FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Common courtesy for responding to classified adds.

This was something that arose in Rdkl's FS thread.

MR.FJT replied to a FS thread with items over priced. He pointed out, in public that these items were priced higher than the same items new. The OP became offended and called it rude, other members agreed. I on the other hand disagree and support MR.FJT.

To make this clear, this thread is not about MR.FJT or Rdkl, but rather to discuss peoples opinions as to etiquette in these threads.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by DWH on November 9, 2010 at 8:33pm

It is rude in my opinion to post these types of comments on public forum. There are other ways to make your point.

Here are a few:
1. Simply ask if the price is firm.
2. PM the OP and make an offer.
3. Don't buy it. There was a for sale post on here some time back and all of the prices were higher than new. I do not remember anyone responding to the post, so I assume the items were not sold. At least not here.

Just be reasonable and you will likely be met with the same in return.

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Permalink Reply by PBn'FJ on November 9, 2010 at 9:04pm

We are on the internet, not out on the street, and it is extremely easy to look up any item and do a price check. If you think it's too expensive, don't buy it. There is no need to try and ruin the sale or embarrass someone into lowering their price. Market will rule and if it is overpriced it will sit unsold.

I also agree with FJK that comparing a different product to the one being sold was kind of BS and misleading.

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Permalink Reply by potatomutato on November 9, 2010 at 9:36pm

there is essentially no need to call out anyone here, be rude or take sides. words come across differently across boards like these and you can't assume that just because someone joins it, they will understand your tone because they have become part of the family/community. that is why NorCal FJs stress offline events very much because that is where you really become familiar with folks.

moving forward, i suggest essentially what DWH, PB and others have suggested in their posts. the item(s) will go unsold if there is no interest or if they are overpriced. and if, by chance, the seller proceeds to bump the thread everyday to the point where it becomes increasingly annoying, leave it to the admins to send the seller a PM. luckily, we have never experienced behavior like that as of yet, nor do we ever expect to.

thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Suecyde on November 9, 2010 at 11:59pm

Though I understand this point, I cannot say I agree. I was always under the impression that a community takes care of its members, even if they are new. Tact is always required and stressed. And the way Rdkl handled it was perfect. But I do not see the wrong in someone posting a comment to ensure that the seller and the potential buyers know that the same item can be had for the same price new. If I was a newbie, I would hate to have bought a product, thinking I got a deal on it, only to later find out that I got ripped off -intentional or non-intentional. Then to find out that the people that I would be wheeling with knew that the price was far off and did not mention a thing.

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on November 10, 2010 at 6:55am

Bottom line for me.

If you buy something its up to YOU to make sure YOUR getting a god deal. IF YOU get screwed it would be YOUR fault unless someone held a gun to your head while you handed over the money. Before anyone buys parts, lots of research needs to be done & lots of questions asked. Buyer beware is always the way I look at any purchase cuz I am the one who will be out the money.

I do not see how its my responsibility to look out for what someone else buys. But, If I have info I will be sure to let someone know of any detail of purchase. I do this because its the type of person I am, not because I feel responsible for anyones purchases.

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" But I do not see the wrong in someone posting a comment to ensure that the seller and the potential buyers know that the same item can be had for the same price new. "

I agree but what I think we are also talking about is how things are said. Not that questions about price should not be asked, but perhaps be asked in a more tactful way in this situation.

Honestly I think that we are starting to beat a dead horse. Looks like Riki sold all of his stuff, I can only assume those who bought it are happy with those purchases..

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Permalink Reply by Suecyde on November 11, 2010 at 12:50pm

As I stated in the first post or thread intro. This discussion was brought forward because of the interaction in Rdkl's 4 sale thread but was not meant to be about him. This discussion was put forth so that people could discuss the etiquette in the classifieds sections.

It is never anyone else's fault that the item purchased was over priced. But since the Norcal group has grown, the initial vision that was once presented has now changed. The vision that we a group not a club, of ppl that have FJCs (which I no longer have) and like to wheel them. I remember once reading, "We are not a club but a bunch of friends that own FJs and like to wheel," or at least that was my interpretation. The person to whom I sold my FJ to was introduced to the NorCal Group as my friends, not just ppl I wheel with. Perhaps this is just me.... but as a FRIEND, I find it to be my responsibility to look out for one another especially if my FRIENDS do not know any better. That is my point of view.