Forum Customs & Tips

G

GT321

Feedback: +0 / =0 / -0
Joined
Apr 11, 2015
Messages
19
Hello,
First forum post here. I've only ever gone on this and other forums to read through threads, especially about knives I was looking to purchase. I made my account a while back though to purchase a knife from another user, but do to some confusion and not knowing some of the forum customs the transaction didn't go completely smooth, but we were able to resolve everything in the end. Anyway, I just wanted to know if there are any customs or tips I should know about using and purchasing on here to help me out in the future.

Some background on me, I'm a working student. I've been collecting knives for about a year and a half, but they've always been an interest of mine. Right now, I have a small but growing collection including a Benchmade Valet, ZT0900, Brous SS Flipper, Spyderco Sage 2, Spyderco Dragonfly 2, Brous SS Ranger, Tops Scout, a old stag handled hunting knife of my grandpas, and a bayonet that was my dad's. Ive also had a Benchmade Minigrip, Benchmade 757 Vicar, and Kershaw Leek, but they all had to go to pay for other things. On my list to get right now are a Northwoods Fremont Jack, ZT0808, Sebenza 21 Insingo, and and Mnandi. The Fremont jack is next on my list and why I'm posting now since I've started looking on here for one in micarta or blue camel bone.

Any tips, comments or discussion appreciated. Thanks!

- GT321
 
Last edited:
Get a paypal account, most sellers use paypal. As a new user you will be expected to pay first until you get some feedback posted. Otherwise be honest and stay true to your word and you will be fine.
 
Yeah, luckily I have a PayPal account already. I've been buying and selling on ebay for a few years so I'm pretty used to using it. I try to be as straightforward as I can, so hopefully I won't have any issues.

Thanks for the response!
 
Keep your eye on the exchange....knives are listed for sale and trade constantly.

If you have some semblance of ethical behavior you will have no issues dealing with an abundance of really good people.
If you don't, your stay here will be rather short.

If you wish to sell, you will need to upgrade to a paid membership (minimum Gold level, which is a bargain condidering the size of the audience)

Also know that you will need at least a purple membership to be able to use the PM function...

Welcome, and enjoy BF!
 
I've been watching the exchange for a few days for on of the Northwoods Fremont Jacks i mentioned, from some of the previous threads, it looks like they go quick. I try to be very ethical and open in all my transactions.

So how do you become a purple member? Do I need to be able to send PMs to purchase on the exchange. I bought one knife on there before but I believe I just sent a regular email, would that be an issue with most users?
 
Thank you for this thread! I'm hoping to make my first exchange purchase soon and this is really helpful. I have a paypal account but haven't done much with it. Hoping that my first transaction is with someone with at least a little patience as I orient myself.

Things sure do move fast!
 
Also when you post something for sale make sure you describe it to your best of abilities, or take lots of pictures, or both.
A lot knives here are worth more than what some make in a day of hard work.
 
Good luck with the Fremont Jack, I've been watching for a few months now, never see one last long enough for me to get :P
 
Thanks for the responses!

I'm hoping whoever I deal with on the exchange is patient as well, being a new user. The last person I purchased from was suspicious of me, but it was understandable since I was new and unaware of the process. I hope I can find a Fremont jack too, I've been watching like a hawk for the 2 I'm interested in, but sometimes they go in minutes!
 
Read through the links in my sigline, and pay attention to sticky'd threads at the top of each forum, they are there for a reason.
 
Great advice so far. Most of what I have is basic common sense, but here's my scattered .$.02 anyhow:

- If you say "I'll take it" stand by your word. It's yours.
- pay promptly
- ship quickly - send tracking
- always use shipping insurance. It's cheap and well worth it.
- pack the package with care. Use tape! There is no excuse for poor packing.
- use good, thorough, honest descriptions when selling; full disclosure - always downplay the condition of the knife so that it exceeds expectations.
- include a lot of good pictures in your listings.
- don't crap in someone's sales thread. Try to keep posts limited to "I'll take it" in the thread. Keep questions and comments to emails/PM's.
- leave feedback
- try to resolve all issues with the other party before escalating or starting a negative GBU thread
- If someone goes above and beyond, let us know by starting a GBU thread
- don't use PayPal gift!!! when buying or selling
- don't ask for 6% to cover PayPal fees - it's annoying. The fees are 3% and everyone knows it. Better yet, include the fees in the sale price and say you'll cover them. The same goes for shipping costs. Eliminate the bs.
- good communication avoids a lot of issues - communicate!
- do your homework before buying: knife, seller, etc... Use the search function on the top of the page!
- ask questions and ask for pictures if needed
- let the seller know when the item is received and if there are any grievances that you have.
- if you disassemble, use, or sharpen a knife you buy, it is definitely now yours. The deal is done. Period.
- the seller can leave or remove the sale price in the ad after the sale. It's their choice.
- close the thread after the sale is complete or label it as sold.
- remember, these are private party transactions. You are not dealing with a store or a business.
- be respectful and have fun! Welcome!
 
Last edited:
When you buy and receive the knife- promptly inspect it to verify it meets your expectations and either leave positive feedback or contact the seller acknowledging receipt.
 
Great advice so far. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.

So, one thing that happened that caused some confusion in my first purchase here was that I tried to use an address with a PO Box and the seller told me that many users will not trust or ship to PO Boxes. Are there any other things I should know about dealing on the exchange or posting like that, that are sort of in-the-know customs? I normally just deal on Amazon or Ebay and didn't even give the address a second thought of being an issue, so I thought I should check before I deal again.
 
corwise said:
Give feedback. Request feedback.
Click to expand...

Corskin said:
Great advice so far. Most of what I have is basic common sense, but here's my scattered .$.02 anyhow:

- If you say "I'll take it" stand by your word. It's yours.
- pay promptly
- ship quickly - send tracking
- always use shipping insurance. It's cheap and well worth it.
- pack the package with care. Use tape! There is no excuse for poor packing.
- use good, thorough, honest descriptions when selling; full disclosure - always downplay the condition of the knife so that it exceeds expectations.
- include a lot of good pictures in your listings.
- don't crap in someone's sales thread. Try to keep posts limited to "I'll take it" in the thread. Keep questions and comments to emails/PM's.
- leave feedback
- try to resolve all issues with the other party before escalating or starting a negative GBU thread
- If someone goes above and beyond, let us know by starting a GBU thread
- don't use PayPal gift!!! when buying or selling
- don't ask for 6% to cover PayPal fees - it's annoying. The fees are 3% and everyone knows it. Better yet, include the fees in the sale price and say you'll cover them. The same goes for shipping costs. Eliminate the bs.
- good communication avoids a lot of issues - communicate!
- do your homework before buying: knife, seller, etc... Use the search function on the top of the page!
- ask questions and ask for pictures if needed
- let the seller know when the item is received and if there are any grievances that you have.
- if you disassemble, use, or sharpen a knife you buy, it is definitely now yours. The deal is done. Period.
- the seller can leave or remove the sale price in the ad after the sale. It's their choice.
- close the thread after the sale is complete or label it as sold.
- remember, these are private party transactions. You are not dealing with a store or a business.
- be respectful and have fun! Welcome!
Click to expand...

braillediver said:
When you buy and receive the knife- promptly inspect it to verify it meets your expectations and either leave positive feedback or contact the seller acknowledging receipt.
Click to expand...

^^^
All excellent advice (especially Corskin :thumbup:)

GT321 said:
Great advice so far. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.

So, one thing that happened that caused some confusion in my first purchase here was that I tried to use an address with a PO Box and the seller told me that many users will not trust or ship to PO Boxes. Are there any other things I should know about dealing on the exchange or posting like that, that are sort of in-the-know customs? I normally just deal on Amazon or Ebay and didn't even give the address a second thought of being an issue, so I thought I should check before I deal again.
Click to expand...

I think that the, P.O. box issue, may be due to the fact, that you have zero feedback/reputation history here? Personally, I would feel safe dealing with a P.O. box address, as long as I sent the package with "signature confirmation," & the address is, PP verifiable.

Best of luck, & welcome to BF.
 
Last edited:
See the FAQ for Bladeforums rules at*http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/faq.php
Paid memberships at*http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/payments.php
Exchange rules at*http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/an...php?f=699&a=98

You need a Basic membership to post a trade thread,
a Gold membership to sell what you've bought,
a Knifemaker membership for what you have made,
or a Dealer membership if you sell for others.

Once you pay for your membership, go back to Paid Subscriptions to see when it takes effect. PayPal costs more and takes longer to go through. Credit card payments are automated.

Then go to Settings (upper right)
then to Permission Groups (left side)
then select your correct membership level.

I suggest browsing the FEEDBACK forum at the top of the Exchange, especially the stickies, for problems to watch out for. Browse the forums you are most likely to post in or buy from:, Dealer, Knifemaker, or Individual, to see how members communicate.
 
One more thing to add: Whether you agree with it or not, if there was no money or knife that changed hands, there was not a deal and there is no feedback to leave. If you leave feedback and there was no transaction, you will receive an infraction.

Everything I said above is either in the stickies or there have been brutal GBU threads because people failed to follow at least one of these basic rules. Like Esav and Rev say, read the stickies and the rules!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top