Thoughts On Price Experience on AH

[Rare Breed]

Over my years on AH I have seen there be some angst when a member posts something for sale and another member providing their experience, not opinion with some members objecting to that saying let anyone who is interested just deal with the person selling the item and stay quiet
My own POV is that is a serious disservice to AH members. One of the reason people join is to listen to experience they may not have before trying to buy something if possible. A good example is buying a DR…a member with zero experience with them may be tempted to buy one that is posted. If another member has a lot of experience why would they not share that to better prepare that potential buying member to discuss the gun? Maybe it is because I make my living as a researcher…I want all the information I can get before making an expensive purchase so I greatly appreciate a person sharing their experience of value. I just don’t get members who think that is inappropriate especially when it is not their item being sold

Your thoughts?

 

[SafariCurious]

How about when someone posts a used gun or scope, etc., (not an antique but say a several year old one) for sale for a higher price than a new one of the exact same make and model than is currently on sale at one or more retailers?

I've been reluctant to comment because I figure the seller will be mad at me, and the other users of this forum would presumably be internet savvy enough to google the item and see for themselves its for sale cheaper elsewhere....but its tough not to comment to point out when someone is selling a used item for more than a new one can be bought.

Something I've seen numerous times on this and other forums I participate in.

Caveat emptor.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Over my years on AH I have seen there be some angst when a member posts something for sale and another member providing their experience, not opinion with some members objecting to that saying let anyone who is interested just deal with the person selling the item and stay quiet
My own POV is that is a serious disservice to AH members. One of the reason people join is to listen to experience they may not have before trying to buy something if possible. A good example is buying a DR…a member with zero experience with them may be tempted to buy one that is posted. If another member has a lot of experience why would they not share that to better prepare that potential buying member to discuss the gun? Maybe it is because I make my living as a researcher…I want all the information I can get before making an expensive purchase so I greatly appreciate a person sharing their experience of value. I just don’t get members who think that is inappropriate especially when it is not their item being sold

Your thoughts?

Well I think we may have to agree to disagree here RB. When someone offers up something for sale, regardless of the price, I think it is in poor taste to the OP to criticize the offer. If you think it's a good offer on a good product by all means, say so.

It is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to do their research. If for your example a person is seriously considering the expense of a DR, they're not likely to be stupid. Perhaps not well versed in the DR world, but likely they not stupid enough to not realize they should do their homework.

If you feel so strongly inclined that someone expressing interest in dropping $20K into a used Cabelas version Sabatti needs your input (and in this case they would), you can always PM them and stay out of the original post on the subject. People who come to this forum and are seriously considering an African hunt or some other expensive item I think are usually smart enough to research, post threads and get necessary information.

 

[wyosteve]

My feeling is there does not need to be any comment made on price, good or bad, unless the OP requests it. All price comments do is spur dissension. Just my .02!

 

[Red Leg]

I agree with others that commentary is an issue between the seller and potential buyer - caveat emptor. I should add, that probably 90% of the guns I have seen listed were accurately described and fairly priced. The other 10% have had some pretty awful value presumptions or misidentifications - often older guns with obvious issues or East German escapees identified as pre-war German. It is sometimes hard to hold one's tongue, especially when there is an oohing and aahing chorus of replies. But this is an issue between buyer and seller.

There are several of knowledgeable folks here who will gladly offer an opinion through a PM on a prospective gun. I would suggest that is the best way to seek advice or test an observation.

 

[Doug3006]

I agree with keeping any negative opinions to yourself. If you think the buyer is about to make a big mistake, send them a PM letting them know you’re willing to give advice. Let them decide whether to take you up on the offer.

Regardless, don’t hesitate to throw the scam flag if you think the poster is up to no good. There’s a polite way to do this, but please do the community a favor, and let the poster know that you know what’s up!

 

[rookhawk]

I’ve had to hold my tongue more than once, but it can be done. A fellow a few years ago wanted $30k for a bastardized, restored hammer double that when mint was worth $5500, was probably at present worth $3800. Nobody was going to buy it, had I opened my mouth it was only going to insult the seller and would make no difference to a non-existent buyer.

The only time I opened my mouth, took the grief, and felt right about doing so was with a counterfeit rifle. It was sold originally by a known supplier of counterfeit guns and the poor AH member that was trying to sell it was unknowingly committing fraud. Nothing good was going to come from the sell, the buy, etc. I didn’t argue with the price, I only stated with 100% certainty it was not authentic, it was a shotgun spuriously modified to appear to be a high end double rifle.

Some may think even my standards are off and I should just keep my mouth shut. The value of AH isn’t the price, it’s the quality and the reputation of the sellers.

 

[Rare Breed]

Absolutely fair responses my friends. Wanted to get everyone’s perspective. The consensus seems to be caveat emptor which is a very fair point. I have just sometimes seen this and said “ouch” for the person but to everyone’s point that is on them and their potential lack of research

 

[Fatback]

I think price should be between seller and buyer. I know when I have offered up different items for sale and I wasn’t quite sure how much to ask, I reached out to other, more knowledgeable, members to get advice on listing price for what I was trying to sell.

The wealth of knowledge on the site is tremendous and I’ve never had somebody not be willing to help if I’ve asked for advice here on the forums. I’ve never had a bad experience either buying or selling here. I think that says a lot about our community.

 

[K-man]

For me the hardest thing about a public forum is not everyone wants your (my) opinion. So that means unless it seems like an obvious scam, any advice on pricing should be private. Tough advice to follow sometimes.

 

[Newboomer]

For me the hardest thing about a public forum is not everyone wants your (my) opinion. So that means unless it seems like an obvious scam, any advice on pricing should be private. Tough advice to follow sometimes.

If I'm shelling out my hard earned bucks for somethng I do some research, be it googling, contacting knowledgable AHers, talking with gunshop people or others in the know.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Other forums have rules that forbid chit chat on someone else's ad. Agree with others, unless interested, or want to say something positive about the item or seller, better to do a PM.

 

[BRICKBURN]

There are several of knowledgeable folks here who will gladly offer an opinion through a PM on a prospective gun. I would suggest that is the best way to seek advice or test an observation.

Please do this.
Members of AH tend to be rather helpful and will gladly share their knowledge.

 

[buck wild]

My tongue biting subject is taxidermy

 

[MarkB]

OMG I was reading this and first thoughts were, not really qualified to respond to buy and sell stuff but I have chocked and reminded myself NOT to reply to some taxidermy pics posted.

MB

 

[Newboomer]

If I'm shelling out my hard earned bucks for somethng I do some research, be it googling, contacting knowledgable AHers, talking with gunshop people or others in the know.

OMG I was reading this and first thoughts were, not really qualified to respond to buy and sell stuff but I have chocked and reminded myself NOT to reply to some taxidermy pics posted.

MB

You see some strange looking (creations?) occasionally.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Someone's perceived mistake may be their intentional choice. Their value assessment may not only be financial, but time opportunity too. it is up to the potentil purchaser to assess. As an example a while ago I bought a vintage Mitchell fishing reel on e-bay for way over the top. It was just what I wanted for a special trip, it made the trip, caught some huge fish and was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Worth every top end penny!

 

[Sabre]

I see both sides of it; Wanting to warn a person they might be paying too high, and, sellers deserving to not be harassed.

I think likely why most sites have rules against commenting negatively on sellers ads is, everyone has an opinion on sales/pricing, most people are wrong. It is also in the interest of the mass of people viewing an ad to shout down a price so one of them can get a better deal.

But generally speaking, there are no shortage of people who would go on every single post and claim "it ain't worth that" if there weren't site rules against it.

How many times have you posted something for sale on FB, craigslist, or the like, and gotten lowball offers? There are far less people like that on this site, I believe. But imagine every one of them influencing every buyer that looked at your ad. It wouldn't be a fair marketplace.

In short, no site rule for that would lead to most ads getting tons of negative PR from all the "armchair experts" on pricing.

Also, it's just not hard to scroll past an overpriced item if you don't like it or the price.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

As a practice, I’ll pay a compliment to be helpful or to give a bump. Otherwise, I avoid negative comments unless it looks like the ad may be a scam. Even then, I try to guide the seller to a place where they become aware of some of the challenges with selling as a new member, the fact that people are watching for scams, and to expect a vetting process.

 

[375Fox]

Where would it end? One person’s good intentions are another’s bad manners. There is a sponsor’s hunt ad up now with $500 baboons in eastern cape. Unless someone posts something beyond the price or the item is misrepresented I don’t think comments are warranted.