Role of SRP BST discussion thread cont.

[RMC_SS_LDO]

Just an idea, I didn't see it anywhere so if it was already mentioned please disregard.
On the topic of razor condition, re; selling razors to rookies who might be turned off by a straight that needs work , is it possible or plausible to start each b/s/t "straight razor for sale" with something like " recommended for the restorer only" or " not recommended for new straight users" or even "ready to shave, newbies welcome"
Just a thought

LOL!

No, we don't want to shoot you! That would make for one less razor freak in the community! We seemed to flame-spray you, but it was most definitely NOT personal!

I don't think the information in the postings is the main topic at hand, but you make a very valid point- some general guidelines for postings may prove very helpful. Maybe a "form" one could copy (from a "sticky" or something) then paste and fill in the blanks?


v/r

Allen

[Traveller]

I sell a lot of razors every year 75/100 ,mostly high quality vintage razors.I sell almost none on e bay,and almost none on SRP,and none are cheap ,or bargain priced.The reason I started selling the few that I do on SRP was because quite a few members here (who had seen some of my restoration posts asked me if I would) So I pick a few particularly nice razors when I have the time,and offer them here(at lower prices than I sell them to my dealers for)I had 2 dealers in New Orleans who temporarily slowed down after the hurricane,so I had a few extra to offer here.If you guys dont want me selling them here that is fine with me,just tell me so and Ill go away.I have approx 2500 Sheffield razors of various manufacture,vintage,quality(many as new),I have approx 3000 5/8-6/8 German and US manufactured vintage razors ,probably half are new or as new ,and the rest are in good condition(a couple members have been here to visit and look things over ,every bodys welcome).I got rid of all the junk ,or questionable stuff years ago ,so it doesnt really matter to me too much if you dont want me selling my razors here.As I state in my warranty I will take any razor I sell back for full refund at any time,and I offer a lifetime(sorry,but just mine,and Im 62 so hurry) warranty on everything I sell .Anybody unhappy with my stuff please post so all can see,send your razors back,and Ill refund your money same day( doesnt matter when you bought it)
I will say that there has been a lot of junk and polished up old e Bay crap sold on B/S/T of late(in my opinion),but none of it came from me
This is just a hobby for me,I dont need the money or any hassel,so do what you will ,and it's fine with me .I have a listing on Microsoft Xl of all this stuff,and have been considering letting people other than dealers buy through my web site,but I will decide on that at a later date(not all the razors are photographed and listed yet)If you decide you would like me to offer some razors for sale let me know what my quota is and I will obey

Best regards Gary

[jnich67]

Gary, I certainly hope you continue to post razors for sale here on SRP. You're an asset to the Forum as are the razors you sell here.

Jordan

[coachmike]

Just my feeling of course,but Gary I don't think the majority here feel that you are a problem here. Yes , this is just my opinion, but I for one love your razors and kicked myself in the ass for being away on vacation when you put your last ones up for sale. Your work is QUALITY , and i hope to be able to own a razor-work-of-art from you(if luck allows me to PM quick enough) soon.

[Tony Miller]

Gary,
I mentioned you as an example of how things should work. You are a fine example of a quality seller offering things we are unlikely to find elsewhere and at a fair price. You contribute and you sell on occasion...what's not to like!

Tony

[the wanderer]

I'm somewhat of a newbie, having only been around for a few weeks, but I would like to weigh in here as well.

A Unix User Group mailing list I'm on has regular 50+email flamewars about things that would seem to anyone outside the group as so inane as to be not even worth a thought, let alone 3 or 4 days of heated emails and thinly veiled personal attacks.

As a newbie, I've been inspired to see some of the old-timers offer shave-ready, high-quality blades at very low prices with the stated intent that hopefully a newbie would get it and have a great introduction to our hobby. I've also been inspired to see some others who post razors that they have obviously spent _a lot_ of time and effort in making them into a beautiful work of art that happens to also shave extremely well.

I frequent the BST forum not because I'm in the market for another razor (SWMBO would kill me ) but because I've learned a lot from the restored razors posted there and the comments about them by the old-timers who know the general quality of the brand and in some cases the quality of workmanship of the one restoring and selling them. My posts in the BST (and I don't think there are many) other than one WTB for a heavier wedge razor while I was trying unsuccessfully to pick one up on Ebay, are usually a "wow" type comment on a razor I feel is particularly nice.

This has been an inordinately long way of saying a couple things: First, thanks to all the old-timers who sell quality razors for low prices in the hopes of aiding us newbies, or who sell very nicely restored razors at a fair price and provide collectable-quality, usable razors to those looking. Second, to say that while I agree with the idea of a minimum-membership-time limit to selling razors on BST, I don't think a minimum post count would be worth the trouble. Third and finally: to say that compared to other forums/groups I participate in, I think the level of mature conversation on this site is _very_ high, and that a minor (it was relatively minor) flare-up is a small price to pay for the quality of self-policing that we have here.

[speed_pigeon]

Personally, I greatly appreciate everything that has been done by the senior members here. From what I have seen the case that started this whole thing was a somewhat isolated one. It was nipped quickly and thankfully no one got taken for a ride. I bought my first two straights off of ebay, not knowing what I was really doing. I greatly over paid for both! But that’s fine, because it was a learning experience and I even posted the purchases here. Thankfully the members here were good enough to tell me I got ripped and that is what made me stay here. Straights are one thing I have limited knowledge about and would like to take an opportunity to thank the mods and members alike for looking out for us new guys. I contribute what I can where I can and agree 100% it would be a shame to see this forum go the way so many others have! There are a lot of regular posters and all are willing to go the extra mile just because they’re good people. In short, a self policing system is working quite well and although it means more work for everyone involved, it would be nice to see it remain the way it is. The hard work and extra effort is, after all, what sets this forum so far apart from any other. Let alone other shaving forums. So thank you to everyone that continues to go the extra mile for your fellow man, it is appreciated!

Dan

[Mike_ratliff]

Traveller is an excellent example of a good seller on BST, he may qualify as a vendor in some people's eyes, but he provides restorations that nobody else does... The quality of his work, and the manner that he backs that work is awesome.
As a vendor, if I'm not allowed to post in BST, or Traveller isn't allowed... Where would we be allowed to post or sell?

I can and do list razors on my site, but if I want to sell a razor from my personal collection, and would like to get it to a newbie, or someone who would appreciate the razor, BST is better than a random buyer on my site. When I list here, I always list at a lower price... and I try to give something extra here.

members here have always supported each other, and when a razor is listed as a deal for newbies, the older members have always respected that... I would really hate to see that change.

[the wanderer]

+1

Being a poor college student, I am probably limited to my 2 razors for another couple of years. BUT, it's nice to A: see razors like the ones Gary has listed lately in the BST, if nothing else just to see what is possible, and B: see them for _significantly_ cheaper than similar work elsewhere.

It would be _much_ easier for me to scrimp for a few months and buy one of Gary's razors for $100-$200 than it would be for me to scrimp for much longer to buy a similar razor somewhere else.

For the foreseeable future, if a newbie like myself is going to be able to own something of that quality, that's pretty much the only way. This is not a quick flip to make a few bucks, but is, in my opinion, an honest-to-goodness service to the community, despite the fact that he may sell a lot of razors elsewhere.

[Belegnole]

Ironic you should say that, as this forum is regarded by more than a few people I've talked to as the least friendly of all the forums. It's probably somewhat due to the nature of this forum itself (dedicated to straight razor shaving exclusively), but I've found all the wetshaving forums to be VERY gentlemenly and respectful, by and large.

It's all about perception.

Please lets keep this thread on track so as to avoid turning it into a pissing competition between other forums.

I am going to get my 2 cents in here I guess....First the above....

I am not attempting to pick on Old_School he is just helping me prove a point. The point is this. Baloosh was NOT off topic, he was responding to what someone else said. He was also pointing out a problem with how we are perceived or perceive each other based on what we do here now.

On the idea of rules for the B/S/T. I believe that the fewer the better and my reasoning is as follows. If we start making too many ways of limiting who can sell then a whole bunch of people will not be able to offer or buy in the B/S/T. For instance Gary who sells some wonderful razors could be considered as making a profit do to the prices of the razors he sells. What he actually pays in costs could be anywhere and we don't know so we cant judge him in that manner. Take Tim Zowada who IS a vendor. He would be welcome here because we covet his razors and respect his abilities. His posts might get moved to the vendor area, but if it was a one off it may not. Then there is the club exclusivity mentality which only works for so long and then someone makes their own forum. I for one refuse to buy on E-bay and I am not going to explain why here. It does however limit where I may find razors. The B/S/T is a good place to look as a straight shaver because it is moderated by people who have knowledge and an interest in straights. We cannot prejudge anyone but must judge people based on their actions. When someone is caught acting in a manner in which the membership disproves of things happen to rectify the situation. That is for the best....

On a last note ...the definition of "Gentlemanly conduct" here abouts is a bit off in my mind. I will NOT be taking private anything in which I believe should be shared with all. If I offend or am mistaken I have the choice of apologizing. It is not the place of a Gentleman to whisper behind the backs of others when a valid point is being made. I am not however saying that slanderous or inflammatory comments should be made. However I would want ....in fact demand that those who know the going price for a razor let the newb know that a price is off base. Just as the member let others know when it is a good/great price. Prices have doubled to tripled since I started reading these forums (October 2007)and it is not to the benefit of the membership to have a lack of knowledge as to a possible purchase. Someone who does not haunt e-bay may not know that someone else is turning a 500% return on his investment. If they did they may choose not to purchase said razors. OR they may be informed that the razors are actually worth every penny that is being asked in the B/S/T and then make the purchase.

I vote no