Should we add a buy and sell forum?

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Steve

Steve

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More and more I'm seeing people asking if they can sell gear on the forum and I'm starting to think about adding a section for buy and sell (heck, sometimes I have gear I want to sell). My thought is that it would only be for supporting members and you'd have to have a minimum number of posts before you can sell (to avoid scammers signing up). We'd have some kind of liability wavier anyone using that area would have to agree to as well.

In the past when this idea was floated, people would mention that it's full of peril, but I don't necessarily see any issues. However, there may be reasons / problems I haven't experienced with other forums so I thought I'd see what everything thinks. Is this too problematic and if so, why?
 
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Steve said:
More and more I'm seeing people asking if they can sell gear on the forum and I'm starting to think about adding a section for buy and sell (heck, sometimes I have gear I want to sell). My thought is that it would only be for supporting members and you'd have to have a minimum number of posts before you can sell (to avoid scammers signing up). We'd have some kind of liability wavier anyone using that area would have to agree to as well.

In the past when this idea was floated, people would mention that it's full of peril, but I don't necessarily see any issues. However, there may be reasons / problems I haven't experienced with other forums so I thought I'd see what everything thinks. Is this too problematic and if so, why?
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I think this is a splendid idea, Steve! I've already bought a few things from BCG members (via PM) and it has always been a great experience. While I may be naive, I think there's a real sense of community and trust here, much more so than on other forums (at least, for me). I don't really "know" anyone on Fred Miranda, DP Review, etc. I'd be very supportive if you were to add a buy/sell section (and, maybe I'd find that Nikon 600E that I so covet 😎).
 
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Abinoone said:
I think this is a splendid idea, Steve! I've already bought a few things from BCG members (via PM) and it has always been a great experience. While I may be naive, I think there's a real sense of community and trust here, much more so than on other forums (at least, for me). I don't really "know" anyone on Fred Miranda, DP Review, etc. I'd be very supportive if you were to add a buy/sell section (and, maybe I'd find that Nikon 600E that I so covet 😎).
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That 600 is getting closer and closer - just gotta get its replacement first!
 
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I have think it is a good idea. I have participated in other types of forums that had buy/sell sections and it was always a good place to see that things find a good home. I'd much prefer that to some random person.
 
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I also agree that with safeguards it is a good idea. Certainly the posts that I read from forum members are helpful and encouraging and make this site the best that I've ever been part of and I think that this would carry over into a Buy and Sell section.
 
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In my opinion, and having moderated several forums, right behind politics and religion it can be a complete cluster. Despite all the warnings, qualifications, disclaimers, etc., it raises so many issues, it's not worth it. @Steve you as a moderator will spend way too much time monitoring, trying to resolve disputes and keeping away scammers. Keep it focused on what it does so well now, let FM, Craig's and eBay deal with the BS.
 
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Although I am new to posting I have been lurking for a while. I would almost rather buy used gear from most of the members here than purchase it from a reseller, except maybe Nikon Refurbished. I have purchased used from KEH and B&H and it has been OK, but often there are little things missing or no disclosure of high shutter counts on bodies. I am not as concerned with cosmetics, but if you have a body with 250,000+ shutter actuations or the lens aperture is is jammed on 6.3, it's no longer "10-Good as new" just because it's not scratched. Now I only use them for non-optical accessories.
PayPal can provide a safety net for everybody so we don't have to worry about checks or credit cards. Steve, I believe you can set up a transfer link within the site.
 
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Steve said:
More and more I'm seeing people asking if they can sell gear on the forum and I'm starting to think about adding a section for buy and sell (heck, sometimes I have gear I want to sell). My thought is that it would only be for supporting members and you'd have to have a minimum number of posts before you can sell (to avoid scammers signing up). We'd have some kind of liability wavier anyone using that area would have to agree to as well.

In the past when this idea was floated, people would mention that it's full of peril, but I don't necessarily see any issues. However, there may be reasons / problems I haven't experienced with other forums so I thought I'd see what everything thinks. Is this too problematic and if so, why?
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In the forums I moderated, most of the scams were from buyers not sellers and PayPal and credit card companies almost always sides with buyers. They exploit the terrible mail (as well as UPS and FedEx) that don't always enforce Signature Required and let any breathing soul to sign for it.
 
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YES PLEASE. I have been thinking of this a lot because I have some items I'd like to sell. I really hate eBay for numerous reasons and I don't have much of a presence on Fred Miranda to be selling my stuff there. I had been considering just trading it in at my local store. But the return on items there is probably 30% less than a private sale. I'd rather split the difference with people on this site.
 
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I'd love to have a chance to sell here, BUT . . . I do see it as a likely hassle for Steve. There's the potential for disputes, hard feelings, etc. I think Steve has so many demonstrated strengths that I'd hate to see his time and energy dissipated by dealing with moderator duties. So I vote no.
 
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I'm pretty new here but an old timer in other places. I think it is a good idea if handled well, like minimum amount of posts or some quantifiable way to make sure the person selling isn't here to rip people off. How is certainly an issue though.

I know if I was looking to purchase a lens for instance I would rater purchase it form someone here who has used it and posted some photos here showing what he was able to do with it. Otherwise people go to other websites that have them and don't really know the participants.

Try it and see how it goes for a while then decide if it should be continued.
 
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I think it is a great idea. One of the "rules" should be that all transactions are between the buyer and seller and that the website and Steve will not be held responsible, advocate for any party, or be involved in any disputes whatsoever. I would think we have at least one Attorney as a member and could help Steve with the wording.

I would prefer to buy from a member and supporter of the site, than some random person on eBay!!
 
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gdecamp said:
I'm pretty new here but an old timer in other places. I think it is a good idea if handled well, like minimum amount of posts or some quantifiable way to make sure the person selling isn't here to rip people off. How is certainly an issue though.

I know if I was looking to purchase a lens for instance I would rater purchase it form someone here who has used it and posted some photos here showing what he was able to do with it. Otherwise people go to other websites that have them and don't really know the participants.

Try it and see how it goes for a while then decide if it should be continued.
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Most scams are perpetuated by buyers, not sellers.
 
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Andrew Lamberson said:
I think it is a great idea. One of the "rules" should be that all transactions are between the buyer and seller and that the website and Steve will not be held responsible, advocate for any party, or be involved in any disputes whatsoever. I would think we have at least one Attorney as a member and could help Steve with the wording.

I would prefer to buy from a member and supporter of the site, than some random person on eBay!!
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No unpaid attorney would accept that responsibility nor should Steve accept unpaid legal opinions. This is America, no disclaimer proofs you against lawsuits nor does is render automatic dismissal of such. You (Steve) gets sued, he has to spend money to defend. Because the forum takes payments, especially if it's a condition to post in sales section, there is a very good chance that it will lose in litigation and be named a party to a dispute.
 
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gdecamp said:
Would be interested to see facts on that. Seems it could be an equal problem, most sellers these days require the money before the goods are sent.
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I had moderated 6 forums, big and small, and about 80% of the scams we encountered were buy-side. I guess I should qualify everything I say with "in my opinion" and "in my experience."
 
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I think it’s a fantastic idea personally. If it were to get problematic, you could certainly stop offering the service at your discretion.
 
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Nimi said:
I had moderated 6 forums, big and small, and about 80% of the scams we encountered were buy-side. I guess I should qualify everything I say with "in my opinion" and "in my experience."
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Yes "in my opinion" is better! Depends on the site, Fred Miranda for instance has a buy sell photography gear forum that is highly successful and has been for many years. If the buyers and sellers routinely "hang out" on the site in other forums and post they come to the for sale forum with a reputation on that site.
 
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I would appreciate the opportunity to purchase from members on this site. Steve mentioned a seller requirement of being a supporting member with a history of posts, I think, so why not have the purchaser also be required to be a supporting member with a history? I suspect that might ward off potential bad apples.
 
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