An argument against redacting prices of sold knives

[brancron]

(EDIT: I'm not arguing in favor of a rule requiring the prices to stay up.)

Covering up what you sold it for in the interest of "privacy" ignores the obvious fact that what you sold it for was public knowledge at the time of acceptance. Why would privacy suddenly become an issue when two minutes before everyone could see the buyer say "I accept" to the not-yet redacted price? Moreover, what privacy interest is there in the sales price of something on a public forum? Who gives a damn?

On the other side of the coin, the usefulness to future sellers and buyers of the price staying up is readily apparent, and trumps any purported privacy interest.
The only other argument I've seen in favor of price redaction has to do with "quick sales" or other such arrangements that are not considered to be reflective of the true market value of the item in question. In such cases, the argument goes, leaving the price up could potentially distort future sales prices. Assuming this is true (although it's questionable), it only describes a particular scenario and so does not in any way support the general practice of price redaction.

Just to go back to the "privacy" argument and to show how hollow it is, consider this: if it really is "nobody's business" what the selling price was, why for that matter is it anyone's business what the object sold was? Why not delete the item description too? Why not delete all references to it being a knife in the first place?

Ok I'm done!

 

[asdf12345]

There's a number of reasons for sellers to do this. None of which I agree with, but people have the prerogative to do what they feel is necessary or appropriate. Like you, I feel that the privacy argument is a stretch.

I remember one time I sold a Microtech for hundreds less than the dealer direct price that Microtech charges their dealers. I was sent a friendly PM saying that I should take down the price because it can hurt Microtech dealers.

Some buyers do not want people to know if they either overpaid or underpaid for an item to save the embarrassment of others knowing that they overpaid or the embarrassment when they try to sell the knife for hundreds, sometimes thousands more than they paid for it. Word gets around when things like this happen, especially with custom knives.

 

[EyeDog]

FWIW I never remove prices. However I do let stand the original posted asking price when I have struck a lower price deal with a buyer.

 

[craytab]

Covering up what you sold it for in the interest of "privacy" ignores the obvious fact that what you sold it for was public knowledge at the time of acceptance. Why would privacy suddenly become an issue when two minutes before everyone could see the buyer say "I accept" to the not-yet redacted price? Moreover, what privacy interest is there in the sales price of something on a public forum? Who gives a damn?

On the other side of the coin, the usefulness to future sellers and buyers of the price staying up is readily apparent, and trumps any purported privacy interest.
The only other argument I've seen in favor of price redaction has to do with "quick sales" or other such arrangements that are not considered to be reflective of the true market value of the item in question. In such cases, the argument goes, leaving the price up could potentially distort future sales prices. Assuming this is true (although it's questionable), it only describes a particular scenario and so does not in any way support the general practice of price redaction.

Just to go back to the "privacy" argument and to show how hollow it is, consider this: if it really is "nobody's business" what the selling price was, why for that matter is it anyone's business what the object sold was? Why not delete the item description too? Why not delete all references to it being a knife in the first place?

Ok I'm done!

This again?

Your first sentence invalidates your whole argument. How do you know the price posted was the price paid?

Also, this isn't a public forum. It is private. Sellers have to pay to sell here.

Why do you need other people's help to decide how much you would like to sell an item for? That doesn't seem like a problem with sellers who remove prices. That sounds like a you problem.

Removing the description does make it look like you are hiding something. If a buyer wants to go back and look at the description he or she should be able to do that to see if the item was as described. That said, I don't believe there is a rule about removing the whole post but if it becomes a problem that specific seller will gain an unfavorable reputation and good buyers who do their back ground will not buy from such problem sellers.

 

[brancron]

This again?

Your first sentence invalidates your whole argument. How do you know the price posted was the price paid?

Boom, I'm done.

Because it almost always is? How often does the seller say "price is $100," then the buyer says "I accept," then later (in a private message presumably) the buyer says "actually could we do $75?" I'd venture to say not very often.

And yes, "this again" because almost everyone is still redacting their prices. My only guess for why the practice is so ubiquitous is that people are following along with what others are doing, a "this is just how it's done" sort of thing.

 

[Morrow]

It's a seller's prerogative to remove prices or edit their entire thread if they want to. This has been debated so many times always with the same outcome.

 

[craytab]

Because it almost always is? How often does the seller say "price is $100," then the buyer says "I accept," then later (in a private message presumably) the buyer says "actually could we do $75?" I'd venture to say not very often.

And yes, "this again" because almost everyone is still redacting their prices. My only guess for why the practice is so ubiquitous is that people are following along with what others are doing, a "this is just how it's done" sort of thing.

Private negotiations happen all the time. In the over 50 transactions I have had here at least half have been negotiated. I, nor the sellers I have bought from when negotiation took place have ever gone back and edited the price to reflect what was actually paid. Your data will be off from the very start.

Also, I edited my post above to counter your other arguments.

Further, the forum is quite clear on their policy of this issue. It will not be changing any time soon.

 

[drrickso]

Because it almost always is? How often does the seller say "price is $100," then the buyer says "I accept," then later (in a private message presumably) the buyer says "actually could we do $75?" I'd venture to say not very often.

And yes, "this again" because almost everyone is still redacting their prices. My only guess for why the practice is so ubiquitous is that people are following along with what others are doing, a "this is just how it's done" sort of thing.

Actually often times people do make offers below the listed price before the deal is done- not usually after... should they go back in and type what the item actually sold for, leave up the original price, or remove the price entirely? Whatever you choose, your preference is your opinion, and sellers are entitled to theirs.

It would be convenient if everyone left prices up when they sell for asking price, but as you said the main argument is that higher or lower than average sold prices could distort the market. This topic has been covered many times here... Not everyone has a valid reason to do it, but it's the sellers prerogative.

 

[calc]

Why would privacy suddenly become an issue when two minutes before everyone could see the buyer say "I accept" to the not-yet redacted price? Moreover, what privacy interest is there in the sales price of something on a public forum? Who gives a damn?

If it's not a big deal, why do you give a damn yourself?

On the other side of the coin, the usefulness to future sellers and buyers of the price staying up is readily apparent, and trumps any purported privacy interest.

Wait a second, are you saying the greater good is more important than your individual right to privacy? You're sure you want to go with that argument?

If I sell a knife, I really couldn't care less about helping anybody out but the buyer. The transaction is between myself and the buyer and nobody else, and as long as both of us are happy, I really don't give a damn about your feelings on the matter.

Just to go back to the "privacy" argument and to show how hollow it is, consider this: if it really is "nobody's business" what the selling price was, why for that matter is it anyone's business what the object sold was? Why not delete the item description too? Why not delete all references to it being a knife in the first place?

Ok I'm done!

People can do as they wish, for whatever reason they wish, and you have no right to say otherwise. If you disagree with a certain practice, don't purchase from that seller. It's that simple.

 

[RevDevil]

It's a seller's prerogative to remove prices or edit their entire thread if they want to. This has been debated so many times always with the same outcome.

Exactly, we've discussed this a lot in the past. Some members have suggested the best course is to not deal with certain people that perpetually buy and turn around and flip knives for profit, as they have no demonstrated investment in the community aside from the aspect making of a quick buck. What a knife sold for 2 weeks ago does not indicate or have any bearing on what it will sell for 2 weeks from today.

 

[Sosa]

Just quote the asking price thing and call it a day haha

 

[james terrio]

I don't see the big deal either way. A knife, or anything else, is either worth the asking price to you, or it's not.

Especially when it comes to handmade stuff. Prices for steel and belts and electricity go up every year, and a maker may command a higher price this year than last simply because he or she is getting more popular. Would you look up what a box of cereal or piece of steak cost last year and demand that your local grocer match that price this year? He'd likely just laugh.

As for production knives, I don't guess it would be very difficult to look up what other sellers are asking for it.

FWIW I never remove prices. However I do let stand the original posted asking price when I have struck a lower price deal with a buyer.

I've done that too. Sometimes there's a deal behind-the-scenes (repeat customers may get a discount, a knife's been sitting around for a while and someone was on-the-fence so I knocked a few dollars off to help persuade them to buy, somebody bought two knives so I knocked a few bucks off to reflect my time/cash savings on shipping, whatever) ... and that's really no one else's beeswax

 

[craytab]

Just quote the asking price thing and call it a day haha

That is a great way to piss a seller off. You wouldn't be getting anything from me if you quoted anything in my sales thread. Oh, and it still brings it all back to the very first point. What makes you think that price you just pissed the seller off to quote is the final sales price?

People need to use a little more logic and reason when thinking about this issue.

 

[LEGION 12]

Because it almost always is? How often does the seller say "price is $100," then the buyer says "I accept," then later (in a private message presumably) the buyer says "actually could we do $75?" I'd venture to say not very often.
Happens all the time.

 

[Krissig12]

Why the hell is this still being discussed?

The bottom line is the seller doesn't own anyone anything besides the products as described to the buyer.

He doesn't have any obligation to help future sellers determine prices. Just because it would be more convenient for you doesn't mean it should be an officially mandated BF rule. Determine your own damn prices. If it doesn't sell, it's priced too high. Seems pretty simple to me.....

 

[gzb]

I'm still willing to bet that most folks who want to sell their knives, first check forums and sites like AZCK for a quick price check.
That said, they also have a right to do their business how they like, as long as it conforms to forum rules.
Like selling to someone anonymously who commits through PM or email. It's their deal, thus their perrogotive...

Just my opinion mind you. YMMV...

 

[brancron]

The bottom line is the seller doesn't owe anyone anything besides the products as described to the buyer.

I'm not saying they do, and I'm not arguing for a rule requiring that prices be kept up. I'm arguing that people shouldn't redact their sales prices because there's no good reason to. It's just a stupid thing to do.

It's still being discussed because people are still redacting their sales prices. As long as the practice still continues, people will complain about it, for good reason. So get used to it!

 

[Gastonknife]

Not sure what "good reason" there is for others to complain about. It's simply not other folks business. No one is entitled to anything.....wait, we are living in modern America - so maybe they are.
:barf:

 

[Krissig12]

I'm not saying they do, and I'm not arguing for a rule requiring that prices be kept up. I'm arguing that people shouldn't redact their sales prices because there's no good reason to. It's just a stupid thing to do.

It's still being discussed because people are still redacting their sales prices. As long as the practice still continues, people will complain about it, for good reason. So get used to it!

Apparently your opinion is a fact now

Buddy, there's plenty of reasons people may want to do it and that's THEIR choice. And until they all bow down to your "superior" way of thinking, there will still be peole refracting their prices.

Get used THAT

 

[brancron]

Of course it's "their choice," you guys. What don't you get about the fact that I'm not saying there should be a rule, but rather I'm just trying to convince people that there isn't a good reason for doing it?