs and creating threads to say I sent you PM type of threads

5) People posting questions maybe because there aren't other sections to post questions related to cues, cases and other billiard related stuff sections that are applicable

 

[cuemasterpieces]

Well lets face it.

THIS SECTION IS THE WORLDS MOST IMPORTANT SPOT TO BUY, SELL OR TRADE THE FINEST CUSTOMCUES AROUND THE GLOBE
This Place IS the International MARKET ... it sets the Standarts even for the Prices on the secondary Market

It doesnt matter if you are looking for a Pepper or Searing .. when you search for such a Thing you will find it first here.

It is a much BETTER Place then EBAY is/was/and ever will be.

People do care for each other on this board and you will also get any Backgroundinformations and Support you will need.

Let me say THANK YOU to all which are running this Forum and all the dear Friends which keeps it alive.

I also have some Ideas which possibly would help to get it a little clearer.

If there could be Undersections for:

Cues from $1 to $1000
Cues from $1000 to $5000
Cues above $5000

Cases

Pool Related Stuff


Well but that's just a suggestion ... i don't think any regulations are nessasary

Berny

PS: Thanks Tommy for the Heads up

 

[cfrandy]

That is any easy one... make it a requirement for all that sell. That is what I am proposing, along with some guidelines for the section.

Some people see the value of club membership and supporting AZ W/O it being a requirement...and apparently some do not!

As for guidelines, if I'm not mistaken...there are guidelines! In this economy especially, I do not see where requiring club membership to those who are in financial striats and must sell their cue(s), a plus for anyone! There are those who are dealers and there are those wish to sell an occasional cue. Maybe the requirement should be, if you wish to have a banner ad in your signature...you MUST be a club member?

 

[nick serdula]

I offer $1.00

For this rant!
Nick

 

[Worminator]

As expected, there are lots of opinions about this subject... all are important.

I doubt anything will come of this thread other than new Club Members, which is a good thing for AZ. I have refrained from be coming a Club Member for what I now see as a narrow-minded view. I didn't see a value for me, when I should have been looking at it from how it would help support AZ in general. I will be buying a membership.

With all of that aside, I ask those who want to keep everything the same... Have you had experience with other sites to see how those sites run their classifieds. If so, do you still believe AZ's W/FS section is a better experience, or, are there things other sites do better that could be incorporated here?

My main point in all of this is I believe some change could make this a better place for everyone.

 

[cfrandy]

As expected, there are lots of opinions about this subject... all are important.

I doubt anything will come of this thread other than new Club Members, which is a good thing for AZ. I have refrained from be coming a Club Member for what I now see as a narrow-minded view. I didn't see a value for me, when I should have been looking at it from how it would help support AZ in general. I will be buying a membership.

With all of that aside, I ask those who want to keep everything the same... Have you had experience with other sites to see how those sites run their classifieds. If so, do you still believe AZ's W/FS section is a better experience, or, are there things other sites do better that could be incorporated here?

My main point in all of this is I believe some change could make this a better place for everyone.

IMO, AZ is NOT like other sites...and, maybe that's what makes it work!

Let me tell you a little secret...there have been times when I have seen a thread that was bumped a zillion times, and to ME...that was an indication that the seller might be ready for a "best offer". I have bought several cues at MUCH less the original selling price this way. IMO leave this forum alone. It has worked just fine for many years! I'm sure it will continue to work so long as it remains unchanged!

Remember this...Obama was suppose to fix everything too!

BTW...welcome to the club!

 

[cfrandy]

For this rant!
Nick

bump it up!:rotflmao1:

 

[Worminator]

IMO, AZ is NOT like other sites...and, maybe that's what makes it work!

So, what you are saying is you do not know what is happening on other sites and what improvements could be made, so the rationale is "AZ is not like other sites"?

That is not they way I'm wired. I believe there can always be improvement. Good thing cuemakers and table manufacturers feel the same way or we would sill be playing on nappy old cloth with mud balls and bucket pockets with a crooked old house cue.

 

[cfrandy]

So, what you are saying is you do not know what is happening on other sites and what improvements could be made, so the rationale is "AZ is not like other sites"?

That is not they way I'm wired. I believe there can always be improvement. Good thing cuemakers and table manufacturers feel the same way or we would sill be playing on nappy old cloth with mud balls and bucket pockets with a crooked old house cue.

"So, what you are saying is you do not know what is happening on other sites and what improvements could be made"
Where did I say that? Gosh, if you can't even read my post correctly, I sure hope you're NOT the one who will be improving AZ!

 

[Worminator]

"So, what you are saying is you do not know what is happening on other sites and what improvements could be made"
Where did I say that? Gosh, if you can't even read my post correctly, I sure hope you're NOT the one who will be improving AZ!

I read your post as a recommendation to leave things just as they are... was that not what you meant? What is your rationale behind it and what are you comparing this to? Why does the conversation have to become emotional? State some facts why nothing should be changed.

I'm just throwing the questions out there for discussion. I think there has been some great discussion whether things change or not.

 

[JB Cases]

I only try to bump whenever I have other information such as a price reduction or additional information or answering questions.

I am teaching Karen to respect those rules.

I think that adding more barriers to placing ads might make it so that less items are offered for sale. Then the only people here would be the dealers and flippers.

I don't think that bumps for visibility alone are needed. When I log into AZ I see the threads I haven't viewed since my last time.

I know that people who log in infrequently are seeing older posts because I will often get a message about a case that was for sale months ago.

People should limit themselves to at most two bumps a day at about 12 hours apart and even then perhaps should try to include some more information rather than just a "bump".

As for the club member thing - yeah, if you are selling regularly then this should be a no brainer. I don't think that there is any doubt that this is the ONLY active marketplace in the world with as many buyers and potential buyers in one place. I haven't seen any other forum that's even in the same galaxy in this regard. Most of the other ones you are into post from 2007 after about four pages. Here you aren't even past the last hour when you are four pages deep.

What kills me is the people who get no satisfaction on the WTS forum so they "advertise" on the main forum. They do things like post up pictures of cues they are "considering" to sell and ask for opinons, they post "progress reports on stuff they are making" and a bunch of other ways to sneak in a blatant ad on the main forum rather than put it where it belongs. They don't PARTICIPATE in the community at large, they just drop by and do a drive by once in a while splattering the main forum with "ads".

Well that's a whole other tangent.

Personally I think that having a fee for being a frequent seller is not a bad idea. I also think that a bump limit that is software driven would be a good thing. I am not real sure how that would work though. Certainly other people would be allowed to post in the thread so I could see some "bump cliques" forming.

In any event I am glad Mike and co let this site keep running because from a sales perspective for someone like me there is no better way to present my cases to as many people at once as here.

 

[sammi sam]

I just want to describe a little bit opinion, having fees r reduce people interest and raising AZ members expense on saling things besides those dealers........I think over 50% of members in here r having so much fun...........is someone going to kill it????

sammi sam

 

[cfrandy]

I read your post as a recommendation to leave things just as they are... was that not what you meant? What is your rationale behind it and what are you comparing this to? Why does the conversation have to become emotional? State some facts why nothing should be changed.

I'm just throwing the questions out there for discussion. I think there has been some great discussion whether things change or not.

I did state the facts! I LIKE bumps! If you had read my previous post, you might have gathered that. Fact is, YOU are a dealer in this forum. The changes YOU recommend are changes YOU believe will benefit YOU! I recently became disabled and needed to sell a major portion of my collection. If YOU had your way, I would be paying fees and have limits to what I could do in this forum just for the privilage of "competing" against YOU. Your take on everything here is how YOU can sell more while at the same time limiting competition. That is NOT improvement...for anyone other than yourself. People who are not dealers and are on fixed incomes(including many retirees) have appreciated the ability to participate here without restriction. Funny how so many of them have shown their appreciation by becoming club members almost immediately. It took YOU 7 years to realize the benefits of becoming a member here. How long did it take you to begin advertising with banner ads in your signature?
j/s

 

[Worminator]

I did state the facts! I LIKE bumps! If you had read my previous post, you might have gathered that. Fact is, YOU are a dealer in this forum. The changes YOU recommend are changes YOU believe will benefit YOU! I recently became disabled and needed to sell a major portion of my collection. If YOU had your way, I would be paying fees and have limits to what I could do in this forum just for the privilage of "competing" against YOU. Your take on everything here is how YOU can sell more while at the same time limiting competition. That is NOT improvement...for anyone other than yourself. People who are not dealers and are on fixed incomes(including many retirees) have appreciated the ability to participate here without restriction. Funny how so many of them have shown their appreciation by becoming club members almost immediately. It took YOU 7 years to realize the benefits of becoming a member here. How long did it take you to begin advertising with banner ads in your signature?
j/s

Mr cfrandy,

I'm sorry for your disability... that is a terrible thing and something I would never wish on anyone.

It seems you are very bitter in regards to this discussion. I am having a hard time understanding why... maybe I'm just slow.

I stated a few pages back to take the fees and "pay to play" off the table. My only point there was in regards to another site charging to participate in the classifieds and it seemed to be working well for that website... maybe it will not work here.

I supported this site by purchasing the ads at the top of the page before you were a member here... I have given to this site and have also run several charity auctions and raffles here. To insinuate that I do not support AZ solely on the fact I had not purchased a Club Membership is simply not a fair statement.

I have offered my opinions and the opportunity to discuss the current state of the WF/S section... nothing more, nothing less. If you choose to believe I am in it for me and for me only, you have every right to do so.

 

[SOULHASSORROW]

man threads get pretty heated lol. worm i respect your opinion, for me, i like bumping my thread cause hopefully someone will get annoyed enough and end up buying whatever im selling lol. i'm military and the last thing i need are more restrictions on a site that i enjoy being a part of. i also think the DRAFT needs to be reinstated just my opinion. yes i know that was random lol.

 

[cfrandy]

Mr cfrandy,

I'm sorry for your disability... that is a terrible thing and something I would never wish on anyone.

It seems you are very bitter in regards to this discussion. I am having a hard time understanding why... maybe I'm just slow.

I stated a few pages back to take the fees and "pay to play" off the table. My only point there was in regards to another site charging to participate in the classifieds and it seemed to be working well for that website... maybe it will not work here.

I supported this site by purchasing the ads at the top of the page before you were a member here... I have given to this site and have also run several charity auctions and raffles here. To insinuate that I do not support AZ solely on the fact I had not purchased a Club Membership is simply not a fair statement.

I have offered my opinions and the opportunity to discuss the current state of the WF/S section... nothing more, nothing less. If you choose to believe I am in it for me and for me only, you have every right to do so.

The current state of this forum reflects the current state of this economy! I am not bitter, I simply find it incredulous that you would suggest changes to this forum that would limit access to it's members only because you're not selling as many cues here as you would like.
I have no problem with dealers participating here and have bought more products from dealers than I will ever buy from individuals. I appreciate both the opportunity to deal directly with dealers here and the often fabulous prices. However, IMO the changes you have initially suggested are changes that benefit ONLY dealers such as yourself. I would like to think that we are all friends and family here but when someone proposes changes that benefit only a few...
Anyway YOU asked why I opposed your suggested changes...I have given you my honest opinions. My advice is, be careful of what you ask for!

BTW, I harbor no hard feelings. If at some time you offer a cue for sale, and I see it has been bumped enough...I may just make you an offer. That is of course, if the only changes are to my current financial situation and NOT this forum. :thumbup:

 

[Worminator]

I am not bitter, I simply find it incredulous that you would suggest changes to this forum that would limit access to it's members only because you're not selling as many cues here as you would like.

I have no hard feelings about this either. I would, however, like to understand why you think I am not selling as many cues as I would like on this forum. I have posted very few cues on the forum in the last 3-6 months. If I really wanted to try to sell more cues HERE, I would post up about 30 of them and bump them all twice a day... :wink: :thumbup2:

 

[cfrandy]

I have no hard feelings about this either. I would, however, like to understand why you think I am not selling as many cues as I would like on this forum. I have posted very few cues on the forum in the last 3-6 months.

Hmmmm, if you are not participating, why do you suggest change?

If I really wanted to try to sell more cues HERE, I would post up about 30 of them and bump them all twice a day... :wink: :thumbup2:

There you go...it's good to know you are no different than anyone else!

Do it...let's see what you got! Maybe we can trade for my Balabushka that's sitting in Chicago gathering dust. j/k