[Boatanchors] eBay references on the list (was nix SX-115)

Sat, 17 Apr 2004 15:24:59 GMT

John & crew --

We've been through this before, of course.  In addition to what Duane explained concerning use or mis-use of qth relative to a commercial site, I offer these for your consideration:

1. Informing list members into an item, just in case they might be interested is not doing anyone a favor, except maybe the seller and some stranger/buyer you don't know and never will.  If you want to let friends know about an time you spotted, it's best to email them privately -- or your good natured favor may well put the item out of reach for the intended benficiaries.  Keep in mind, you only "know" a few people on the list and it's accessible by non-members on the qth site archives.  Also, many of us are in the habit of "window-shopping" the auctions and probably already know about it.

2. Auction related postings almost always get out of control and back into the old issues of greed, etc. and "why not post here at a fixed price" etc.  Not possible to moderate or control to "two postings a month" or anything like that.  These threads often migrate into negativity and issues which were better handled in two TM's -- called the Old and New Testaments. 

As a judgemental test, ask yourself "What purpose does it (really)serve?" The answer has to do with that proverbial road and what it's paved with.

One exception possibly is when something turns up that's of extraordinary historical interest - some mod/version/model that hasn't been seen before, etc.  In the latest cases, it was the extremely high bidding levels and whether or not a Zorchtronics Eleventy-Seven was worth more than a grand or not. It's understandably sometimes difficult to contain oneself, but ....

It's best to avoid direct reference as much as possible.

3.  Finally, to solve this problem of auction issues, Al Waller set up a special "ebay-FS" list where it's "open season" as far as auction related posts are concerned.  This was set up a couple of years ago, but never got much use.

I suggest we use that list.  I don't know why it hasn't caught on -- maybe because it isn't otherwise subject-specific (boatanchors, Hammarlund, Heathkit, Hallicrafters, etc.)  However, if traffic built up sufficiently, I suppose there could be several lists.

Just in case I haven't yet conveyed my points, I offer this simulation:

Tom: "Hey gang -- in case anyone is interested, there's a Hammarcrafterkit 666 on you know where for only $23.14 with nine days to go. But shhhhh!  Don't tell anyone else."

Dick:  "Yeah but there's a reserve on it and the hit count is up to 593, so must be a lot of snipers lying in wait."

Harry:  "Hey, that seller screwed me three times -- and look at his FB."

Bubba:  "I've got a mint one for sale to the list (and 10 others) -- Best offer over $2K by Friday -- plus professional packing and shipping."

Could keep going, (you know me, heh heh) but hopefully that's more than enough. I suppose that would all be OK on th ebay-FS list. ;-)

Barry

John wrote:

     You make a good point about being able to see the item for sale as this 
list does not allow pictures. However, anyone interested could ask the 
seller for a direct download of the pictures.
     Problem with that is the seller could get covered up with requests for 
pictures. Takes a long time to fill all those requests. Now I know some are 
going to say, " put them on your web site". But I am sure all of us dont 
have a web site.
     I for one dont object to the occasional post of a "seen on epay" ad. 
But then I also sell on epay. But I dont ever list a "look at this " ad 
here.
     You cant list something for sale here and epay at the same time. And 
you will have to admit that there are far more prospective buyers there than 
here.
     That being said, maybe a limit of 2 refences per month per list member. 
Just a thought. Its not like Duane doesnt have enough to do already. I just 
thought that with a limit of 2, anymore than that would be obvious and then 
Frogzilla could rain locust on the perpetrater or whatever.
     Just my 3 cents worth. Inflation and all. John

John Page K4KWM
Hollow State since 1953
(ex W8PKU,N8BLB,NA8O)

>From: "Horace W. Hall" <[email protected]>
>CC: BOATANCHORS List <[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Let's Nix the SX-115 discussion
>Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 02:56:59 -0400
>
>And the other point, which seems to have been overlooked, is that there is
>a difference, or perhaps ought to be a difference, between posting a link
>to hawk an auction and posting a link because we'd probably like to see
>what we are talking about. Of course, that presumes we are allowed to talk
>about curiosities, mystery boxes, and so on if it requires mentioning they
>appeared at an auction site. I think we will miss out on some neat subjects
>if we aren't.

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