3. No "Price Police" If you like an item, bid. Too expensive? Don't bid. No negative comments on pricing.
I fail to understand why any posts that request clarification on pricing are censored. It's getting really frusterating. For example, I'm in the market for an i-book so, i posted a quote from Apple with a new machine (with price) and asked what the differences between the machines were.
I'm starting to think that the totallitarian nature of this board really detracts from open discussion rather then promoting it.
If something is a good deal then people will buy it. If not, it won't get sold (or sold to a sucker) but we (the members .. . ) need to have the latitude to determine if what's being offered is within market parameters.
(i feel like i'm writing invisibily because I know this post will be removed. . . . . [img]tongue.gif[/img] )
If this thread is deleted, it just further shows that ehMac isn't interested in its readers opinions. Simple.
This has been a concern for many of ehMac's members for a long time now, but was never properly addressed - whenever someone brings it up, it is quickly shut down without even the possibility of discussion.
I think ehMac needs to properly address this issue.
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The purpose [for this rule], I believe, is that there had been several instances in the past where *ahem* a certain individual made it a habit of soliciting this forum with their opinion of what they believed the selling price should be -- despite their lack of interest in buying said item(s). [Brow beating a seller without having interest in buying the item led to some sellers leaving in frustration.]
This led to a variety of verbal jousts and what-not that didn't amount to much, other than bruised egos and bloody noses.
Basically, it comes down to this -- if you believe the price is too much, PM the seller. However, don't flame them for not listening, or ignoring you. If you're interested in the item, but believe the price is too high, PM them with an offer and an explanation.
That being said -- be prepared to show examples of similar products at the price level you believe it should be sold at if you choose to do either. It might help you and the seller reach an amicable arrangement.
I'm starting to think that the totallitarian nature of this board really detracts from open discussion rather then promoting it.
The trading post rules are enforced pretty strictly because there were a number of incidents involving sellers getting flamed for selling their stuff at what some believed was too high a price. It is for this same reason that price inquiries are now supposed to be made in "Anything Mac".
In other words, the Trading Post is not really meant for open discussion. I don't think I have ever seen a topic of discussion edited in "Anything Mac" or "Everything Else" (the forums meant for open discussion).
it just further shows that ehMac isn't interested in its readers opinions. Simple.
This statement just further shows that you've never tried talking to ehMax (or that you've never submitted your opinion in a way that wasn't a flame).
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if you saw an ad in the local paper for a Mac laptop for a certain price that you thought was high would you take all your Mac using friends over to the the sellers house and make him feel bad for asking the price he is asking? or call him on the phone with all your friends on the same line backing up your claim that he is asking too much? The seller would probably tell you to go @!*K yourself. Well same here..people have the right to ask whatever they like..if they don't get any interest then they won't sell it. If you don't like the price then again either don't buy it...or contact the seller directly and work out a price. I know alot of people on this board work to help each other out but sometimes mind your own business if your not serious in buying the item. If you are serious then work out a deal behind closed doors. If someone wants to buy it they do have the right to ask people if it's a good price or not...shouldn't be the otherway around....or start shopping somewhere else...try ebay...if you don't like the prices..
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I use a 15" Macbook Pro, Mac Pro, and a Core 2 Duo Mac Mini. I also use an Apple Cube dual 500 with a radeon 7500 and 1.5 gigs of ram.
onion - I'm the one who deleted your post, and I felt it violated the Trading Post Rules. The purpose of the rules is to make the Trading Post as fair as possible for everyone by discouraging posting on threads in the Trading Post. Each post bumps a topic, and so if you barter in the thread it is unfair to someone who deals by PM or email.
The rules I've seen broken the most are the following:
Quote:
2. Please use discretion when replying - Offers should be directed to the buyer or seller privately. Post questions/comments only when important clarification needs to be made.
3. No "Price Police" If you like an item, bid. Too expensive? Don't bid. No negative comments on pricing.
4. Do not unfairly "bump" items - Do not make a quick, pointless post about your item simply to "bump" it to the top of the forum. You may make important points for clarification or notify members when the price has changed.
The reason I removed your post onion, was that "Offers should be directed to the buyer or seller privately."
As a general suggestion (not aimed at you specifically), if you felt that the the clarification was really important, it's easier to ask the seller first to clarify it. You can also suggest that they post the clarification. If they don't and you feel that the seller may be ripping off the prospective buyer, you can report the post or post that you feel that way. This way you have given the seller a chance to fix their ad without casting possible FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) on a thread.
Quote:
I'm starting to think that the totallitarian nature of this board really detracts from open discussion rather then promoting it.
The Trading Post is for the buying and selling of items, and if we let discussion also happen as we have in the past, if your item is not an item of discussion it is bumped off the front page quite quickly. ehMax came up with the best system he could devise that would make it the most fair for all sellers. In order to help facilitate discussion, ehMax also has said that Price Checks and such should be put in Anything Mac, where a product's price can be discussed. We can't satisfy everyone, but we intend to do our best effort to make the Trading Post as fair as possible.
Thank you for your concern, onion, it is appreciated and I'm moved this discussion to Anything Mac in order to stay in stride with the rules we've made to make things fair. ehMac is not about a totalitarian rule, but a place where people can do what they need nicely.
Also a thanks to all those who have replied while I have written this post.
the post that you deleted didn't "flame" the seller. it just grabbed a another machine from the apple website and asked other members to contrast the new machine and the machine posted. i was trying to access the wealth of knowledge that is here on ehmac in order to gauge the quality of a buy.
it wouldn't make sense for me to pm the seller in this situation as he would (i'm sure) tell me that his computer is a much better buy.
as far as i understand this site is not meant to embody the characteristics of a classified newspaper. it is much more interactive then that. in this kind of forum sellers need to grow up and the moderators need not be so paternalistic. if i can't ask if a new box offered at apple.com is comparable to one posted and if sellers are too sensitive then, well, this is all pretty juvenile. maybe those sellers who want to overprice their items and hope nobody notices (not that i'm suggesting that that was the case. . .. ) should consider e-bay or their local classifieds. these forums are designed to preclude discourse.
i came to ehmac because i like the interaction. i like making use of the resources here which INCLUDE the intellegence and feedback of other members.
Shouldn't the Trading Post simply be read-only, no replies allowed? Let people post what they're selling, and anyone interested could pm the seller. When you think about it, ANY reply in the Trading post has an effect on the price, good or bad. ("Is that the pismo with the screen problems" or "That's a terriffic powermac, it has the big cache" or "Is the hinge on that powerbook in good working order" etc.
That being said, I've always enjoyed reading what people question the seller about, it's a good source of info. Occasionally it did become immature with the "you're selling that for way too much" post. Finding a middle ground would be nice, so people can be informed about their potential purchase. I hate the idea that some newbie or grandparent is going to buy, say, a 6400 for $750.
Just my two cents.
Dave
It would be fantastic if people used both judgement and tact when questioning a computer up for sale, but as evidenced in the past, not everyone here exhibits these two traits.
At what point does a PM6400 become a bad price? $100, 200, 750? I wouldn't pay $100 for one, but do I have the right to say so?
The trading post already states "Read Before Posting" and in it contains some basic rules. Yet how many price police have we seen, how many "how much is XXX worth?" etc. Some people do not even have the courtesy to read it.
So rather than leaving somebody's judgement to decide on whether a pricing question is appropriate, it is far easier and fairer for all to just say "no".
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