Selling On The Forums?

GPB

GPB

Joined
Nov 9, 2000
Messages
1,219
Ok fellow forumites, since many of you (over 1400)have read my post about "blademan_007" on the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly forum, I have a question.

Please answer by letter and with any additional comments you may have.

BTW: There is no correct answer, just curious.

Question:

If you have made a deal with a fellow forumite for a blade you posted for sale on the Exchange forum, under what conditions would you go ahead and ship the blade on the "honor system", expecting the funds to be sent likewise? This question assumes you agreed to pay shipping domestically in your asking price as well as not taking pay pal or credit cards.

A.) Ship it in blind trust.
B.) Ship it only if the buyer provides you a tracking number or confirmation number from their shipment of funds.
C.) Ship it only if the buyer faxes you copies of the certified funds (money order, certified check, cashiers check, etc.)and provides a tracking or confirmation number or Priority Mail Cash Receipt.
D.) Ship it only once you have received the buyers certified funds.

Let's hear it!
 
instead of answering abc or d. I will share my policy. if I have dealt with someone before, or they have a good history on the GBU forum, Their word is good enough for me. Now if it is someone with whom I have not yet dealt with, I ask for the funds in advance. Hope every thing gets squared away with the guy that burned you.:mad:
 
If that is you in you pic, can I just send you after him:D !

I think your policy is best. Though I have to say that I myself will probably wind up going to "C.)" from now on after this deal.

Thanks for the reply!

I think this thread will get some interesting answers.

Out.
 
Normaly i will send out the knife once payment is recieved, unless it is someone on the forums or e-bay that i know is trustworthy.I also was burned as you were,but on e-bay.I had sold a bunch of knives and recieved payment from all of them but one buyer.I went ahead and sent the package(2 Case Classics) worth about $185.00 along with the other packages to the other auction winners.BAD MOVE! The guy turned out to be a real scumbag! and never sent payment(Long story)and was kicked off e-bay for screwing a few others also.I never recovered my knives and just chalked it up as a lesson learned.
 
Sorry to hear of your misfortune also.

I wonder if we will here any more horror stories.

So far, I have chalked this one up to a "lesson learned" :mad: also!

Thanks for the story and the input.
 
as a consumer nut (ELU), I expect to pay prior to shipment.That way there is no mistake. I also have USPS Priority or UPS to my wifes office so it doesnt sit at home or in the post office.
JMO, guy
 
if its someone i know,have dealt with before,or has had a lot of good things sadi about him,then i go ahead and ship.
its rare that i wait for payment,i believe i have only odne that once.
 
If I have had good dealings with the person or if the carry a good rep, I'll ship as soon as I can. If I haven't dealt with them or their rep is unknown to me, I await funds.
 
I've waited for payment only once, and that was at the buyer's request. I've been ripped more by large dealers than private individuals.
 
The transaction depends on the persons reputation and number of posts.I am one of those who has trust in my fellow humans.I will also take the first plane out and pay a visit to someone that tries to scam me.Was in the bar business for a good number of years.Dealt with all kinds.Like to think I know human nature.
 
I have never sold anything through the forum and therefore have not been in a position to be burned in a good faith sale as you have. From your description of the experience I can definately say that you are exhibiting much more good nature and positive outlook than I could muster in the same situation.

I think that your determination to maintain faith and trust speaks highly of your approach to life. Refusing to let the matter become resentment and putting it behind you as a lesson learned is very wise.

Personally, as a buyer, even though like everyone else, I am always anxious to receive my purchase as quickly as possible, it only makes sense for the seller to not ship until he has the money in hand and I would not fault anyone for taking that approach. Your stated intent to take a less stringent course with repeat buyers and frequent forum posters should be greatly appreciated for the good faith concession that it is.

I certainly hope that you get your money back.

Wray
 
The same risk applies to sending out a MO to someone you only know from "on line". What makes a seller more honorable than a buyer???

I believe in trust. The seller is no better then the buyer. If we both ship to HOME addresses at the same time, it seems fair to me. Yes, I may loose to a lowlife one day, but I'm not going to spend my life worrying about who I should trust. Also, I always check to see if the HOME phone numbers match the address of the buyer/seller. The phone company rarely lies...

Michael
 
e - If you have dealt with them before or if they have a very high standing in the knife community, you would send before payment.

For me it would be "E".

As fas as C4s comment. Sorry it just does not work that way in real life. Try that at the super market ("OK while I am taking these out to my car my wife will be coming in with the check book") or try it when you mail order something ("OK, you ship out the JuiceMaster and I will send a check after I get it")
 
Mr. Clark,

Sorry you feel that way.

If we did a deal on a "handshake", are you saying that you would not send my check/knife? Or are you just worried about "the others"? If you would hold up your end of a deal, as I would, why worry about others?

Glad I don't live in California! A little trust goes a long way ... and it never hurts to own a big stick....


Michael
 
The first deal I ever did on this forum was based on TRUST. The knife was shipped to me BEFORE I put payment in the mail... I learned a lot from that deal. Does the word "community" have any meaning at BFC anymore?

Michael
 
I do deals on handshakes all the time. When a customer orders a knife from me that has $200 in materials and 50 hours in labor, I make it. No deposit, nothing, just his word that when I let him know it is ready that he will payup.

In the past three months, I have been burned by several fellow Forumites who either did not return my e-mails or said that they now could not afford it. So am I supposed to just send out a knife that I have put so much into to these guys who back out on their end. NO WAY.

They entered into a contract and then backed out when I had lived up to my end. So whos to say that when I ship a knife to them that they will send the money. This is my living and I don't give away my work. I have fought and studied way to long to do that. If that means that they don't want to order a knife from me, fine. I doubt that they would find any custom maker who would take that risk.
 
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