Thread: Addition to the classifieds policy. Please read

Originally Posted by Ditch Doc

I merely posted a link to an identical item at a popular dealer at half the price, and received a reprimand. I have no emotions attached to this, however, I do like to see consistency and accuracy.

When was this?
This new 'rule' was only made 2 days ago, and there was some initial confusion.

There was a couple of comments about a razor that was for sale that was the same model as one being sold at CS. I do believe it may be sold out at this time though. They went quick. In any case, someone asked if it was the same one as at CS, the OP stated he wasn't aware, and I provided a link to said razor. Now, this razor is one that many have been paying very high prices for, and considering that trend, the OP wasn't out of line. It just happened that CS had a lot of NOS,something about liquidation sale, and put them up for sale at half the asking price of the SRP poster. One of the mods sent me an email stating my post was out of order and had deleted it. The ad is still posted, however all comments have been removed.

P.S. This occurred yesterday I believe.

Pricing comments on ad = not allowed.

Questions concerning ad (everything but price) = allowed.

Links to other razors (as long as pricing is not mentioned) = allowed.

Pricing comments via PM or email = allowed.

Removing and resubmitting of ad because you don't like the comments = PROBLEM.

Removing ad because you've made a mistake (and no resubmission) = ok.

That's about as succinct as I can make it. Just keep it civil and gentlemanly.

If you have a comment which you think might be out of line, please feel free to PM or email any of the moderators - including myself.

Personally, I think this addition to the rules is good, and I thank all the mods for all their efforts here.

My concern remains that newbies are always counseled to check out the BST for vintage razors, shave ready for a fair price. Usually for their first razor(s) at a time that they really are not aware of the nuances of different razors and how much is a fair price (I used to go by Crichton's comments ), let alone the different places where they can buy one for a better, or in this case, the true price. So when they see a member, especially one whose join date shows that they have been a member for some time, they assume these.

I guess my question is, is there anything else we can do to keep this from happening again? That is, to prevent someone from using the reputation of SRP's classifieds, and really its members, from being used to fool newcomers into thinking what they are selling is (a)good, and (b)worth the price?

This time we could reference to CS. What if it were a vintage Filly 14 being sold for $660? How can comments be made with no reference to price?

One scenario that comes to my mind is a member seeing what he feels is a razor priced way out of line PMs a mod to that effect. If the mod agrees he notifies the seller and suggests lowering the price or taking it to ebay. Of course it would have to be an egregious discrepancy between a fair price and that listed but that is one way to approach the problem.

Long post here, sorry! I don't think the following suggestion will be adopted; not in any way because I think the mods are not willing to listen but because I don't consider myself to be the greatest problem solver. I'm just throwing out more of a comment wrapped inside a rhetorical question of sorts:

What's really wrong with someone publicly asking a seller why they they ask the price they're asking?

I agree, in a hypothetical situation where someone posts something for sale in the classifieds for what many would think would be exorbitant like: "I paid $XX for the same XXX, you're charging too much". Or, "I sold one of those last month and only asked $XX for it. What's up?" I think such comments would be uncalled for and unproductive.

IF............however, a person simply asked an honest question like: "Can you explain why you're charging that price?" What would be wrong with that? Everyone has a reason for setting a price for something. Reasons differ. As a seller of something, I would have no problem whatsoever with explaining why I'd charge a certain price for something.

I saw Glen quite some time ago give a breakdown on a razor and why he was asking what he was (a very fair price IIRC). The original cost of the razor, time spent in restoration, materials etc. I really appreciated that and thought; "Who could argue with that?!?"

I'm finishing up just a few horsehide and cowhide strops I'll put in the classifieds. I'll probably do something similar (give a cost breakdown).

Bottom line, I see nothing wrong with asking a seller to explain why they're asking what they are for anything. Personally I'll go on record saying I would not be offended if I sold something in the Classifieds and someone asked me to explain how I arrived at my asking price.

Chris L

To folow up on Chris's post, on another forum a guy having seen the recent phenomenon of a couple of Fillys bringing $600 on ebay put one up on their BST at that price. In the BST forum the members tore him a new ...... well let's just say they voiced their displeasure. The seller defended his position which left it up to the viewers discrimination to decide whether it was worth it or not. It didn't sell but that is neither here nor there. Seeing that we are all big boys and presumably able to defend ourselves or go to bat for a seller who is being criticized for a price we consder fair why not let it be self governing ? The mods can and do jump in to a thread if it gets out of hand and the newbie would have something to go by if an item is priced out of line.

Originally Posted by Chris L

IF............however, a person simply asked an honest question like: "Can you explain why you're charging that price?" What would be wrong with that? Everyone has a reason for setting a price for something. Reasons differ. As a seller of something, I would have no problem whatsoever with explaining why I'd charge a certain price for something.

I saw Glen quite some time ago give a breakdown on a razor and why he was asking what he was (a very fair price IIRC). The original cost of the razor, time spent in restoration, materials etc. I really appreciated that and thought; "Who could argue with that?!?"
Chris L

I believe this is the one you were talking about Chris, I did it this way for a specific reason, at that time there was a "conversation" going on in BST about pricing... much like this one we are having right now....
I figured that if I broke it down, that I would not be involved in that "discussion" and that people who were not into restoring razors might have a better idea as to how much work actually goes into doing them...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/buy-s...ak-scales.html

Good memory BTW...