Discussing prices in classifieds..

Ok, rules is rules, I understand all that, but on the F50 classified there were two contrary views expressed, before it all got tidied up.

One is that if someone posts an ad for something at a price that others think is too high, it's not ok to post a link, showing evidence to that effect.

The other is that it is not only Ok, but positively helpful.

As it happens, I take the latter view, since if I try to sell something at a price that's too high, I would very much appreciate being told where it's lower, so that I can reprice my item or withdraw it from sale accordingly.

That way, I'm likely to make a sale, rather than forever wonder why my item's not selling. I realise I can gradually lower the price, as many do, but that is a big waste of time if it starts off completely unrealistic.

Now, I understand that cluttering up an ad with a load of discussion is viewed as a Bad Thing, and likely to get moderated, so here's my question:

Is it permitted to post a separate thread for said discussion, with a link to the ad in question?

It is quite obviously (to me!) bad form to post comments about the price of an item in a thread. If the estate agents were showing people round your next door neighbour's house, would you pop over and say 'ooh, they've been selling for a lot less than that on this street! And there's subsidence as well'....

If you think that the item is too highly priced, and you are feeling 'public spirited', why not PM the seller, who then has the option of reducing the price, or not, as he choses. The compromise between selling quickly and selling at the best price is a choice sellers should be free to make without interference, IMHO.

Good advice I think.

Indeed, very good advice.

The rules are the rules for a reason, they aren't just pulled out at random.

Yes, I completely see the point. It's not that I don't understand why the rule is as it is, even if it isn't always applied consistently.

The thing is, who's to say which is more public spirited - PM the seller, or warn potential buyers by posting a link to the lower price?

I understand the whole caveat emptor thing, too.

If forcing it to be like an actual ad (rather than a pub conversation) is the position, why even allow posts like 'PM Sent'? If the seller can offer an item at any price, and sell it to any buyer based on negotiations that are entirely private, it's entirely irrelevant to announce one's interest to the forum at large.

Perhaps the rule should be that only the seller can post to the thread.

Guidelines are provided at the top of the Classified Ads section.

Straying off topic is discouraged, but sometimes is harmless and imparts useful information that is beneficial to the selling process.

What concerns me more than the price is that people are allowed
to advertise and not state what COUNTRY the item is in/being sent
from.

The 50mm f/1.4 Classified still doesn't state that

Warning potential buyers might seem well meaning, but you often seem to get people doing a google search and then saying 'Hey, (insert dubious grey importers / online scam merchants here) have this item for £xxx new, so your price is way too high!!'

Prospective buyers get put off needlessly, and sellers get very annoyed by this. So I think it's probably best to keep out of it entirely, or, perhaps, start a separate thread as a general discussion of prices. I would encourage buyers to consult the forum collective if they aren't sure.

This is why I raised it - posting a link to a lower price - especially for new goods, I would argue is harmless, and also imparts useful information that is beneficial to the selling process.

More useful, arguably, than 'PM Sent', which I don't understand the point of.

Surely if country of origin is important to you, you can ask before agreeing to buy the item? But I do think it would be nice if users displayed their geographical location, for all sorts of other reasons besides.

If you spot a deal, just post it in Leads to Deals. That is after all how we've all got DA35mm f2.4's coming our way. Where is my delivery by the way? Time is getting on

Yes, fair point.

Can't exactly insist on links to SRS prices only

I think maybe what I'll do is just stick a line in any classified I post, saying something like 'please feel free to PM me if you feel I've priced this unrealistically' or something.

If people start sending me links to dodgy scammers, it'll help me decide who not to sell to, after all

Chris A ithink you are making this more difficult than it actually is.

A has something for sale, posts it in classifieds

people respond by offering price or to buy at that price

Simple really....

Ah of course

I think a PM to the seller is sensible if the price seems too high. I might have a view on price but if I'm wrong I wouldn't want to put other potential buyers off by posting in the thread.

I can see an argument for protecting potential buyers by pointing out prices that are too high but it's a subjective area and could be open to abuse.