Role of SRP BST discussion thread cont.

[Tony Miller]

<<<< If Robert Williams were to list a few of his customs here, I don't think anybody would bat an eye... Or Zowada, or Chandler, or Livi... because it would be a valuable contribution to the community. >>>>

Mike,
This is a good example of why rules will never fit every case. These guys, while "in business" still produce on a hobbyist level and I would not see any issue with their wares in B/S/T to some extent. Zowada and Williams do have dealers selling their work but on a very limited basis. Joe I think is only selling directly. Maestro has an established dealer network in many countries so probably crosses the line of vendor.

Your Wapi razors started small and when you decided to go large you steped up on your own to the next level. I started the same way. Three years ago making a strop or two a week I used B/S/T but once I set up a real business I made a separation between personal stuff and for profit stuff. This is still not my full time professsion but operates like it so follows the same rules. Others may be full time knifemakers but only do a razor or two once in a while so to our market anyway, they are more like hobbyists.

Tony

[Mike_ratliff]

I didn't want to use my Wapis, as an example, because I felt they crossed the line... I thought when I asked if there was interest I might get 10 or 12 people interested... I've sold close to 100 Wapis since then.
But once the order was filled, I went vendor, so as to keep from turning BST into a free for all...

I still list occasionally on BST, it's nice when I find a small treasure to share it. or if I want to sell from my private collection.

I think the issue here is that the actions of certain individuals has violated or violates the trust, and ethics of this forum. and no rule can force someone to have ethics...

I am glad the decision for change is not on my shoulders.

[justchillin]

I'd like to chime in on a transaction I experienced when I first started on SRP. I never bought it up with the members cause it eventually worked itself out.

A seller that had like 350 post counts and was a member since Jan 2007 was selling three razors. He'd sold a few before (Maestro and a robert williams) and no complaints were written so I figured he wasn't a scam artist. The picture was so so and he described the razors as three beautiful razors. Not Shave Ready but suggested a light honing.

I paid for all three razors and asked him to send it to Lynn to be honed. Lynn got them and I asked Lynn his honest opinion. Lynn said the razors were in so so condition. There was rust around the pivot areas and some pitting on the blades. This was not mentioned in the ad and it wasn't evident in the picture. Essentially, I overpaid. I was not happy. I asked Lynn to proceed with the honing since I've already paid for em, I'll use them. Lynn was kind enough to offer his expert opinion if I needed it when corresponding with the seller. Lynn honed the razors but he said they definitely needed more than a light honing. To the seller's defense, Lynn did say that he's corresponded with the seller before and he was always upfront with him.

I was finally able to contact the seller after several PM's and he explained to me that he was going through some personal problems. I explained to him the situation with the honing and the undisclosed rust spots pitting and he refunded some of the honing costs to me.

After that situation, it left a bad taste in my mouth for buying from BST, mainly because I expected full disclosure. But because of the excellent honing from Lynn I now have three so so looking razors that are excellent shavers!! So it didn't turn out that bad afterall.

I'm more concerned with accountability than price. Case in point, I purchased a razor from a member here end of last year. It's an excellent shaver. I wanted to find out more info about it cause it didn't have any origin markings. I plugged in google what was on the razor and I found that very razor on ebay. So I know exactly what the seller paid for it. But I didn't care because for the price I paid, the seller has taken the razor back twice to repin and retighten. He stood by his work and I'm very thankful for it. So he deserves every cent.


I guess the point I'm making is that if you sell on BST,regardless of the selling price you need to stand by your stuff. I don't want to have to worry bout my transaction. If I am willing to pay the asking price, then that's the price for me.

[Kenrup]

I am going to chime it at this point. I'm not concerned that there might a flurry of offerings from one person from time to time. Some guys on the forum had a shot at some awesome razors and knew that the seller was above reproach. A while ago I mentioned to a moderator that I thought a minimum time and posting was might be a good idea. I agreed with the moderator's response that the forum was trying to "in the spirit of self-policing" limit the rules. I do feel that doubts or comments should be voiced to the seller in a PM. I also applaud Mike in going vendor when his service for Wapis skyrocketed. I will eventually become a vendor but I'm not interested in giving up my day job just yet. I enjoy the camaraderie and the exchange of ideas and philosophies. I also support any decision that the moderators make concerning this board.

[Don]

Guys everyone has posted different ways of looking at this and all are right in that way. We as Admin need to look at it from a holistic view point. And the rules would be judged by the Moderators if someone comes on and list a bunch of there razors to raise some cash for a Livi or Chandler cool. The Razor market is booming and people are making a lot of money on it, myself included I have so many razors to list on eBay right now it is not even funny. I just have not had the time I could easily throw them in the BST much quicker and sell them all. But do not because that would be a business move. Not meant for the BST. If someone as a Restoration business and does a great job good for them and us. I just does not belong in the BST. We do not want to stop this we are also looking at ways they can still do this just not in the BST. We do want what is best for all but will always look at the long term impact to SRP first. Mikes story is a great example said he would do a few no its over a 100 he made it a business. Good for him and us. He is still doing well with them just not in the BST. The BST must be a friendly place for all members to sell trade and buy to enrich their passion and not be a Business Center. I will use the example of the razor makers. they throw one or two up special for us YOWZA . That decide the BST now becomes the way the do there business that would not be wanted in the BST. A Ad in the Vendors section giving discount to members now that is where it would belong.
Members need to look at the BST as hobbyist exchanging goods.
When they look at the Vendor Section it is still good stuff but they know people their are making profits any running a business. I would love to see more post from vendors in that section I feel it is great for the members to know they are our trusted Vendors.

Does that make sense?

[coachmike]

All i can say is , I LOVE THIS PLACE. It is the best thing to happen to me since I first thought of straight shaving years ago. I came in here and INSTINTLY found a home and a comfort level that gave me the knowledge and courage to begin this wonderful hobby. I love to shave since i started with a straight , it's not a burden the way it used to be for me. Watching all that has happened here and what lead to this thread makes me feel sad at what is happening to MY safe haven. I know this forum will be even better then ever after all this, and I know that this all started by well meaning members that were looking out for guys like me. That being said, Don I agree 100% with what you posted and feelings like those are what has made this place what it is and will continue to be. Forget the posts count thing and let the membership(older more experienced guys of course) police things here with the guidence of the moderators, which already do a great job. Just my 0.02 for all it's worth. Sorry for the long post from a new guy.

[Tanamack]

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

[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