Change to Saleyard section.

[griffin]

After seeing a sale listing evolve into an auction, I've done some changes to the rules on selling stuff here.
The auction concept didn't appear to be supported by the Senior Members (in a recent discussion topic), so decided that we shouldn't really have it allowed here anymore. As such, if you are somone who isn't sure of the value of something, or need to get rid of something in a hurry, it's best to list a high-end price, and state if you allow for people to publically submit 'nearest offers', if no one wants it at that price. That way, it doesn't waste people's time if they aren't anywhere near your 'reserve', and you still have the chance of having someone actually willing to buy it at your listed price.

The updated userguide:

12a - Posting of sales is allowed on this forum in the Saleyard and non-TFs sections, provided the sale conditions are clear, all offers are posted publically, and you honour the conditions. If you aren't sure of an item's value, it is best to list a high-end price, and state that you will accept 'near-enough' offers (which need to be posted publically by the potential buyer, and accepted publically by you). It pays to do a little research first on the value range of your items (look on ebay, or ask the board staff), so that you don't feel cheated by undervaluating something, or not getting any bites by overvaluating it. If you prefer an Auction format, it is best to use a dedicated site like Ebay, and you just promote it in the saleyard section. Vague things like EOIs (expressions of interest) are not permitted in the Saleyard - but EOIs (for bulk ordering) are permitted in the Group Orders section, but only by someone prepared to go through with it.

Does this seem like a fair enough system, to allow for a bit of freedom for Buyers and Sellers, without tying up the Board Staff too much with disputes and monitoring of the Saleyard?
Or should their be other changes to the saleyard?

[5FDP]

Sounds like a good idea Griff. It avoids turning the Saleyard into some form of Ebay. I hear there is a half-decent bidding website for that... the name escapes me at the moment

[roller]

Okay, its rollers point of view

Ban auctions all together

Ban vague things like 'expressions of interest' because that's auctions in disguise


Let sellers sell products at the price they choose, if they want to sell a complete G1 Fort Max for $6.50 dont tell them otherwise. If the junk dont sell, they can lower the price or jack it up


Products must have a definite sale price. If the seller puts $50, that product IS $50, postage etc of course being added. The seller can't up the price under penalty of torture or being told off after being reported.

So simple, just like the old days

[Vector Prime]

I think as an overall thing, the sales threads run quite well, however there is the odd occasion where a seller does not put forward a price and asks for offers.

For example:

Give me an idea of the price range you had in mind and I'll consider it. Or just directly make me an offer if you like.

This is not above board at all... if you're a vendor wishing to offload an item, name a price that you are willing to sell it for and then let the negotiations (if applicable) commence from there.

This should also encompass sellers who are responding to a forum members post in the Bumblebee Toy Scout section.

As for auctions... well there's a certain website available called eBay for that, so put your auctions there.

I don't think the admin or moderator guys need to monitor the sales thread too much since as I previously mentioned, they tend to run fine.

It should be at the prerogative of the parties involved to report incidents where there are breaches.

Incidentally, is there any possibility of integrating a 'report' button on posts?

Not just for sales threads, but all threads in general - to possibly prevent flame wars, etc, occurring?

Anyway, just my 2c worth...

[Sky Shadow]

Incidentally, is there any possibility of integrating a 'report' button on posts?

Not just for sales threads, but all threads in general - to possibly prevent flame wars, etc, occurring?

Hey VP - there's a report button up at the top right-hand corner of each post - the thing that looks like an upside-down Give Way sign.

[Vector Prime]

Hey VP - there's a report button up at the top right-hand corner of each post - the thing that looks like an upside-down Give Way sign.

Ahh... I've never noticed it before... lol

[heroic_decepticon]

I think the change seems fair enough and captures the intent.

However, subject to one caveat, I personally am otherwise happy that 'anything' could go in the saleyard.

I mean, a member can list a whole lot of things as expressions of interest ("EOI") and then list prices later depending on interest level. If he/she overvalues an item because there is intense interest, it just might not sell (I believe members to be reasonably price savvy in this regard since this is a specialist Transformers board; if not caveat emptore). If he/she often comes up with EOI type topics but never follows through, members would be wise enough to stay away.

My caveat is this: that the saleyard should not devolve into an auction platform. By this I mean for example that an item is listed for sale at say $10. Member A is interested, and holds it. Member B comes along, thinks its a good price and really wants it, and offers $20 to the seller for the the item. And because $20 is still a good buy, Member A comes back and counter-offers $25 and so on.

[Kyle]

My caveat is this: that the saleyard should not devolve into an auction platform. By this I mean for example that an item is listed for sale at say $10. Member A is interested, and holds it. Member B comes along, thinks its a good price and really wants it, and offers $20 to the seller for the the item. And because $20 is still a good buy, Member A comes back and counter-offers $25 and so on.

I hate this too. It is very annoying if a seller uses this forum as a sale platform but cannot honour his sale to a forum member. It is also selfish for another forum member to come along and give a higher offer when an item has clearly been "taken" already. If he/she is willing to take something away from a fellow member then he/she must also be willing to let the whole forum knows he/she is the one who makes the counter-offer. Transparency is good.

If you're a seller and you don't want to sell for "less" money, then state clearly how much you want before the sale! It is a price you decide yourself so you should honour it!