Tired of Bad Mannered New "Shoppers"

[RayseM]

I would not like to see a requirement that only paid members could purchase BUT I too bristle at receiving low ball offers in a sales thread. Especially when these offers are posted within only a day or two of the sale thread posting.

To me, offers of any kind other than "I'll take it" derails the sale thread. Can't help to effect other viewers. If you say no - out loud or in private (at that point it amounts to the same thing as long as the offer remains in the thread) you - the seller have lost a negotiating option. Your seller's position has been hardened and will discourage other offers that - maybe in a few days you might be more receptive to consider.

In fact I ask in my sales threads that any offers or non specific knife related comments should be directed to me via PM or email. If someone does ignore my request I will politely but firmly ask them to delete their post and limit such discussion in the future out of common courtesy. If I'm in a good mood I will ask them to get back to me in a few days.

 

[craytab]

I would not like to see a requirement that only paid members could purchase BUT I too bristle at receiving low ball offers in a sales thread. Especially when these offers are posted within only a day or two of the sale thread posting.

To me, offers of any kind other than "I'll take it" derails the sale thread. Can't help to effect other viewers. If you say no - out loud or in private (at that point it amounts to the same thing as long as the offer remains in the thread) you - the seller have lost a negotiating option. Your seller's position has been hardened and will discourage other offers that - maybe in a few days you might be more receptive to consider.

In fact I ask in my sales threads than any offers or non specific knife related comments should be directed to me via PM or email. If someone does ignore my request I will politely but firmly ask them to delete their post and limit such discussion in the future out of common courtesy. If I'm in a good mood I will ask the to get back to me in a few days.

The mods are great at responding to requests of the sell to remove content from a sales thread. Report the post, ask nicely, and they will remove the post, especially if it violates any request made in your sales post. I've done this several times.

I'll respond to reasonable offers privately made. Offers in threads do not get a response, just a request for the mods to delete. People who haven't figured out the common etiquette here, I'd rather not deal with anyway, so it is nice they self select themselves to my ignore list. Lots of fish in the sea and this is a hobby so I don't need any sort of hassle.

 

[JB in LV]

Agree w Ray and Cray.

I’d never accept a low counter offer on a newly posted item. No problem at all being asked privately, except it is annoying and rude if made in the thread. I‘ve either said no, or that I’d like to see if the item sells at my asking price, but would think about it in a few days if it does not sell (maybe I’d accept/counter, or maybe keep it).

At least half just accepted my original price knowing if they didn’t somebody else would - were just trying to save a buck.

 

[Murindo]

True about getting old. I'm 74. I originally joined BF in 2002, left in 2009, then back in 2010. BF is IMHO the best all-around knife forum. Some days I wish for the BF of the early days but realize you can't go back.

Maybe newbies should be assigned a mentor.

 

[Ruzster]

How ‘bout: “Price and payment terms are firm. Any response to this sale thread other than ‘I’ll take it,’ along with a request for payment specifics, will be ignored and deleted. Full payment required within xx hrs.”

Can always add a preferred contact method of choice caveat if willing to consider reasonable offers or payment requests.

Probably going to eliminate some potential buyers but will definitely weed out the flagrant low-ballers and general riff-raff.

 

[fishface5]

In fact I ask in my sales threads that any offers or non specific knife related comments should be directed to me via PM or email

This seems like a simple smart practice.

I almost bought the knife in question just because the "I'll take it, for 20% less" post was so obnoxious. I walked away . . . then came back and bought it.

 

[Lesknife]

I believe membership here should mean something. There’s plenty of auction sites online to sell and buy from if a person really wants to move items at a good profit or to get the bargains. Many of those sites are well known to have scammers and the hassles of dealing with bad customers and sellers is enough for me to stay clear of them.

I just think it lessens the experience of having a good forum for knife enthusiasts who enjoy collecting, the information, pictures of knives you don’t see elsewhere and the friendships that are formed and that’s the reason I joined. I’m sure with the large amount of participants here that it’s prime marketing territory and that attracts the folks who have no interest in the forum itself except for the knife market appeal and even more so when they don’t have to be a paying member to buy or any activity outside of the exchange.

 

[KELAMA]

I've seen too much of this lately and today was a perfect example.

A seller listed a LNIB knife for a reasonable price.

A new member (21 Sep 2021) posted "I'll take it for $ XXXX" which was $ 50 below the listing.

I know it would lower new memberships but I think new members should have to get paying memberships to buy

Tired of Bad Mannered New "Shoppers"​

^ I agree with your assessment 100%, Murindo. I've been here for well over 10 years now (my first 2 or 3 as a lurker), and this past year or so, there seems to be this new "I want it now," breed of spoiled brats; clueless of forum etiquette/decorum.

Yeah, ONLY $10 a year. I could've afforded to pay that when I was 8 years old working during the summer...

Thanks for the laugh, Robert!
There's a BIG difference, between our generation- back when people actually 'worked" for a living & had parents who taught/instilled a hard work ethic as a core value, and this new generation. This new generation, seems to lack the maturity/discipline needed, to be able to put down their crack phones long enough to get anything work related, done...& half of those people, are too medicated anyway, because without their prescription social anxiety "put on a happy face" meds, they're too weak to otherwise make it through the rigorous grind of a normal work day.....
Sadly, this has been accepted, as the new normal & this type of behavior we're seeing here on this very forum, is a microcosm of how the real World has tuned to $hit.

No problem at all being asked privately, except it is annoying and rude if made in the thread.

^ This!

I believe membership here should mean something.

I just think it lessens the experience of having a good forum for knife enthusiasts who enjoy collecting, the information, pictures of knives you don’t see elsewhere and the friendships that are formed and that’s the reason I joined. I’m sure with the large amount of participants here that it’s prime marketing territory and that attracts the folks who have no interest in the forum itself except for the knife market appeal and even more so when they don’t have to be a paying member to buy or any activity outside of the exchange.

I wholeheartedly agree, Les.

BOTH SOLD Spyderco Lum Ti Tanto C46PS & CRK WC CAD Custom Umnumzaan

I'm just not ever going to use either these, so on the selling/trading chopping block they go. I'm not dealing with any newer non $ supporting member's here, or seller's using PP F&F as a payment option- period. Please send all inquiries via a PM, in lieu of posting needless questions or...

www.bladeforums.com

Case in point: I listed a couple of grail's on the exchange recently. I didn't even have time to make a second post with the pictures of the BNIB WC Zaan listed.....before a new member here posted an "I'll take it," following up with a PM, starting off with a "Hey man can I get some pictures...." followed by a 2nd PM with an email address different from the one he posted in my sales thread. Then it turns out, that this email address he sent me in the PM, was identical to another new member's username who posted a few minutes later in my thread, wanting to also buy it.... And that's when I had a "WTF" moment, and decided that I would only sell to a reputable tenured member.

FWIW: What I had learned afterwards, was that there were a few people over on both Facebook & Reddit who had become aware of this great deal listed on this WC Zann over on BF's. Within a few minutes, I had no less than a half dozen buyer's (all with zero feedback here) wanting to buy it. Some of these people who didn't give 2 F about BF's, and then went on & turned my sales thread into a real $hit show when I wouldn't sell to any of them. I don't have the time or inclination to do a check myself, but it would be interesting to see if any of those new member's who crapped all over my sales thread, have contributed anything worthwhile here, since. And personally, I really didn't have a problem with any of this, & didn't report a thing....I found their behavior to be, rather interesting & entertaining.

Fortunately in the end, a long time tenured 1999 member (the quintessential BF "Brother"), came to the rescue & sent me a PM, politely offering to buy it, provided it was still available. I happily sold it to this member, for less than my asking price.

If everyone here were as professional & respectful, as Mr. Sabbagh, this would be an awesome place.

 

[craytab]

Tired of Bad Mannered New "Shoppers"​

^ I agree with your assessment 100%, Murindo. I've been here for well over 10 years now (my first 2 or 3 as a lurker), and this past year or so, there seems to be this new "I want it now," breed of spoiled brats; clueless of forum etiquette/decorum.


Thanks for the laugh, Robert!
There's a BIG difference, between our generation- back when people actually 'worked" for a living & had parents who taught/instilled a hard work ethic as a core value, and this new generation. This new generation, seems to lack the maturity/discipline needed, to be able to put down their crack phones long enough to get anything work related, done...& half of those people, are too medicated anyway, because without their prescription social anxiety "put on a happy face" meds, they're too weak to otherwise make it through the rigorous grind of a normal work day.....
Sadly, this has been accepted, as the new normal & this type of behavior we're seeing here on this very forum, is a microcosm of how the real World has tuned to $hit.


^ This!


I wholeheartedly agree, Les.

BOTH SOLD Spyderco Lum Ti Tanto C46PS & CRK WC CAD Custom Umnumzaan

I'm just not ever going to use either these, so on the selling/trading chopping block they go. I'm not dealing with any newer non $ supporting member's here, or seller's using PP F&F as a payment option- period. Please send all inquiries via a PM, in lieu of posting needless questions or...

www.bladeforums.com

Case in point: I listed a couple of grail's on the exchange recently. I didn't even have time to make a second post with the pictures of the BNIB WC Zaan listed.....before a new member here posted an "I'll take it," following up with a PM, starting off with a "Hey man can I get some pictures...." followed by a 2nd PM with an email address different from the one he posted in my sales thread. Then it turns out, that this email address he sent me in the PM, was identical to another new member's username who posted a few minutes later in my thread, wanting to also buy it.... And that's when I had a "WTF" moment, and decided that I would only sell to a reputable tenured member.

FWIW: What I had learned afterwards, was that there were a few people over on both Facebook & Reddit who had become aware of this great deal listed on this WC Zann over on BF's. Within a few minutes, I had no less than a half dozen buyer's (all with zero feedback here) wanting to buy it. Some of these people who didn't give 2 F about BF's, and then went on & turned my sales thread into a real $hit show when I wouldn't sell to any of them. I don't have the time or inclination to do a check myself, but it would be interesting to see if any of those new member's who crapped all over my sales thread, have contributed anything worthwhile here, since. And personally, I really didn't have a problem with any of this, & didn't report a thing....I found their behavior to be, rather interesting & entertaining.

Fortunately in the end, a long time tenured 1999 member (the quintessential BF "Brother"), came to the rescue & sent me a PM, politely offering to buy it, provided it was still available. I happily sold it to this member, for less than my asking price.

If everyone here were as professional & respectful, as Mr. Sabbagh, this would be an awesome place.

Seems like much of your social commentary is off topic at best and really doesn't belong in this section of the forum.

As for your mess of a threads, I'll just reiterate what I said in the beginning of this thread. If one only wants to deal with paying members, lock the thread before anyone can post. Those with experience will know how to contact you. In no way should you be addressing idiots not following your instructions. That contributes to the idea that these are discussion threads and only creates drama, of which you claim to not be a fan. Report posts and the mods will take care of them. Locked threads get no replies.

 

[Lesknife]

Seems like much of your social commentary is off topic at best and really doesn't belong in this section of the forum.

As for your mess of a threads, I'll just reiterate what I said in the beginning of this thread. If one only wants to deal with paying members, lock the thread before anyone can post. Those with experience will know how to contact you. In no way should you be addressing idiots not following your instructions. That contributes to the idea that these are discussion threads and only creates drama, of which you claim to not be a fan. Report posts and the mods will take care of them. Locked threads get no replies.

This is feedback, good bad and ugly. Is it not?

Seems to me this is feedback from forum members. Also your criticism in your reply is a bit rude and condescending. If you are moderator of some kind I’m not seeing it in your profile. ?

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Seems like much of your social commentary is off topic at best and really doesn't belong in this section of the forum.

As for your mess of a threads, I'll just reiterate what I said in the beginning of this thread. If one only wants to deal with paying members, lock the thread before anyone can post. Those with experience will know how to contact you. In no way should you be addressing idiots not following your instructions. That contributes to the idea that these are discussion threads and only creates drama, of which you claim to not be a fan. Report posts and the mods will take care of them. Locked threads get no replies.

While I understand where you are going with this, a locked thread symbol behind the title gives me the impression the item is sold and I rarely read any further. Otherwise a good idea IMO(and maybe others don't react as I do). I think I would go with a brief description of those I will deal with and not to comment in thread.
and if I really want to be firm-add those that can't read are immediately out
I usually take a softer tone in my threads, and don't let much bother me.

 

[craytab]

While I understand where you are going with this, a locked thread symbol behind the title gives me the impression the item is sold and I rarely read any further. Otherwise a good IMO idea I think I would go with a brief description of those I will deal with and not to comment in thread.
and if I really want to be firm-add those that can't read are immediately out
I usually take a softer tone in my threads, and don't let much bother me.

If that is a concern, mark the title as "Available" or something of the like.

But honestly, I don't really see that much of the need for any of this stuff. All the stipulations in the world, a locked thread, even marking the price as $OLD, you are still going to get rude, idiotic, and mostly new people not knowing how to conduct themselves.

Yes, I have had people still contact me to ask if something is available even though the title says sold, there is no price listed, and in fact where the price was says $OLD. You can only help the stupid so much.

At the end of the day, don't respond to the noise, alert the mods and they'll take care of it. They always have. The exchange is no joke and the mods treat it that way. About the worst thing you can do is go back and forth with the idiots like our dear friend kelama did above. That just makes the Mod's job harder.

 

[Dragon_Man]

I have sold a few knives here. No issues. I have sold lots of things for years on eBay. And at Comic Book conventions and Flea Markets. Low balls are inevitable. I know 2 antiques buyers that start negotiations with a low ball to get a read on the seller.

 

[RayseM]

I have sold a few knives here. No issues. I have sold lots of things for years on eBay. And at Comic Book conventions and Flea Markets. Low balls are inevitable. I know 2 antiques buyers that start negotiations with a low ball to get a read on the seller.

Negotiate all you want - the point is not to muck up someone's sale thread with unsolicited offers. Sale threads are not open bazaars. Make offers privately.

 

[luethge]

I’m pretty new here. I do find some of the members to be offensive on occasion, Offering ( unsolicited ) 2/3rds asking price on knife before they’ve even ventured out of the exchange to see what the website is actually about. I did find a solution to my frustration though - “ignore” button.. works well.

I had a guy asking me to sell something for 1/2 price , claimed he was “Deploying soon” and was strapped for cash. I wholeheartedly respect the shit out of anyone deploying, or deployed - I agreed to this guys asking price, but did ask, RESPECTFULLY what branch of Armed services he was enlisted with - Crickets… the guy tried the same BS on me a few times. No dice.

Apologies, I’m just venting now.

Newer members are needed, some still think of this as flea bay.. I figure most will figure it out, or be roasted .

Anyway- Love this Forum. Where else in this world can we talk about knives 365 days a year and not be shunned .

 

[jlydon]

I just post my email and phone and encourage communication via text (you guys know how those youngins like to text message) Then all the pitiful low-ball offers become small comedy sketches. Then again, I still can't seem to sell anything here and that goes back 15 years. Oh well, I'm not all that offended anyway.

 

[KELAMA]

I’m pretty new here. I do find some of the members to be offensive on occasion, I did find a solution to my frustration though - “ignore” button.. works well.

I had a guy asking me to sell something for 1/2 price , claimed he was “Deploying soon” and was strapped for cash. I wholeheartedly respect the shit out of anyone deploying, or deployed - I agreed to this guys asking price, but did ask, RESPECTFULLY what branch of Armed services he was enlisted with - Crickets… the guy tried the same BS on me a few times. No dice.

Anyway- Love this Forum. Where else in this world can we talk about knives 365 days a year and not be shunned .

^ THE IGNORE BUTTON < It's my favorite feature, it literally erases all the useless crap I needn't be wasting my valuable time, reading.

More importantly, Luethge- I too have a real soft spot & huge respect for our Veterans, active duty military, and especially those who are deployed fighting for our Freedoms.

When I read your post, I immediately thought of 1 person: Former (Banned) BF Member Lazy Otter
This person, took shame to a whole new level, & changed my Modus Operandi here (back in 2015) & how I view people on the internet/forums. I had dealt with this member personally on a couple of occasions prior to his downward spiral; fortunately for me those deals worked out, especially considering one of those deals, was a trade! Regardless, after Lazy Otter was outed for IMO, being one of the biggest scumbags in BF history, I've become extra vigilant & always do my due diligence with whom I'm dealing with.

These 2 epic GBU thread's are a must read, for anyone here needing a lesson on how far some thieves are willing to go, to scam a knife. Lazy Otter, had posted a thread hoping someone here would have a heart & donate a knife (not just any knife- ONLY A HINDERER), to one of his good friend's soon to be deploying sons. Not one, but TWO member's here, donated their Hinderer knives for L.O. to give to this young man....

Only, there wasn't a soon to be deploying son..... Lazy Otter, was using these gifted knives for his own personal greed; to use as trade bait for other grail knives he was after. He personally reached out to me way back then, trying to trade one of these Hinderer's gifted to him, for a CRK I had listed on the exchange.

Read this entire thread, but start off reading Posts #70 & 75 by member's Corytr & Leftytwogunz. What Nick did, was unconscionable.

SCAMMED out of Microtech on trade by lazy otter - Nick Reynolds, Richmond VA

The trade is the trickiest form of exchange. If you are selling, you are in control of the deal and should have no worries. These negative situations get a lot of press(as they deserve), but they are a very small % of the transactions and those at fault are soon weeded out. I agree the trade...

www.bladeforums.com

And here's another all-time great GBU (Bad/Ugly) thread involving this same member:

beware lazyotter

this guy told me he would sell leatherman tti and Blackhawk holster sent me a paypal actually clanton is his screen name here but he sent me clantons paypal saying it was his paypal. lazy otter insisted I backed out out of deal but if I sent payment how could I back out of deal he is putting...

www.bladeforums.com

Personally, I'd rather focus on the positive member's here; member's like the one's who care & support our troops fighting abroad. It speaks volumes, that there are generous/caring BF's member's here, who are willing to gift their very expensive knives, so that a deploying service member can have an awesome knife to carry & use while on deployment.

And lastly, let's never forget 2 of BF's all-time legendary member's:

Esav Benyamin​

wolfmann601 (Ira)​

^^ Miss you guys. RIP

 

[Mossyhorn]

Due to a recent experience, all of my future sales threads will have conditions that exclude new members.

 

[ooitzoo]

I've seen too much of this lately and today was a perfect example.

A seller listed a LNIB knife for a reasonable price.

A new member (21 Sep 2021) posted "I'll take it for $ XXXX" which was $ 50 below the listing.

I know it would lower new memberships but I think new members should have to get paying memberships to buy

I think this goes both ways.

For the seller, its annoying and adds random clutter to the thread.

For the buyer, its an ineffective way of getting what you want (the knife at a reduced price) and also ferments ill-will.

It'd be far more effective to message or email the seller and ask something along the lines of "is that the best you can do on your knife / tool / gadget?" If you're trying to haggle, its generally far better to do that privately.

 

[ooitzoo]

^ THE IGNORE BUTTON < It's my favorite feature, it literally erases all the useless crap I needn't be wasting my valuable time, reading.

More importantly, Luethge- I too have a real soft spot & huge respect for our Veterans, active duty military, and especially those who are deployed fighting for our Freedoms.

When I read your post, I immediately thought of 1 person: Former (Banned) BF Member Lazy Otter
This person, took shame to a whole new level, & changed my Modus Operandi here (back in 2015) & how I view people on the internet/forums. I had dealt with this member personally on a couple of occasions prior to his downward spiral; fortunately for me those deals worked out, especially considering one of those deals, was a trade! Regardless, after Lazy Otter was outed for IMO, being one of the biggest scumbags in BF history, I've become extra vigilant & always do my due diligence with whom I'm dealing with.

These 2 epic GBU thread's are a must read, for anyone here needing a lesson on how far some thieves are willing to go, to scam a knife. Lazy Otter, had posted a thread hoping someone here would have a heart & donate a knife (not just any knife- ONLY A HINDERER), to one of his good friend's soon to be deploying sons. Not one, but TWO member's here, donated their Hinderer knives for L.O. to give to this young man....

Only, there wasn't a soon to be deploying son..... Lazy Otter, was using these gifted knives for his own personal greed; to use as trade bait for other grail knives he was after. He personally reached out to me way back then, trying to trade one of these Hinderer's gifted to him, for a CRK I had listed on the exchange.

Read this entire thread, but start off reading Posts #70 & 75 by member's Corytr & Leftytwogunz. What Nick did, was unconscionable.

SCAMMED out of Microtech on trade by lazy otter - Nick Reynolds, Richmond VA

The trade is the trickiest form of exchange. If you are selling, you are in control of the deal and should have no worries. These negative situations get a lot of press(as they deserve), but they are a very small % of the transactions and those at fault are soon weeded out. I agree the trade...

www.bladeforums.com

And here's another all-time great GBU (Bad/Ugly) thread involving this same member:

beware lazyotter

this guy told me he would sell leatherman tti and Blackhawk holster sent me a paypal actually clanton is his screen name here but he sent me clantons paypal saying it was his paypal. lazy otter insisted I backed out out of deal but if I sent payment how could I back out of deal he is putting...

www.bladeforums.com

Personally, I'd rather focus on the positive member's here; member's like the one's who care & support our troops fighting abroad. It speaks volumes, that there are generous/caring BF's member's here, who are willing to gift their very expensive knives, so that a deploying service member can have an awesome knife to carry & use while on deployment.

And lastly, let's never forget 2 of BF's all-time legendary member's:

Esav Benyamin​

wolfmann601 (Ira)​

^^ Miss you guys. RIP

Man, that brought back some memories. Is this the same clown that came back as "ArmyOfDrones" or something similar? Then, after getting caught and banned, waited 6mos or so and had his "son in law" create an account to ask his name be removed from the thread title?