Thread: How far should courtesy go?

I have a bit of a dilemma with a posting currently in the Classified section. In the old days of the BST, I know how this could have been handled but now I'm no longer sure so here I am asking...

I have just encountered a posting in the new Classified section that I consider to be deceptive or at least incorrect. This may be due to the inexperience of a new member or, worst case scenario, it may be due to someone trying to pull a fast one. In either case, I will definitely PM the seller right after posting this message but I don't think that goes far enough. That is because if the seller disagrees with, or disregards, my suggestion to him, then some other new or inexperienced member may believe the description in the listing and get screwed.

I think the most detrimental difference between the BST and the Classified sections is the drastic reduction in comments associated with listings in the Classified sections. The result of this is that there is less peer review of the items put up for sale. That means that questionable items are not as likely to be questioned and that commendable items are less like to be recommended. Both lead to less help/guidance for newer members.

Finally my question...

In the new Classified section, is it okay to post a comment to basically challenge the veracity of a listing or to ask for the seller to explain his experience to in order to justify his claims? Of course I mean for this to be done in a relatively tactful and courteous manner, to the best of my abilities.

Really good observation. I am a relative newcomer around here but I think you should have every right in the world to comment on an item pro or con and I bet the mods will agree,

I guess I'm a little less prone to make such comments in the Classified section because it's more like you're trying to shoot down someone's chance to make a buck. In the BST, it seemed to have more of a sense of community and people responded with comments just like in the rest of the forum. I'm clearly not the only one who is feeling a bit tenuous about it because there is a markedly reduced number of comments in the classifieds in comparison to BST.

Welcome the chance to increase my level of service to this community. If ANYONE EVER has a need to PM me and point out a mistake I am making, I will accept it with as much grace as I can muster. That goes for the classifieds and the rest of the site too!

v/r

-Rob

I did follow up and PM'ed the seller who triggered my questions. The problem is that I had multiple objections to his ad and I did raise them to him, but that's not public. It's not my intent to shame anyone, and as I already said, I tried to be tactful, but that PM does nothing to inform anyone else. I'm not claiming to have any degree of brilliance that simply must be bestowed upon the minions.

I'm saying that the rest of this forum is full of give and take dialog. The BST had that and Classified does not seem to have it. The BST was a part of the forum and the Classified is not part of the forum according to the tabs at the top of the the webpage.

So just what is the proper level of decorum for comments in the Classified section? Could the Mods please clarify this?

As far as I am concerned the same ruls that held for the BST hold for the classifieds. Gentlemanly behavior is expected, Money should not be discussed as in "you are charging to much" etc. If you have a serious issue please drop a pm to me or one of the other mods before trying to call someone out or calling someone a crook

I think its pretty much a given that you can ask for clarifications concerning the item however comments reflecting on the seller and his/her item and or price should not be broached. if you have an issue of that type contact the mod and take it up with him but I'm pretty sure what the answer will be in a far majority of cases.

I have similar concerns about the integrity of some recent descriptions.

For example, can a blade that looks to have pitting along the razors edge be described as excellent.

I think that a question should be asked in the advert section not as a pm.

No reply to polite questions speaks volumes to a would be purchaser.

This is a high quality forum with a membership that has a high level of integrity. That integrity has been built up over a long period.

It also has a great classifieds Section with a high reputation for quality at a fair price.

OK you can not question price but you sure can question quality and I hope every member will do so if they have a concern.

In this way, anyone who joins just to sell product and make money will learn quickly that we have standards and don't suffer fools gladly.

To be honest, you need to earn your reputation as a seller. This is not E Bay but it could slide that way quickly if we don't ask the questions and monitor sellers activities.

My 2p's worth.

English, you pretty much summed up the basis for my concern. That's why I raised the issue in conjunction with the question of appropriate etiquette for the Classified section relative to the former BST.

Doc has told me that it is under discussion.

Maybe we should make an effort to treat the classified section just like the old BST.

I have been looking at the Classified section frequently and i appreciate its simplicity to find exactly what you may be looking for, however, it is easy for a seller to forget to click one of the options for the descriptions when posting items. Furthermore, i have seen very few comments on listings, i think maybe people aren't commenting simply because they have objections to the new system. Fundamentally, i think this system can be great but everyone has to take a step forward in accepting it rather than just boycotting it. Too often i have read people saying "I never go there because i like the old system better" or something along those lines. For me at least, i just look for sellers i have seen on the forum for awhile that i know have a good reputation for being fair, when i make purchases.