Trade threads with no intention of trading

[jdspaw]

I was just curious if it is considered an infraction to list an item in the trade forum with no intention of trading said item. At least twice now I've seen members post trade threads and then decide their going to list the item in the sales forum. I believe this is a covert way of ascertaining value and interest in a knife without directly violating the "what's my tuning fork worth?" rule. For example, Mr. X doesn't know how much his xm18 is worth, so he posts it in the trade forum. Other members make viable offers for that knife, but Mr. X never intended to trade. Instead he uses the trade offers to put a value on his xm18 and declines the offers. He then puts his xm18 up in the sales forum at the value he established from the trade thread.
I can see where it would be hard for mods to assign intent to trade threads, but the rules clearly state that members shouldn't post a sale thread unless they fully intend to sell the item. Does this apply to the trading forum as well? Perhaps there should be a time restriction on posting a trade thread to posting a sale thread?

 

[Blues]

I'm sure there are many methods for those so inclined to try to find ways around the rules and spirit of the forums.

I would say this in regard to the "trade" area. If a member sends you a message in response to your inquiry in which he or she attempts to sell the item rather than offer it up in trade, contact one of the moderators and forward the relevant communications. If the party involved is not a gold or platinum member on this site then such unauthorized attempts to sell may lead to warnings, infractions or ultimately the revocation of the offending party's membership on this site.

In any case, please report any questionable postings or contacts to the appropriate exchange forum moderators for guidance or action as required.

 

[M.FREEZE]

I don't know about infraction points or rules against this type of activity, but I will admit that I've posted the same knife in the trade section and the sale section at the same time. If its a knife I'm not into then I'll deal it by whatever offer comes first; trade or sale.

However, I do see the issue you are talking about too. As we speak, I am in the process of negotiation on a pretty sought after production folder. The member has multiple knives listed for trade, all the same knife and version. I initially offered him a trade, and inquired via email about a possible purchase price. He declined my first trade offer and didn't respond to my question about a price. Then I upped the ante and offered him what I thought was a more than fair trade offer. He responded with a "thanks for your effort", like I was trying to answer a trivia question. Now if my offer simply didn't interest him then that's one thing, however it seems like the guy is "fishing" and has no true intent of trading. I then emailed him a third offer with pics and detailed description of what I'm offering. I still haven't heard from him. This entire process has been going on since 7-13-13.

I am slightly frustrated because I feel as though I've met his requirements for what he's looking for and haven't really got any concrete answer as far as likes/dislikes of what I'm offering. Again, he might not like what I have and that is fine. Just let me know so I can trade with someone else.

To be fair, this member will stay anonymous. I'm not mad, and maybe he had a very busy weekend. I always give the benefit of the doubt. This member also has a 100% feedback score on over 100 transactions.

I guess I just don't understand the delay. When I list an item, as soon as there is a response I communicate with the person and if the terms aren't mutual, then I let them know and no one get strung along.

 

[Bigfattyt]

If the member is of a level to sell, then no problem with having it listed for trade and for sale.

 

[jdspaw]

"I am slightly frustrated because I feel as though I've met his requirements for what he's looking for and haven't really got any concrete answer as far as likes/dislikes of what I'm offering. Again, he might not like what I have and that is fine. Just let me know so I can trade with someone else."
I think this is what frustrates me as well; having met the criteria stated in the trade thread, and the member is unresponsive or just declines. Oh well. Some things may be unethical, but if they're not violations of the rules, people will do what they want.

 

[LEGION 12]

Been seeing a lot of that myself lately with me I put something up for trade and if I can't get what I am looking for then I post it for sale. There's a few people who post stuff who I think have no intention of trading my problem is with the can you add some cash reply's been getting . People who are just trying to get over I just ignore them now same with guys who can't decide what they want for their items .

 

[RevDevil]

If the member is of a level to sell, then no problem with having it listed for trade and for sale.

It creates clutter, if a person wants to sell it or trade it, it is advisable to use the FSOT format (For Sale or Trade)

Keep in mind, if a person does not like what another has to offer for a trade, it is their own prerogative to do or not do business with that individual. My advice is to stick to folks that have good feedback and area easy going overall. Yu can usually figure that out by the first or second emails/PMs.

 

[benchwarmer380]

I have seen maybe one or two trade treads by other registered member with questionable wording. At the bottom they put will accept cash in trade. Not can add cash either way. It's all in the phrasing.

 

[FLymon]

I was just curious if it is considered an infraction to list an item in the trade forum with no intention of trading said item. At least twice now I've seen members post trade threads and then decide their going to list the item in the sales forum. I believe this is a covert way of ascertaining value and interest in a knife without directly violating the "what's my tuning fork worth?" rule. For example, Mr. X doesn't know how much his xm18 is worth, so he posts it in the trade forum. Other members make viable offers for that knife, but Mr. X never intended to trade. Instead he uses the trade offers to put a value on his xm18 and declines the offers. He then puts his xm18 up in the sales forum at the value he established from the trade thread.
I can see where it would be hard for mods to assign intent to trade threads, but the rules clearly state that members shouldn't post a sale thread unless they fully intend to sell the item. Does this apply to the trading forum as well? Perhaps there should be a time restriction on posting a trade thread to posting a sale thread?

A Gold member (or higher) can ask what his tuning fork is worth. So while assessing interest /value may be the motive, there is no rule against someone with a membership level that allows selling to ask the forum for opinions on value.

From the rules:

"WHAT IS MY KNIFE / GADGET / SPATULA / TUNING FORK WORTH ?!?!?!?!

In order to curtail potential abuse of membership privileges associated with the forums, questions regarding valuation of knives and collections are limited to those with a membership level which permits selling on this site. Accordingly, registered and basic members may not start or post in threads with such requests whether with the intent to sell or for informational purposes only. This rule applies throughout the site.

In other words, without a paid Gold membership, you don't get to ask about sale values. Too many people abused this question to hint they had a knife for sale, which you need that membership for."

 

[panzertroop]

Got proof of this happening? I have never witnessed it. Folks do change their minds and have a right to.

 

[jdspaw]

A Gold member (or higher) can ask what his tuning fork is worth. So while assessing interest /value may be the motive, there is no rule against someone with a membership level that allows selling to ask the forum for opinions on value.

From the rules:

"WHAT IS MY KNIFE / GADGET / SPATULA / TUNING FORK WORTH ?!?!?!?!

In order to curtail potential abuse of membership privileges associated with the forums, questions regarding valuation of knives and collections are limited to those with a membership level which permits selling on this site. Accordingly, registered and basic members may not start or post in threads with such requests whether with the intent to sell or for informational purposes only. This rule applies throughout the site.

In other words, without a paid Gold membership, you don't get to ask about sale values. Too many people abused this question to hint they had a knife for sale, which you need that membership for."

This really answers what I was getting at. Essentialy, if Gold member Mr. X can sell on BF, he can ask the value of his xm18 on BF as well, so there is no infraction as far as the tuning fork rule. Thanks FLymon for the clarification.
As far as trading goes, I completely understand that it's at the discretion of the people involved, and if someone doesn't like what is being offered they are under no obligation to trade what they have. This goes without saying. As I said in the original post, it would be difficult to assign motive to trade threads anyway.
Thanks for the feedback.