Sellers and Buyers - Read This

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

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There has been a lot of problems with selling and the rules on the BF lately. A review is in order. Please everyone read this thread.

Before anyone offers anything for sale on the BF, there are a few rules to be learned by all.

Besides the required level of membership, the rules are well defined as to how and where selling is allowed.

The rules are here:http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/announcement.php?f=746&a=98

Threads on Shop Talk about a product you are considering selling are OK, as long as the discussion is about the item and not about selling it. If the talk gets on to the subject of, "I'll take some of that/ How much are they going to sell for/...(etc.)", then you need to cease posting on that thread and refer everyone to a new thread in the for sale area.

You are not allowed to put everything you have on the for sale forum. Two posts on the first page, and four posts on page one and two combined...that is all.

If you don't like the item, don't buy it.....and don't comment on the sellers thread.
For Sale is not a discussion forum. If you like it...buy it. This area isn't for comments about the items...it is for buying and selling. Posts like " Nice Knife/Good Job/Wow!,etc." are not allowed...they are just bumping tools for friends, usually.Responses like "Thanks,etc," are also not allowed and are just bumping ploys. If you have a legit question, ask it...if not just enjoy the nice photos.

Let's keep the BF as good as it has always been.
Thanks - Stacy
 
Thanks Stacy. That's mostly clear. I'm a buyer and from now on i'll hold off on "comments", but i do have a question. What about posting that you've bought knives from that maker and they're great knives (or something like that) ?
This has helped me in the past when i was unfamiliar with the maker. Now that i've bought a lot (75-100 ?) of knives on this forum, i often comment (only positive, if negative i don't post anything) to help out others.
I understand this as part of my responsibility as a BF member, to share my knife experience to help others choose a knife they will be pleased with.
Could you clarify if this type of post is against the rules ?
thanks, roland
 
I'm no moderator, Roland, but I'm guessing those kinds of comments belong in the Good, bad, ugly section. I usually search for seller/dealer info there, no reason maker comments wouldn't work too. I admit I've been guilty of making comments in the maker section some myself (as have moderators) but after a while the comments get old and serve no purpose except cluttering up the threads and forum forcing a potential buyer to scan through numerous responses to see if the item has sold.
 
I asked a moderator (not bladsmith) a couple of months ago about all the chatting on the Makers for sale forum. He replied that since the Makers pay for the privilege of selling here, anything they do is fine. I also complained that Makers rarely put "Sold" in the title after they sell something, so I have to read through 21 comments before I get to "This one is sold, folks!". The mod's reply was the same: the Makers pay, so they can run it as they like.

This is a refreshing change of policy.
 
Just to make myself clear-
I am not doing this because any one person was misbehaving. It was because the procedures of the For Sale forums was going downhill fast. If it wasn't straightened out soon, it would become useless as well as a subject for argument and complaint.

I would suggest that anyone considering selling a knife make a thread in the Gallery, or a suitable forum, and link that thread to the For Sale thread with a note -"For sale here". The For Sale thread could have a link to the gallery thread where people can, and are encouraged to, make comments pro and con.That link could be labeled - "Comments welcome here".This will solve most all the problems.
 
I have been thinking about this since my post yesterday.
I think cutting out all chat is the wrong move.
I visit these Knifemakers' For Sale forums daily, in part to look at any new knives posted but also for the community feel of these 2 forums. They are more than cut and dry, buy and sell. They are also a friendly, supportive and informative forums with a strong sense of camaraderie.
I'm sure knifemaking is tedious and at times, frustrating work, and i imagine some of 'our' knifemakers get a bit of a 'battery re-charge' from reading the encouraging comments. And as i said before, potential buyers learn from the posts of previous buyers.
And by visiting for the friendship aspect, i end up seeing more of the knives while still available and end up buying more.
I'm using myself as an example, but i'm sure many other members have a similar relationship to these 2 forums.
To strip these 2 forums of all chat will be a loss to the BladeForums community.
respectfully, roland
 
rprocter said:
I have been thinking about this since my post yesterday.
I think cutting out all chat is the wrong move.
I visit these Knifemakers' For Sale forums daily, in part to look at any new knives posted but also for the community feel of these 2 forums. They are more than cut and dry, buy and sell. They are also a friendly, supportive and informative forums with a strong sense of camaraderie.
I'm sure knifemaking is tedious and at times, frustrating work, and i imagine some of 'our' knifemakers get a bit of a 'battery re-charge' from reading the encouraging comments. And as i said before, potential buyers learn from the posts of previous buyers.
And by visiting for the friendship aspect, i end up seeing more of the knives while still available and end up buying more.
I'm using myself as an example, but i'm sure many other members have a similar relationship to these 2 forums.
To strip these 2 forums of all chat will be a loss to the BladeForums community.
respectfully, roland
Click to expand...

Well said Roland, I do hope that they consider this? Not only I think Makers want it? But also knife collectors as your self want it too?

I vote to keep the comments open? It is a big part of this area......:):thumbup:

TA



.
 
rproctor said:
I have been thinking about this since my post yesterday.
I think cutting out all chat is the wrong move.
I visit these Knifemakers' For Sale forums daily, in part to look at any new knives posted but also for the community feel of these 2 forums. They are more than cut and dry, buy and sell. They are also a friendly, supportive and informative forums with a strong sense of camaraderie.
I'm sure knifemaking is tedious and at times, frustrating work, and i imagine some of 'our' knifemakers get a bit of a 'battery re-charge' from reading the encouraging comments. And as i said before, potential buyers learn from the posts of previous buyers.
And by visiting for the friendship aspect, i end up seeing more of the knives while still available and end up buying more.
I'm using myself as an example, but i'm sure many other members have a similar relationship to these 2 forums.
To strip these 2 forums of all chat will be a loss to the BladeForums community.
respectfully, roland
Click to expand...


If I’m not mistaken, the new rules aren’t open for debate, but posted so the playing ground of the “for sale” forum is level. Keep in mind, this particular sub-forum is for makers to sell their wares. A better place to read and post encouraging comments of a particular makers work. . . . .the Knife Maker's Gallery (“A place for KnifeMaker members to show off their pieces.”). If the Gallery is used for its intended purpose, nothing is stripped or lost. In fact, quite the opposite.
 
GigOne said:
If I’m not mistaken, the new rules aren’t open for debate, but posted so the playing ground of the “for sale” forum is level. Keep in mind, this particular sub-forum is for makers to sell their wares. A better place to read and post encouraging comments of a particular makers work. . . . .the Knife Maker's Gallery (“A place for KnifeMaker members to show off their pieces.”). If the Gallery is used for its intended purpose, nothing is stripped or lost. In fact, quite the opposite.
Click to expand...

Open for debate? Maybe not, but people can also vote with their feet and I for one would hate to see some of the Makers migrate to other sites to sell because this one has gotten too complicated. It's not the same going to the Gallery because most of the knives aren't for sale. People come to the KinifeMaker's Market to look at and buy knives. The KnifeMakers should have a say in the rules on their Forums. They certainly bring a lot of revenue to the BF.
 
GigOne said:
If I’m not mistaken, the new rules aren’t open for debate, but posted so the playing ground of the “for sale” forum is level. Keep in mind, this particular sub-forum is for makers to sell their wares. A better place to read and post encouraging comments of a particular makers work. . . . .the Knife Maker's Gallery (“A place for KnifeMaker members to show off their pieces.”). If the Gallery is used for its intended purpose, nothing is stripped or lost. In fact, quite the opposite.
Click to expand...

Ben B said:
Open for debate? Maybe not, but people can also vote with their feet and I for one would hate to see some of the Makers migrate to other sites to sell because this one has gotten too complicated. It's not the same going to the Gallery because most of the knives aren't for sale. People come to the KinifeMaker's Market to look at and buy knives. The KnifeMakers should have a say in the rules on their Forums. They certainly bring a lot of revenue to the BF.
Click to expand...

This would all work IF we all tip toed very carefully when we post a knife in the gallery and it's For Sale???

I see their point on trying to be fair, and it will be if we make it that way.

TA



.
 
Ben B said:
Open for debate? Maybe not, but people can also vote with their feet and I for one would hate to see some of the Makers migrate to other sites to sell because this one has gotten too complicated. It's not the same going to the Gallery because most of the knives aren't for sale. People come to the KinifeMaker's Market to look at and buy knives. The KnifeMakers should have a say in the rules on their Forums. They certainly bring a lot of revenue to the BF.
Click to expand...


I honestly don't see how the rule in question "has gotten too complicated," considering a feedback means has been established (see the following quote)?


bladsmth said:
I would suggest that anyone considering selling a knife make a thread in the Gallery, or a suitable forum, and link that thread to the For Sale thread with a note -"For sale here". The For Sale thread could have a link to the gallery thread where people can, and are encouraged to, make comments pro and con.That link could be labeled - "Comments welcome here".This will solve most all the problems.
Click to expand...



As far a walking away from a lucrative or possible lucrative venue over the rule in question. . . . . .as with any business, decisions have to be made.
 
I have determined that I made an error in informing several dealers that their number of threads was in excess of the limit. Dealers are allowed as many threads as you wish.
I am waiting on an answer from Spark about any exemption from the rule on dealers thread bumping and commenting. If you are a dealer and I sent you a notice by PM, I apologize. Please unlock any threads that you wish to keep active. We will wait on Sparks answer as to the bumping/commenting issue.
 
rprocter said:
I have been thinking about this since my post yesterday.
I think cutting out all chat is the wrong move.
I visit these Knifemakers' For Sale forums daily, in part to look at any new knives posted but also for the community feel of these 2 forums. They are more than cut and dry, buy and sell. They are also a friendly, supportive and informative forums with a strong sense of camaraderie.
I'm sure knifemaking is tedious and at times, frustrating work, and i imagine some of 'our' knifemakers get a bit of a 'battery re-charge' from reading the encouraging comments. And as i said before, potential buyers learn from the posts of previous buyers.
And by visiting for the friendship aspect, i end up seeing more of the knives while still available and end up buying more.
I'm using myself as an example, but i'm sure many other members have a similar relationship to these 2 forums.
To strip these 2 forums of all chat will be a loss to the BladeForums community.
respectfully, roland
Click to expand...

i agree 1000%.
to discourage positive comments for hard-working knifemakers is silly.
making them post in another forum (gallery) just to hear 'nice job' makes no sense.
this is, in essence, their forum (they pay for it), so if the makers like the feedback, they should be able to get it.
 
The problems come out the worst when the different levels of membership are involved. Dealers have different rules than knifemakers. That is being addressed to make things work better.

Sit tight for now, Spark is trying to figure out how to make everyone happy ( well, at least most everyone).
 
Stacy, i am "sitting tight" but wonder if limiting each member to 1 "chat" post per 'knife for sale' thread might be a compromise ?
Also a buyer should be allowed to post back in the thread once knife received with comments.
roland
 
I don't understand why 'legitimate' comments are out of order. Do we need to pay a higher membership fee so that more bandwidth is affordable or something?
 
Originally Posted by rprocter
I have been thinking about this since my post yesterday.
I think cutting out all chat is the wrong move.
I visit these Knifemakers' For Sale forums daily, in part to look at any new knives posted but also for the community feel of these 2 forums. They are more than cut and dry, buy and sell. They are also a friendly, supportive and informative forums with a strong sense of camaraderie.
I'm sure knifemaking is tedious and at times, frustrating work, and i imagine some of 'our' knifemakers get a bit of a 'battery re-charge' from reading the encouraging comments. And as i said before, potential buyers learn from the posts of previous buyers.
And by visiting for the friendship aspect, i end up seeing more of the knives while still available and end up buying more.
I'm using myself as an example, but i'm sure many other members have a similar relationship to these 2 forums.To strip these 2 forums of all chat will be a loss to the BladeForums community.
respectfully, roland

Quote of Mito0 : i agree 1000%. to discourage positive comments for hard-working knifemakers is silly.
making them post in another forum (gallery) just to hear 'nice job' makes no sense.
this is, in essence, their forum (they pay for it), so if the makers like the feedback, they should be able to get it.

I'm still new enough that I don't know how to include multiple quotes so I just copied the comments above. I'm just a buyer & not a paying member to this forum, but I am a very active user & who knows in the future, but for now I add my thumbs up to the two comments above. With great respect & appreciation to the forum owner & the moderators, I truly cannot appreciate the difficulties of your job so I won't presume to challenge or criticize. Still, I feel invested enough in the outcome of this discussion to put in a word of support for allowing positive feedback & enthusiasm to the knifemakers who sell their handcraft here. It won't be the same if all I can do is look &/or buy then quietly go away. Would rather not have to go to another site on the Bladeforums to be able to voice my appreciation.

I understand that all these comments are being considered as the rules are being reviewed. Thank you for your consideration.

Ray
 
Here's my 2 cents. As a 6 month beginner I must say that a few comments up or down are welcomed by me. I have been given some very good info by members which has helped me figure out this portion of this forum. After all this is all about communicating. Or not? As for the guy that has to "go through" 21 posts to see if a knife has sold, which to me seems like no big deal, I would recommend that when a knife is sold that it be marked as such in the beginning in red. Regards, Gene
 
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