Role of SRP BST discussion thread cont.

[ChrisL]

This thread, at the request of Moderator Josh Earl has been moved here for any further discussion anyone wishes to make on the issue that was originally brought up here.

Chris L

[JoshEarl]

Thanks, Chris.

Guys, the mods are currently having a discussion about what type of guidelines should be in place for the BST forum. I'd like to hear what you have to say about it. We will weigh your comments and balance them with the admins' goals in developing these policies.

I think we can keep the flourishing marketplace that is BST alive while also implimenting some modest boundaries.

Josh

[jnich67]

I just want to throw my 2 cents in here.

I do not think the BST should be a “free for all” where anyone can join SRP and sell a bunch of razors without contributing to the community as a whole. From the time I joined SRP, I always viewed and recommended the BST here as something of a “safe haven” where one could pretty much count on a fair deal because the community as a whole would keep members/sellers in line and not let them take advantage of a “buyer beware” free market.

I have noticed a dramatic increase in the price of razors - especially on ebay. Those increases now seem to be reflected, to an extent, here. I don’t know what’s causing this or if there is anything we can do about it.

I don’t think we need a bunch of new rules though. The fact that this thread arose says that the community is doing its job and policing itself. The “system” is working, so lets not futz with it too much.


Jordan

[heavydutysg135]

Does anyone think that it would make sense to implement some type of minimum post count and minimum amount of membership time before a "member" is allowed to post something for sale in the B/S/T section of this forum like they do at B&B? I am not sure if I do, but it might be something to think about because it could potentially reduce the problem of people registering just to post items in the B/S/T section instead of eBay.

[OLD_SCHOOL]

I can't believe I missed that thread. I think the greatest concern is what Philadelph bought up, the fact that, that particular member came here and started selling straights without so much as a proper introduction and most posts were either FS threads or how much are these worth?
I had noticed this myself and it is rather concerning to think perhaps our new members are just coming here to sell their razors that they know nothing about coz they are almost guaranteed to make a profit from a place that deals specifically to but not limited to straight razors.
I also noticed today, a similar member who has become a know-it-all in a matter of weeks, who openly said he paid $X for a razor and has put it up for sale at 257% profit minus shipping.

IMHO some guidelines might just be a good idea, because as stated, its the genuine newbie who comes here looking for a good quality shave ready straight that may end up getting/feeling ripped off.

Thanks to the mods for putting a plan into action. You have my support.

[ChrisL]

I agree with Jordan on all counts. I'm afraid on B&B, where they're experiencing the same problem coincidentally (or maybe not coincidentally), that B&B may go extreme on regs, rules, guidelines etc. I hope that doesn't happen. The way some are talking over there, I would think they'd have to have a full time 24/7 mod just to police BST. Hopefully that won't happen there, and I don't think we need that here.

Jordan also touched on something I agree with; razor prices on Ebay IMO have gone up. The few times I've SOLD razors, I've sold them on Ebay because I wanted to get the highest price I could to make a profit. To me, that's why Ebay is there. Aside from the fees that Ebay charges, if someone is out to make a profit (nothing wrong with that) I cant quite figure out why they wouldn't want to list a razor on Ebay rather than BST? When I've sold on Ebay, I've benefited from the person that for whatever reason buys my item for honestly way more than I think it's worth; I'd never even think of "shooting the moon" on BST by asking for the absolute max I think some person may pay. I suppose if I had a continuous boatload of razors to sell, Ebay fees of a greater significance at that point would make BST threads at B&B, SRP, Shave my face, etc attractive. It's been said before, but SRP BST is not a fee-free Ebay equivalent and is not meant for that.

I DO plan on selling razors on SRP BST in the future unlike some that have said they never will. The reason I haven't yet is that I intend on selling razors I take great pains and time into restoring and razors that would first either be in my own shaving rotation or would be shave worthy sharp of being in my rotation. I'm not advocating that only such razors be sold in BST (and that razors in need of restoration not be sold in BST), I'm only giving my own personal example of what I intend to use BST for in relation to selling razors occasionally in the future.

Chris L

[sicboater]

+1 on this. I am relatively new to SRP, but I owe a great deal of my straight shaving experience to the ideals of this community. I would hate to see people taking advantage of the site in any way thus degrading the name and reputation everyone here has built out of sheer good will and fellowship.

IMHO some guidelines might just be a good idea, because as stated, its the genuine newbie who comes here looking for a good quality shave ready straight that may end up getting/feeling ripped off.

Thanks to the mods for putting a plan into action. You have my support.

[gssixgun]

I have always been under the impression that the B/S/T/ was safer place to buy razors especially for new members...
The term "Shave Ready" has been discussed at length, and most realize that the best the can ever happen is that each seller does his absolute best to assure that he sells a razor that a new member can feel comfortable in trying for his first attempt at straight shaving... or a restored razor/semi-custom / custom built to their absolute best of their ability for any member...

That being said, besides prices on e-bay going through the roof even our favorite vendors have raised prices on new razors....
So yes prices are up, period end of story!!!!

My personal opinion is that the "Banter" is caused by non-contributing members whose only posts are in the B/S/T forum this seems to be the under current to the recent flare ups.... Some people sell razors for the love of this hobby, others are trying to make a living selling razors!!!!

Is there a solution that can be implemented by rules.... I think not, the solution is already in place, the Senior members police and protect the newer members quite well....Our Mods are quite efficient at quelling the small flare ups between members already..... Are we as a group the most gentlemanly ??? Really the answer is YES (Try going to any Gun Chat forum YIKES)

In general I feel that this is still by a long shot the best most friendly forum I have ever had the privilege of being a member of... I hope that it does not become a "Police State" full of rules and regulations..... That would truly ruin what we have here.....


Thank you for listening:

[Wildtim]

That thread is actually a good example of how the BST forum works well. I would have liked to see Philadelph's post sooner but I like the way it does in many ways seem to self-police to keep only the quality sellers doing good business.

I think that the best way to keep up the quality in the BST forum is to, as experienced shavers remember to comment on the positives, if any, of the items for sale. Kind of a recommendation system that way. Yes it could turn into an ol-boys network but thats OK as that will ensure quality as long as we're honest in our evaluations.

I must admit I don't often frequent the BST because I'm not in the market so to speak, but perhaps I should, if only to be a help to our newbies with my comments.

For instance upon seeing the first post of that thread my thought was, not a bad deal if this was a honed razor, but even then not a good deal. I figured the price would be a deal at $35 pre-honed and $20 or so in current condition as long a shipping was included.


P.S. I'd hate to see use go the way of B&B or SMF as they often seem to overreact to little things making them less friendly and less gentlemanly places to hang out.

[Churchill]

Hi guys,
I am relatively new here so I may be out of line posting concerning the rules of the forum.The only thing I found ironic in this situation is that not long ago a member of several of the shaving forums listed items on 3 different forums.More than 95% of his posts had been in the B/S/T's on the 3 forums.
I brought this to the attention of the mods on one forum and was chastised because the quality of the member's goods was very high.
I dropped the issue and didn't even mention it on this forum.
There was no complaining here about the fact that almost all of his posts were in the B/S/T.This was due to the fact that everyone was jumping on his high quality items.
I realize that everyone was just trying to protect the uninformed buyers that some newbies can be. But it should be a fair judgment on the member no matter what the quality is.
I think a minimum post count and minimum membership time is a great idea.
I've seen this actually work on the other forums because some of the sellers that were prevented from selling their goods never showed their face again.
That to me was a good indication that they were only there to sell.
Sorry if I've been long winded about this.
Thanks for your time,
Bob