Discussing prices in classifieds..

Yeah that is fine as far as it goes, Alan, but it is when persons not involved in negotiations choose to stick their noses in with gratuitous comment or advice (particularly of a patronising or derogatory nature) from the sidelines, that concern arises, is it not?.

+1

Bullseye. I'd very much appreciate a PM in those circumstances.

Completely appreciate this Duncan. But there are times when sticking ones nose in is appropriate.

Sure there was a case of someone selling a Ltd on here when he didn't actually possess it. Think he was planning on obtaining it once he had a buyer, but didn't mention this in the ad. Because the ad had been seen somewhere else too where questions were asked, this was brought to the attention of potential buyers on the forum here. The sale was then rightly withdrawn.

It's tough posting pics of an item you haven't got ...

Plenty on google or ebay though Doug

Seem to remember that, that was exactly what he did. The lens was even in another country... Bulgaria?

OK tougher, and if you're suspicious, ask for a specific photo i.e. one with a three rubber bands round the top, with a copy of today's Sun, and with your regional TV programme in the background, and a certificate of authenticity from a notary or local judge.

But make sure you do it via PM, so no-one else finds out there's a ringer

Then post afterwards, saying how you thought it was fishy.

ha ha ha , we've all been there, haven't we.....

It's best to ask for a picture of the seller with a
"dead chicken on his head" so that you can hand it
onto the police in the event of fraud

Seriously though, surely there needs to be clear distinction drawn between on the one hand intervening publicly in a For Sale thread to raise reasonable suspicion about possible fakes, forgeries, stolen goods, etc., and on the other hand intervening publicly where there is no suspicion of dishonesty on the part of the seller and without entering into negotiation over the price, just to make niggling comment on the asking price.
If there is any reasonable suspicion at all that the seller is a scammer, comment to that effect would of course be entirely proper. It is however quite another thing to insert comment in a For Sale thread for a purpose such, perhaps, as self gratification, or hostility toward the seller, aimed at reducing the value of the item.

Well it is, and no one would condone that. Has it ever happened here?

The only thing I've seen is where second hand stuff is put on sale at a price above the new price at a reputable stockist such as SRS, and a link is then posted.

Of course there's always the risk of abuse, but it would be very rare.

To be honest, if someone did abuse it in the way you're describing, it would be better for the forum at large, and in particular the mods, to be able to see it plainly. It would be grounds for a ban, surely?

Personally I am obliged to ChrisA for prompting this thread, and the reasonable and thoughtful tone of the ensuing discussion, and clearing of the air, has been such that I personally feel no need for further agonising over the subject. But as far as I am concerned, it has been useful to open for discussion the way the For Sale threads are operated, and in particular any tendency that may have threatened to emerge for excessive irrelevant and sometimes irritating digression.
By the way, who'd want to be a moderator, bless their cotton socks!