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Site Announcements and Feedback => Announcements/Feedback/Suggestions => Topic started by: jwaz on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:07:20

Title: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jwaz on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:07:20
I'd really like to get the communities input on these, what do you guys think? Should we keep 'em around? Is it worth it?


Lately they seem to be digressing into chaos quite easily... when they're kept fair (aka posting in the thread) they kind of circumvent the bump rule. Do you guys feel they have a place? Is that place out of the classifieds section? I want to get a dialogue started so we find a solution to this (if you feel one is warranted).


Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Binge on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:08:32
Auctions should be GH sanctioned events.  End-of-story.

Edit:  For clarification.. private auctions on geekhack basically using GH's name to sell goods at a more than marginal profit.  People are really abusing the site's popularity to use auction mechanics to mark up used merch.  If it really has value (e.g. tinlong's kishsavers) then the resale of used goods will hold.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jwaz on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:10:39
Auctions should be GH sanctioned events.  End-of-story.

So do we only use for fundraisers etc? Leave it to the pros (ie eBay)? I've tossed the idea around of a subforum that links to other auction mediums, think that might work better?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: catnipz0098 on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:10:47
They are nice, but disorderly.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: CommunistWitchDr on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:11:08
They don't bother me at all. Maybe quarantine em off in a new auction section, but I'm pretty fine with them being a thing. Doesn't matter to me any if someone wants to pay a grand for a keycap.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:12:40
Make a designated auction sub-forum with a 1-post per person per day limit.  Will force bidders who are seriously interested to bid they're max offer while removing the issue of threadcrapping.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:13:19
I dislike auctions, even if the money is donated to Geekhack
If you are trying to raise money for Geekhack, have a raffle
If you are trying to sell some goods, have a straight sale.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: CommunistWitchDr on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:15:53
Make a designated auction sub-forum with a 1-post per person per day limit.  Will force bidders who are seriously interested to bid they're max offer while removing the issue of threadcrapping.
Eh, the problem with that is the whole point of auctions (from the buyers side) is NOT paying the most you're willing to pay. Requiring a max offer right away for any auction would be silly.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: kenmai9 on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:17:17
Shill bidding is a huge problem around here but no one knows it. Who's stopping your friend from bidding on your clack to raise the price on the first day of an auction? Most people who use eBay don't bid on the first day, but try to snipe for the lowest price. That's not the case in some of the GH auctions recently.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:17:59
Make a designated auction sub-forum with a 1-post per person per day limit.  Will force bidders who are seriously interested to bid they're max offer while removing the issue of threadcrapping.
Eh, the problem with that is the whole point of auctions (from the buyers side) is NOT paying the most you're willing to pay. Requiring a max offer right away for any auction would be silly.

Good point. Just kinda thinking out loud here...

Maybe a 5 post per day limit? Will reduce threadcrapping  yet still allow for an acceptable bidding environment.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:19:25
Relegate all auctions off-site. eBay has protections in place for both buyer and seller. This forum has neither. Nor should it. There is absolutely no reason for an auction to exist on this community forum.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: BunnyLake on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:19:53
auctions are fine, its the attitudes that arent
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:20:50
auctions are fine, its the attitudes that arent

QFT
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:21:42
Place rules on them, IF they stay (I don't really like them...)

NO extending - stupid way to disallow snipers. Auctions have sniping. That's how it goes.
Set increments - $1 if under $100, $2 over $100 or something. Not this $5 bull**** that causes things to get out of hand (even though people just bid what they want)
Set time allowances - Auctions don't need to run for a year or a month. A week, two at the most, is perfectly fine. Maybe even 10 days.

And more rules. More rules.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:21:54
Nope, auctions aren't fine. Sorry Bunny, have to disagree with you on this one. The whole point of an auction is to maximize profit. Who is going to benefit from whom? One community member takes advantage of the others, with the possibility for shill bidding, etc.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: absyrd on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:22:00
Shill bidding is a huge problem around here but no one knows it. Who's stopping your friend from bidding on your clack to raise the price on the first day of an auction? Most people who use eBay don't bid on the first day, but try to snipe for the lowest price. That's not the case in some of the GH auctions recently.

I, too, think shill bidding goes on. Shouldn't be tolerated. Can't be policed here, so no auctions should be allowed.

Relegate all auctions off-site. eBay has protections in place for both buyer and seller. This forum has neither. Nor should it. There is absolutely no reason for an auction to exist on this community forum.

With jd here.

Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:30:37
Auctions (unless for charity) should be forbidden on this forum. Auctions only see to drive the sale of items higher than they are actually worth. So then...are we a flea market or a community? If this place is a flea market, then go ahead and sell your novelty keycap for obnoxious prices. If we are part of a community dedicated to this hobby, then why are auctions allowed? One argument may be that a person may not be certain of the worth of an item. However, it's not that difficult to figure out a price within ~20% of an item usually sells for. I just recently witnessed the Beast switch tool set sell for over $20, where Beast was selling them for under $10. Of course, this happened to be an auction.

Also, if we are a true community, I believe that novelty keycaps such as CCs, BroBots, and GirlDC should be sold AT COST + shipping. Now this may insult many of you, but why do you feel that you're entitled to selling such an item to a member of the community for $50-$500? If you were selling it on eBay, to the world, then I'd be more accepting of the sale because it is no longer being sold specifically within the community. And to those of you who buy novelty keycaps like CCs for $100+ dollars: I understand that you're free to spend your money as foolishly as you see fit, but please understand that by doing so, you only contribute to such outrageous prices.

To sum up:
1) Auctions should be forbidden (unless for charity) due to the inflation of prices and all the drama they cause
2) Novelty keycaps should be sold at or around retail cost
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:38:56
Nope, auctions aren't fine. Sorry Bunny, have to disagree with you on this one. The whole point of an auction is to maximize profit. Who is going to benefit from whom? One community member takes advantage of the others, with the possibility for shill bidding, etc.

Auctions (unless for charity) should be forbidden on this forum. Auctions only see to drive the sale of items higher than they are actually worth. So then...are we a flea market or a community? If this place is a flea market, then go ahead and sell your novelty keycap for obnoxious prices. If we are part of a community dedicated to this hobby, then why are auctions allowed? One argument may be that a person may not be certain of the worth of an item. However, it's not that difficult to figure out a price within ~20% of an item usually sells for. I just recently witnessed the Beast switch tool set sell for over $20, where Beast was selling them for under $10. Of course, this happened to be an auction.

Also, if we are a true community, I believe that novelty keycaps such as CCs, BroBots, and GirlDC should be sold AT COST + shipping. Now this may insult many of you, but why do you feel that you're entitled to selling such an item to a member of the community for $50-$500? If you were selling it on eBay, to the world, then I'd be more accepting of the sale because it is no longer being sold specifically within the community. And to those of you who buy novelty keycaps like CCs for $100+ dollars: I understand that you're free to spend your money as foolishly as you see fit, but please understand that by doing so, you only contribute to such outrageous prices.

To sum up:
1) Auctions should be forbidden (unless for charity) due to the inflation of prices and all the drama they cause
2) Novelty keycaps should be sold at or around retail cost

I couldn't agree more.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: bueller on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:46:41
Auctions (unless for charity) should be forbidden on this forum. Auctions only see to drive the sale of items higher than they are actually worth. So then...are we a flea market or a community? If this place is a flea market, then go ahead and sell your novelty keycap for obnoxious prices. If we are part of a community dedicated to this hobby, then why are auctions allowed? One argument may be that a person may not be certain of the worth of an item. However, it's not that difficult to figure out a price within ~20% of an item usually sells for. I just recently witnessed the Beast switch tool set sell for over $20, where Beast was selling them for under $10. Of course, this happened to be an auction.

Also, if we are a true community, I believe that novelty keycaps such as CCs, BroBots, and GirlDC should be sold AT COST + shipping. Now this may insult many of you, but why do you feel that you're entitled to selling such an item to a member of the community for $50-$500? If you were selling it on eBay, to the world, then I'd be more accepting of the sale because it is no longer being sold specifically within the community. And to those of you who buy novelty keycaps like CCs for $100+ dollars: I understand that you're free to spend your money as foolishly as you see fit, but please understand that by doing so, you only contribute to such outrageous prices.

To sum up:
1) Auctions should be forbidden (unless for charity) due to the inflation of prices and all the drama they cause
2) Novelty keycaps should be sold at or around retail cost

Honestly I've run an auction in the past put that was more because I didn't know how to price it and I figured someone would get a bargain. In saying that I totally agree with your points above, I would have no problem seeing them added to the forum rules.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: BunnyLake on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:55:34
Nope, auctions aren't fine. Sorry Bunny, have to disagree with you on this one. The whole point of an auction is to maximize profit. Who is going to benefit from whom? One community member takes advantage of the others, with the possibility for shill bidding, etc.

im not suggesting auctions in the current format are fine

but i do think there is a place for them, i dont like the classifieds right now at all, and im not condoning it, but i do think an auction format has a place with certain items, but the way both buyers and sellers are currently using them is incorrect and negative on the community
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jwaz on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:09:29
So then... I think it's safe to say that something needs to be changed, I appreciate all the feedback in looking for an adequate solution.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:10:53
So then... I think it's safe to say that something needs to be changed, I appreciate all the feedback in looking for an adequate solution.

No more auctions?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jwaz on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:12:39
So then... I think it's safe to say that something needs to be changed, I appreciate all the feedback in looking for an adequate solution.

No more auctions?

What about the way other forums handle it? Say for instance:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=46&sid=0b5a0b5e494b81f8a208a66f485a5258
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:19:00
Please allow for at least a few more days for users to express their opinions/ideas.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:20:11
And besides just auctions, I think the classifieds are pretty bad period with thread crapping, way too much bumping and off topic chatter. (I know, pot, kettle, black.)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:21:15
And besides just auctions, I think the classifieds are pretty bad period with thread crapping, way too much bumping and off topic chatter. (I know, pot, kettle, black.)

Racist!
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Lastpilot on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:21:47
Agree with Carpe. Auctions belong on eBay.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: okooko on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:21:58
Nek minit -> GH to take a cut from all sales.

And its not like you can enforce a fair price - people know what a reasonable market price is for whatever they are auctioning but for every hardworking low income guy there is another on the other side of the spectrum.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: okooko on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:24:24
Also - can we make it that you must put a price.
or Reserve/Instant pricing and non of this testing waters bS

If you aint got a price - then you aint selling - thread closed. simple.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:25:00
And besides just auctions, I think the classifieds are pretty bad period with thread crapping, way too much bumping and off topic chatter. (I know, pot, kettle, black.)

Racist!

:facepalm:

And what about 'those'people who have 15 different wtb/fs threads.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: inlikeflynn on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:31:03

people know what a reasonable market price is for whatever they are auctioning

Disagree. There are plenty of ultra rare keyboards out there and acquired from outside the communities. So if they have never been sold before and nothing similar really exists how does one know what a reasonable price should be?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:31:08
Nek minit -> GH to take a cut from all sales.

And its not like you can enforce a fair price - people know what a reasonable market price is for whatever they are auctioning but for every hardworking low income guy there is another on the other side of the spectrum.

GH wouldn't be taking a cut out of anything. Now you just sound like a far-right conservative who wants no government involvement in anything.  Come up with a serious argument instead of just spouting nonsense.

Yes, people do know what a reasonable market price is -- and it's not what CCs are currently going for in second-hand sales. This has less to do with income levels (low or high) than it does with the principles a community should be founded on in regards to member-to-member sales. I don't know about you, but I see GH as a community and its classifieds section as member-to-member sales -- not a flea market. If you feel like your $25 novelty keycap is worth $100+ after a raffle, then take your sale to eBay -- the world's largest flea market.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jwaz on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:31:51

I don't think taking a cut is the way to go, logistically I just don't see it happening.

Please allow for at least a few more days for users to express their opinions/ideas.

It isn't my intention to implement something immediately. At this point all I want is the communities feedback on an issue I feel we as users aren't happy with and aren't fair for everyone.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Photoelectric on Tue, 05 November 2013, 19:35:35
auctions are fine, its the attitudes that arent

I agree with this.

Auctions don't bother me--I just don't join them, because inevitably prices go above what I consider reasonable.  Which is I think the whole point for the sellers: to get as much money as possible, as people get into the bidding and winning mood. 

I do agree that there should be some more formal regulations for auction format and terms, to protect the community and limit potential drama a bit.  Other than that, there are many things that bother me much more than auctions here, about which not much is being done :)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: okooko on Tue, 05 November 2013, 20:09:49
Nek minit -> GH to take a cut from all sales.

And its not like you can enforce a fair price - people know what a reasonable market price is for whatever they are auctioning but for every hardworking low income guy there is another on the other side of the spectrum.

GH wouldn't be taking a cut out of anything. Now you just sound like a far-right conservative who wants no government involvement in anything.  Come up with a serious argument instead of just spouting nonsense.

Yes, people do know what a reasonable market price is -- and it's not what CCs are currently going for in second-hand sales. This has less to do with income levels (low or high) than it does with the principles a community should be founded on in regards to member-to-member sales. I don't know about you, but I see GH as a community and its classifieds section as member-to-member sales -- not a flea market. If you feel like your $25 novelty keycap is worth $100+ after a raffle, then take your sale to eBay -- the world's largest flea market.

If the use of Nek Minit didnt convey the comment as a joke then my lack of appropriate humour is to blame.

If you classify a for-profit sale item as one that is above its original RRP,then a large amount of items on the sales thread would potentially fit into this space.
It's not the sellers problem (being seen as a profiteer) but more so the buyer for allowing the process to thrive. Taking your $25 - $100 example, there would have been one or more exchanges which netted profit for someone to get to $100.

AS many have mentionned, there is nothing wrong with auctions - set yourself a limit should you want to bid on an item - if you are outbid, then so be it.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 05 November 2013, 20:19:00
Auctions are okay.

The bickering and thread crapping that inevitably occurs is not.

If we can cut down on the latter, things should run more smoothly.

Look at the alternative - if GH does not have auctions, people are more likely to list their CCs on an alternative online auction site (not listing any in particular - each country has a few).  Then we would, for the most part, miss out.

At least with the items for sale here, someone from GH stands a chance of buying them.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: dorkvader on Tue, 05 November 2013, 20:55:35

people know what a reasonable market price is for whatever they are auctioning

Disagree. There are plenty of ultra rare keyboards out there and acquired from outside the communities. So if they have never been sold before and nothing similar really exists how does one know what a reasonable price should be?

This. I have lots of keyboards that there's just no way of determining what "market price" is. Even if I have the only know example, is it worth $1000?

What about a futjistu first generation leaf switch keyboard that's been painstakingly cleaned and converted to USB? What's that worth? Even in the case of more common keyboards, it's unclear. What should I list my triumph-adler keycaps at?

In many cases a fair price cannot be determined, so I am left with either auctioning it to determine "market price" or starting absurdly high and accepting offers and also lowering the price every week or so. Even that method is a type of auction. Also, what If I' need the funds soon? If I have no way of knowing when it'll sell, I won't know when I'll have money. Auctions with a good fixed end certainly help with that.

That said, having unrestricted unsanctioned unfiltered auctions is, among other things, somewhat of a liability for GH. I feel that they should be regulated more. An item is only worth what people are willing to pay for it, but I sometimes thing auctions here can get a little out-of-hand. It'd be nice if we could achieve some tranquility along the way.

But doing away with auctions completely must leave a way for people to determine a market price (or just sell) uncommon items. There are solutions to this, some better than others.

No system is perfect. All we can do is try to optimize it for the most amount of people. And even that belief (the utilitarian argument) isn't necessarily the right one.

I'm looking forward to reading other people's responses, thoughts, and opinions.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Shadovved on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:06:29
Maybe we can have those first-price sealed-bid auctions.......

One hidden bid, and no more. Submit, and forget. :))

Stop the bidding war, and effective usage of google forms LOL :p

Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: okooko on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:25:02

people know what a reasonable market price is for whatever they are auctioning

Disagree. There are plenty of ultra rare keyboards out there and acquired from outside the communities. So if they have never been sold before and nothing similar really exists how does one know what a reasonable price should be?

This. I have lots of keyboards that there's just no way of determining what "market price" is. Even if I have the only know example, is it worth $1000?

snip

True, obviously more commonly exchanged items will have references as per last sale (some of which threads remove the sale price but at least someone might recall)
I do agree with your comments about the rare and somewhat unseen gems which pop up but are you actually going to sell them? with regards to the items you own?
I.e. the DK saver on ebay, I've seen Harlequin sell his a while back, just say it's never been sold, its still not a 1k board.

Talking generally, most items listed are not ultra rare and at some stage (perhaps in the past) other members will have seen a similar item to gauge an approximate figure.
I don't see anything wrong with people listing high prices and instead of people commenting on it, they will eventually realise it's most likely off, and change otherwise its just another useless ad - until someone baller comes to buy everything.


edit: - if you are unsure - thats what the 'whats this worth' thread is for.

in summary - auctions ok, sales need set prices and no testing waters BS.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:26:08
Ultimately GH is supposed to be a place for the keyboard community to discuss, well, keyboards.

I have always seen Classifieds as a bonus - a service provided to GH members who meet certain very generous requirements.

Auctions are just part of that.

It is a shame though that any time a Clack is involved. the enormous roar of rustling jimmies drowns out those few, those special few, who just want to place sensible bids.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:29:33
speaking of shill bidding.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47993.msg1104382#msg1104382

how has this not been talked about? cactux is purposely upping the price to prove an idiotic point.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: bueller on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:30:48
I'll just be happy to get some clarification on rules from mods. If auctions are allowed then people shouldn't be allowed to threadcrap, people who continuously violate the rules should cop 24 hour bans. Similarly if they aren't allowed then rules need to be put in place and penalties for those who break it just like the threadcrappers.

I hate the stupidly inflated prices as much as the next guy but if I'm not interested in purchasing I don't post.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:32:38
Do we aim to be a marketplace, or a community? If the aim of this forum is to be a marketplace where goods are bought, sold, and traded, with a few discussions taking place on the side, then let us make it that. I say "us" loosely, because I will be leaving if that is the consensus.

If the aim is to be a community of like-minded individuals, then we need to stop allowing those in a position of advantage to have free run of the place. I know this may rustle some jimmies, especially if you, the reader, are one of those individuals. Maybe you have a coveted item that is in high demand and commands a healthy resale price. Come here and talk about it, brag about yourself, whatever. Just don't try to auction it of or turn it for a profit. From whom are you profiting? From your neighbor, that is who. I don't care if he is willing to pay what you are asking, and you are just facilitating the process. Do it somewhere else.

If you have an item that you really don't know how to place a value on, throw it up on eBay and let it ride. You will find out what it is worth there. eBay has protections in place for both buyer and seller. eBay is well established. eBay has rules. This forum is not an auction site. The staff should not be tasked with the full-time operation of auctions, period.

And the so-called "threadcrapping" is not the problem. Posts like "GLWS" which bump the thread are tolerated. Posts which call into question the seller's motives are not. If you look back through any of my own personal sales threads, you will see that I tolerate a fair bit of threadcrapping, because I have nothing to hide. If someone has a question, I will answer it. If someone is being rude, I call them on it and ask them politely to GTFO of my thread. People who constantly report threadcrapping to the moderators are the sellers who are looking to profit off fellow forum members, and don't like being called out for it. They can't handle questions about their pricing, because they know it's not fair. So, to those that say threadcrapping is the problem with auctions, I say it's a symptom of shady dealings, not the cause of the "auction problem."

It would be much easier on everyone, including GH staff, to simply ban on-site auctions, and relegate them to eBay or similar. And sale threads probably need to be approved before they go live, to ensure that people aren't trying to circumvent rules.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on it.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: cgbuen on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:35:17
Short answer: Agreed with jdcarpe about moving auctions to eBay.

Long answer: I think there are a few facts that we can get straight.

1. The forum software is literally not built for auctions.

a. As some have been saying, it really doesn't seem hard at all to cheat or scam, given shills/shill accounts, anonymous bidding, the ease of either the buyer or seller reneging, etc. I get scared sometimes because participating in an auction here seems about as safe as participating on an auction on craigslist.

b. I've been burned a couple of times by auctions already, due to unclear auction rules:

- http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49710.msg1085686#msg1085686 (lost, not knowing when to place the bid, because it was unclear to me that there was only one extension)
- http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48164.msg1033555#msg1033555 (won, but not optimally - my strategy had to change because of the confusion of whether or not GT's bid against himself was legitimate)

eBay's rules are pretty clearly defined and have stood the test of time. eBay is designed specifically by top economists, software engineers, and computer scientists, for the proper allocation of items from sellers to buyers. Is it perfect? No, but using it just seems way more appropriate than using geekhack to me.

2. eBay's variation of the second-price auction format should produce fairer prices than in the variation of the first-price auction format commonly seen here on geekhack. If not, it at least allows for the easiest bidding strategy.

In an ideal world, everyone would have a basic understanding of auction theory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auction_theory) and mechanism design (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanism_design) from some basic undergraduate math/economics courses, and see how they can apply practically, to things ranging from how a state allocates prisons to which of its cities, to which roommate pays how much for rent, to how auctions are run in hobbyist communities like we have here at geekhack. But that's not the case. Members here can hardly grasp how to play a first-price auction (the idea of "sniping" isn't the ONLY factor in how to strategize), and sellers often seem to be at way too much of an advantage.

In the theoretical second price auction, your best strategy is bidding what you truly value the item. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second-price_auction#Proof_of_dominance_of_truthful_bidding) For those who need it spelled out, the mechanism is such that you remain happy keeping your money than you overbidding and overpaying, and underbidding just doesn't make any sense. This makes it far easier than having to calculate what your best bid is in the first-price auction.

I do understand that a huge number of variables comes in the actual community setting, where we're dealing with higher disposable incomes and scarcer luxuries. For one, people think they have "more info" when they see the current bid (in contrast to the oft-studied sealed-bid auction formats, which Shadovved graciously mentioned as I typed this post given the post warning I got) and spend more time trying to figure out and play the "game". Also, in practice, many people don't have a set value coming into auctions - they're constantly changing. So honestly, whether it's a first- or second-price public auction, prices still end up higher than they should around here (see SSKs).

But that still doesn't make the strategy for second-price auctions, which eBay uses, any more complicated than the strategies for first-price auctions here.

3. (A slight counterargument to my agreement with jdcarpe) Moving all auctions to eBay introduces participants who are not part of the community.

The bold above is a fact, but my following response to this counterargument admittedly is opinionated: in a lot of cases I've seen, sellers are generally not doing the community any favors by posting auctions in the classifieds section anyway, so my thought is who cares?

--

Just to point out, I'm not quite as pragmatic or angry one way or the other.. I'm not upset and my intent is not to rile anyone else up. I just wanted to put this all out there for the sake of discussion, which jwaz asked for.

There is a separate discussion I think is worth opening up: whether a person can advertise his own eBay auctions here on geekhack. On one hand, some people don't like how the seller is promoting his own item in order to improve the sale of his own item, but on the other hand, it could be that the seller wants to ensure that any buyer out there who really wants the item knows that a sale for it exists. Not sure where I stand on it yet, but just throwing this out there. Maybe a possible solution is ensuring that it's not really simply just new member spam - so maybe a higher post count, plus some further qualification (e.g. high HeatWare or eBay feedback review numbers/scores).
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:36:17
ALSO!

can we stop having fs/auction threads when the person DOESNT have the product on hand?

Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: okooko on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:36:46
I'll just be happy to get some clarification on rules from mods. If auctions are allowed then people shouldn't be allowed to threadcrap, people who continuously violate the rules should cop 24 hour bans. Similarly if they aren't allowed then rules need to be put in place and penalties for those who break it just like the threadcrappers.

I hate the stupidly inflated prices as much as the next guy but if I'm not interested in purchasing I don't post.

Word.
The number of comments I could have made regarding a few recent sales threads... chose not to as it does not aid the sale for the seller so I didn't do it. - but saying I haven't in the past.

speaking of shill bidding.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47993.msg1104382#msg1104382

how has this not been talked about? cactux is purposely upping the price to prove an idiotic point.

The comment about selling an item for what you obtained it for - is an optimistic view and there's nothing wrong with it and congrats to you if you sell it for cost or if you made a quick gain. (although I dont see how he could have gotten the night owl for that much unless someone flipped it before it got to him lol)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: phetto on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:38:03
I love auctions, especially when he doesnt have the item yet.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:39:54
I love auctions, especially when he doesnt have the item yet.


me too

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50564.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49292.0

i mean paying for something the person doesnt have couldn't go wrong, right?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Binge on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:39:58
People must not auction items that have not yet been shipped to them... ffs this is ridiculous
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: bueller on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:41:25
ALSO!

can we stop having fs/auction threads when the person DOESNT have the product on hand?



This is a bloody good point. If you haven't got the product you ain't selling ****, you're selling the expectation that you will still sell it at that price when it arrives.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: okooko on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:43:55
JD, what would you suggest the mods do prior to letting a sales thread go live?
regulate the price?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Photoelectric on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:47:46
To be fair, people who buy know what they are getting themselves into.  In other words, there's always an element of risk, and everyone can gauge that risk vs. potential reward and make a decision to go for it--or not.  The entire Classifieds system is faith-based.  Heatware helps somewhat, but it's not a guarantee.  If someone wins an auction for a clack that's not yet in possession of the seller, it's up to them to negotiate delaying payment until the item arrives to the seller.  This is relevant for people trading their spots for group buys, etc.  It's something that should be agreed upon between the seller and the buyer.

But on that note, I do think it'd be helpful to add some formality to the Classifieds like Overclock.net has done recently, asking that sellers include recent photographs of their goods with a post-it or some note next to the item being sold, showing their user name and date.  It's just a courtesy to buyers and a step to make the selling less compulsive and shady and more organized.  Beyond that, this is not eBay, and still: caveat emptor.  But both parties agree to those risks, so I don't see a need to reorganize the Classifieds too dramatically. 

To appease some percent of the community and also to keep the Classifieds cleaner, we could institute a rule of no idle discussions in the Classifieds threads, including "GLWS"--only questions and answers pertaining to items sold.  Posts like "Dude, I can't believe you're selling this already!" could be kept to PM's.

And finally, I think having the mods approve every single thread and modification to it is unrealistic, as you'd pretty much need a moderator or two constantly scanning the classifieds to make that happen.

P.S.:  There's a "what is it worth?" or something like that thread.  It could be used to estimate a price of an uncommon item, circumventing the need for an auction to do that.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:49:03
No more auctions.

Want to raise money? Raffles or donations. All other auctions? Let the eBays of the world handle it.

I'm tired of auctions where people are just trying to extract money from others. I'm tired of seeing people bicker over whether or not its right that so and so sold XYZ for $!!!. I'm just tired of people seeing GeekHack as a quick way to make a dollar.

I would love if we had a auction sub-forum where you can advertise your eBay/reddit marketplace/Craigslist/local/OCN/DT/Whatever sale. Then member to member classifieds can stay like we have now, but there's no PMs so there is *some* accountability. No auctions, no PM bids, no "PM me your best offer", no Testing Waters, no "name your own price". Sometimes, I go into the classifieds and auctions and there's this weird vibe that I get where it seems like some people are really saying, "Hey, I spend money better than you, let me tell you how to spend your money".

For every well intentioned, well-run auction (I'm thinking of Bunny's Cherry fundraise auction and tjcaustin's Bring Glissant Home auction), there seems to be three other money extraction auctions (I won't name names.). Yes, I know I participated in an auction and won something from it. Yes, I'm being hypocritical. I still stand by my act of helping and I think it was a great cause. Moving forward? I'd sacrifice that good intention if it meant there was less bickering over money, and more focus on what we actually love. But I don't think turning GeekHack into an online store is the way to do it. If this was Best Buy or MicroCenter, I would've bought my keyboards and just moved on. To me, this isn't a place where the focus is the marketplace.

And yes, my perspective is skewed since I do have a well paying job that allows me to afford this hobby. Still standing by my opinion on this one though.

I've also agreed with what jdcarpe has said.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: okooko on Tue, 05 November 2013, 21:54:34
I've seen my fair share of sales threads from various sites.
Mods have closed poorly made threads not specifying important things although not having photo's is not a big issue.
But its the seller loss if they don't put effort into a sale.

I think enforcing a 'must-set' price is necessary or have the thread closed.

If you want to stop profiteering/money-extraction its not only the auctions you need to monitor - just normal sales threads with exhorbent prices too - how are you going to sell anything ?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 05 November 2013, 22:06:59
ALSO!

can we stop having fs/auction threads when the person DOESNT have the product on hand?

This.

I belong to another online forum with a classifieds section, and if you don't post a picture of the actual item in your possession for sale the thread is immediately locked.

Saves a lot of fuss and speculation.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Tue, 05 November 2013, 22:07:44
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50564.0

Here's a problem. Changing the rules of the auction in the middle of the auction. That should definitely be stopped.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: bueller on Tue, 05 November 2013, 22:12:29
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50564.0

Here's a problem. Changing the rules of the auction in the middle of the auction. That should definitely be stopped.

lol yeah wtf. He doesn't like to display the reserve hahahaha

So what, if it didn't sell for enough money he'd just back out on the deal? ****in hell.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Binge on Tue, 05 November 2013, 22:20:45
Auctions are usually held when people don't know what to sell an item for... they want the "market" at that moment to decide the value.

The issue I find is that it is all too flawed when it comes to what people do here at GH.

There's noobs and vets and hackers galore... then there's a strange set of people only invested into this place for the chance to buy something which will be worth money.

Money is a funny thing... it keeps this place running and it also sees some of the most amazing people I've met through hard times.

Most of the auctions or raffles I've seen which make this place seem... I don't know, less dark and rancid... happen to help others, change things, or make something happen.

The thing that makes this place seem as bad as a pedophile is that an artist puts his stuff up for retail value, sell-out lotto, and then people immediately auction to profit...the piece of art not even in their hands.  They are scalping winning keyboard art lotto tickets...  Why is this sanctioned activity?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jalaj on Tue, 05 November 2013, 22:30:05
Auctions/sales for items not in seller's possession should be prohibited.
What if scammers create bogus FST and run away with the money from the sales?
Coupled with the lax policy on allowing PP Gift in FST, this is indeed possible.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Tue, 05 November 2013, 22:39:35
Auctions/sales for items not in seller's possession should be prohibited.
What if scammers create bogus FST and run away with the money from the sales?
Coupled with the lax policy on allowing PP Gift in FST, this is indeed possible.

classifieds is such a cluster**** it's ridiculous. it's easily GH's most active sub and the least moderated. seems mods/admins are more worried about how many times tp4 mentions ergodox than the sub where money is exchanged.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Tue, 05 November 2013, 22:39:38
Do we aim to be a marketplace, or a community? If the aim of this forum is to be a marketplace where goods are bought, sold, and traded, with a few discussions taking place on the side, then let us make it that. I say "us" loosely, because I will be leaving if that is the consensus.

If the aim is to be a community of like-minded individuals, then we need to stop allowing those in a position of advantage to have free run of the place. I know this may rustle some jimmies, especially if you, the reader, are one of those individuals. Maybe you have a coveted item that is in high demand and commands a healthy resale price. Come here and talk about it, brag about yourself, whatever. Just don't try to auction it of or turn it for a profit. From whom are you profiting? From your neighbor, that is who. I don't care if he is willing to pay what you are asking, and you are just facilitating the process. Do it somewhere else.

If you have an item that you really don't know how to place a value on, throw it up on eBay and let it ride. You will find out what it is worth there. eBay has protections in place for both buyer and seller. eBay is well established. eBay has rules. This forum is not an auction site. The staff should not be tasked with the full-time operation of auctions, period.

And the so-called "threadcrapping" is not the problem. Posts like "GLWS" which bump the thread are tolerated. Posts which call into question the seller's motives are not. If you look back through any of my own personal sales threads, you will see that I tolerate a fair bit of threadcrapping, because I have nothing to hide. If someone has a question, I will answer it. If someone is being rude, I call them on it and ask them politely to GTFO of my thread. People who constantly report threadcrapping to the moderators are the sellers who are looking to profit off fellow forum members, and don't like being called out for it. They can't handle questions about their pricing, because they know it's not fair. So, to those that say threadcrapping is the problem with auctions, I say it's a symptom of shady dealings, not the cause of the "auction problem."

It would be much easier on everyone, including GH staff, to simply ban on-site auctions, and relegate them to eBay or similar. And sale threads probably need to be approved before they go live, to ensure that people aren't trying to circumvent rules.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on it.

I am in full agreement with you. However, I think that our opinions may be too "radical" compared to users who feel that auctions should be allowed. Thus, a consensus will eventually have to be reached. But, before people decide whether they want auctions or not, they need to understand what their goal for this forum is to be: a community or a keyboard-related market.

Auctions are usually held when people don't know what to sell an item for... they want the "market" at that moment to decide the value.

The issue I find is that it is all too flawed when it comes to what people do here at GH.

There's noobs and vets and hackers galore... then there's a strange set of people only invested into this place for the chance to buy something which will be worth money.

Money is a funny thing... it keeps this place running and it also sees some of the most amazing people I've met through hard times.

Most of the auctions or raffles I've seen which make this place seem... I don't know, less dark and rancid... happen to help others, change things, or make something happen.

The thing that makes this place seem as bad as a pedophile is that an artist puts his stuff up for retail value, sell-out lotto, and then people immediately auction to profit...the piece of art not even in their hands.  They are scalping winning keyboard art lotto tickets...  Why is this sanctioned activity?

For those of you who want to sell a rare/unique keyboard and don't know how to even begin to price it: put it up on eBay. You will probably end up getting more for it on eBay since your keyboard will be seen by a larger, worldwide audience. Other than that, I think that auctions done on the forum only serve to hurt the community as a whole (while benefiting the individual seller).

I feel much sympathy for the creators of these keycaps. Like Binge just stated, the creator of the item gets a slap in the face when jerks go around immediately reselling these items. Is this how the community wishes to see those who create the things we love to put on our keyboard?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: hashbaz on Tue, 05 November 2013, 23:03:11
classifieds is such a cluster**** it's ridiculous. it's easily GH's most active sub and the least moderated. seems mods/admins are more worried about how many times tp4 mentions ergodox than the sub where money is exchanged.

The classifieds have always been a very hands-off place, per iMav's desire.  But I feel like his desire has become unrealistic in light of the now quite large size of the forum and what its marketplace culture has become.

I like a lot of what has been said in here, especially:

1. Require recent photos of every item posted for sale (perhaps even semi-formal sticky note verification showing username and date).
2. Require a stated price.  Beef up "what is it worth?" resources if necessary.
3. Segregate auctions to a separate subforum.  Linking to your own ebay auction would be allowed, and maybe for special cases we could allow on-site auctions for charity or site fund-raising.

I don't feel like we need to clamp down on discussion within sale threads.  The normal rules against personal attacks and thread derailment should do just fine.

This thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50564.0) is just depressing and is by itself proof that something needs to change.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Tue, 05 November 2013, 23:12:48
classifieds is such a cluster**** it's ridiculous. it's easily GH's most active sub and the least moderated. seems mods/admins are more worried about how many times tp4 mentions ergodox than the sub where money is exchanged.

The classifieds have always been a very hands-off place, per iMav's desire.  But I feel like his desire has become unrealistic in light of the now quite large size of the forum and what its marketplace culture has become.

I like a lot of what has been said in here, especially:

1. Require recent photos of every item posted for sale (perhaps even semi-formal sticky note verification showing username and date).
2. Require a stated price.  Beef up "what is it worth?" resources if necessary.
3. Segregate auctions to a separate subforum.  Linking to your own ebay auction would be allowed, and maybe for special cases we could allow on-site auctions for charity or site fund-raising.

I don't feel like we need to clamp down on discussion within sale threads.  The normal rules against personal attacks and thread derailment should do just fine.

This thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50564.0) is just depressing and is by itself proof that something needs to change.

I think this sums up my thoughts nicely.

And I like the idea of ebay, as long as people can still link to their ebay auctions somewhere on this site.  If I didn't have a way to be notified of all the sales/auctions I would be pretty bummed (can't check ebay every day for keyboard related things).
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Shadovved on Tue, 05 November 2013, 23:14:46
This thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50564.0) is just depressing and is by itself proof that something needs to change.

I do apologise for the propriety in a serious auction :))
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Badwrench on Tue, 05 November 2013, 23:25:32
classifieds is such a cluster**** it's ridiculous. it's easily GH's most active sub and the least moderated. seems mods/admins are more worried about how many times tp4 mentions ergodox than the sub where money is exchanged.

The classifieds have always been a very hands-off place, per iMav's desire.  But I feel like his desire has become unrealistic in light of the now quite large size of the forum and what its marketplace culture has become.

I like a lot of what has been said in here, especially:

1. Require recent photos of every item posted for sale (perhaps even semi-formal sticky note verification showing username and date).
2. Require a stated price.  Beef up "what is it worth?" resources if necessary.
3. Segregate auctions to a separate subforum.  Linking to your own ebay auction would be allowed, and maybe for special cases we could allow on-site auctions for charity or site fund-raising.

I don't feel like we need to clamp down on discussion within sale threads.  The normal rules against personal attacks and thread derailment should do just fine.

This thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50564.0) is just depressing and is by itself proof that something needs to change.

I think this sums up my thoughts nicely.

And I like the idea of ebay, as long as people can still link to their ebay auctions somewhere on this site.  If I didn't have a way to be notified of all the sales/auctions I would be pretty bummed (can't check ebay every day for keyboard related things).

I agree with this as well.  A separate subforum similar to the online deals thread with specified info in the OP that pertains to the link. 

The addition of the username and date (handwritten or on a screen in the background) is a great way to make the seller more conscious of the sale that they are preparing.  It also removes a lot of wasted posts for people asking for pics.   
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 05 November 2013, 23:36:44
classifieds is such a cluster**** it's ridiculous. it's easily GH's most active sub and the least moderated. seems mods/admins are more worried about how many times tp4 mentions ergodox than the sub where money is exchanged.

The classifieds have always been a very hands-off place, per iMav's desire.  But I feel like his desire has become unrealistic in light of the now quite large size of the forum and what its marketplace culture has become.

I like a lot of what has been said in here, especially:

1. Require recent photos of every item posted for sale (perhaps even semi-formal sticky note verification showing username and date).
2. Require a stated price.  Beef up "what is it worth?" resources if necessary.
3. Segregate auctions to a separate subforum.  Linking to your own ebay auction would be allowed, and maybe for special cases we could allow on-site auctions for charity or site fund-raising.

I don't feel like we need to clamp down on discussion within sale threads.  The normal rules against personal attacks and thread derailment should do just fine.

This thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50564.0) is just depressing and is by itself proof that something needs to change.

Well said, sir, well said!
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Tue, 05 November 2013, 23:42:01
classifieds is such a cluster**** it's ridiculous. it's easily GH's most active sub and the least moderated. seems mods/admins are more worried about how many times tp4 mentions ergodox than the sub where money is exchanged.

The classifieds have always been a very hands-off place, per iMav's desire.  But I feel like his desire has become unrealistic in light of the now quite large size of the forum and what its marketplace culture has become.

I like a lot of what has been said in here, especially:

1. Require recent photos of every item posted for sale (perhaps even semi-formal sticky note verification showing username and date).
2. Require a stated price.  Beef up "what is it worth?" resources if necessary.
3. Segregate auctions to a separate subforum.  Linking to your own ebay auction would be allowed, and maybe for special cases we could allow on-site auctions for charity or site fund-raising.

I don't feel like we need to clamp down on discussion within sale threads.  The normal rules against personal attacks and thread derailment should do just fine.

This thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50564.0) is just depressing and is by itself proof that something needs to change.

Yes, this is perfect.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: brialona on Tue, 05 November 2013, 23:42:11
auctions should be disallowed.  This is a forum not an auction site and i believe the consequences do not outweigh the benefits.  there should just be a subforum that links to auctions offsite.  auctions are just a way to take advantage of other members here/make a profit at the expense of others
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: bueller on Tue, 05 November 2013, 23:43:03
The addition of the username and date (handwritten or on a screen in the background) is a great way to make the seller more conscious of the sale that they are preparing.  It also removes a lot of wasted posts for people asking for pics.   
`
Yeah this is a brilliant idea. Anyone can post up a two paragraph thread with something for sale, it takes actual time and forethought to take the photos etc.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: KangarooZombies on Wed, 06 November 2013, 00:53:54
I feel like the main problem with the threads we have been seeing latley is that these CC's are being auctioned off BEFORE THEY EVEN GET THE ITEM.

That means that they went into the purchase or lottery from Elitekeyboards with the intention of selling the item for a higher cost.

It just really saddens me when the people that are selling these keycaps dont give a damn about them, they just look for the profit.

I understand the argument that there is a certain urge to sell once you see how much the cap can fetch on the classifieds, and i get that people can spend their disposable income however they want.

HOWEVER, If we saw a website start up ( call it cc sales.com ) that purchased every click clack they possibly could, winning lottery's, auto-checking 4grabs, to get as many cc's at the original price point as possible *23 dollars or so*
only to turn around and sell them on ( cc sales.com) for auction prices *150 or so* simply to profit off someone elses work, wouldn't you be at least a little upset?

To some extent, this is at least the beginnings of that kind of market, at least in my eyes.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:01:18
auctions are fine, its the attitudes that arent
This.  Auctions are NEVER a problem unless a Clack is involved, and usually only if its a newer member.  Nobody batted an eye when tsangan auction his Clacks off for $4k or whatever it was.  How about people mind their own ****ing business.  If someone owns the damn cap they have the right to sell it, and if someone wants the Clack so bad then they can pay what they want.  Supply and demand people.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: le_doosh on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:06:26
No one knows how to bid during an auction. It could be a 3 day auction starting at $1 and the third bid will be $50 and then the next $150. What the ****, it's 3 days long and it starts at $1. Has no one used ebay before?

Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: singaporean123 on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:08:28
I guess it's really up to the manufacturer/ distributor to do what it takes to reduce/deter insta-flippers. (blacklist them, etc)

Is it difficult to not have the basic decency to keep a clack and at least pretend you bought it because you wanted it for a few weeks before you flip it for 5x the amount(as starting bid)?!

There's really nothing we can do to stop people from flipping them immediately(except for not selling to them in the first place), but it really grinds my gears when someone checks his mail, realize he won a clack, and instantly heads for classifieds.

Totally agree on the marketplace/community stand.

Realistically speaking it's not wrong for people to insta-flip. It's just a **** move.

I really wonder how CC feels about how his CCs are being treated
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:12:53

I really wonder how CC feels about how his CCs are being treated

Quote from: ClackFactory
just to put a point on things I see around here in different posts and threads I will offer this here semi-crude analogy-
If you saw somebody go to Toys "R" Us, buy up all or some of a specific toy, then sell it right outside for more, how would you feel about that?
Now, lets say "YOU" were a mom and pop store, artist on the street, gallery, etc... and you see the same thing happen to you... think about it.
I exist on this site, I am a community member here.

[...]

And last but not least, (and I should capitalize this whole sentence but it would be too garish)-
Why do some of you act as if I'm not a community member here and sitting four inches away? (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=24463.msg667991#msg667991)


Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: KangarooZombies on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:13:28
auctions are fine, its the attitudes that arent
This.  Auctions are NEVER a problem unless a Clack is involved, and usually only if its a newer member.  Nobody batted an eye when tsangan auction his Clacks off for $4k or whatever it was.  How about people mind their own ****ing business.  If someone owns the damn cap they have the right to sell it, and if someone wants the Clack so bad then they can pay what they want.  Supply and demand people.

Well then sir, CC sales.com is for you!

we buy the clacks so you can buy the clacks for more!


Please. Acting like it isnt a problem is delusional.

I feel bad for CC honestly, others are profiting on his work with none of their own put into it.


Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:17:53
auctions are fine, its the attitudes that arent
This.  Auctions are NEVER a problem unless a Clack is involved, and usually only if its a newer member.  Nobody batted an eye when tsangan auction his Clacks off for $4k or whatever it was.  How about people mind their own ****ing business.  If someone owns the damn cap they have the right to sell it, and if someone wants the Clack so bad then they can pay what they want.  Supply and demand people.

Well then sir, CC sales.com is for you!

we buy the clacks so you can buy the clacks for more!


Please. Acting like it isnt a problem is delusional.

I feel bad for CC honestly, others are profiting on his work with none of their own put into it.
If he cared then he would stop doing it, or sell them at that price himself.  If a ****ing piece of plastic is worth $30 to somebody and $200 to somebody else who are we to tell them that they can't sell it?  That is just moronic.  Is it maybe wrong that people enter the sale with the sole purpose of reselling?  Yeah maybe, but life isn't fair.  If you want the Clack so bad then pay what somebody else is willing to pay.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: bueller on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:20:10
auctions are fine, its the attitudes that arent
This.  Auctions are NEVER a problem unless a Clack is involved, and usually only if its a newer member.  Nobody batted an eye when tsangan auction his Clacks off for $4k or whatever it was.  How about people mind their own ****ing business.  If someone owns the damn cap they have the right to sell it, and if someone wants the Clack so bad then they can pay what they want.  Supply and demand people.

Well then sir, CC sales.com is for you!

we buy the clacks so you can buy the clacks for more!


Please. Acting like it isnt a problem is delusional.

I feel bad for CC honestly, others are profiting on his work with none of their own put into it.
If he cared then he would stop doing it, or sell them at that price himself.  If a ****ing piece of plastic is worth $30 to somebody and $200 to somebody else who are we to tell them that they can't sell it?  That is just moronic.  Is it maybe wrong that people enter the sale with the sole purpose of reselling?  Yeah maybe, but life isn't fair.  If you want the Clack so bad then pay what somebody else is willing to pay.

And this is where opinions differ. I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't be profiteering off of other members, this is a community not the local flea market.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: BlindRAGE606 on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:24:10
And this is where opinions differ. I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't be profiteering off of other members, this is a community not the local flea market.

Great opinion, so why don't you and Kangaroo thread crap every thread that has a dissenting opinion. That'll teach'em. Seems like someone is just straight up bitter about a PIECE OF PLASTIC.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: bueller on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:26:56
And this is where opinions differ. I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't be profiteering off of other members, this is a community not the local flea market.

Great opinion, so why don't you and Kangaroo thread crap every thread that has a dissenting opinion. That'll teach'em. Seems like someone is just straight up bitter about a PIECE OF PLASTIC.

I'm not fussed to be honest however this thread is asking for our opinions on recent happenings so I'm more than welcome to give my opinion. Why so defensive?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: bueller on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:29:28
That's okay mate, make me out to be the bitter one. Anyone with half a brain can see what you're doing is morally wrong. If you can live with yourself then that's all that matters really.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:32:58
My biggest problem is shaming the seller.  It is not the sellers fault that prices are so high on Clacks (and lets be real here, this is not a problem when the auction does not relate to clacks) it is the buyers.  If somebody is willing to pay $150 for it rather than $40, you are out of your mind to not take the higher offer.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: KangarooZombies on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:37:40
And this is where opinions differ. I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't be profiteering off of other members, this is a community not the local flea market.

Great opinion, so why don't you and Kangaroo thread crap every thread that has a dissenting opinion. That'll teach'em. Seems like someone is just straight up bitter about a PIECE OF PLASTIC.

we were kinda told to come here.

this is the thread that was made so that we dont threadcrap you.

we're merley discussing the problems created by the kind of auctions popping up right now.

Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Tym on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:42:02
No-one should be able to use the excuse "What's it worth" when they just bought a certain keycap for around $30 it's worth exactly what you paid for it, or maybe a little less because it's now second hand.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:45:20
No-one should be able to use the excuse "What's it worth" when they just bought a certain keycap for around $30 it's worth exactly what you paid for it, or maybe a little less because it's now second hand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Demand
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: KangarooZombies on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:47:49
No-one should be able to use the excuse "What's it worth" when they just bought a certain keycap for around $30 it's worth exactly what you paid for it, or maybe a little less because it's now second hand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Demand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_record
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:49:30
No-one should be able to use the excuse "What's it worth" when they just bought a certain keycap for around $30 it's worth exactly what you paid for it, or maybe a little less because it's now second hand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Demand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_record
Maybe if you people would get it through your thick skulls I would stop saying it.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: kenmai9 on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:49:43
My biggest problem is shaming the seller.  It is not the sellers fault that prices are so high on Clacks (and lets be real here, this is not a problem when the auction does not relate to clacks) it is the buyers.  If somebody is willing to pay $150 for it rather than $40, you are out of your mind to not take the higher offer.

Nubbinator could've sold his hack orange for more, but on good principals he didn't. I don't think he's out of his mind. Maybe in an economic sense, but he's got his morals and sticks to them and that's how we should all act in a perfect world. But alas, we are here. lol
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:52:59
My biggest problem is shaming the seller.  It is not the sellers fault that prices are so high on Clacks (and lets be real here, this is not a problem when the auction does not relate to clacks) it is the buyers.  If somebody is willing to pay $150 for it rather than $40, you are out of your mind to not take the higher offer.

Nubbinator could've sold his hack orange for more, but on good principals he didn't. I don't think he's out of his mind. Maybe in an economic sense, but he's got his morals and sticks to them and that's how we should all act in a perfect world. But alas, we are here. lol
Thats good for him!  He did something great for the community, and there is nothing wrong with that.  That does not mean that everybody must do that.  There are people willing to pay $200 for a clack, so how about we ****ing let them.

I do however support many of the things stated in this thread, only posting a thread if you have an item in hand, must have pictures of item w/ timestamp, etc...

I mean come on this thread wasn't THAT long ago

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47607.0
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: KangarooZombies on Wed, 06 November 2013, 01:55:47
My biggest problem is shaming the seller.  It is not the sellers fault that prices are so high on Clacks (and lets be real here, this is not a problem when the auction does not relate to clacks) it is the buyers.  If somebody is willing to pay $150 for it rather than $40, you are out of your mind to not take the higher offer.

Nubbinator could've sold his hack orange for more, but on good principals he didn't. I don't think he's out of his mind. Maybe in an economic sense, but he's got his morals and sticks to them and that's how we should all act in a perfect world. But alas, we are here. lol
Thats good for him!  He did something great for the community, and there is nothing wrong with that.  That does not mean that everybody must do that.  There are people willing to pay $200 for a clack, so how about we ****ing let them.

I do however support many of the things stated in this thread, only posting a thread if you have an item in hand, must have pictures of item w/ timestamp, etc...

I mean come on this thread wasn't THAT long ago

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47607.0

That is my main problem, Selling an item before you have it implies that you bought it simply to profit from it.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 02:02:28
Thats good for him!  He did something great for the community, and there is nothing wrong with that.  That does not mean that everybody must do that.  There are people willing to pay $200 for a clack, so how about we ****ing let them.

Nubbinator's actions (along with a few other sensible users) should be replicated more often. Again, is this forum for the betterment of the community or for those who seek to turn GH into an eBay for keyboards?

It seems that many either sway towards the sense of community or towards not really caring as long as they're able to sell items for whatever price they wish.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: digi on Wed, 06 November 2013, 02:02:47
No one had a problem with auctions until the EK CC drawings, goodnight!
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 02:08:11
No one had a problem with auctions until the EK CC drawings, goodnight!

I hardly doubt that. I didn't bother stating my opinion before since there was no involvement from the mod team on the issue until now. If I had replied in an auction or created my own thread bashing auctions, I'd be flamed by those who seek to benefit from the status quo of the classifieds section.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Tym on Wed, 06 November 2013, 02:34:26
Edited for slightly less hostile post.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Wed, 06 November 2013, 03:26:55
All the points here about moving auctions to eBay to fix this problem are just lying to themselves.
 Just look at all the threads in great find forums about clacks on eBay and people trying to figure out who the hell is the member selling the clack, or criticizing how expensive it is.

I vote stop auctions altogether on the forums, institute a classified rule similar to ocn or evga forums where forum name, real name, date and picture must be shown of the item. All sales must be a set price, 1 bump every 24hr only, only comments related to the sale of the item allowed in the thread. This'll clean up a bunch of your problems.
But of course this'll bring up the previous discussion we had about what's thread crapping with people posting price comparisons.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 06 November 2013, 04:03:05
People who enter EK and 4Grabs sales with the intention to promptly flip their winnings for cash. **** you, you are a cancer on this community. A teratoma with mashed potato teeth that radiate greed and ignorance. Some people go months, even years simply trying their luck and consistently walk away empty handed. I believe these profiteering scumbags should do this community and actual Clack lovers a favor and delete their GH accounts forever. You are just taking away something that would be appreciated by someone else for your own blatant selfish reasons, and ought to be black listed from future sales.

And to be clear, for those who enter and win a Topre to trade for MX or vise versa I have no issue with.



^ That is how I feel about Clack flipping. It's a disgusting practice.

Most auctions I take no issue with. Then again, most auctions are within spitting distance of the value or original price of the object on the block. Only the greedy profiteering that is a detriment to the community (namely Clack flipping,) the market, and the growth of GH as a forum. That is a cancer. A disease that is self-serving, single minded, and selfish to everyone else.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: fuzzybaffy on Wed, 06 November 2013, 07:14:46
Yea, I have to agree with what a lot of people are saying. Sure, auctioning the Clacks for profit is technically within the rules, but it's still not a very nice thing to do. People are auctioning them, because they are allowed within the rules. So if we, as a community, want the Clack auctioning/profiteering to stop, we've got to make Clack auctioning against the rules (ie. outright ban them).

It doesn't even have to be an across-the-board banning of all auctions. I even think it's perfectly fair to allow general auctions, while banning Clack auctions specifically. The administrators' rationale for it can be that auctions of other goods are generally well-intended, while Clack auctions tend to be harmful to the community. That's just my two cents.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 06 November 2013, 07:29:03
No one had a problem with auctions until the EK CC drawings, goodnight!

Oh, really?

On the subject of auctions, I have said before that I believe auctions should always be handled off-site. eBay has protections setup for buyer and seller, and their bidding system is well-known. GH as a forum doesn't have the resources to deal with auctions.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 06 November 2013, 08:24:07
I realize people have had auctions for legitimate reasons etc but it's like everything else around here some people get away with stuff because of 'who' they are, nobody says anything.

IF things change they need to apply to everyone equally.

Also on regular classifieds threads, is there any consensus on having one thread to sell/buy 5 items versus having 5 threads to buy/sell 1 item each?

And what about addressing the classifieds threads where they turn into a chat fest that have nothing to do with the sale and/or again, depending on 'who' is selling/buying the continuous bumping for pointless reasons is tolerated, but should it be?

/me is as quilty as anyone with concern to most everything being discussed, just trying to have a productive discussion, might as well get it all out there at once and deal with it.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 06 November 2013, 08:32:37
I realize people have had auctions for legitimate reasons etc but it's like everything else around here some people get away with stuff because of 'who' they are, nobody says anything.

IF things change they need to apply to everyone equally.

Agreed. Rules need to apply to everyone equally. Just because someone is an established member, a vendor, a moderator, or an admin, the rules should still apply.

Also on regular classifieds threads, is there any consensus on having one thread to sell/buy 5 items versus having 5 threads to buy/sell 1 item each?

Personally, I don't care either way. I don't think this is an issue.

And what about addressing the classifieds threads where they turn into a chat fest that have nothing to do with the sale and/or again, depending on 'who' is selling/buying the continuous bumping for pointless reasons is tolerated, but should it be?

/me is as quilty as anyone with concern to most everything being discussed, just trying to have a productive discussion, might as well get it all out there at once and deal with it.

Meaninless posts, such as "GLWS!" should be treated as spam and deleted by the mods. Legitimate discussion should be allowed. Flaming and/or trolling should be dealt with accordingly. Otherwise, it's up to the OP to keep his/her thread under control.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 06 November 2013, 08:40:08
Meaninless posts, such as "GLWS!" should be treated as spam and deleted by the mods. Legitimate discussion should be allowed. Flaming and/or trolling should be dealt with accordingly. Otherwise, it's up to the OP to keep his/her thread under control.

Specifically I'm thinking of threads where it seems like the OP and a few of their 'buddies' just chit chat about nothing to keep the thread bumped continuously.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: JaccoW on Wed, 06 November 2013, 09:07:46
I love auctions, especially when he doesnt have the item yet.


me too

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50564.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49292.0

i mean paying for something the person doesnt have couldn't go wrong, right?
Tulip Mania 1637 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania)

My main problem with banning auctions and only allowing fixed prices is that it excludes people from different timezones. This already happened a few times with the Gasmask sales. The item comes online at 10 AM U.S. time but that is midnight in Australia and 17:00 in Europe. Lots of people there weren't able to buy any.
Sure it keeps the item within the community... but it also keeps the item within a certain continent.

Allow people to use E-bay auctioning and make them put their links in a special subforum.
But make it necessary for the e-bay link to link back to the topic on Geekhack. That way you will actually be able to draw in much more people to the forum and you can see their feedback.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: digi on Wed, 06 November 2013, 09:24:38
No one had a problem with auctions until the EK CC drawings, goodnight!

Oh, really?

On the subject of auctions, I have said before that I believe auctions should always be handled off-site. eBay has protections setup for buyer and seller, and their bidding system is well-known. GH as a forum doesn't have the resources to deal with auctions.

It's funny how this got started the DAY OF the EK CC drawing results. Lots of hate going around. :P

Where was this thread during all the "family crisis, my dog is sick" mega auction threads full of CC's over $300? I didn't see any auction complaint threads then?

Keep auctions in the classifieds, if people want to auction their stuff, let them. I've never hosted an auction, I don't see any problem with them. Prices of CC's will always be high until supply meets/exceeds demand.

This isn't a thread about auctions, it's a thread about clacks.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: ITzNybble on Wed, 06 November 2013, 09:34:52
Take my opinion for what it is worth...I knew there would be backlash from what I did. I own that and will deal with it and everything that comes with it.


Do not allow auctions of any kind, no auction means only FS threads. This way the seller has to state the price they want and puts the power into the hands of the buyer.
The buyer with the best bid (lower than the asking price) or someone willing to pay the price stated by the seller, which ever comes first.

The issue is that will not fix the problem of CC flipping at all it would just remove auctions.
There will still be people who will flip the CC and just list a $200+ asking price. The problem is still relevant and will still cause drama.

The issue is the exclusivity of CC's. Why would someone spend more money on a key they can get for retail from a website, store, or ebay shop.

Now I am not blaming ClickClack in the slightest. As I said, I take all ownership of what I am doing.

I feel that removing auctions from the site is a good idea, it will minimize drama. Of course a non-profit auction should be allowed but should be approved before posting.
If someone wants to auction off an item they should use a 3rd-party application such as Ebay, It protects the buyer and seller which most if any forums does not.

I truly don't feel the issue is auctions though, ultimately the issue is drama created by users over specific items.

One might think then well just bann all sales/auctions/buys for said item that are not directly from the creator of said item. Which to me isn't that bad of an idea. Let ClickClack sell his own items if he chooses at his prices to GeekHack.

There would still be private sales but there is no way to police that and private sales have their own set of risks for buyer and seller. To me that would eliminate the most drama caused by CC's and their supply/demand issues.

ITzNybble
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: CommunistWitchDr on Wed, 06 November 2013, 11:05:16
So then...are we a flea market or a community?

Ignoring the fact the normal classifieds are more flea market like than auctions are, I don't understand the concept that these have to be mutually exclusive. It's fully possible to be an active and positively contributing member of the community and run auctions (and I don't just mean charity auctions and ****, I mean money grabbing clack auctions too), and it's possible  to be an active member and avoid financial transactions altogether. On the flip side someone can be a total douche with or without partaking in auctions.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jwaz on Wed, 06 November 2013, 11:17:03
No one had a problem with auctions until the EK CC drawings, goodnight!

That is entirely not true.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 06 November 2013, 11:46:11
I feel like the main problem with the threads we have been seeing latley is that these CC's are being auctioned off BEFORE THEY EVEN GET THE ITEM.

That means that they went into the purchase or lottery from Elitekeyboards with the intention of selling the item for a higher cost.
While this may be true for some of the sales here, you can't know this. If I bought a keycap and then crashed my bike (or broke a leg, etc) I'd have to come up with some cash in a hurry. I'd start looking for items I had that I could quickly sell for money (profit or no profit) and CC's fit the bill nicely. There are other less extreme situations, too. Like if you realize youve overspent your budget and your significant other is going to kill you when they get home, etc.

auctions are fine, its the attitudes that arent
This.  Auctions are NEVER a problem unless a Clack is involved, and usually only if its a newer member.  Nobody batted an eye when tsangan auction his Clacks off for $4k or whatever it was.
The way I remember it, there was much eye batting indeed.

My biggest problem is shaming the seller.  It is not the sellers fault that prices are so high on Clacks (and lets be real here, this is not a problem when the auction does not relate to clacks) it is the buyers.  If somebody is willing to pay $150 for it rather than $40, you are out of your mind to not take the higher offer.
I take the philosophical approach to a lot of issues, and there are a lot of moral systems that would allow for a person to only sell their item for the lesser value (while still profiting). Taking a rational (not empirical) approach to ethics (and possibly ending up with a Kant-esque ethical system) could easily lead to such an eventuality, for example.



I am interested in beefing up the "what's it worth" resources. How can we do this? If we have a listing at the end of a post saying what the item sold for (just not to whom) it would help as an easily searchable reference. Even strongly suggesting this (instead of requiring it) would make it easy. I'm sure there are other ways as well (big flat post with price history, DB with a frontend with pretty graphs, etc)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Wed, 06 November 2013, 11:53:20
would people really prefer fixed prices for CC?
Or would there still be the same butthurt going on?

I can say FS: Uber Rare CC $500.00 or PM me offer.

Do i expect $500?  Maybe, but what if someone gives me $450 and i take it, is that better?
Or are you looking for a chance to go "I PMed him offering him $50.00 and he wouldn't take it, what a douche"
what exactly gets accomplished here now that its a fixed price and not an auction?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 06 November 2013, 11:56:51
would people really prefer fixed prices for CC?
Or would there still be the same butthurt going on?

I can say FS: Uber Rare CC $500.00 or PM me offer.

Do i expect $500?  Maybe, but what if someone gives me $450 and i take it, is that better?
Or are you looking for a chance to go "I PMed him offering him $50.00 and he wouldn't take it, what a douche"
what exactly gets accomplished here now that its a fixed price and not an auction?

I think they want all the CC's to be sold for $30  ::)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 11:59:17
auctions are fine, its the attitudes that arent
This.  Auctions are NEVER a problem unless a Clack is involved, and usually only if its a newer member.  Nobody batted an eye when tsangan auction his Clacks off for $4k or whatever it was.  How about people mind their own ****ing business.  If someone owns the damn cap they have the right to sell it, and if someone wants the Clack so bad then they can pay what they want.  Supply and demand people.

It's really not difficult to figure this one out. tsangan is a moderator, right? Whoever says that they aren't treated differently is either stupid, naive, or simply in denial. I mentioned this in another thread, but part of the problem we're discussing has to due with the fact that some moderators are some of the biggest contributors towards this maximized profit auction culture. If even mods are doing it, who's going to show up during their thread and speak out in disgust? That person would be met with angry posts and would be outed as a troublemaker, etc.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: cgbuen on Wed, 06 November 2013, 12:04:16
All the points here about moving auctions to eBay to fix this problem are just lying to themselves.
 Just look at all the threads in great find forums about clacks on eBay and people trying to figure out who the hell is the member selling the clack, or criticizing how expensive it is.

How could you construe my post lying to myself? I made little emphasis on how they affect how the community in general "feels" about them, but stated practical reasons of why this forum isn't a good use for them.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 12:11:11
would people really prefer fixed prices for CC?
Or would there still be the same butthurt going on?

I can say FS: Uber Rare CC $500.00 or PM me offer.

Do i expect $500?  Maybe, but what if someone gives me $450 and i take it, is that better?
Or are you looking for a chance to go "I PMed him offering him $50.00 and he wouldn't take it, what a douche"
what exactly gets accomplished here now that its a fixed price and not an auction?

I think they want all the CC's to be sold for $30  ::)
That would be idiotic because the demand for them is so high.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 06 November 2013, 12:21:38
Quote from: Dorkvader
I am interested in beefing up the "what's it worth" resources. How can we do this? If we have a listing at the end of a post saying what the item sold for (just not to whom) it would help as an easily searchable reference. Even strongly suggesting this (instead of requiring it) would make it easy. I'm sure there are other ways as well (big flat post with price history, DB with a frontend with pretty graphs, etc)

How could you be sure that the truth was being expressed?

On the subject of auctions, I have said before that I believe auctions should always be handled off-site. eBay has protections setup for buyer and seller, and their bidding system is well-known. GH as a forum doesn't have the resources to deal with auctions.

I feel like the main problem with the threads we have been seeing latley is that these CC's are being auctioned off BEFORE THEY EVEN GET THE ITEM.

I don't think it matters whether the seller has possession of the clack (or any other item) -- the butthurt stems from the higher price that some people are unable to pay. Reducing butthurt at GH (regardless of whether that butthurted-ness is justified or not) is probably good for GH. If you end auctions at GH, you're not going to stop people from selling clacks at an inflated price. It will just go to eBay, or go to PMs, etc. This may reduce butthurt, which would be a good thing.

The one person who could stop this from happening is CF himself (or herself?) -- if CF made enough clacks so that most people could just buy one for $30-$40 at EK, no one would have to hit the lottery (or pay a high price). Or, CF could just make as many clacks as he makes now, and allow them to be sold at a price that would reflect the market -- who knows, maybe they would sell at $100, and the market would reach an equilibrium.

But because CF keeps the number of clacks (and their prices) artificially low, the market is distorted. Butthurt ensues.

I'm not saying CF doesn't have the right to make any quantity of clacks at any price he wants -- but there are consequences to their scarcity, and the price controls placed upon them by EK (or CF, not sure who decided they should be sold at ~$30). Maybe CF's process doesn't allow for larger runs? I don't know. Maybe CF enjoys seeing the raging hurricanes of butthurt that swirl around his works of art? I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't take even a little joy in seeing people agonize over something I crafted.

My biggest problem is shaming the seller.  It is not the sellers fault that prices are so high on Clacks (and lets be real here, this is not a problem when the auction does not relate to clacks) it is the buyers.  If somebody is willing to pay $150 for it rather than $40, you are out of your mind to not take the higher offer.

I completely agree with you, MK. There's no point in shaming someone for acting in a logical, self-interested way -- except for the sake of butthurt. I'd rather see CF either allow the prices of clacks to rise, or simply make more of them. I'd prefer to see the price simply rise, because I think if you had $4 clacks, then seeing an entire keyboard made of clack would water down the novelty.

There's a pizza place somewhere in Brooklyn in which the pizza is so frickin' good that the owner (who makes the pizza) comes in on Wednesdays with a set amount of pizza dough. He makes the pizzas, sells them at a market rate, and when his dough is used up, he closes. That's his choice.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Wed, 06 November 2013, 12:35:38
All the points here about moving auctions to eBay to fix this problem are just lying to themselves.
 Just look at all the threads in great find forums about clacks on eBay and people trying to figure out who the hell is the member selling the clack, or criticizing how expensive it is.

How could you construe my post lying to myself? I made little emphasis on how they affect how the community in general "feels" about them, but stated practical reasons of why this forum isn't a good use for them.

did I single you out?
Or just a generalization of the posts in this thread?
And what of my post is wrong?

Im just sayin from past experiences of eBay auctions linked in great finds:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49666.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45121.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38612.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39595.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34320.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34630.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34625.0

etc etc etc
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Wed, 06 November 2013, 12:37:51
There's a pizza place somewhere in Brooklyn in which the pizza is so frickin' good that the owner (who makes the pizza) comes in on Wednesdays with a set amount of pizza dough. He makes the pizzas, sells them at a market rate, and when his dough is used up, he closes. That's his choice.

whoa whoa whoa, most important part, name and location plz
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Photoelectric on Wed, 06 November 2013, 12:46:40
I'm of the opinion that, given that this community is still relatively small, and our moderators' time and number is not unlimited, it's best to start small.  Implement the most obvious simple changes and see how that goes first.  Before doing a global reorganization with some complicated changes suggested above, like adding a database of links of who sold each item to whom, etc.  There's probably no practical need to be extremely thorough, because the Classifieds mostly work fine already.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Wed, 06 November 2013, 12:49:34
really it just comes down to butthurt in the end.
Banning Auctions but having set prices like my examples above will still cause people to complain about selling at high costs.
The only way to stop the people who are complaining is completely shutting down the classified section.
But even then they'll still reference different threads and ebay links about how people are ripping so and so off.

So its a no win situation.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: ekw808 on Wed, 06 November 2013, 12:56:06
Auctions on GH create more problems than they are worth. Only time they should be allowed are for donations to GH. No TW, EBAY or GTFO. And regarding what the value of rare/unique items are depends ENTIRELY on whose desire to own the product is strongest that day; highest price paid for a item does NOT determine the market price, there are no fixed prices in this niche market, only impulsive and impatient people. The marketplace is a benefit for being apart of this keyboard community, and since GH's primary purpose is not a marketplace for "young entrepreneurs", it should not be viewed as such.   
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:02:25
There's a pizza place somewhere in Brooklyn in which the pizza is so frickin' good that the owner (who makes the pizza) comes in on Wednesdays with a set amount of pizza dough. He makes the pizzas, sells them at a market rate, and when his dough is used up, he closes. That's his choice.

whoa whoa whoa, most important part, name and location plz

It was Una Pizza Napoletana, or something similar. It may have been in Manhattan, actually. But the point was, the guy just stopped making pizza when he ran out of dough. He didn't find an employee and say, "go get more dough, quick!" he just stopped making pizza for the day. I think it may have added to the allure of the place. Something similar is happening with the cronut craze. It's a goddamn donut, people. The problem here is that the market is being artificially distorted -- prices are being kept artificially low.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:03:16
The only logical solution:

- Ban auctions. At first I didn't agree with this, but after reading some of the key points in this debate I have been swayed.
- Make it so all topics in the classifieds MUST be approved by a mod/admin before it is posted. Yes, it means more work for the mods, but it is the best way to weed out the profiteers (which seems to be one of the biggest issues here).  Mods will have total control over what constitutes an acceptable ad.  Make a designated mod team just for the classifieds if need be.

This is the best solution I can think of.


EDIT: Remember, this is an online forum. Your rights are limited by the forum rules, whatever they may be.  So the argument that "if you bought it you can sell it for whatever price you want" only applies if the rules say so.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:12:15
The only logical solution:

- Ban auctions. At first I didn't agree with this, but after reading some of the key points in this debate I have been swayed.
- Make it so all topics in the classifieds MUST be approved by a mod/admin before it is posted. Yes, it means more work for the mods, but it is the best way to weed out the profiteers (which seems to be one of the biggest issues here).  Mods will have total control over what constitutes an acceptable ad.  Make a designated mod team just for the classifieds if need be.

This is the best solution I can think of.


EDIT: Remember, this is an online forum. Your rights are limited by the forum rules, whatever they may be.  So the argument that "if you bought it you can sell it for whatever price you want" only applies if the rules say so.

i have to ask, where in the forum rules is selling for profit not allowed in classified?
Or is this just what a vocal minority of GH members want?
What would constitute profiteering?
Would anyone who wants to sell for profit require to be a vender?
Does vender status with a forum get around the profiteering aspect?

I honestly think we're (collective we) focusing way too much on trying to control sales.
Either do away with them altogether, or deal with the sales.

OR are we striving to further segregate the keyboard community more to those who want no sales for profit and those who do?
Will one side end up leaving GH and creating their own community?  I mean seriously now.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: CommunistWitchDr on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:13:22
There's a pizza place somewhere in Brooklyn in which the pizza is so frickin' good that the owner (who makes the pizza) comes in on Wednesdays with a set amount of pizza dough. He makes the pizzas, sells them at a market rate, and when his dough is used up, he closes. That's his choice.

And if he sold them for the most he possibly could, not a single (sane) person would petition to have him shut down.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:17:53
Make it so all topics in the classifieds MUST be approved by a mod/admin before it is posted. Yes, it means more work for the mods, but it is the best way to weed out the profiteers (which seems to be one of the biggest issues here).  Mods will have total control over what constitutes an acceptable ad.  Make a designated mod team just for the classifieds if need be.

IF they did that, what I suggest is having a boilerplate/template that everyone has to use when posting a sale.

Here is a really good example, you just fill out the form and it generates code for post.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/marketplace-faq-rules-guidelines/653883-buy-sell-trade-form-you-must-fill-form.html (http://forum.notebookreview.com/marketplace-faq-rules-guidelines/653883-buy-sell-trade-form-you-must-fill-form.html)

and the selling requirements are worth looking at also

http://forum.notebookreview.com/marketplace-faq-rules-guidelines/538704-marketplace-rules-regulations-must-read-before-posting.html
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:18:22
really it just comes down to butthurt in the end.
Banning Auctions but having set prices like my examples above will still cause people to complain about selling at high costs.
The only way to stop the people who are complaining is completely shutting down the classified section.
But even then they'll still reference different threads and ebay links about how people are ripping so and so off.

So its a no win situation.

I think auctions encourage inflated prices because it enforces primitive competitiveness in us. It's a no-win situation, as you say, because the status quo of the classifieds has allowed for unchecked sales that have led to many complaints. Ideally, it would have been wise for the GH administration to implement strict guidelines for sales from the beginning. This would have socialized the members and future members into sensible selling.

However, the forum is not in this "ideal" and never will be. So, some work must be done towards putting in place a set of rules and encouraging a culture of sensible selling on the forum. By doing this, we can hope to come closer to this "ideal" and away from the horrendous, maximization-of-profit status quo.

Let me give you a scenario in which you state people will still complain about high prices.

Ex. 1 (auction-based system):
Seller wants to sell an item (a keyboard) in like-new condition that was initially purchased for $125. Instead of being sensible and simply setting a price of $110-$130 or so, the seller sets up an auction. Remember, we're in a community, right? Instead of selling this keyboard to a fellow geekhacker for a sensible price, the auction leads to competition over the item which logically raises its price to non-sensible levels.

So you may ask, what is the problem with selling to the highest bidder as long as that person is willing to pay for it? This practice creates ever-increasing prices for such items for future sales. Other potential sellers of a similar item will see that the identical keyboard sold for X amount of money (significantly more than the initial price) and will want to replicate this profit.

Ex. 2 (auctions forbidden)
Seller wants to sell an item (a keyboard) in like-new condition that was initially purchased for $125. The seller knows how much he or she paid for it initially and will price it accordingly -- somewhere within $110-$130. So, how does this sale differ from the auction sale? A prospective buyer will look at the sensible price tag and will either choose to buy or not to buy. If the price is sensible and the specific keyboard being sold is sought by many, then the keyboard would be sold within a relatively short time. Thus, competition still exists because the person who messages the seller the fastest usually wins. This form of competition does not artificially raise the price of the item for sale. However, this kind of sensible selling requires that members within the community will adhere to such a practice. That is why it is important for such a change to come from the top down: from the admin team -> elder members -> new members.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: hashbaz on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:19:33
I honestly think we're (collective we) focusing way too much on trying to control sales.
Either do away with them altogether, or deal with the sales.

This has been our philosophy historically.  Laissez-faire + caveat emptor.  It's a good policy in general, as krog will tell you at length.  I think auctions are an identifiable special case though, where abuse is possible and getting likelier as the forum grows.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:21:33
The only logical solution:

- Ban auctions. At first I didn't agree with this, but after reading some of the key points in this debate I have been swayed.
- Make it so all topics in the classifieds MUST be approved by a mod/admin before it is posted. Yes, it means more work for the mods, but it is the best way to weed out the profiteers (which seems to be one of the biggest issues here).  Mods will have total control over what constitutes an acceptable ad.  Make a designated mod team just for the classifieds if need be.

This is the best solution I can think of.


EDIT: Remember, this is an online forum. Your rights are limited by the forum rules, whatever they may be.  So the argument that "if you bought it you can sell it for whatever price you want" only applies if the rules say so.

i have to ask, where in the forum rules is selling for profit not allowed in classified?
Or is this just what a vocal minority of GH members want?
What would constitute profiteering?
Would anyone who wants to sell for profit require to be a vender?
Does vender status with a forum get around the profiteering aspect?

I honestly think we're (collective we) focusing way too much on trying to control sales.
Either do away with them altogether, or deal with the sales.

OR are we striving to further segregate the keyboard community more to those who want no sales for profit and those who do?
Will one side end up leaving GH and creating their own community?  I mean seriously now.

You fail to see my point here... and if you had read some of jdcarpe's earlier posts, you would understand the differences between profiteering and vending.

And with all due respect, stop thinking so black-and-white about this. "Either do away with them altogether, or deal with the sales." This is such a horrible mentality on the situation. Take away an important forum feature entirely, just because a few people are abusing it for profit? I feel like a majority of people who use the classifieds are responsible and respectable sellers. So why make them suffer?

To put it in simpler terms: if something is broke, fix it. Don't throw it away just because you don't feel like dealing with it...
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:23:14
There's a pizza place somewhere in Brooklyn in which the pizza is so frickin' good that the owner (who makes the pizza) comes in on Wednesdays with a set amount of pizza dough. He makes the pizzas, sells them at a market rate, and when his dough is used up, he closes. That's his choice.

And if he sold them for the most he possibly could, not a single (sane) person would petition to have him shut down.

Eh, this is NYC, there's always someone who wants to shut you down because Socialism told them to. But yes, I agree. People would say, "$16 for a slice of pizza? Um, no thanks." But there are people crazy enough to pay, however. That's also their choice. Oh, and the guy apparently moved to San Francisco. Check out his hours (http://www.unapizza.com/). "Wed-Sat, 5pm - out of dough" I'm sure San Franciscans fall all over one another to get a slice. And Lo, There Was Much Butthurt.

What about ignoring the butthurt, instead of banning all auctions, banning the marketplace, or reconstructing eBay on GeekHack? I still think jdcarpe's plan of putting auctions offsite is the next best option. Ordinary transactions don't seem to bother people as much as auctions. I don't agree with people's reasons for being butthurt, but I still feel badly that they are butthurt. :(
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:23:45
Ex. 2 (auctions forbidden)
Seller wants to sell an item (a keyboard) in like-new condition that was initially purchased for $125. The seller knows how much he or she paid for it initially and will price it accordingly -- somewhere within $110-$130. So, how does this sale differ from the auction sale? A prospective buyer will look at the sensible price tag and will either choose to buy or not to buy. If the price is sensible and the specific keyboard being sold is sought by many, then the keyboard would be sold within a relatively short time. Thus, competition still exists because the person who messages the seller the fastest usually wins. This form of competition does not artificially raise the price of the item for sale. However, this kind of sensible selling requires that members within the community will adhere to such a practice. That is why it is important for such a change to come from the top down: from the admin team -> elder members -> new members.

And butthurt still ensues because now people have to be the fastest.

"I can't be expected to watch this site all day. I have a life..." |:
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: CommunistWitchDr on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:24:54
Thus, competition still exists because the person who messages the seller the fastest usually wins.

While I'm more or less neutral to auctions, I REALLY hate the "first come first served" method. It gives a serious disadvantage to non-us based buyers. In my sale threads I usually make people include a joke when they want to buy something and then evaluate them based on joke quality rather than time.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:27:42
Case in point.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:31:04
The only logical solution:

- Ban auctions. At first I didn't agree with this, but after reading some of the key points in this debate I have been swayed.
- Make it so all topics in the classifieds MUST be approved by a mod/admin before it is posted. Yes, it means more work for the mods, but it is the best way to weed out the profiteers (which seems to be one of the biggest issues here).  Mods will have total control over what constitutes an acceptable ad.  Make a designated mod team just for the classifieds if need be.

This is the best solution I can think of.


EDIT: Remember, this is an online forum. Your rights are limited by the forum rules, whatever they may be.  So the argument that "if you bought it you can sell it for whatever price you want" only applies if the rules say so.

i have to ask, where in the forum rules is selling for profit not allowed in classified?
Or is this just what a vocal minority of GH members want?
What would constitute profiteering?
Would anyone who wants to sell for profit require to be a vender?
Does vender status with a forum get around the profiteering aspect?

I honestly think we're (collective we) focusing way too much on trying to control sales.
Either do away with them altogether, or deal with the sales.

OR are we striving to further segregate the keyboard community more to those who want no sales for profit and those who do?
Will one side end up leaving GH and creating their own community?  I mean seriously now.

You fail to see my point here... and if you had read some of jdcarpe's earlier posts, you would understand the differences between profiteering and vending.

And with all due respect, stop thinking so black-and-white about this. "Either do away with them altogether, or deal with the sales." This is such a horrible mentality on the situation. Take away an important forum feature entirely, just because a few people are abusing it for profit? I feel like a majority of people who use the classifieds are responsible and respectable sellers. So why make them suffer?

To put it in simpler terms: if something is broke, fix it. Don't throw it away just because you don't feel like dealing with it...

i offered my plan by banning all auctions and setting rules similar to OCN/Notebook Forums/EVGA on selling on the forums.
But again this doesn't stop someone from listing a clack for sale at $300.

The same people who are complaining about the auctions of clacks will attack that sell thread saying he's overpricing the clack, taking advantage of so and so, etc.

This problem really comes down to how Clacks are viewed in this forum.  Some people view it as a quick cash grab.  Others view it as art that should be preserved and saved within the community and not to the outsiders.  And there are even others that see the rarity of clacks and view it as an investment.

I don't see many people complaining about Auctions for Korean Custom Keyboards or Keysets.

Either way, i'm just saying if this is causing such a headache, remove the problem.  There's no 100% fix that'll make everyone happy.  And if people still *****/moan about it, use the nuclear option and just take away everything.  If you can't play nice, you dont' get nice things
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:31:46
Let's just say you can't sell anything for money! Everything is free!!  ::)

But shipping and handling fees apply  ::)

AND all sales have to be open for a week and everyone gets to vote on who gets the chance to buy something.  ::)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:32:40
And butthurt still ensues because now people have to be the fastest.

"I can't be expected to watch this site all day. I have a life..." |:

Yes, but wouldn't you agree that this "butthurt" would be drastically less than what is going on now? I would much rather lose out on a potential purchase because I was not viewing the forum at the time of the sale than due to insensible pricing of items.

Thus, competition still exists because the person who messages the seller the fastest usually wins.

While I'm more or less neutral to auctions, I REALLY hate the "first come first served" method. It gives a serious disadvantage to non-us based buyers. In my sale threads I usually make people include a joke when they want to buy something and then evaluate them based on joke quality rather than time.

Not all sellers are US-based nor are all buyers, but I can see what you're getting at. However, I still feel that the current system allows for way more irregularities in just sales than one that would prohibit auctions. I've never really missed out on a purchase because I was not browsing the forum at the time. But, then again, I don't purchase much compared to some of the more extravagant buyers. At the end of it all, I can still envision less people being "butthurt" because they missed out on a sale than by not buying due to outrageous prices.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Findecanor on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:32:59
After having read different viewpoints and read how it works on other forums, I think that auctions should be disallowed on the site but that "FA-threads" with links to auctions on eBay/marketplace.nl/Tradera.se etc. should be allowed.
Not because it is the most fair, if people are following the rules, but because it would be the easiest to manage.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:33:49
Let's just say you can't sell anything for money! Everything is free!!  ::)

But shipping and handling fees apply  ::)

AND all sales have to be open for a week and everyone gets to vote on who gets the chance to buy something.  ::)

Ray, I like the way you think :thumb:

Too bad everyone would only vote for themselves :(
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:34:15
I honestly think we're (collective we) focusing way too much on trying to control sales.
Either do away with them altogether, or deal with the sales.

projectD -- agreed. People's buying and selling of keyboard and keyboard-related things is a part of the community, and trying to control it all would mean making good people like Hash and Mashby (these two may be two halves of the same Internet-spanning A.I. -- can't be sure) into police officers, and they don't deserve that, or want to do it.

This has been our philosophy historically.  Laissez-faire + caveat emptor.  It's a good policy in general, as krog will tell you at length.

(As door slams in Krog's face)
"Will you at least take some of my literature?" (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39684.msg781520#msg781520)
(SLAM)
 :)

Quote from: hasbaz
I think auctions are an identifiable special case though, where abuse is possible and getting likelier as the forum grows.
They seem to generate more butthurt than other transactions. But how would they be very different from someone posting a declared price, and then slowly bumping the price downwards until someone bites?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:35:01
After having read different viewpoints and read how it works on other forums, I think that auctions should be disallowed on the site but that "FA-threads" with links to auctions on eBay/marketplace.nl/Tradera.se etc. should be allowed.
Not because it is the most fair, if people are following the rules, but because it would be the easiest to manage.

And people still profit. And people still ramble about it in the thread. Nothing will change.

Do you see how eBay auctions go when someone posts it here? That's exactly what will happen if an eBay link for a Clark is posted. It's been seen before.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:36:25
.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:38:09
After having read different viewpoints and read how it works on other forums, I think that auctions should be disallowed on the site but that "FA-threads" with links to auctions on eBay/marketplace.nl/Tradera.se etc. should be allowed.
Not because it is the most fair, if people are following the rules, but because it would be the easiest to manage.

And people still profit. And people still ramble about it in the thread. Nothing will change.

Do you see how eBay auctions go when someone posts it here? That's exactly what will happen if an eBay link for a Clark is posted. It's been seen before.

i linked a ton of examples in the previous page (i have my thread count setup so its on page 4 i think)
Quote
Im just sayin from past experiences of eBay auctions linked in great finds:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49666.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45121.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38612.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39595.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34320.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34630.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34625.0
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:38:26
So if sales require mod approval do mods either get dibs? or are not allowed to participate?

or better yet pm their friends with a heads up to buy  :o
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:38:58
They seem to generate more butthurt than other transactions. But how would they be very different from someone posting a declared price, and then slowly bumping the price downwards until someone bites?

Unfortunately, what you're describing is something called a Dutch Auction (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_auction) and an example of it just happened recently (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50061.msg1088068#msg1088068). The CC sold for $120, but the money was donated to GH. Still, this method is still an auction and should only be allowed for charity/donations.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Michael on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:41:39
You could always create a 'make auction thread' type of thing, where people can only input a number into a field to place their bid. No comments will be allowed. It could then tally the highest bids per item (each item will be assigned a number, and the person(s) bidding will select that number item + field to input amount). Then at the end (when OP ends auction using the end auction function) it will list the winners automatically.


In other words, it will be a completely automated process.


Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:41:39
So if sales require mod approval do mods either get dibs? or are not allowed to participate?

or better yet pm their friends with a heads up to buy  :o

course, i mean why else be a mod?  Its a thankless job

You could always create a 'make auction thread' type of thing, where people can only input a number into a field to place their bid. No comments will be allowed. It could then tally the highest bids per item (each item will be assigned a number, and the person(s) bidding will select that number item + field to input amount). Then at the end (when OP ends auction using the end auction function) it will list the winners automatically.


In other words, it will be a completely automated process.




so a blind auction?  Where the final price wouldn't be revealed?
You realize how much butthurt would go on?  People already freak out when you delete items in your sell thread instead of leaving up the prices lol
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:49:44
They seem to generate more butthurt than other transactions. But how would they be very different from someone posting a declared price, and then slowly bumping the price downwards until someone bites?

Unfortunately, what you're describing is something called a Dutch Auction (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_auction) and an example of it just happened recently (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50061.msg1088068#msg1088068). The CC sold for $120, but the money was donated to GH. Still, this method is still an auction and should only be allowed for charity/donations.

But I see this all the time -- someone lists a keyboard for $200, and a week goes past and then they drop the price to $190 and mark "(price drop!)" in red, bolded text next to the item photo. Then they wait to see if someone will pay. That happens all the time, and no one complains. They wait until the item comes to a price that they accept and then they PM their offer. These sales don't generate the kind of butthurt we're seeing from the clack sale auctions. Someone said earlier, "this isn't about auctions, it's about clacks." They're right.

At least with an auction the item being sold goes to the person who will get the most "utility" out of the item, no matter what their timezone. Moose is right that the butthurt will never go away -- not until the artificial price ceiling on clacks are dropped, or CF increases the supply. Also, I find it somewhat funny that auctions are bad, evil, and shouldn't be allowed -- unless it's a charity auction, those are okay! Why are they ok, exactly?

What about making every forum member supply basic proof of identity, so that if they abuse the market, they cannot just create a new account and start over. This would make fraud less likely.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 13:55:05
They seem to generate more butthurt than other transactions. But how would they be very different from someone posting a declared price, and then slowly bumping the price downwards until someone bites?

Unfortunately, what you're describing is something called a Dutch Auction (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_auction) and an example of it just happened recently (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50061.msg1088068#msg1088068). The CC sold for $120, but the money was donated to GH. Still, this method is still an auction and should only be allowed for charity/donations.

But I see this all the time -- someone lists a keyboard for $200, and a week goes past and then they drop the price to $190 and mark "(price drop!)" in red, bolded text next to the item photo. Then they wait to see if someone will pay. That happens all the time, and no one complains. They wait until the item comes to a price that they accept and then they PM their offer. These sales don't generate the kind of butthurt we're seeing from the clack sale auctions. Someone said earlier, "this isn't about auctions, it's about clacks." They're right.

At least with an auction the item being sold goes to the person who will get the most "utility" out of the item, no matter what their timezone. Moose is right that the butthurt will never go away -- not until the artificial price ceiling on clacks are dropped, or CF increases the supply.

You're right about the forced price dropping. I recently sold an imsto PBT set for $50 shipped while it retails for $95 via feng. I didn't want to bother bumping endlessly like poor Beast, who I believe has still not sold his imsto PBT set while being listed for around $10-$20 less than the retail price. This is a problem, yes, but this problem also a product of the selfishness that naturally plagues sales. That is why rules must be put into place that will socialize current and future members of the forum to sell AND buy at sensible prices.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 06 November 2013, 14:02:06
They seem to generate more butthurt than other transactions. But how would they be very different from someone posting a declared price, and then slowly bumping the price downwards until someone bites?

Unfortunately, what you're describing is something called a Dutch Auction (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_auction) and an example of it just happened recently (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50061.msg1088068#msg1088068). The CC sold for $120, but the money was donated to GH. Still, this method is still an auction and should only be allowed for charity/donations.

But I see this all the time -- someone lists a keyboard for $200, and a week goes past and then they drop the price to $190 and mark "(price drop!)" in red, bolded text next to the item photo. Then they wait to see if someone will pay. That happens all the time, and no one complains. They wait until the item comes to a price that they accept and then they PM their offer. These sales don't generate the kind of butthurt we're seeing from the clack sale auctions. Someone said earlier, "this isn't about auctions, it's about clacks." They're right.

At least with an auction the item being sold goes to the person who will get the most "utility" out of the item, no matter what their timezone. Moose is right that the butthurt will never go away -- not until the artificial price ceiling on clacks are dropped, or CF increases the supply. Also, I find it somewhat funny that auctions are bad, evil, and shouldn't be allowed -- unless it's a charity auction, those are okay! Why are they ok, exactly?

What about making every forum member supply basic proof of identity, so that if they abuse the market, they cannot just create a new account and start over. This would make fraud less likely.

On the identity thing, I witnessed an auction the other day where a brand new joined just to post in auction bidder bumped up the price very quickly and then a regular member out bit them auction over....how do we know it wasn't shill bidding???

I mean what better way to drive up the price of your sales.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 06 November 2013, 14:08:24
You're right about the forced price dropping. I recently sold an imsto PBT set for $50 shipped while it retails for $95 via feng. I didn't want to bother bumping endlessly like poor Beast, who I believe has still not sold his imsto PBT set while being listed for around $10-$20 less than the retail price. This is a problem, yes, but this problem also a product of the selfishness that naturally plagues sales. That is why rules must be put into place that will socialize current and future members of the forum to sell AND buy at sensible prices.

If when you say socialize, you mean more talking, more communication about prices and items, and how to value them, then I agree completely. Maybe there could be a thread dedicated to answering people's questions about pricing, with a writeup on how to determine what something is worth, what to look for (shine on keycaps, etc.). There will always be people willing to pay an absurd price for something, and so the butthurt will always be with us. Maybe a thread for market discussions would be good -- like Cap's FAQ thread, but about pricing and the marketplace?

Quote from: Ray
On the identity thing, I witnessed an auction the other day where a brand new joined just to post in auction bidder bumped up the price very quickly and then a regular member out bit them auction over....how do we know it wasn't shill bidding???

I mean what better way to drive up the price of your sales.

Right, that's a market abuse, to use sock puppets to generate a fake bidding war. And hey, why not toss in a one-time, $1 processing fee to cover the cost of checking your identity? GH makes some money (win) and the marketplace is a little more secure (win). Do you bristle at the idea of paying $1? The only people who are allowed to participate in the market are people who are willing to pay the fee and supply the information. So if all you want to do is talk, no fee required. More communication, more safety, more accountability, that's all good for the market. But it would never relieve the anguish of knowing someone else won the EK lottery, and now they're selling it for a (gulp) profit! So butthurt will always be around.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 06 November 2013, 14:17:18
I agree with a fee to buy/sell and some sort of ID check verification!
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Binge on Wed, 06 November 2013, 14:21:05
Geekhack is not made to handle auction based sales... I also don't think the users should shoulder the social implication of being part of the place where CCs are auctioned for far more than gold holds value in weight.

IMHO I don't care if a CC sells for 10,000 on ebay.  eBay is just that-- an auction site.  I really don't even care if it was listed here.

Lets just understand for a moment that most of us who care about this place do not like the CC auction/profiteering.  It is a sour subject-- If there needs to be compromise let the jerks have a place where they can list their e-bay auctions and not let it poison the classifieds with a bunch of "I'm not a douche but I really want to make money off of someone else's art so bidding starts at X" threads.

I stand by my initial statement that geekhack should sanction all auctions posted on the site.  Great-finds or otherwise.  Auctions have been mentioned numerous times as being used to drive up prices through competition.  The kind of competition that does very little good for people in this sort of a place.

Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: sth on Wed, 06 November 2013, 14:30:38
ban all auctions
ban all clack sales via classifieds
ban profiteers

/me goes back into hibernation :blank:
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 14:34:02
You're right about the forced price dropping. I recently sold an imsto PBT set for $50 shipped while it retails for $95 via feng. I didn't want to bother bumping endlessly like poor Beast, who I believe has still not sold his imsto PBT set while being listed for around $10-$20 less than the retail price. This is a problem, yes, but this problem also a product of the selfishness that naturally plagues sales. That is why rules must be put into place that will socialize current and future members of the forum to sell AND buy at sensible prices.

If when you say socialize, you mean more talking, more communication about prices and items, and how to value them, then I agree completely. Maybe there could be a thread dedicated to answering people's questions about pricing, with a writeup on how to determine what something is worth, what to look for (shine on keycaps, etc.). There will always be people willing to pay an absurd price for something, and so the butthurt will always be with us. Maybe a thread for market discussions would be good -- like Cap's FAQ thread, but about pricing and the marketplace?

Yes, that's exactly what I mean by "socialize". For other users who are reading my posts, socialization (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialization) is "the means by which social and cultural continuity are attained".

The current state of affairs within the classifieds is the direct result of a lack of guidance, of socialization by the admin staff. The result of unchecked sales practices is apparent now more than ever.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 15:05:36
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.0

Amount of butthurt in this thread is zero.  For some reason whenever there is an EK sale or a 4grabs the White Knight Geekhack protector of the Holy Click Clack crew has to come in and demonize people who try to sell their clack.  They own the ****ing cap, they can do with it what they want.  If you don't like the principle or demeanor of the person/auction then ignore it and don't bid.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: dustinhxc on Wed, 06 November 2013, 15:11:31
I like buy threads because if i have the money i can buy it. I dont like auction because it goes up up up like ebay. Ive always liked buy it now on ebay.
But like others said it makes it hard for us newer members to get clacks because theyre all $200+ I had to spend almost that much for 2 clacks and they arent even for my switch type  :( :(
I just want a clack on my keyboard.  :(
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Moosecraft on Wed, 06 November 2013, 15:16:19
I really don't like the classified auctions at the moment, but who am I to judge what people would be willing to pay for a clack even though I find it to be mad.

But seriously all clack auctions that I have seen have just caused an outrage within this community and I would prefer it not to be like this.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 06 November 2013, 15:17:41
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.0
Amount of butthurt in this thread is zero.

And how do you know that, exactly? How do you know that any "offending" posts weren't simply removed from that thread?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: dustinhxc on Wed, 06 November 2013, 15:21:36
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.0
Amount of butthurt in this thread is zero.

And how do you know that, exactly? How do you know that any "offending" posts weren't simply removed from that thread?

wow those are spendy.. exactly why i gave in and got the 2 i did.. cheaper then that but still expensive..
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Wed, 06 November 2013, 15:36:17
I would have to say that I don't generally like the idea of auctions on this site.  Yes I did hold an auction that did go for almost a month but I had less than 10 bids on the entire auction and I took ZERO profit.  If I remember right I may have even taken a slight loss on the deal.  The proceeds was going to go to members that lost items in the switch tester with the rest going to geekhack.  But I sent out some PM's after I started the auction and was basically told either don't worry about it or no reply at all.  So all the money and then a bit more got donated to GH.  But I feel that auctions for personal profit should go off site.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: nogamesplayed on Wed, 06 November 2013, 15:43:44
Let's keep in mind what the concern here is: the concern is not that the keys are being sold, the concern is that the price is being artificially inflated by high-cost sales immediately after launch.

Two paths:

And there is always the third, yet unorthodox option: charge taxes for clack sales over a certain amount. $200 sale? Sure, but $20 is going to Caesar. That money could be allocated to either website cost or could be pooled for raffles/giveaways/rewards etc.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 15:47:44
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.0

Amount of butthurt in this thread is zero.  For some reason whenever there is an EK sale or a 4grabs the White Knight Geekhack protector of the Holy Click Clack crew has to come in and demonize people who try to sell their clack.  They own the ****ing cap, they can do with it what they want.  If you don't like the principle or demeanor of the person/auction then ignore it and don't bid.

I've already replied to this.

It's really not difficult to figure this one out. tsangan is a moderator, right? Whoever says that they aren't treated differently is either stupid, naive, or simply in denial. I mentioned this in another thread, but part of the problem we're discussing has to due with the fact that some moderators are some of the biggest contributors towards this maximized profit auction culture. If even mods are doing it, who's going to show up during their thread and speak out in disgust? That person would be met with angry posts and would be outed as a troublemaker, etc.

Furthermore, tsangan can sell auction his stuff off on eBay since he "owns the ****ing cap".
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 15:59:05
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.0

Amount of butthurt in this thread is zero.  For some reason whenever there is an EK sale or a 4grabs the White Knight Geekhack protector of the Holy Click Clack crew has to come in and demonize people who try to sell their clack.  They own the ****ing cap, they can do with it what they want.  If you don't like the principle or demeanor of the person/auction then ignore it and don't bid.

I've already replied to this.

It's really not difficult to figure this one out. tsangan is a moderator, right? Whoever says that they aren't treated differently is either stupid, naive, or simply in denial. I mentioned this in another thread, but part of the problem we're discussing has to due with the fact that some moderators are some of the biggest contributors towards this maximized profit auction culture. If even mods are doing it, who's going to show up during their thread and speak out in disgust? That person would be met with angry posts and would be outed as a troublemaker, etc.

Furthermore, tsangan can sell auction his stuff off on eBay since he "owns the ****ing cap".
Auction it on ebay where he is selling to the same group of people and gets money taken from ebay.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 16:08:54
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.0

Amount of butthurt in this thread is zero.  For some reason whenever there is an EK sale or a 4grabs the White Knight Geekhack protector of the Holy Click Clack crew has to come in and demonize people who try to sell their clack.  They own the ****ing cap, they can do with it what they want.  If you don't like the principle or demeanor of the person/auction then ignore it and don't bid.

I've already replied to this.

It's really not difficult to figure this one out. tsangan is a moderator, right? Whoever says that they aren't treated differently is either stupid, naive, or simply in denial. I mentioned this in another thread, but part of the problem we're discussing has to due with the fact that some moderators are some of the biggest contributors towards this maximized profit auction culture. If even mods are doing it, who's going to show up during their thread and speak out in disgust? That person would be met with angry posts and would be outed as a troublemaker, etc.

Furthermore, tsangan can sell auction his stuff off on eBay since he "owns the ****ing cap".
Auction it on ebay where he is selling to the same group of people and gets money taken from ebay.

He is NOT selling it to the same group of people. His items on eBay have a much bigger audience while keeping the drama off our forums. Sure, money gets taken from him by eBay since he chooses to have an auction. Why must he have an auction instead of pricing his items sensibly? Moderators who are one of the biggest "offenders" are also the people we have to convince. It's like trying to convince a corrupt police department to punish police brutality with the sole power to change anything resting in the corrupt police officials themselves.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: cgbuen on Wed, 06 November 2013, 16:17:41
Just to chime in again to add a little more to the discussion:

1. (Pro-auction point?) Krogenar brings up a good point: any regular sale thread is an auction in the sense that anytime a price drop is introduced, you're adding another step of a Dutch descending auction. (jcrouse did this for the HO skull, though it was different than usual in that he clearly defined a duration, the interval for the steps, and the dollar amount per step.) You survey the field/wait for potential buyers at that price, and if none are there, you introduce another price drop. When someone's comfortable with the price after all these price drops, they put in what they've strategized as their bid. This strategy that the field of buyers come up to with should be exactly the same in my current sale thread, as if I were to put my items into an ascending first-price auction.

2. (Anti-auction point) I'm not trying to suggest anything about danielucf as a member or seller, but his auction in particular comes with a huge number of flaws that could be abused in any auction running the same system, by both the seller and the participant sides. For context: he's running a first-price sealed-bid, and will evaluate and reveal the bids by the auction's end. Here are some issues I have with what he has set up:

a. The potential for him to add a bunch of fake entries at any point - effectively giving him higher reserve prices. And as a side effect, people could believe that someone paid that much for the item, which could influence long term prices in the community.
b. The potential for him to delete entries, perhaps because he might not want to sell to a particular person.
c. The ability for someone to falsely fill out the form (I could go and fill the form out right now as any other user; and I could also fill the form out as any given user multiple times to get them disqualified).
d. The ability for his form to attract spam/bogus entries - there's no Capcha. Someone bored enough could fill the form in with just nonsense/spam entries.
e. As with any other auction here on GH, not just this sealed-bid version: the ability to renege and the lack of needing to actually commit to buy.

3. projectD: no harm, no foul - I thought you were. I see the point you're trying to make, but I still stand by my stance of moving all auctions to eBay, again for the practical reasons.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Michael on Wed, 06 November 2013, 16:40:48


so a blind auction?  Where the final price wouldn't be revealed?
You realize how much butthurt would go on?  People already freak out when you delete items in your sell thread instead of leaving up the prices lol


No. It would clearly post the current bid and the users name that bid on it next to the item.


You guys get so huffy and puffy on this site, it's just sad.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 17:08:04
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.0

Amount of butthurt in this thread is zero.  For some reason whenever there is an EK sale or a 4grabs the White Knight Geekhack protector of the Holy Click Clack crew has to come in and demonize people who try to sell their clack.  They own the ****ing cap, they can do with it what they want.  If you don't like the principle or demeanor of the person/auction then ignore it and don't bid.

I've already replied to this.

It's really not difficult to figure this one out. tsangan is a moderator, right? Whoever says that they aren't treated differently is either stupid, naive, or simply in denial. I mentioned this in another thread, but part of the problem we're discussing has to due with the fact that some moderators are some of the biggest contributors towards this maximized profit auction culture. If even mods are doing it, who's going to show up during their thread and speak out in disgust? That person would be met with angry posts and would be outed as a troublemaker, etc.

Furthermore, tsangan can sell auction his stuff off on eBay since he "owns the ****ing cap".
Auction it on ebay where he is selling to the same group of people and gets money taken from ebay.

He is NOT selling it to the same group of people. His items on eBay have a much bigger audience while keeping the drama off our forums. Sure, money gets taken from him by eBay since he chooses to have an auction. Why must he have an auction instead of pricing his items sensibly? Moderators who are one of the biggest "offenders" are also the people we have to convince. It's like trying to convince a corrupt police department to punish police brutality with the sole power to change anything resting in the corrupt police officials themselves.
Yes your average ebay user wants a $500 korean custom and a keycap with a skull on it.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: hashbaz on Wed, 06 November 2013, 17:20:02
Moderators who are one of the biggest "offenders" are also the people we have to convince. It's like trying to convince a corrupt police department to punish police brutality with the sole power to change anything resting in the corrupt police officials themselves.

Actually the mods are pretty on-board with reforms.  This thread was started by a mod.  We are trying to get a feel for the forum's collective opinion and solicit ideas.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Reomero on Wed, 06 November 2013, 17:23:37
[Finally I've caught up in this thread...]

Personally, I think auctions are fine. And judging by the date this thread was posted (so soon after EK drawing with new threads "pre-selling" won CCs in Classifieds), it seems like selling CCs is at the crux of the problem (or butthurt).

The only way to reduce any butthurt over others inflating the prices of CCs is by CC himself selling new CCs at $100/$150/etc. Sure, there are ways of mitigating the butthurt but it's always going to be around as long as CC keeps selling new CCs at the ~$25 mark, and of course, we don't live in a perfect world.

If auctions do stay, I think there should be a subforum for them in the Classifieds, along with the introduction of rules particular for auctions. [1] (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50554.msg1104748#msg1104748)

Or if they have to be moved off-site, then I suppose linking to them in a thread will also work so that folks here in GH don't miss out. I also see no problem with "Dutch auctions" since it's pretty much the norm with many 'For Sale' threads.


And even though this thread particularly asks for feedback on auctions, some have expressed theirs on the Classifieds so here's my 2c...
Why not set a post limit to view the Classifieds section? A local, and very active, NZ forum (http://www.gpforums.co.nz/) I frequent recently adopted this rule of having a post limit (100 posts) on their BST section. So far, it's working wonders and it's now a much 'safer' place without having to be as wary of scammers and the like.

And if possible, make it compulsory to also have a personal Heatware account linked to your GH account before being able to view the Classifieds. Or even better, GH having its own feedback system, much like Head-Fi where the seller/buyer's feedback is displayed beside their name.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 17:28:39
He is NOT selling it to the same group of people. His items on eBay have a much bigger audience while keeping the drama off our forums. Sure, money gets taken from him by eBay since he chooses to have an auction. Why must he have an auction instead of pricing his items sensibly? Moderators who are one of the biggest "offenders" are also the people we have to convince. It's like trying to convince a corrupt police department to punish police brutality with the sole power to change anything resting in the corrupt police officials themselves.
Yes your average ebay user wants a $500 korean custom and a keycap with a skull on it.

I think you're missing the point here. Once the item goes on eBay, it is viewable by users of GeekHack, DT, OTD, and EVERYONE ELSE.

Moderators who are one of the biggest "offenders" are also the people we have to convince. It's like trying to convince a corrupt police department to punish police brutality with the sole power to change anything resting in the corrupt police officials themselves.

Actually the mods are pretty on-board with reforms.  This thread was started by a mod.  We are trying to get a feel for the forum's collective opinion and solicit ideas.

I meant moderators such as tsangan and any other mod who creates such auctions. I am glad the admin team is finally realizing something needs to change.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 06 November 2013, 17:41:14
I think you're missing the point here. Once the item goes on eBay, it is viewable by users of GeekHack, DT, OTD, and EVERYONE ELSE.
You don't have to be logged in to view classifieds. Once it gets posted here, it's viewable to GH, DT, OTD and everyone else. Sure you have to be a registered GH member to PM the poster, but registration is free.

Whereas on eBay, you have to have eBay / paypal and all that jazz. Also, some people dislike eBay's practices and no longer frequent that site. Finally, I'd like to keep my keyboards in the community where they'll be used if at all possible.


Now, you can still do all of those things, but eBay does not necessarily reach a broader interested audience than the GH classifieds.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Wed, 06 November 2013, 17:50:21
He is NOT selling it to the same group of people. His items on eBay have a much bigger audience while keeping the drama off our forums. Sure, money gets taken from him by eBay since he chooses to have an auction. Why must he have an auction instead of pricing his items sensibly? Moderators who are one of the biggest "offenders" are also the people we have to convince. It's like trying to convince a corrupt police department to punish police brutality with the sole power to change anything resting in the corrupt police officials themselves.
Yes your average ebay user wants a $500 korean custom and a keycap with a skull on it.

I think you're missing the point here. Once the item goes on eBay, it is viewable by users of GeekHack, DT, OTD, and EVERYONE ELSE.

Moderators who are one of the biggest "offenders" are also the people we have to convince. It's like trying to convince a corrupt police department to punish police brutality with the sole power to change anything resting in the corrupt police officials themselves.

Actually the mods are pretty on-board with reforms.  This thread was started by a mod.  We are trying to get a feel for the forum's collective opinion and solicit ideas.

I meant moderators such as tsangan and any other mod who creates such auctions. I am glad the admin team is finally realizing something needs to change.

um i've sold items to someone who literally signed up to GH to PM me asking for my paypal address to buy my item.
Why the heck do you think ebay's market will be different from GH's classified market?

The prices won't change, it won't magically be less if sent on ebay, it'll just be the seller taking 13% less in the final cost due to ebay/paypal fees.
Or are you trying to push this to "punish" any auction seller?

Again the #1 problem with everything discussed regarding auctions comes back to Clacks these days.
Want to just make a blanket rule about not dealing clacks on GH?  Would that make people feel better?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: hashbaz on Wed, 06 November 2013, 17:55:28
There's no way to force clack prices down.  That is not the goal here.  We're debating whether we should allow auctions, on what terms, for what reasons.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: okooko on Wed, 06 November 2013, 18:18:53
There's no way to force clack prices down.  That is not the goal here.  We're debating whether we should allow auctions, on what terms, for what reasons.

The prices are driven by supply and demand which can vary. If the topic is to discuss auctions - it's not the method that is under scrutiny but the behaviour of the people participating in it, or at least thats what most people are concerned about in this thread.

Taking out auctions would potentially lead to people taking their business to eBay - perhaps as intended should the motion proceed however that reduces the amount of items circulating the GH community (despite the prices they are obtained) and for those concerned about the community - should think about that.

I've got 2 thoughts about them right now
1. Auctions allow people from different timezones get a chance to have a bid (successful or not) on an item (as mentionned by others)
2. Enforce a Reserve/BIN price - so it does not become an uncapped auction (obviously you can't enforce the BIN price but its up to the seller to make it honest)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Polymer on Wed, 06 November 2013, 18:38:24
As much as I'm disgusted by people flipping Clacks (even before taking possession of the), there really isn't anything you can do about it...If you sell a 100 dollar bill for 25 dollars, people are going to take that deal...

But as far as auctions are concerned..

Most forums that allow selling don't allow for auctions because there are no mechanisms in place to prevent things like shills.. In addition, the idea isn't to maximize the amount of money people are making off of their stuff (the idea of profiteering from a hobby community is pretty sad).  The idea is to try to keep goods within the community...hopefully getting the community a reasonable deal and minimizing the LOSS someone takes when selling a used good. 

It should be, you set a price and be ok with standing by your price.  I'm not a fan of thread crapping...but there are a lot of people new to the hobby as well and protecting them by pointing out a rather outrageous price when it looks outrageous is probably not that bad of a thing.  People only get upset when people crap in their thread because they've been caught out.... 

Lastly...the community itself doesn't seem to care...people supporting this type of behavior are only reinforcing it...

This is one of the few hobbies I've seen where people don't actually expect to lose money on their purchases even on USED items..which is pretty sad.  The only people that should really be making money are those vendors that I'm hoping actually pay to support the board.  If you're making money off of the community you are a vendor, it should require a vendor sub-forum and require payment to the board to keep it alive. 
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: dustinhxc on Wed, 06 November 2013, 18:41:32
I just think the seller should put the max price he would feel comfortable accepting. (being as if he traded X amount of clacks for that clack) Then someone can buy it for that. Auctions just make it unreasonable.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 18:46:00
The whole basis for my argument rests, not by backing of any kind of forum rules, but by the idea that we should treat GH as a community of individuals who share a common love for keyboards. I envision this community as it could and should be as a place that does not have to succumb to the same greed and selfishness that plagues our world. GH can be an escape from the nature of our world economy that is to maximize profits at all costs.

I ask you and everyone else... Are we looking to enjoy our time and money spent here, trying new keyboards and switches at reasonable prices, or are we here as individuals seeking to maximize our profits for items wanted fellow members?

um i've sold items to someone who literally signed up to GH to PM me asking for my paypal address to buy my item.
Why the heck do you think ebay's market will be different from GH's classified market?
If auctions are moved off the forum and onto places like eBay, we will see plenty less drama here. Not only that, it might encourage GH members to stop being greedy bastards and sell their items reasonably. When items are reasonably priced, there is hardly ever a need for an auction.

The prices won't change, it won't magically be less if sent on ebay, it'll just be the seller taking 13% less in the final cost due to ebay/paypal fees.
Or are you trying to push this to "punish" any auction seller?
Correct. The prices of auctioned items such as CCs won't magically change. Again, these auctions would not take place on the forum. I'm not trying to "punish" the auctioneer as much as the greedy auctioneer has already punished the community by creating outrageous prices for certain items. Why does an item such as a CC have to auctioned? Why can't it just be sold it in the classifieds in a simple manner? Of course, items such as CCs are in very high in demand, and as such, economics 101 would tell us that it can be sold for much more than the original cost. Thus, this brings us to a crossing point: should we allow members to make a significant profit off other members via auctions? Or should their profiteering auctions be taken elsewhere -- eBay?

Again the #1 problem with everything discussed regarding auctions comes back to Clacks these days.
Want to just make a blanket rule about not dealing clacks on GH?  Would that make people feel better?
Yes, CCs have brought this issue of auction profiteering to the attention of the admin staff. While auctioning off CCs to the highest bidder tend to rustle the most jimmies, other items such as Korean customs are also auctioned off in the same manner.


I think you're missing the point here. Once the item goes on eBay, it is viewable by users of GeekHack, DT, OTD, and EVERYONE ELSE.
You don't have to be logged in to view classifieds. Once it gets posted here, it's viewable to GH, DT, OTD and everyone else. Sure you have to be a registered GH member to PM the poster, but registration is free.

Whereas on eBay, you have to have eBay / paypal and all that jazz. Also, some people dislike eBay's practices and no longer frequent that site. Finally, I'd like to keep my keyboards in the community where they'll be used if at all possible.


Now, you can still do all of those things, but eBay does not necessarily reach a broader interested audience than the GH classifieds.
Yes, quite obviously, but the point is to take the auctions OUT of GH and onto off-site platforms such as eBay. There's one thing people keep forgetting here: you don't have to have an auction. Simply price the item you want to sell for a reasonable price and someone will buy it. From what I can tell in my experience here, auctions have been used largely to maximize profits -- not because someone did not know what an item is worth.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 06 November 2013, 18:55:18
Doesn't eBay allow for private auctions? So list the auction, and people who want to bid can ask to be invited. Then eBay prevents fraud and the items still stay in the GH family, so to speak.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:02:11
Doesn't eBay allow for private auctions? So list the auction, and people who want to bid can ask to be invited. Then eBay prevents fraud and the items still stay in the GH family, so to speak.
Seems like a hassle.  We haven't had much issues with fraudulent auctions.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Danule on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:28:06
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:32:51
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:34:54
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Really? :))  It's only "worth" the absurdity we've been seeing posted because selfishness is driving people to sell them at such prices.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: stancato9 on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:36:02
I simply feel like if the seller is willing to pay the price that an auction leads to, then there is no problem.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Danule on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:38:31
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:42:16
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?

(http://i.imgur.com/xywCsA1.gif)

Seems fair to me /s

And sometimes the google gods smile upon you.  I found these three all in a row:

(http://i.imgur.com/42D2yZn.gif)  (http://i.imgur.com/Tzmihoc.gif)  (http://i.imgur.com/ruS61Iu.gif)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:50:54
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?
I mean obviously somebody who shells out $200 for a piece of plastic wants the thing pretty damn ****ing bad.  Its not like they're buying it so others can't have it.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:58:28
I mean obviously somebody who shells out $200 for a piece of plastic wants the thing pretty damn ****ing bad.  Its not like they're buying it so others can't have it.

It doesn't really matter what the reason is. If 30 people want to buy a $25 CC, and most people would pay up to somewhere around $30-$50, there just needs to be 1 or 2 people out of those 30 who would dish out $150+. Thus, this creates the future prices for CC sales.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:59:03
I mean obviously somebody who shells out $200 for a piece of plastic wants the thing pretty damn ****ing bad.  Its not like they're buying it so others can't have it.

It doesn't really matter what the reason is. If 30 people want to buy a $25 CC, and most people would pay up to somewhere around $30-$50, there just needs to be 1 or 2 people out of those 30 who would dish out $150+. Thus, this creates the future prices for CC sales.
Would you like for me to explain to you how auctions work?  I can.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Danule on Wed, 06 November 2013, 19:59:07
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?
I mean obviously somebody who shells out $200 for a piece of plastic wants the thing pretty damn ****ing bad.  Its not like they're buying it so others can't have it.

some one entering a draw for an item they are going to sell right after are very very very much doing it so some one else does not get it and they do.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:00:29
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?
I mean obviously somebody who shells out $200 for a piece of plastic wants the thing pretty damn ****ing bad.  Its not like they're buying it so others can't have it.

some one entering a draw for an item they are going to sell right after are very very very much doing it so some one else does not get it and they do.
Yeah I mean isn't that the point of a lottery?  Because you want the item?  Regardless of whatever they do with it afterwards.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:01:35
Would you like for me to explain to you how auctions work?  I can.

I think you need a lot more explained to you than the average person around here...  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Danule on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:02:48
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?
I mean obviously somebody who shells out $200 for a piece of plastic wants the thing pretty damn ****ing bad.  Its not like they're buying it so others can't have it.

some one entering a draw for an item they are going to sell right after are very very very much doing it so some one else does not get it and they do.
Yeah I mean isn't that the point of a lottery?  Because you want the item?  Regardless of whatever they do with it afterwards.

Yes it is, and people should be allowed to do with it as they want, but it would be nice to keep it off this forum.  Unless that is the kind of community they want to build, then I'll move along and find another place to visit.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:06:21
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?
I mean obviously somebody who shells out $200 for a piece of plastic wants the thing pretty damn ****ing bad.  Its not like they're buying it so others can't have it.

some one entering a draw for an item they are going to sell right after are very very very much doing it so some one else does not get it and they do.
Yeah I mean isn't that the point of a lottery?  Because you want the item?  Regardless of whatever they do with it afterwards.

Yes it is, and people should be allowed to do with it as they want, but it would be nice to keep it off this forum.  Unless that is the kind of community they want to build, then I'll move along and find another place to visit.
Why should they have to keep it off the forum?  The people interested in the cap are right here.  $25 isn't the true value of a Clack.  CC has stated before that making the keys is his hobby and he likes the fact that people enjoy his art.  People can pay however much they want!

There is a Graphite set on the classifieds right now, minimum price is $180.  People aren't throwing fits because that set cost maybe $80 in the group buy are they?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:08:27
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?
I mean obviously somebody who shells out $200 for a piece of plastic wants the thing pretty damn ****ing bad.  Its not like they're buying it so others can't have it.

What about the person that manages to come across a clack for say $100 not it is for a switch that he doesn't have but he buys it anyway in hopes of selling it later for profit or trading it for a clack that he can use?

Here is my opinion regarding auctions on this site after reading most of this thread.

Allow auctions with a couple stipulations.

1.  Have a minimum post count of 500 or 1 year of membership to post an auction.
2.  MUST have item in hand.
3.  Have a blanket percentage minimum of the sale price be donated to geekhack or possibly to other members in the event of property loss.  CPTBadass's switch tester tour comes to mind here.  If the seller wants to donate a higher percentage that is fine.
4.  All auctions must be approved by a moderator.
5.  These rules do not apply to the Dutch descending style auction mentioned here.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Danule on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:08:49
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?
I mean obviously somebody who shells out $200 for a piece of plastic wants the thing pretty damn ****ing bad.  Its not like they're buying it so others can't have it.

some one entering a draw for an item they are going to sell right after are very very very much doing it so some one else does not get it and they do.
Yeah I mean isn't that the point of a lottery?  Because you want the item?  Regardless of whatever they do with it afterwards.

Yes it is, and people should be allowed to do with it as they want, but it would be nice to keep it off this forum.  Unless that is the kind of community they want to build, then I'll move along and find another place to visit.
Why should they have to keep it off the forum?  The people interested in the cap are right here.  $25 isn't the true value of a Clack.  CC has stated before that making the keys is his hobby and he likes the fact that people enjoy his art.  People can pay however much they want!

There is a Graphite set on the classifieds right now, minimum price is $180.  People aren't throwing fits because that set cost maybe $80 in the group buy are they?

I think they should, you think they shoudn't I think this conversation is over, not much more to say from my end at least.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:11:57
Quote
1.  Have a minimum post count of 500 or 1 year of membership to post an auction.
2.  MUST have item in hand.
3.  Have a blanket percentage minimum of the sale price be donated to geekhack or possibly to other members in the event of property loss.  CPTBadass's switch tester tour comes to mind here.  If the seller wants to donate a higher percentage that is fine.
4.  All auctions must be approved by a moderator.
5.  These rules do not apply to the Dutch descending style auction mentioned here.
Does the % donated count for just simple classifieds threads?  I don't really like that for auctions either but whatever.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:18:29
What about the person that manages to come across a clack for say $100 not it is for a switch that he doesn't have but he buys it anyway in hopes of selling it later for profit or trading it for a clack that he can use?

Here is my opinion regarding auctions on this site after reading most of this thread.

Allow auctions with a couple stipulations.

1.  Have a minimum post count of 500 or 1 year of membership to post an auction.
2.  MUST have item in hand.
3.  Have a blanket percentage minimum of the sale price be donated to geekhack or possibly to other members in the event of property loss.  CPTBadass's switch tester tour comes to mind here.  If the seller wants to donate a higher percentage that is fine.
4.  All auctions must be approved by a moderator.
5.  These rules do not apply to the Dutch descending style auction mentioned here.

First, I'd like to reaffirm my position that I think auctions (except for donations/charities) should be banned from the site.
However, since most likely some kind of consensus will most likely have to be reached, I'd like to comment on your points.

@1: It may or may not encourage spam to reach the 500 post count in order to be able to auction. Also, it will lead to elitism within the community due to the majority of users not being able to create auctions.

@2: Yes, this should have been a rule from the start.

@3: I entirely disagree with the idea of being forced into donating to GH.

@4: This is doable but may create a significant workload increase for the moderators.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: RabRhee on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:32:38
I don't think it is reasonable to charge a fee that goes to geekhack for auctions unless a service is provided for that cost. A service beyond the basic ability to post. Some kind of buyer protection maybe, but then you get into a dark area of who will manage it, and should they be paid out of the same fees, logic. eBay charge a fortune in fees but provide specific features for it, albeit with heavy buyer bias. Forced fees would seem to open a nest of vipers which would outweigh any benefits.

Personally I have no beef about auctions, but then I neither own a clack or intend to own one that would cost more than $20 or so, which helps. My own suggestion to the problems listed here would probably be:

1. Punish thread crapping in auctions more severely.
2. Try and stop shill bidding without actually punishing people who join to bid (Address must be stored on profile before you bid in an auction?, post counts, recent post history, there is no simple fix for a determined shill)
3. As is stated a few times here, item must be in the hands of the seller and actual picture with AH marker on it posted at start.

And to end, a cleaned up joke: Ten guys sat on a train. A fly buzzes around, one guy grabs the fly out of the air and eats it. Then another guy does the same to a second fly. Then a third guy. Then the profiteer jumps up, grabs the next fly and asks 'hey, anyone want to buy a fly?'
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:33:52
I don't think it is reasonable to charge a fee that goes to geekhack for auctions unless a service is provided for that cost. A service beyond the basic ability to post. Some kind of buyer protection maybe, but then you get into a dark area of who will manage it, and should they be paid out of the same fees, logic. eBay charge a fortune in fees but provide specific features for it, albeit with heavy buyer bias. Forced fees would seem to open a nest of vipers which would outweigh any benefits.

Personally I have no beef about auctions, but then I neither own a clack or intend to own one that would cost more than $20 or so, which helps. My own suggestion to the problems listed here would probably be:

1. Punish thread crapping in auctions more severely.
2. Try and stop shill bidding without actually punishing people who join to bid (Address must be stored on profile before you bid in an auction?, post counts, recent post history, there is no simple fix for a determined shill)
3. As is stated a few times here, item must be in the hands of the seller and actual picture with AH marker on it posted at start.

And to end, a cleaned up joke: Ten guys sat on a train. A fly buzzes around, one guy grabs the fly out of the air and eats it. Then another guy does the same to a second fly. Then a third guy. Then the profiteer jumps up, grabs the next fly and asks 'hey, anyone want to buy a fly?'
I like this guy
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: okooko on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:39:24
If people are concerned about;
profiteering off auctions - it only works if there is a buyer willing to buy it.
not getting an opportunity to get their hands on one - auctions give more people a chance to bid prior to being sold of to the first paying buyer.
the community - auctions would allow the item to stay within

aside, the turn over for things on here and the steady influx of new members are rather constant, people buy, people sell. It is what it is.
Is profiteering ruining the community? - yes.
Its like buying a lottery ticket for $20 and winning a high division price - as soon as you win, that $20 ticket is more than what its worth instantly.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 06 November 2013, 20:59:14
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?

All the butthurt over clack resales is just envy. First butthurt incident: you lost the drawing or the 4Grabs event. This is absolute proof that the universe is deeply unfair; possibly even openly hostile to you. And then the final indignity: the horrible person(s) who won the clack at the below-market price immediately offers to sell it at a price you either cannot or will not pay. Cloak that envy and butthurt in rage against profit and you can take some solace in the knowledge that you hurt the guy who was luckier than you. Take that, unfair universe!
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Wed, 06 November 2013, 21:27:28
Quote
1.  Have a minimum post count of 500 or 1 year of membership to post an auction.
2.  MUST have item in hand.
3.  Have a blanket percentage minimum of the sale price be donated to geekhack or possibly to other members in the event of property loss.  CPTBadass's switch tester tour comes to mind here.  If the seller wants to donate a higher percentage that is fine.
4.  All auctions must be approved by a moderator.
5.  These rules do not apply to the Dutch descending style auction mentioned here.
Does the % donated count for just simple classifieds threads?  I don't really like that for auctions either but whatever.

By any means I didn't mean for any of these to apply or standard classified sales.  Only auctions.  The primary reason being if someone wants to hold an auction to benefit the community then it may be held here.  If it is for personal profit then take it somewhere that has protections for buyer/seller.

I am no stranger to auctions either.  I have been going to Ducks Unlimited banquet dinners almost every year since I was about 8 years old.  The are a non-profit organization that helps restore wetlands for waterfowl and has been at least in the top 10 for cents on the dollar that comes in actually going toward the cause.  It is mostly run by volunteers.  They hold raffles, silent auctions, and live auctions at every event.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Danule on Wed, 06 November 2013, 21:48:07
I see a few people posting on here using "thats how the world works" as an excuse to do morally questinable things, or at least defend morally questionable things.  What kind of community are we trying to build here?  The real world may be full of garbage humans using one another for selfish reasons, should this place be too?
Idk what is so selfish or unreasonable about selling something for what it is worth on the market.

Ok so is it alright to enter an auction for an item you cant even use, stopping some one who can acutally use that item and purchace it at a resonable price, then  trying to sell it to them at 5 times the price as not selfish or unresonable?

All the butthurt over clack resales is just envy. First butthurt incident: you lost the drawing or the 4Grabs event. This is absolute proof that the universe is deeply unfair; possibly even openly hostile to you. And then the final indignity: the horrible person(s) who won the clack at the below-market price immediately offers to sell it at a price you either cannot or will not pay. Cloak that envy and butthurt in rage against profit and you can take some solace in the knowledge that you hurt the guy who was luckier than you. Take that unfair universe!

This is what i was talking about,  "the world is ****" so its ok to treat people like ****.

Thats a great way to think.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Polymer on Wed, 06 November 2013, 22:22:07
I don't think it is reasonable to charge a fee that goes to geekhack for auctions unless a service is provided for that cost. A service beyond the basic ability to post.

There is a service...someone is paying to host this site..work was put into getting this site up.  Time was put in to develop a community.  The platform is there bringing people together which is, in some cases, allowing people to make money from having those people in one place.  You'd pay fees to sell on ebay, why would you be against paying fees to support a site you actually are a part of?

Since Click Clack is being rather generous in NOT raising his prices even though he could...in the least some of the money being made off of this work (that he does for the community) would come back to the community as a whole to help maintain/upgrade pay for the site. 

I would actually be more in favor of CC raising his prices with a % going to GH.  Help the community, dull some of the profiteering and hopefully make some extra money for himself...

Higher starting prices = Less margin for people flipping them = fewer people willing to go through the effort of flipping.

Not that I want to tell CC how to run his business but other ways to help this problem is releasing more of a single item instead of fewer numbers of many.  Greater initial supply = more competition to sell and also quickly goes through the few that are willing to pay higher prices.  Gets to a more proper market value. 
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 06 November 2013, 22:59:56
All the butthurt over clack resales is just envy. First butthurt incident: you lost the drawing or the 4Grabs event. This is absolute proof that the universe is deeply unfair; possibly even openly hostile to you. And then the final indignity: the horrible person(s) who won the clack at the below-market price immediately offers to sell it at a price you either cannot or will not pay. Cloak that envy and butthurt in rage against profit and you can take some solace in the knowledge that you hurt the guy who was luckier than you. Take that unfair universe!

Do you really feel this way? A member (who I won't name unless he wants to be) offered to sell me a CC at cost after he saw one of my posts criticizing the profiteering and auctions on the forum. I politely declined since I'm way more bothered by the bull**** that's flying by here than not having a novelty keycap (which will eventually find its way to me, sooner or later).

For me, this is much bigger than the recent CC raffle. It's an ongoing issue that I see that encompasses not only CCs, but other items such as Korean customs.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 06 November 2013, 23:11:14
All the butthurt over clack resales is just envy. First butthurt incident: you lost the drawing or the 4Grabs event. This is absolute proof that the universe is deeply unfair; possibly even openly hostile to you. And then the final indignity: the horrible person(s) who won the clack at the below-market price immediately offers to sell it at a price you either cannot or will not pay. Cloak that envy and butthurt in rage against profit and you can take some solace in the knowledge that you hurt the guy who was luckier than you. Take that unfair universe!

Do you really feel this way? A member (who I won't name unless he wants to be) offered to sell me a CC at cost after he saw one of my posts criticizing the profiteering and auctions on the forum. I politely declined since I'm way more bothered by the bull**** that's flying by here than not having a novelty keycap (which will eventually find its way to me, sooner or later).

For me, this is much bigger than the recent CC raffle. It's an ongoing issue that I see that encompasses not only CCs, but other items such as Korean customs.
Cause they aren't like any other rare or valuable good?  Nobody complains about comic books or sports memorabilia fetching a pretty penny.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 00:05:45
All the butthurt over clack resales is just envy. First butthurt incident: you lost the drawing or the 4Grabs event. This is absolute proof that the universe is deeply unfair; possibly even openly hostile to you. And then the final indignity: the horrible person(s) who won the clack at the below-market price immediately offers to sell it at a price you either cannot or will not pay. Cloak that envy and butthurt in rage against profit and you can take some solace in the knowledge that you hurt the guy who was luckier than you. Take that unfair universe!

Do you really feel this way? A member (who I won't name unless he wants to be) offered to sell me a CC at cost after he saw one of my posts criticizing the profiteering and auctions on the forum. I politely declined since I'm way more bothered by the bull**** that's flying by here than not having a novelty keycap (which will eventually find its way to me, sooner or later).

For me, this is much bigger than the recent CC raffle. It's an ongoing issue that I see that encompasses not only CCs, but other items such as Korean customs.

i've given you examples about how things'll go if you move it over to ebay
people are still gonna discuss about the ebay auctions and **** all over them

Btw, im a bit confused about how you perceive the korean customs value.
Are you saying the korean custom keyboards are being sold significantly above cost?  Or are you just upset they're being sold at a high cost?

Do you remember 2 years ago when any Cherry MX Red keyboard was selling basically for over $200.00?
There were Filco MX Red TKLs going for close to $300.
I assure you that wasn't the price, but there was a shortage of MX Red Keyboards so that was the market price.

It just seems to me you want nothing to do with sales in GH at all.
Which is fine for your opinion, its just not a viable option imo as people are going to be talking about purchases they can find in other areas.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 07 November 2013, 00:32:54
Let's put these Korean customs in perspective.  The markup on those vs group buy price PLUS switches PLUS any other parts and assembly is quite small, percentage wise--in many cases people can just break even or worse.  Clacks, on the other hand, ...dramatic markup.  Not in the same category by a long shot.  So there's no point adding custom keyboards to the list of problems.  They are what they are for a reason.  If you can make one for significantly less, I'm sure we'd all like to see that.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 07 November 2013, 00:37:05
Let's put these Korean customs in perspective.  The markup on those vs group buy price PLUS switches PLUS any other parts and assembly is quite small, percentage wise--in many cases people can just break even or worse.  Clacks, on the other hand, ...dramatic markup.  Not in the same category by a long shot.  So there's no point adding custom keyboards to the list of problems.  They are what they are for a reason.  If you can make one for significantly less, I'm sure we'd all like to see that.

I would have to agree here
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 00:40:01
Let's put these Korean customs in perspective.  The markup on those vs group buy price PLUS switches PLUS any other parts and assembly is quite small, percentage wise--in many cases people can just break even or worse.  Clacks, on the other hand, ...dramatic markup.  Not in the same category by a long shot.  So there's no point adding custom keyboards to the list of problems.  They are what they are for a reason.  If you can make one for significantly less, I'm sure we'd all like to see that.
It is quite obvious why there is such a mark up on clacks.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 01:24:51
All the butthurt over clack resales is just envy. First butthurt incident: you lost the drawing or the 4Grabs event. This is absolute proof that the universe is deeply unfair; possibly even openly hostile to you. And then the final indignity: the horrible person(s) who won the clack at the below-market price immediately offers to sell it at a price you either cannot or will not pay. Cloak that envy and butthurt in rage against profit and you can take some solace in the knowledge that you hurt the guy who was luckier than you. Take that unfair universe!

Do you really feel this way? A member (who I won't name unless he wants to be) offered to sell me a CC at cost after he saw one of my posts criticizing the profiteering and auctions on the forum. I politely declined since I'm way more bothered by the bull**** that's flying by here than not having a novelty keycap (which will eventually find its way to me, sooner or later).

For me, this is much bigger than the recent CC raffle. It's an ongoing issue that I see that encompasses not only CCs, but other items such as Korean customs.

i've given you examples about how things'll go if you move it over to ebay
people are still gonna discuss about the ebay auctions and **** all over them

Btw, im a bit confused about how you perceive the korean customs value.
Are you saying the korean custom keyboards are being sold significantly above cost?  Or are you just upset they're being sold at a high cost?

Do you remember 2 years ago when any Cherry MX Red keyboard was selling basically for over $200.00?
There were Filco MX Red TKLs going for close to $300.
I assure you that wasn't the price, but there was a shortage of MX Red Keyboards so that was the market price.

It just seems to me you want nothing to do with sales in GH at all.
Which is fine for your opinion, its just not a viable option imo as people are going to be talking about purchases they can find in other areas.

I'm not sure why you're misinterpreting what I'm saying so I'll clarify a bit. I am not "upset" with Korean keyboards because they are expensive. They are expensive because the material and production cost is expensive, so it makes sense. My problem is with the mark-ups on items such as CCs, Korean customs, and even these MX Red boards 2 years ago. Why can't people just be reasonable and just sell at or near cost? Does making some profit on these items really matter enough to put profit before the community? I've never sold anything with a mark-up. In fact, most of the items I've sold have been around the initial cost or below it. Perhaps I'm too idealistic in a place which many do not share my reasonable buying/selling views.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 01:32:14
All the butthurt over clack resales is just envy. First butthurt incident: you lost the drawing or the 4Grabs event. This is absolute proof that the universe is deeply unfair; possibly even openly hostile to you. And then the final indignity: the horrible person(s) who won the clack at the below-market price immediately offers to sell it at a price you either cannot or will not pay. Cloak that envy and butthurt in rage against profit and you can take some solace in the knowledge that you hurt the guy who was luckier than you. Take that unfair universe!

Do you really feel this way? A member (who I won't name unless he wants to be) offered to sell me a CC at cost after he saw one of my posts criticizing the profiteering and auctions on the forum. I politely declined since I'm way more bothered by the bull**** that's flying by here than not having a novelty keycap (which will eventually find its way to me, sooner or later).

For me, this is much bigger than the recent CC raffle. It's an ongoing issue that I see that encompasses not only CCs, but other items such as Korean customs.

i've given you examples about how things'll go if you move it over to ebay
people are still gonna discuss about the ebay auctions and **** all over them

Btw, im a bit confused about how you perceive the korean customs value.
Are you saying the korean custom keyboards are being sold significantly above cost?  Or are you just upset they're being sold at a high cost?

Do you remember 2 years ago when any Cherry MX Red keyboard was selling basically for over $200.00?
There were Filco MX Red TKLs going for close to $300.
I assure you that wasn't the price, but there was a shortage of MX Red Keyboards so that was the market price.

It just seems to me you want nothing to do with sales in GH at all.
Which is fine for your opinion, its just not a viable option imo as people are going to be talking about purchases they can find in other areas.

I'm not sure why you're misinterpreting what I'm saying so I'll clarify a bit. I am not "upset" with Korean keyboards because they are expensive. They are expensive because the material and production cost is expensive, so it makes sense. My problem is with the mark-ups on items such as CCs, Korean customs, and even these MX Red boards 2 years ago. Why can't people just be reasonable and just sell at or near cost? Does making some profit on these items really matter enough to put profit before the community? I've never sold anything with a mark-up. In fact, most of the items I've sold have been around the initial cost or below it. Perhaps I'm too idealistic in a place which many do not share my reasonable buying/selling views.

whats a korean custom if not a korean keyboard?
im confused.

And no offense, in terms of the community from the short time i've been on GH, there's the OG GH members club, the new breed members who banded together with their passion, the a bunch of us enthusiasts but not diehards.

If you've seen my previous posts, i've called out many of the OG old boys club member's hypocrisy many times when it came to sell threads.

Frankly i think you're view of an ideal GH is not realistic.

Anyway, you must be a better man that I am, with your views.
Like i personally tried to get in on the Walmart website price error on video games, a few of my buddies got multiple copies of BF4 and Pokemon for only 19 bucks each.
I myself tried but just got the cancellation email from walmart.

I won't say im not above taking advantage of people/companies i guess.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 01:39:26
whats a korean custom if not a korean keyboard?
im confused.

Anyway, you must be a better man that I am, with your views.
Like i personally tried to get in on the Walmart website price error on video games, a few of my buddies got multiple copies of BF4 and Pokemon for only 19 bucks each.
I myself tried but just got the cancellation email from walmart.

I won't say im not above taking advantage of people/companies i guess.

Yes, Korean custom = Korean custom keyboard

...Walmart. I disagree with the notion that corporations are people. I liken ripping off Walmart as an act of Robin Hood. When it comes to exploitation of workers by a corporation, Walmart is easily one of the worst in the U.S.

GH community members are fellow keyboard hobbyists, however! We should treat each other as such and promote fair buying/selling practices..
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 07 November 2013, 04:42:02
An interesting point earlier was time zones.

If a CC goes for sale at a price I can afford, there is a very high chance that someone overseas will be selling, and someone overseas will buy it before I even become aware of the FS thread.

At least with an auction I have a chance to place a bid.

Unfortunately those with more disposable income than me inevitably (and quickly) raise the price much higher than I can afford.

There I miss out, and have missed out many times recently.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Thu, 07 November 2013, 07:16:58
This is what i was talking about,  "the world is ****" so its ok to treat people like ****.
Thats a great way to think.

Sadly, I am not the Lathe of Heaven. I'm not making the world into an evil, unfair place where some people win clacks at artificially below-market prices in lotteries, and some people don't win. I'm just pointing out the nature of the universe. When I don't win lotteries I don't cry and declare the world is a bad place, out to get me and rigged to reward others. I shrug and hope for better luck next time, or I scrape together the money to buy the item I want at the actual market price from whomever did win and is willing to sell to me. Some people want to change this basic fact of nature through the power of their collective butthurt.

Solution #1: End 4Grabs and EK lotteries and just sell the clacks at $100 a piece, or at whatever price the market determines. In this scenario, only the people who really, really want one (and have the money) will get one. There would be less butthurt because people who refuse to pay (or cannot pay) will have a much lower chance of getting a clack, but at least the possibility won't be tantalizingly dangled over their faces via a lottery.

Solution #2: Make more clacks. But this is not up to us and is not likely to change. You don't mess with a man's art.

Solution #3: Continue the lotteries so that once in a while, someone who can only afford a $40 price point clack will sometimes receive one. And, accept the fact that sometimes the person who wins the clack will opt to sell it for what it's actually worth instead of at the artificially lowered price set by the (likely) compassionate artist who makes them.

EDIT:

Solution #3a: Continue the lotteries, but the set the price at what the aftermarket prices reflect. You win the lottery, woo-hoo! Now pay the $100 for the clack. Will people still try to sell them for $150? Sure, but their margins will have shrunk, and fewer people will pay that much. Less butthurt.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 07:30:44
Sadly, I am not the Lathe of Heaven. I'm not making the world into an evil.

FLOCK you Krog! You spread the desire for smooth keys and make me want moar!!!!  :-*

PS: IF ANYONE WANTS AN MX FLOCKED SPACEBAR 6.25x I WILL SELL IT FOR $99.99  :thumb:

And is the world really ending because people are auctioning off clacks, why don't most people realize the best thing to do is PM the people looking for them and work something out, then nobody has to know. No butthurt, you get $$$$ or swag, end of story. Learn people.  8)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 09:34:25
This is what i was talking about,  "the world is ****" so its ok to treat people like ****.
Thats a great way to think.

Sadly, I am not the Lathe of Heaven. I'm not making the world into an evil, unfair place where some people win clacks at artificially below-market prices in lotteries, and some people don't win. I'm just pointing out the nature of the universe. When I don't win lotteries I don't cry and declare the world is a bad place, out to get me and rigged to reward others. I shrug and hope for better luck next time, or I scrape together the money to buy the item I want at the actual market price from whomever did win and is willing to sell to me. Some people want to change this basic fact of nature through the power of their collective butthurt.

Solution #1: End 4Grabs and EK lotteries and just sell the clacks at $100 a piece, or at whatever price the market determines. In this scenario, only the people who really, really want one (and have the money) will get one. There would be less butthurt because people who refuse to pay (or cannot pay) will have a much lower chance of getting a clack, but at least the possibility won't be tantalizingly dangled over their faces via a lottery.

Solution #2: Make more clacks. But this is not up to us and is not likely to change. You don't mess with a man's art.

Solution #3: Continue the lotteries so that once in a while, someone who can only afford a $40 price point clack will sometimes receive one. And, accept the fact that sometimes the person who wins the clack will opt to sell it for what it's actually worth instead of at the artificially lowered price set by the (likely) compassionate artist who makes them.

EDIT:

Solution #3a: Continue the lotteries, but the set the price at what the aftermarket prices reflect. You win the lottery, woo-hoo! Now pay the $100 for the clack. Will people still try to sell them for $150? Sure, but their margins will have shrunk, and fewer people will pay that much. Less butthurt.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 09:43:41
whats a korean custom if not a korean keyboard?
im confused.

Anyway, you must be a better man that I am, with your views.
Like i personally tried to get in on the Walmart website price error on video games, a few of my buddies got multiple copies of BF4 and Pokemon for only 19 bucks each.
I myself tried but just got the cancellation email from walmart.

I won't say im not above taking advantage of people/companies i guess.

Yes, Korean custom = Korean custom keyboard

...Walmart. I disagree with the notion that corporations are people. I liken ripping off Walmart as an act of Robin Hood. When it comes to exploitation of workers by a corporation, Walmart is easily one of the worst in the U.S.

GH community members are fellow keyboard hobbyists, however! We should treat each other as such and promote fair buying/selling practices..

see i find this fascinating, you're against the big corporation like walmart and have no problems taking advantage of them.
But I have to ask, who do you think suffers because of the price mistake advantage?
Walmart'll try to maintain their profit margin, so what will they do?  Pass that cost on to their workers and consumers.

Maybe everyone who buys a clack should incorporate themselves 1st, no sale without incorporation proof =)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Polymer on Thu, 07 November 2013, 09:52:39
Solution #1: End 4Grabs and EK lotteries and just sell the clacks at $100 a piece, or at whatever price the market determines. In this scenario, only the people who really, really want one (and have the money) will get one. There would be less butthurt because people who refuse to pay (or cannot pay) will have a much lower chance of getting a clack, but at least the possibility won't be tantalizingly dangled over their faces via a lottery.

They don't have to go to 100 a piece.  At 50 there will be a smaller margin in there.  At 60 even smaller.  Somewhere in there is a price where people just won't bother to flip because people aren't going to spend limitless money to buy and the margins are too small to be worth it

Of course, it could be there is so much demand that this goes really pear shaped as well but that doesn't look to be the case...
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 09:58:46
If anyone cares, my crusade to end auctions on Geekhack will not stop until the on-site auctions stop. My motivation has little to do with Clacks.

Auctions are set up for one purpose, and one purpose only. To maximize profit to the seller. Period. Geekhack is not a marketplace, contrary to the opinions of some. Geekhack is a community of keyboard enthusiasts. Auctioning your item to maximize your profits may benefit you, the seller, but it harms the SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY that exists, at least within some members of this community.

So, post your items for sale, not for auction. Set a price for them. If the price is out of line, expect to be called out for it. It's not threadcrapping, it's people who know better trying to inform others that what you are doing is counter to the SPIRIT OF THE COMMUNITY.

Also, I don't need a lesson in economics. I understand quite well how market forces of supply and demand work. BUT THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT I LOVE. Go peddle your wares elsewhere.

I FREQUENT THIS FORUM BECAUSE I LIKE INTERACTING WITH LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS, AND I HAVE MADE SOME GREAT FRIENDS HERE. I LEARN NEW THINGS ALL THE TIME ABOUT THIS HOBBY. THIS IS FUN FOR ME.

WHAT ISN'T FUN IS SEEING PEOPLE TRY TO MAKE A BUCK, AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR FELLOW FORUM MEMBER. IF YOU ARE HERE ON GEEKHACK PRIMARILY TO BUY AND SELL THINGS, AND YOU AREN'T A VENDOR WHO IS EXPECTED TO ABIDE BY A SPECIAL TOS, I WOULD PREFER YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR THAT PURPOSE, OR SIMPLY GO AWAY.

Of course, this is my very personal statement, which reflects no one's thoughts or opinions but my own. In no way should it be construed as anything official or sanctioned.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: digi on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:04:43
If anyone cares, my crusade to end auctions on Geekhack will not stop until the on-site auctions stop. My motivation has little to do with Clacks.

Auctions are set up for one purpose, and one purpose only. To maximize profit to the seller. Period. Geekhack is not a marketplace, contrary to the opinions of some. Geekhack is a community of keyboard enthusiasts. Auctioning your item to maximize your profits may benefit you, the seller, but it harms the SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY that exists, at least within some members of this community.

So, post your items for sale, not for auction. Set a price for them. If the price is out of line, expect to be called out for it. It's not threadcrapping, it's people who know better trying to inform others that what you are doing is counter to the SPIRIT OF THE COMMUNITY.

Also, I don't need a lesson in economics. I understand quite well how market forces of supply and demand work. BUT THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT I LOVE. Go peddle your wares elsewhere.

I FREQUENT THIS FORUM BECAUSE I LIKE INTERACTING WITH LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS, AND I HAVE MADE SOME GREAT FRIENDS HERE. I LEARN NEW THINGS ALL THE TIME ABOUT THIS HOBBY. THIS IS FUN FOR ME.

WHAT ISN'T FUN IS SEEING PEOPLE TRY TO MAKE A BUCK, AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR FELLOW FORUM MEMBER. IF YOU ARE HERE ON GEEKHACK PRIMARILY TO BUY AND SELL THINGS, AND YOU AREN'T A VENDOR WHO IS EXPECTED TO ABIDE BY A SPECIAL TOS, I WOULD PREFER YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR THAT PURPOSE, OR SIMPLY GO AWAY.

Of course, this is my very personal statement, which reflects no one's thoughts or opinions but my own. In no way should it be construed as anything official or sanctioned.

Microsoft Windows? Is that you typing in caps?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:17:41
I'm not sure why you're misinterpreting what I'm saying so I'll clarify a bit. I am not "upset" with Korean keyboards because they are expensive. They are expensive because the material and production cost is expensive, so it makes sense. My problem is with the mark-ups on items such as CCs, Korean customs, and even these MX Red boards 2 years ago. Why can't people just be reasonable and just sell at or near cost? Does making some profit on these items really matter enough to put profit before the community? I've never sold anything with a mark-up. In fact, most of the items I've sold have been around the initial cost or below it. Perhaps I'm too idealistic in a place which many do not share my reasonable buying/selling views.

Because you continue thinking there's dramatic mark up on custom-made (PCB, metal bodies) Korean keyboards, please point out more than a 30% mark up over group buy price in the past while, when taking into consideration adding switches, stickers, maybe springs, lubrication, in many cases LEDs, resistors, soldering expenses, and shipping.  A KMAK is selling on Originative right now for $400 without shipping.  Add switches and all the jazz to it, and shipping, it's going to sell for at least $500 on the Classifieds to break even.  Do you see them going for $700?  People are very vocal and critical in sale threads with any "overpriced" Korean customs, so those don't happen often.  How about LZ-GH--people are selling at cost or barely breaking even, judging by the past few sales I've been seeing.  There have been very few keyboards going for $600-800, and those usually DO end up on auctions.  We already know that auctions draw compulsive crowd that likes to win no matter the cost, hence this entire thread.  But that doesn't reflect the market overall, as there've been plenty of those custom keyboards sold with very little markup.  It boggles my mind that you'd lump such different things into the same category as Clacks and these keyboards.  The situation with them in terms of resale is not even remotely similar.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: microsoft windows on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:34:20
I have no feelings about auction threads. If somebody wants to bid on something or run an auction, power to 'em.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:36:19
If anyone cares, my crusade to end auctions on Geekhack will not stop until the on-site auctions stop. My motivation has little to do with Clacks.

Auctions are set up for one purpose, and one purpose only. To maximize profit to the seller. Period. Geekhack is not a marketplace, contrary to the opinions of some. Geekhack is a community of keyboard enthusiasts. Auctioning your item to maximize your profits may benefit you, the seller, but it harms the SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY that exists, at least within some members of this community.

So, post your items for sale, not for auction. Set a price for them. If the price is out of line, expect to be called out for it. It's not threadcrapping, it's people who know better trying to inform others that what you are doing is counter to the SPIRIT OF THE COMMUNITY.

Also, I don't need a lesson in economics. I understand quite well how market forces of supply and demand work. BUT THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT I LOVE. Go peddle your wares elsewhere.

I FREQUENT THIS FORUM BECAUSE I LIKE INTERACTING WITH LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS, AND I HAVE MADE SOME GREAT FRIENDS HERE. I LEARN NEW THINGS ALL THE TIME ABOUT THIS HOBBY. THIS IS FUN FOR ME.

WHAT ISN'T FUN IS SEEING PEOPLE TRY TO MAKE A BUCK, AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR FELLOW FORUM MEMBER. IF YOU ARE HERE ON GEEKHACK PRIMARILY TO BUY AND SELL THINGS, AND YOU AREN'T A VENDOR WHO IS EXPECTED TO ABIDE BY A SPECIAL TOS, I WOULD PREFER YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR THAT PURPOSE, OR SIMPLY GO AWAY.

Of course, this is my very personal statement, which reflects no one's thoughts or opinions but my own. In no way should it be construed as anything official or sanctioned.
I actually really understand what you're saying jd, and I am somewhat in agreement.  How do you propose people sell items for which they don't know the real price such as a rare korean custom?  I don't want a bunch of TW threads again.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:41:12
How do you propose people sell items for which they don't know the real price such as a rare korean custom?  I don't want a bunch of TW threads again.

A post in this thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31779.0) would probably be helpful to someone looking for a price estimate. Or ask around in the #geekhack IRC channel, as some of the people that hang around in there can provide good information.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:42:09
How do you propose people sell items for which they don't know the real price such as a rare korean custom?  I don't want a bunch of TW threads again.

A post in this thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31779.0) would probably be helpful to someone looking for a price estimate. Or ask around in the #geekhack IRC channel, as some of the people that hang around in there can provide good information.
Are you opposed to sales with PM best offer?  Or something of that sort?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:44:32
Auctions are set up for one purpose, and one purpose only. To maximize profit to the seller. Period. Geekhack is not a marketplace, contrary to the opinions of some. Geekhack is a community of keyboard enthusiasts. Auctioning your item to maximize your profits may benefit you, the seller, but it harms the SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY that exists, at least within some members of this community.

What's inherently wrong with trying to maximize your profit? How does someone's normal, natural desire to maximize their profit (or minimize their losses) harm the community?

So, post your items for sale, not for auction. Set a price for them.

Also, I don't need a lesson in economics. I understand quite well how market forces of supply and demand work. BUT THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT I LOVE. Go peddle your wares elsewhere.

I'm not sure if the "lesson in economics" comment is directed at me or not, but if market forces have no place at Geekhack then close the marketplace entirely. I don't see much of a functional difference between a fairly-run auction and direct pricing where the seller drops the price until someone buys -- the seller is still maximizing their profit (or minimizing their loss). They both achieve the same thing, but by different means.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:46:24
I'm not sure why you're misinterpreting what I'm saying so I'll clarify a bit. I am not "upset" with Korean keyboards because they are expensive. They are expensive because the material and production cost is expensive, so it makes sense. My problem is with the mark-ups on items such as CCs, Korean customs, and even these MX Red boards 2 years ago. Why can't people just be reasonable and just sell at or near cost? Does making some profit on these items really matter enough to put profit before the community? I've never sold anything with a mark-up. In fact, most of the items I've sold have been around the initial cost or below it. Perhaps I'm too idealistic in a place which many do not share my reasonable buying/selling views.

Because you continue thinking there's dramatic mark up on custom-made (PCB, metal bodies) Korean keyboards, please point out more than a 30% mark up over group buy price in the past while, when taking into consideration adding switches, stickers, maybe springs, lubrication, in many cases LEDs, resistors, soldering expenses, and shipping.  A KMAK is selling on Originative right now for $400 without shipping.  Add switches and all the jazz to it, and shipping, it's going to sell for at least $500 on the Classifieds to break even.  Do you see them going for $700?  People are very vocal and critical in sale threads with any "overpriced" Korean customs, so those don't happen often.  How about LZ-GH--people are selling at cost or barely breaking even, judging by the past few sales I've been seeing.  There have been very few keyboards going for $600-800, and those usually DO end up on auctions.  We already know that auctions draw compulsive crowd that likes to win no matter the cost, hence this entire thread.  But that doesn't reflect the market overall, as there've been plenty of those custom keyboards sold with very little markup.  It boggles my mind that you'd lump such different things into the same category as Clacks and these keyboards.  The situation with them in terms of resale is not even remotely similar.

Don't let it boggle your mind. Its pretty simple because like you said, most of the overpriced Korean customs do happen in auctions. That is why we are trying to end them.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:48:01
I'm not sure why you're misinterpreting what I'm saying so I'll clarify a bit. I am not "upset" with Korean keyboards because they are expensive. They are expensive because the material and production cost is expensive, so it makes sense. My problem is with the mark-ups on items such as CCs, Korean customs, and even these MX Red boards 2 years ago. Why can't people just be reasonable and just sell at or near cost? Does making some profit on these items really matter enough to put profit before the community? I've never sold anything with a mark-up. In fact, most of the items I've sold have been around the initial cost or below it. Perhaps I'm too idealistic in a place which many do not share my reasonable buying/selling views.

Because you continue thinking there's dramatic mark up on custom-made (PCB, metal bodies) Korean keyboards, please point out more than a 30% mark up over group buy price in the past while, when taking into consideration adding switches, stickers, maybe springs, lubrication, in many cases LEDs, resistors, soldering expenses, and shipping.  A KMAK is selling on Originative right now for $400 without shipping.  Add switches and all the jazz to it, and shipping, it's going to sell for at least $500 on the Classifieds to break even.  Do you see them going for $700?  People are very vocal and critical in sale threads with any "overpriced" Korean customs, so those don't happen often.  How about LZ-GH--people are selling at cost or barely breaking even, judging by the past few sales I've been seeing.  There have been very few keyboards going for $600-800, and those usually DO end up on auctions.  We already know that auctions draw compulsive crowd that likes to win no matter the cost, hence this entire thread.  But that doesn't reflect the market overall, as there've been plenty of those custom keyboards sold with very little markup.  It boggles my mind that you'd lump such different things into the same category as Clacks and these keyboards.  The situation with them in terms of resale is not even remotely similar.

Don't let it boggle your mind. Its pretty simple because like you said, most of the overpriced Korean customs do happen in auctions. That is why we are trying to end them.
Lets see some examples.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:52:22
What's inherently wrong with trying to maximize your profit? How does someone's normal, natural desire to maximize their profit (or minimize their losses) harm the community?

Nothing, if you're on the board of directors at a corporation. This community isn't a corporation. Profiteering is bringing out the worst in people, and adding nothing to the community. You really can't see this firsthand, or was this a rhetorical question?

I'm not sure if the "lesson in economics" comment is directed at me or not, but if market forces have no place at Geekhack then close the marketplace entirely. I don't see much of a functional difference between a fairly-run auction and direct pricing where the seller drops the price until someone buys -- the seller is still maximizing their profit (or minimizing their loss). They both achieve the same thing, but by different means.

Nope. Wasn't directed at you, or anyone in particular. I simply tire of people thinking that because I want the community to grow and prosper, and therefore hold to my ideal view of this forum as a community of members who are here to help and support each other, rather than to profit from opportunity, that I am somehow lacking in intelligence.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:55:51
I'm not sure why you're misinterpreting what I'm saying so I'll clarify a bit. I am not "upset" with Korean keyboards because they are expensive. They are expensive because the material and production cost is expensive, so it makes sense. My problem is with the mark-ups on items such as CCs, Korean customs, and even these MX Red boards 2 years ago. Why can't people just be reasonable and just sell at or near cost? Does making some profit on these items really matter enough to put profit before the community? I've never sold anything with a mark-up. In fact, most of the items I've sold have been around the initial cost or below it. Perhaps I'm too idealistic in a place which many do not share my reasonable buying/selling views.

Because you continue thinking there's dramatic mark up on custom-made (PCB, metal bodies) Korean keyboards, please point out more than a 30% mark up over group buy price in the past while, when taking into consideration adding switches, stickers, maybe springs, lubrication, in many cases LEDs, resistors, soldering expenses, and shipping.  A KMAK is selling on Originative right now for $400 without shipping.  Add switches and all the jazz to it, and shipping, it's going to sell for at least $500 on the Classifieds to break even.  Do you see them going for $700?  People are very vocal and critical in sale threads with any "overpriced" Korean customs, so those don't happen often.  How about LZ-GH--people are selling at cost or barely breaking even, judging by the past few sales I've been seeing.  There have been very few keyboards going for $600-800, and those usually DO end up on auctions.  We already know that auctions draw compulsive crowd that likes to win no matter the cost, hence this entire thread.  But that doesn't reflect the market overall, as there've been plenty of those custom keyboards sold with very little markup.  It boggles my mind that you'd lump such different things into the same category as Clacks and these keyboards.  The situation with them in terms of resale is not even remotely similar.

Don't let it boggle your mind. Its pretty simple because like you said, most of the overpriced Korean customs do happen in auctions. That is why we are trying to end them.
Lets see some examples.

what about those listoki boards or whatever they were? I think he only came here to sell things instead of kbdmania where they know how much those boards cost.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Moosecraft on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:58:38
All I have to say right now is JD for president
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:01:31
I'm not sure why you're misinterpreting what I'm saying so I'll clarify a bit. I am not "upset" with Korean keyboards because they are expensive. They are expensive because the material and production cost is expensive, so it makes sense. My problem is with the mark-ups on items such as CCs, Korean customs, and even these MX Red boards 2 years ago. Why can't people just be reasonable and just sell at or near cost? Does making some profit on these items really matter enough to put profit before the community? I've never sold anything with a mark-up. In fact, most of the items I've sold have been around the initial cost or below it. Perhaps I'm too idealistic in a place which many do not share my reasonable buying/selling views.

Because you continue thinking there's dramatic mark up on custom-made (PCB, metal bodies) Korean keyboards, please point out more than a 30% mark up over group buy price in the past while, when taking into consideration adding switches, stickers, maybe springs, lubrication, in many cases LEDs, resistors, soldering expenses, and shipping.  A KMAK is selling on Originative right now for $400 without shipping.  Add switches and all the jazz to it, and shipping, it's going to sell for at least $500 on the Classifieds to break even.  Do you see them going for $700?  People are very vocal and critical in sale threads with any "overpriced" Korean customs, so those don't happen often.  How about LZ-GH--people are selling at cost or barely breaking even, judging by the past few sales I've been seeing.  There have been very few keyboards going for $600-800, and those usually DO end up on auctions.  We already know that auctions draw compulsive crowd that likes to win no matter the cost, hence this entire thread.  But that doesn't reflect the market overall, as there've been plenty of those custom keyboards sold with very little markup.  It boggles my mind that you'd lump such different things into the same category as Clacks and these keyboards.  The situation with them in terms of resale is not even remotely similar.

Don't let it boggle your mind. Its pretty simple because like you said, most of the overpriced Korean customs do happen in auctions. That is why we are trying to end them.
Lets see some examples.

Sure. Here are some by one of the moderators of this forum.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.msg1000155#msg1000155
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44764.msg929824#msg929824
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37594.msg718227#msg718227

The point here is that it does happen, no matter how often or by more or less profit than the sales of CCs. It shouldn't happen at all.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:11:23
I'm not sure why you're misinterpreting what I'm saying so I'll clarify a bit. I am not "upset" with Korean keyboards because they are expensive. They are expensive because the material and production cost is expensive, so it makes sense. My problem is with the mark-ups on items such as CCs, Korean customs, and even these MX Red boards 2 years ago. Why can't people just be reasonable and just sell at or near cost? Does making some profit on these items really matter enough to put profit before the community? I've never sold anything with a mark-up. In fact, most of the items I've sold have been around the initial cost or below it. Perhaps I'm too idealistic in a place which many do not share my reasonable buying/selling views.

Because you continue thinking there's dramatic mark up on custom-made (PCB, metal bodies) Korean keyboards, please point out more than a 30% mark up over group buy price in the past while, when taking into consideration adding switches, stickers, maybe springs, lubrication, in many cases LEDs, resistors, soldering expenses, and shipping.  A KMAK is selling on Originative right now for $400 without shipping.  Add switches and all the jazz to it, and shipping, it's going to sell for at least $500 on the Classifieds to break even.  Do you see them going for $700?  People are very vocal and critical in sale threads with any "overpriced" Korean customs, so those don't happen often.  How about LZ-GH--people are selling at cost or barely breaking even, judging by the past few sales I've been seeing.  There have been very few keyboards going for $600-800, and those usually DO end up on auctions.  We already know that auctions draw compulsive crowd that likes to win no matter the cost, hence this entire thread.  But that doesn't reflect the market overall, as there've been plenty of those custom keyboards sold with very little markup.  It boggles my mind that you'd lump such different things into the same category as Clacks and these keyboards.  The situation with them in terms of resale is not even remotely similar.

Don't let it boggle your mind. Its pretty simple because like you said, most of the overpriced Korean customs do happen in auctions. That is why we are trying to end them.
Lets see some examples.

Sure. Here are some by one of the moderators of this forum.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.msg1000155#msg1000155
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44764.msg929824#msg929824
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37594.msg718227#msg718227

The point here is that it does happen, no matter how often or by more or less profit than the sales of CCs. It shouldn't happen at all.
That KMAC went for a lot lower than it should have considering you can get a new one for $410 and it came with keycaps.  The Pla Poker was a ****ing steal.  LZSE is an extremely rare keyboard and even though it cost a lot less originally, its value has risen over time and obviously Meiosis felt it was a worthwhile purchase. 
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:16:29
Okay, we obviously don't see eye to eye on a very simple thing and that is whether or not members should be able to maximize profits in their sales to other members. If we don't agree that it's wrong, then there's no need to continue the argument I'm making here.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:17:39
Okay, we obviously don't see eye to eye on a very simple thing and that is whether or not members should be able to maximize profits in their sales to other members. If we don't agree that it's wrong, then there's no need to continue the argument I'm making here.
Dude you know he didn't make money on those sales right?  There was no profiteering.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:21:37
Okay, we obviously don't see eye to eye on a very simple thing and that is whether or not members should be able to maximize profits in their sales to other members. If we don't agree that it's wrong, then there's no need to continue the argument I'm making here.
Dude you know he didn't make money on those sales right?  There was no profiteering.

$700 for a LZSE? Also, did you completely overlook all the other items he sold for obnoxious amounts?

Quote
KMAC II Current Bid -  $460 GeeGee
Pla Poker Current Bid -  $350 Meiosis
LZSE Current Bid -  $700 Meiosis

0. Salute Tri - $300 i488
1A. Tanslucent Ice Blue - $400 sleepy916
1B. Candy Corn Skull - $220 domoaligato
1C. OG Tri - $250 Forsythe
1D. Jack o' Lantern - $370  sleepy916
1E. Mr Friday - $250  evolyn
1F. Metalic Blue (it shines!) - $160 jcrouse
1G. 3D - $105 Smeagol_RP
1H. 3D -  $180 Respite
1I. Yolk Yellow - $160  jcrouse
1J. Dark yolk yellow? -  $150 jcrouse
1K. Guac/alvacardo green - $130 ekw808
1L. Tickle me Pink - $180 jcrouse
1M. Army/Machine Green - $225  ekw808
1N. EK Grey - $130  winzds
1O. Midnight Blue -  $175 jcrouse
1P. Hack Orange -  $105 GeeGee
1Q. 420 sticky icky icky Toasted Black/Green/White-  $125 whiteduck
1R. 420 sticky icky icky Toasted Green/Red/Yellow - $85  KangarooZombies
1S. 420 sticky icky O'Natural Yellow/Red -  $115  TheBinary
1T. 420 sticky icky O'Natural Black/Pink -  $125 whiteduck

2A. EK Red F2 -  $85 Kabuks
2B. EK Blue F2 -  $115 TheBinary
2C. Dark Lord - $155 jalaj

3A. Mint green WASD - $75 GeeGee
3B. Candy corn Arrows -  $165 domoaligato

4A. Translucent Pink  -  $75 HendyZone
4B. Translucent Violet - $170 blabber86
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:29:35
What's inherently wrong with trying to maximize your profit? How does someone's normal, natural desire to maximize their profit (or minimize their losses) harm the community?

Nothing, if you're on the board of directors at a corporation. This community isn't a corporation. Profiteering is bringing out the worst in people, and adding nothing to the community. You really can't see this firsthand, or was this a rhetorical question?

How do you distinguish between 'profiteering' (excessive profit) and market transactions that are acceptable? I don't see the harm in letting someone pay $400 for something that I only think is worth $40. It's their money, and their decision as an adult to accept that price. Also, 'you really can't see this firsthand'? -- I can see the irritation of some members, jd, but I don't think it justifies ending auctions. If the buyer and seller are both satisfied, then where's the problem?

Also, the fact that geekhack is not a corporation is irrelevant; market forces are at work whenever people trade anything for value.

Quote from: jdcarpe
I'm not sure if the "lesson in economics" comment is directed at me or not, but if market forces have no place at Geekhack then close the marketplace entirely. I don't see much of a functional difference between a fairly-run auction and direct pricing where the seller drops the price until someone buys -- the seller is still maximizing their profit (or minimizing their loss). They both achieve the same thing, but by different means.

Nope. Wasn't directed at you, or anyone in particular. I simply tire of people thinking that because I want the community to grow and prosper, and therefore hold to my ideal view of this forum as a community of members who are here to help and support each other, rather than to profit from opportunity, that I am somehow lacking in intelligence.

Someone with your list of accomplishments has no reason to think anyone doubts your intelligence. I, like you, want Geekhack to grow and prosper. And I don't think the people who want to end auctions, end the marketplace, or regulate it to death, etc. are stupid. I think their ideas are bad for Geekhack. Most of the transactions at Geekhack are profitable to both parties. The offended parties, it seems to me, are third parties, observers of the transactions who are deeply offended anyway. Their irritation in my view is unjustified, but still, they are my fellow GHers, and if we can reduce their irritation then we should try. But I don't think there would be any way to do so; if people are determined to be offended, they will be.

I will openly and willingly apologize, however, for using the term "butthurt" so many times. That's not helping the discussion.  :(

I'm in agreement with your position on "threadcrapping" which is used as a way to prevent people (the market) from determining what's a reasonable price. I'm glad you love Geekhack. I love this place too -- and if the market here is distorted I believe it will be bad for Geekhack. Markets are natural outgrowths of healthy communities. Anything that allows for a vigorous, free, fraud-free marketplace I support.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:29:50
Y'all need logic.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:31:16
The past is past, and all we have is the present, and what we will do in the future. We can't change the fact that items have been auctioned, and that profiteering is causing much drama on the forum right now. All we can do is take a stand, and say, "NO MORE." That's where I'm trying to get. It's pointless to argue over sales and auctions that have already occurred, when what we need to be doing is forging the new path going forward. Let's refuse to be part of the problem any longer. You do not have to accept the status quo. We can turn this around right here and now. That's the point of this whole thread, not the bickering.

If we can agree that a consensus exists to move auctions off-site, then we are getting somewhere. It's the start of moving the forum back in the right direction.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:31:26
Sure. Here are some by one of the moderators of this forum.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.msg1000155#msg1000155
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44764.msg929824#msg929824
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37594.msg718227#msg718227

The point here is that it does happen, no matter how often or by more or less profit than the sales of CCs. It shouldn't happen at all.

The second link is not an auction--it's a normal sale thread.  There's only one "overpriced" Korean Custom out of those 3 threads, and it's LZ-SE, which is for whatever reason one of the most desirable customs.  Even so, say it normally went for $550--this is an auction, and as discussed, people overbid on rare items.  We don't disagree with you that auctions promote poor decisions.  I was only trying to set the record straight that on average--really in most cases--Korean customs are not overpriced on the classifieds vs. their group buy price + assembly and everything in between.  Clacks are ALWAYS overpriced--in auctions or not.  There are only a relative handful of LZ-SEs, but there are LOTS of Clacks out there in all sorts of colors, and they get overpriced by at least 300%.  Usually more like 400% and up.  Do you know what a KMAK would cost at a 400% markup?  Something like $2000+.  That's to put it in perspective.  You could say that it's not the same thing in monetary value, but then Clacks are small pieces of plastic, and Korean customs are complex kits with a lot more work that went into them, so it becomes very subjective when someone adds a $100 or so on top of the GB price because of any modifications and such.  I consider that perfectly acceptable, as someone who appreciates getting good deals and does not have a high budget for hobbies.  Because I know how much money can go into what seems like small modifications--and even shipping.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:34:07
Sure. Here are some by one of the moderators of this forum.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47112.msg1000155#msg1000155
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44764.msg929824#msg929824
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37594.msg718227#msg718227

The point here is that it does happen, no matter how often or by more or less profit than the sales of CCs. It shouldn't happen at all.

The second link is not an auction--it's a normal sale thread.  There's only one "overpriced" Korean Custom out of those 3 threads, and it's LZ-SE, which is for whatever reason one of the most desirable customs.  Even so, say it normally went for $550--this is an auction, and as discussed, people overbid on rare items.  We don't disagree with you that auctions promote poor decisions.  I was only trying to set the record straight that on average--really in most cases--Korean customs are not overpriced on the classifieds vs. their group buy price + assembly and everything in between.  Clacks are ALWAYS overpriced--in auctions or not.  There are only a relative handful of LZ-SEs, but there are LOTS of Clacks out there in all sorts of colors, and they get overpriced by at least 300%.  Usually more like 400% and up.  Do you know what a KMAK would cost at a 400% markup?  Something like $2000+.  That's to put it in perspective.  You could say that it's not the same thing in monetary value, but then Clacks are small pieces of plastic, and Korean customs are complex kits with a lot more work that went into them, so it becomes very subjective when someone adds a $100 or so on top of the GB price because of any modifications and such.  I consider that perfectly acceptable, as someone who appreciates getting good deals and does not have a high budget for hobbies.

I don't disagree that the overpricing of Korean customs doesn't happen nearly as much as CCs. I was never trying to make that claim but rather state that it does happen. Because it does happen on occasion is still a problem.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:35:39
The past is past, and all we have is the present, and what we will do in the future. We can't change the fact that items have been auctioned, and that profiteering is causing much drama on the forum right now. All we can do is take a stand, and say, "NO MORE." That's where I'm trying to get. It's pointless to argue over sales and auctions that have already occurred, when what we need to be doing is forging the new path going forward. Let's refuse to be part of the problem any longer. You do not have to accept the status quo. We can turn this around right here and now. That's the point of this whole thread, not the bickering.

If we can agree that a consensus exists to move auctions off-site, then we are getting somewhere. It's the start of moving the forum back in the right direction.

Yes!
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:38:51
So if someone bought a 'wdiget' for $300, regardless of what everyone thinks it 'cost' will they be shamed for trying to sell said 'widget' at the price they purchased it?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:39:24
I don't disagree that the overpricing of Korean customs doesn't happen nearly as much as CCs. I was never trying to make that claim but rather state that it does happen. Because it does happen on occasion is still a problem.

If you're going to generalize like that, you need more solid examples and some statistics.  We can all agree about Clacks, because they are Always overpriced, regardless of auctions.  But you need to back yourself up when talking about other items.  A handful of occasions is not going to make your case, because there are so many sales going on on the Classifieds, 1% of sales is not a problem.  Those keycaps you linked in the last thread are a great example of something very overpriced because of an auction, however.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: ITzNybble on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:39:44
The past is past, and all we have is the present, and what we will do in the future. We can't change the fact that items have been auctioned, and that profiteering is causing much drama on the forum right now. All we can do is take a stand, and say, "NO MORE." That's where I'm trying to get. It's pointless to argue over sales and auctions that have already occurred, when what we need to be doing is forging the new path going forward. Let's refuse to be part of the problem any longer. You do not have to accept the status quo. We can turn this around right here and now. That's the point of this whole thread, not the bickering.

If we can agree that a consensus exists to move auctions off-site, then we are getting somewhere. It's the start of moving the forum back in the right direction.

I agree.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:44:02
So if someone bought a 'wdiget' for $300, regardless of what everyone thinks it 'cost' will they be shamed for trying to sell said 'widget' at the price they purchased it?

Now you begin to see the problem.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:44:37
So if someone bought a 'wdiget' for $300, regardless of what everyone thinks it 'cost' will they be shamed for trying to sell said 'widget' at the price they purchased it?

Now you begin to see the problem.

personally i really don't see the problem lol.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:45:41
So if someone bought a 'wdiget' for $300, regardless of what everyone thinks it 'cost' will they be shamed for trying to sell said 'widget' at the price they purchased it?

Now you begin to see the problem.

personally i really don't see the problem lol.

Widgets:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YlVDGmjz7eM#t=62
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:46:26
We can all agree about Clacks, because they are Always overpriced, regardless of auctions.

Oh really? I don't sell Clacks, because I won't sell them at inflated prices. When I value them for trading non-Clack items, I always consider the value at retail cost. Am I a fool for doing so? Maybe. But you can't say ALWAYS, either.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:46:36
I don't disagree that the overpricing of Korean customs doesn't happen nearly as much as CCs. I was never trying to make that claim but rather state that it does happen. Because it does happen on occasion is still a problem.

If you're going to generalize like that, you need more solid examples and some statistics.  We can all agree about Clacks, because they are Always overpriced, regardless of auctions.  But you need to back yourself up when talking about other items.  A handful of occasions is not going to make your case, because there are so many sales going on on the Classifieds, 1% of sales is not a problem.  Those keycaps you linked in the last thread are a great example of something very overpriced because of an auction, however.

Lol, I'm not going to search dozens of pages looking for overpriced Korean customs. I've seen it happen and so have others -- it's no secret. While the obvious culprit of the need to get rid of auctions from this forum are CCs, any kind of overpriced item such as Korean customs or even $20 Beast switch tool (yes, really) should not be tolerated.

I'm done beating a dead horse with this.

tl;dr = Auctions cause overpriced items, mostly CCs but including Korean customs and other items.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:47:34
So if someone bought a 'wdiget' for $300, regardless of what everyone thinks it 'cost' will they be shamed for trying to sell said 'widget' at the price they purchased it?

Now you begin to see the problem.

personally i really don't see the problem lol.

Widgets:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YlVDGmjz7eM#t=62

everyone loves widgets!

(http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131102020507/aceattorney/images/3/3a/For_Derek%27s_Eyes.jpg)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:51:48
I don't disagree that the overpricing of Korean customs doesn't happen nearly as much as CCs. I was never trying to make that claim but rather state that it does happen. Because it does happen on occasion is still a problem.

If you're going to generalize like that, you need more solid examples and some statistics.  We can all agree about Clacks, because they are Always overpriced, regardless of auctions.  But you need to back yourself up when talking about other items.  A handful of occasions is not going to make your case, because there are so many sales going on on the Classifieds, 1% of sales is not a problem.  Those keycaps you linked in the last thread are a great example of something very overpriced because of an auction, however.

Lol, I'm not going to search dozens of pages looking for overpriced Korean customs. I've seen it happen and so have others -- it's no secret. While the obvious culprit of the need to get rid of auctions from this forum are CCs, any kind of overpriced item such as Korean customs or even $20 Beast switch tool (yes, really) should not be tolerated.

I'm done beating a dead horse with this.

tl;dr = Auctions cause overpriced items, mostly CCs but including Korean customs and other items.

$20 beast tools are overpriced? I mean if you got them for $14-16, shipping is ~$2 (bubble mailer usps first class) so your talking ~$17 if you've got a bubble mailer already....$3 too much profit??

It costs me more than $3 to drive to the post office.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:52:02
So if someone bought a 'widget' for $300, regardless of what everyone thinks it 'cost' will they be shamed for trying to sell said 'widget' at the price they purchased it?

Did they buy the widget at $300, but everyone (except for them) realized it was only worth $100? Are they now trying to minimize their losses by finding another person who doesn't know better? I wouldn't want to "shame" anyone, I would just increase and facilitate the market's ability to communicate. Let people say, "$300? Seems a bit high." That would be more likely to prevent the original buyer from being suckered, and ... well, wait -- that is shaming. If the original seller posted it at $300, and it was acceptable for people to debate that price in the seller's thread, then doesn't that discussion amount to "shaming" but without the negative connotation?

Discussion in sales threads (in a polite way) would reduce the likelihood of profiteering and ignorant buyers.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:54:12
or even $20 Beast switch tool (yes, really) should not be tolerated.

I agree with you on account of overpricing custom items by vendors themselves, but that's a different issue, which I'm aware of and is a sad one too.  Then overpricing on top of that.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:54:33
I don't disagree that the overpricing of Korean customs doesn't happen nearly as much as CCs. I was never trying to make that claim but rather state that it does happen. Because it does happen on occasion is still a problem.

If you're going to generalize like that, you need more solid examples and some statistics.  We can all agree about Clacks, because they are Always overpriced, regardless of auctions.  But you need to back yourself up when talking about other items.  A handful of occasions is not going to make your case, because there are so many sales going on on the Classifieds, 1% of sales is not a problem.  Those keycaps you linked in the last thread are a great example of something very overpriced because of an auction, however.

Lol, I'm not going to search dozens of pages looking for overpriced Korean customs. I've seen it happen and so have others -- it's no secret. While the obvious culprit of the need to get rid of auctions from this forum are CCs, any kind of overpriced item such as Korean customs or even $20 Beast switch tool (yes, really) should not be tolerated.

I'm done beating a dead horse with this.

tl;dr = Auctions cause overpriced items, mostly CCs but including Korean customs and other items.

$20 beast tools are overpriced? I mean if you got them for $14-16, shipping is ~$2 (bubble mailer usps first class) so your talking ~$17 if you've got a bubble mailer already....$3 too much profit??

It costs me more than $3 to drive to the post office.

It doesn't really matter that it's just a few bucks. It's the principle that counts, at least for me, because it is a bit insulting...especially when it was auctioned off.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:59:10
I don't disagree that the overpricing of Korean customs doesn't happen nearly as much as CCs. I was never trying to make that claim but rather state that it does happen. Because it does happen on occasion is still a problem.

If you're going to generalize like that, you need more solid examples and some statistics.  We can all agree about Clacks, because they are Always overpriced, regardless of auctions.  But you need to back yourself up when talking about other items.  A handful of occasions is not going to make your case, because there are so many sales going on on the Classifieds, 1% of sales is not a problem.  Those keycaps you linked in the last thread are a great example of something very overpriced because of an auction, however.

Lol, I'm not going to search dozens of pages looking for overpriced Korean customs. I've seen it happen and so have others -- it's no secret. While the obvious culprit of the need to get rid of auctions from this forum are CCs, any kind of overpriced item such as Korean customs or even $20 Beast switch tool (yes, really) should not be tolerated.

I'm done beating a dead horse with this.

tl;dr = Auctions cause overpriced items, mostly CCs but including Korean customs and other items.

$20 beast tools are overpriced? I mean if you got them for $14-16, shipping is ~$2 (bubble mailer usps first class) so your talking ~$17 if you've got a bubble mailer already....$3 too much profit??

It costs me more than $3 to drive to the post office.

It doesn't really matter that it's just a few bucks. It's the principle that counts, at least for me, because it is a bit insulting...especially when it was auctioned off.

So if someone just put up a FS thread, beast switch tools $20 shipped! Would that be ok?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: nubbinator on Thu, 07 November 2013, 13:06:02
$20 beast tools are overpriced? I mean if you got them for $14-16, shipping is ~$2 (bubble mailer usps first class) so your talking ~$17 if you've got a bubble mailer already....$3 too much profit??

It costs me more than $3 to drive to the post office.

I sold mine for $15 shipped in a bubble mailer because I didn't like it.  And you can print your label at home and leave it in your mailbox, no need to take it to the post office.

To me, there's no excuse to sell something for more than you paid for it unless you're adding value to it, value that others can appreciate, not just something you did for yourself.  Not only that, but community is contingent upon people not seeing each other as ways to make a ton of money.  If I buy something for a friend because they asked or if I have something a friend wants to buy off of me, I sell it at cost or a slight loss.  Hell, sometimes I even give it away.  When one of my friends wants me to make them something, I charge them a lot less for it than I would a customer because I want them to have something nice that's affordable and I know they'll look out for me in the future.

Community is contingent upon good faith and auctions and profiteering (not making small profits) off of people on here is in bad faith and breaks down the community.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 07 November 2013, 13:25:06
$20 beast tools are overpriced? I mean if you got them for $14-16, shipping is ~$2 (bubble mailer usps first class) so your talking ~$17 if you've got a bubble mailer already....$3 too much profit??

It costs me more than $3 to drive to the post office.

I sold mine for $15 shipped in a bubble mailer because I didn't like it.  And you can print your label at home and leave it in your mailbox, no need to take it to the post office.

To me, there's no excuse to sell something for more than you paid for it unless you're adding value to it, value that others can appreciate, not just something you did for yourself.  Not only that, but community is contingent upon people not seeing each other as ways to make a ton of money.  If I buy something for a friend because they asked or if I have something a friend wants to buy off of me, I sell it at cost or a slight loss.  Hell, sometimes I even give it away.  When one of my friends wants me to make them something, I charge them a lot less for it than I would a customer because I want them to have something nice that's affordable and I know they'll look out for me in the future.

Community is contingent upon good faith and auctions and profiteering (not making small profits) off of people on here is in bad faith and breaks down the community.

This^^^
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 13:27:24
So everything should be sold for at least 10% off what it was purchased for?

I'm just trying to get a baseline here.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: nubbinator on Thu, 07 November 2013, 13:36:23
So everything should be sold for at least 10% off what it was purchased for?

I'm just trying to get a baseline here.

You don't need to sell for a loss and you can sell some things for a small profit. Who has ever looked down on someone selling off extras they bought in a GB for a small profit because they were helping it hit MOQ?  The problem is that there are people who expect the buyers to absorb the cost for every modification they did to make it something the seller liked better.  There are people who expect things to sell for 25-600% more than they paid for it and they think that it's okay and right to do so.  And there are people who think that the buyer should pay for the initial cost to the seller and shipping on top of that.  So you see stuff like a $15 Beast switch tool selling for more than the $15 it cost shipped because people want to take a $0 loss when they should be eating the initial shipping cost.  For example, if I bought a Model M for $40+ shipping, would it be right for me to sell it for $55 + shipping?

My point was more to keep prices reasonable. 

Auctions have a way of making prices unreasonable and ruining the sense of community.  Look at how much anger gets directed to people in auction threads, look how many people make it personal or bid just to drive up the price of an item so that their similar item doesn't depreciate.  Auctions are all about status, maintaining the value of items you have, and making a ton of money.  They have no place here, not if we want to continue calling ourselves a community. 
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 13:48:35
I don't disagree that the overpricing of Korean customs doesn't happen nearly as much as CCs. I was never trying to make that claim but rather state that it does happen. Because it does happen on occasion is still a problem.

If you're going to generalize like that, you need more solid examples and some statistics.  We can all agree about Clacks, because they are Always overpriced, regardless of auctions.  But you need to back yourself up when talking about other items.  A handful of occasions is not going to make your case, because there are so many sales going on on the Classifieds, 1% of sales is not a problem.  Those keycaps you linked in the last thread are a great example of something very overpriced because of an auction, however.

Lol, I'm not going to search dozens of pages looking for overpriced Korean customs. I've seen it happen and so have others -- it's no secret. While the obvious culprit of the need to get rid of auctions from this forum are CCs, any kind of overpriced item such as Korean customs or even $20 Beast switch tool (yes, really) should not be tolerated.

I'm done beating a dead horse with this.

tl;dr = Auctions cause overpriced items, mostly CCs but including Korean customs and other items.

$20 beast tools are overpriced? I mean if you got them for $14-16, shipping is ~$2 (bubble mailer usps first class) so your talking ~$17 if you've got a bubble mailer already....$3 too much profit??

It costs me more than $3 to drive to the post office.

It doesn't really matter that it's just a few bucks. It's the principle that counts, at least for me, because it is a bit insulting...especially when it was auctioned off.

So if someone just put up a FS thread, beast switch tools $20 shipped! Would that be ok?
Why can't people just sell them for what they paid for shipped? Is it really that necessary to make a few dollars profit? That is the jist of my argument in this thread...people shouldn't immediately look to make as much money as possible off other members.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Binge on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:01:14
Uhhhh-- hey.  Getting REALLY far off topic.  I don't think it even proves a point now.

IF you're going to be an asshat and charge a ton for an item.. maybe equal to or higher than market value so be it....

But instigating fights/butthurt/flames/crapping on people's art work by auctioning items on a site that is not equipped to handle auctions is has nothing to do with the high cost of clacks.

Say you get a new clack and you say "I'm flipping this for $80 interested buyers only (no butthurt comments)" I see this as fair.  You're being a worm for flipping and screwing someone else out of the drawing but you are asking a value and I respect that.  This value is on the seller's head and not a product of fighting and inflation from the community full of people who sometimes have way too much to prove.

Yes- the buyer is setting the price, but inevitably this draws a line between the people with means and the people without.  It instigates a separation between users on the forums.  Even if CCs were marked at $300 to start this phenomena would not exist because the people without the means wouldn't have had a chance... they would know that.

You get into this bidding and it creates false hope, feelings of attachment, and even an over-extension of one's ability to afford the art.  It's a lot of negativity.  I welcome anyone to discuss if it is possible for people to ever be completely immune to the negative effects of feeling loss.  This loss is a burden to people.

An example, if you get a clack for $20... auction for starting at  $1-- you are asking for more but suggesting someone could afford it.  This is a lie.  The ones who have will win against the ones who do not by a large margin every time as long as CC retains popularity.

I believe it is important that his art retains value and remains recognized for what it is.  I really appreciate what it is CC accomplishes, and if this happened with anything I produced I would be conflicted.  It's not like I see the benefit of my hard work-- just recognition that for some moments I made something people covet.   That's a frightening thing to see your work do well and not do as well yourself.

In highschool an art teacher of mine bought a painting I made in class for $10.  She sold it for much more than that to an interested buyer.  She explained to me that she knew its value so she asked something much less for it so she could make money.  This taught me a lesson about how creating things is both a gratifying and potentially negative event.  From that I am fully aware of rights of ownership and the like, but if she had auctioned the piece and it done as well or better I'm pretty sure it would make me more upset.  My piece of art would have been fought over with money.  Something that had never even come into contact with the core shape or color of the work.

Excuse my sentiment.  Auctions on GH are poison when used the way I see a number of people use them.  Please regulate the auctions which occur on this site.  I don't want to see GH become like the mob and force a payout for auctions, but I also don't think people have the maturity/understanding to hold auctions without supervision.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:16:00
I don't disagree that the overpricing of Korean customs doesn't happen nearly as much as CCs. I was never trying to make that claim but rather state that it does happen. Because it does happen on occasion is still a problem.

If you're going to generalize like that, you need more solid examples and some statistics.  We can all agree about Clacks, because they are Always overpriced, regardless of auctions.  But you need to back yourself up when talking about other items.  A handful of occasions is not going to make your case, because there are so many sales going on on the Classifieds, 1% of sales is not a problem.  Those keycaps you linked in the last thread are a great example of something very overpriced because of an auction, however.

Lol, I'm not going to search dozens of pages looking for overpriced Korean customs. I've seen it happen and so have others -- it's no secret. While the obvious culprit of the need to get rid of auctions from this forum are CCs, any kind of overpriced item such as Korean customs or even $20 Beast switch tool (yes, really) should not be tolerated.

I'm done beating a dead horse with this.

tl;dr = Auctions cause overpriced items, mostly CCs but including Korean customs and other items.

$20 beast tools are overpriced? I mean if you got them for $14-16, shipping is ~$2 (bubble mailer usps first class) so your talking ~$17 if you've got a bubble mailer already....$3 too much profit??

It costs me more than $3 to drive to the post office.

It doesn't really matter that it's just a few bucks. It's the principle that counts, at least for me, because it is a bit insulting...especially when it was auctioned off.

So if someone just put up a FS thread, beast switch tools $20 shipped! Would that be ok?
Why can't people just sell them for what they paid for shipped? Is it really that necessary to make a few dollars profit? That is the jist of my argument in this thread...people shouldn't immediately look to make as much money as possible off other members.
Other people may have a different value for said item.  This is why today a Graphite set will fetch $150+  Just because it sold for $x amount in the group buy doesn't mean it is still worth that amount on the market.  Right now there are a lot fewer of them around and there are people who want them, which makes the value of the item increase.  At that point it only makes sense to let somebody pay whatever they feel the value of the item is.  If an item is worth $100 to person A and $150 to person B and the item is sold at a price of $80 to person A, is it fair that he got that item, since it was worth more to person B?  Especially since person B probably didn't have the chance to make an offer on the item since it got swiped up so fast.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:22:11
So everything should be sold for at least 10% off what it was purchased for?

I'm just trying to get a baseline here.

You don't need to sell for a loss and you can sell some things for a small profit. Who has ever looked down on someone selling off extras they bought in a GB for a small profit because they were helping it hit MOQ?  The problem is that there are people who expect the buyers to absorb the cost for every modification they did to make it something the seller liked better.  There are people who expect things to sell for 25-600% more than they paid for it and they think that it's okay and right to do so.  And there are people who think that the buyer should pay for the initial cost to the seller and shipping on top of that.  So you see stuff like a $15 Beast switch tool selling for more than the $15 it cost shipped because people want to take a $0 loss when they should be eating the initial shipping cost.  For example, if I bought a Model M for $40+ shipping, would it be right for me to sell it for $55 + shipping?

My point was more to keep prices reasonable.

How specifically do we decide what is considered an unreasonable profit? 10%? 20%? You raise a valid point about selling GB extras purchased to make MOQ. So that would be an exception. Who would be in charge of deciding these guidelines? It seems to me that determining those rules, exceptions, and enforcing them would be really tedious and unlikely to work.

As for the Model M example, I would say sell it for $55 if it's worth that much to someone. If you're dealing with a knowledgeable buyer then they're not likely to buy it. Since no coercion is present (on either end of the transaction) then I would be okay with the sale.

Quote from: nubbinator
Auctions have a way of making prices unreasonable and ruining the sense of community. Look at how much anger gets directed to people in auction threads, look how many people make it personal or bid just to drive up the price of an item so that their similar item doesn't depreciate.

I would describe that situation as fraudulent, and it's not something the forum software can handle. There's no legal way for GH to punish those people -- so maybe moving them off-site is a good move. eBay, or some other auction site will have the organization necessary to reduce the fraud. Ok, I'm convinced. If auctions upset that many people to that degree, prohibit them.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:24:24
Why can't people just sell them for what they paid for shipped? Is it really that necessary to make a few dollars profit? That is the jist of my argument in this thread...people shouldn't immediately look to make as much money as possible off other members.
Other people may have a different value for said item.  This is why today a Graphite set will fetch $150+  Just because it sold for $x amount in the group buy doesn't mean it is still worth that amount on the market.  Right now there are a lot fewer of them around and there are people who want them, which makes the value of the item increase.  At that point it only makes sense to let somebody pay whatever they feel the value of the item is.  If an item is worth $100 to person A and $150 to person B and the item is sold at a price of $80 to person A, is it fair that he got that item, since it was worth more to person B?  Especially since person B probably didn't have the chance to make an offer on the item since it got swiped up so fast.

Correct. Everyone here pretty much understand how the market economy works. What I'm saying is that it doesn't have to be like this on GH. If we are all keyboard enthusiasts here and share similar interests, why can't we be above the selfishness that exists in the outside world and price things fairly?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:24:44
I think it is time for a vote. 

1.  Allow auctions as it is now.
2.  No auctions on this site.
3.  Allow only zero profit auctions.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:27:59
I think it is time for a vote. 

1.  Allow auctions as it is now.
2.  No auctions on this site.
3.  Allow only zero profit auctions.

^^ how do you determine if they are zero profit??
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:29:04
Faith would be the only way really.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:29:54
Why can't people just sell them for what they paid for shipped? Is it really that necessary to make a few dollars profit? That is the jist of my argument in this thread...people shouldn't immediately look to make as much money as possible off other members.
Other people may have a different value for said item.  This is why today a Graphite set will fetch $150+  Just because it sold for $x amount in the group buy doesn't mean it is still worth that amount on the market.  Right now there are a lot fewer of them around and there are people who want them, which makes the value of the item increase.  At that point it only makes sense to let somebody pay whatever they feel the value of the item is.  If an item is worth $100 to person A and $150 to person B and the item is sold at a price of $80 to person A, is it fair that he got that item, since it was worth more to person B?  Especially since person B probably didn't have the chance to make an offer on the item since it got swiped up so fast.

Correct. Everyone here pretty much understand how the market economy works. What I'm saying is that it doesn't have to be like this on GH. If we are all keyboard enthusiasts here and share similar interests, why can't we be above the selfishness that exists in the outside world and price things fairly?
I explained in that post why it isn't selfish.  Thanks for reading.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: inlikeflynn on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:35:06
How do you propose people sell items for which they don't know the real price such as a rare korean custom?  I don't want a bunch of TW threads again.

A post in this thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31779.0) would probably be helpful to someone looking for a price estimate. Or ask around in the #geekhack IRC channel, as some of the people that hang around in there can provide good information.

have to disagree here. If you are asking about something generic like a poker or Filco or some SP caps or something like that, you'll get an ok answer.


But try asking about anything like some older keyboard that might be rare or 1 of a kind or uniquely modded one and you either won't even get a response or the response you do get is just completely wrong. Ever since SmallFry was taken from us, the information you get from this thread has gone way down hill.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:36:21
I think it is time for a vote. 

1.  Allow auctions as it is now.
2.  No auctions on this site.
3.  Allow only zero profit auctions.

^^ how do you determine if they are zero profit??

Ray, you just keep hammering on this point -- how do we root out the evil profiteers from the people who are selling their keyboards in order to buy wheelchairs for handicapped orphans? There seems to be no good way. Fraud can be prevented, but apart from maintaining a database of sales, receipts, etc. -- there's no real way to do it. And people would just leave, and sell elsewhere. Which might actually be a good thing. I don't think so, but maybe.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:37:58
I think it is time for a vote. 

1.  Allow auctions as it is now.
2.  No auctions on this site.
3.  Allow only zero profit auctions.

^^ how do you determine if they are zero profit??

Ray, you just keep hammering on this point -- how do we root out the evil profiteers from the people who are selling their keyboards to save handicapped orphans? There seems to be no good way. Fraud can be prevented, but apart from maintaining a database of sales, receipts, etc. -- there's no real way to do it.

^^ exactly! It can't be done! That's the point.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:39:42
But try asking about anything like some older keyboard that might be rare or 1 of a kind or uniquely modded one and you either won't even get a response or the response you do get is just completely wrong.

If it's something people aren't familiar with, or hasn't been sold in recent years, then no, that thread isn't going to help you much. But you know what you paid for it, can that not be your guide?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:42:59
I think it is time for a vote. 

1.  Allow auctions as it is now.
2.  No auctions on this site.
3.  Allow only zero profit auctions.

^^ how do you determine if they are zero profit??

Ray, you just keep hammering on this point -- how do we root out the evil profiteers from the people who are selling their keyboards to save handicapped orphans? There seems to be no good way. Fraud can be prevented, but apart from maintaining a database of sales, receipts, etc. -- there's no real way to do it.

^^ exactly! It can't be done! That's the point.

You make my point for me, sir. Since there is no way to determine if an auction is for-profit, or not-for-profit, they must all be assumed to be for maximum profit. And therefore must be disallowed on the forum.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:50:49
I think it is time for a vote. 

1.  Allow auctions as it is now.
2.  No auctions on this site.
3.  Allow only zero profit auctions.

^^ how do you determine if they are zero profit??

Ray, you just keep hammering on this point -- how do we root out the evil profiteers from the people who are selling their keyboards to save handicapped orphans? There seems to be no good way. Fraud can be prevented, but apart from maintaining a database of sales, receipts, etc. -- there's no real way to do it.

^^ exactly! It can't be done! That's the point.

True, true, but we might decide to try anyway?  ;)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:56:44
I think it is time for a vote. 

1.  Allow auctions as it is now.
2.  No auctions on this site.
3.  Allow only zero profit auctions.

^^ how do you determine if they are zero profit??

Ray, you just keep hammering on this point -- how do we root out the evil profiteers from the people who are selling their keyboards to save handicapped orphans? There seems to be no good way. Fraud can be prevented, but apart from maintaining a database of sales, receipts, etc. -- there's no real way to do it.

^^ exactly! It can't be done! That's the point.

You make my point for me, sir. Since there is no way to determine if an auction is for-profit, or not-for-profit, they must all be assumed to be for maximum profit. And therefore must be disallowed on the forum.

So no auctions ok.

Just throwing this out there, say someone goes to their closest e-cycler and finds a dolch system in good condition, walking away with it for say $50, is it right to sell it for $175 in a sale?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:58:41
$20 beast tools are overpriced? I mean if you got them for $14-16, shipping is ~$2 (bubble mailer usps first class) so your talking ~$17 if you've got a bubble mailer already....$3 too much profit??

It costs me more than $3 to drive to the post office.

I sold mine for $15 shipped in a bubble mailer because I didn't like it.  And you can print your label at home and leave it in your mailbox, no need to take it to the post office.

To me, there's no excuse to sell something for more than you paid for it unless you're adding value to it, value that others can appreciate, not just something you did for yourself.  Not only that, but community is contingent upon people not seeing each other as ways to make a ton of money.  If I buy something for a friend because they asked or if I have something a friend wants to buy off of me, I sell it at cost or a slight loss.  Hell, sometimes I even give it away.  When one of my friends wants me to make them something, I charge them a lot less for it than I would a customer because I want them to have something nice that's affordable and I know they'll look out for me in the future.

Community is contingent upon good faith and auctions and profiteering (not making small profits) off of people on here is in bad faith and breaks down the community.

just FYI you can't put it in your mailbox in all places
some odd reason (don't ask me why), some parts of NYC mail carriers don't take mail from your personal mailbox.
You have to either drop at post office, or in a post office box on the streets.
My apartment is one of them ironically.
This blew my mind from when I lived on Long Island at my parents house and just put the little flag up for the mailman to take my stuff.

I mean i guess logically it'll be a bit crazy to take everyone's mail in an apartment complex. especially when the mail carriers are on foot and not in cars/trucks.

So everything should be sold for at least 10% off what it was purchased for?

I'm just trying to get a baseline here.

You don't need to sell for a loss and you can sell some things for a small profit. Who has ever looked down on someone selling off extras they bought in a GB for a small profit because they were helping it hit MOQ?  The problem is that there are people who expect the buyers to absorb the cost for every modification they did to make it something the seller liked better.  There are people who expect things to sell for 25-600% more than they paid for it and they think that it's okay and right to do so.  And there are people who think that the buyer should pay for the initial cost to the seller and shipping on top of that.  So you see stuff like a $15 Beast switch tool selling for more than the $15 it cost shipped because people want to take a $0 loss when they should be eating the initial shipping cost.  For example, if I bought a Model M for $40+ shipping, would it be right for me to sell it for $55 + shipping?

My point was more to keep prices reasonable. 

Auctions have a way of making prices unreasonable and ruining the sense of community.  Look at how much anger gets directed to people in auction threads, look how many people make it personal or bid just to drive up the price of an item so that their similar item doesn't depreciate.  Auctions are all about status, maintaining the value of items you have, and making a ton of money.  They have no place here, not if we want to continue calling ourselves a community. 
Dunno if you were here for this, but people got upset with ragnarock when he was running GBs that ended up letting him get a small profit.
They assumed he should just organize and sort/ship all the stuff for no cost.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:02:40
Just throwing this out there, say someone goes to their closest e-cycler and finds a dolch system in good condition, walking away with it for say $50, is it right to sell it for $175 in a sale?

Only they would know how much they paid. And people generally only want them for the keyboard, so probably about $100 or so would be a more fair way to price it, I would say. It is then on their conscience to know that they just basically took $50 from a fellow forum member, for doing nothing but being lucky with a find, when they could have passed on that great deal to someone else, if the seller didn't want it.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:04:16
Just throwing this out there, say someone goes to their closest e-cycler and finds a dolch system in good condition, walking away with it for say $50, is it right to sell it for $175 in a sale?

Only they would know how much they paid. And people generally only want them for the keyboard, so probably about $100 or so would be a more fair way to price it, I would say. It is then on their conscience to know that they just basically took $50 from a fellow forum member, for doing nothing but being lucky with a find, when they could have passed on that great deal to someone else, if the seller didn't want it.

So IF you knew about it would it be proper to say something in their FS thread??
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:04:42
Just throwing this out there, say someone goes to their closest e-cycler and finds a dolch system in good condition, walking away with it for say $50, is it right to sell it for $175 in a sale?

Only they would know how much they paid. And people generally only want them for the keyboard, so probably about $100 or so would be a more fair way to price it, I would say. It is then on their conscience to know that they just basically took $50 from a fellow forum member, for doing nothing but being lucky with a find, when they could have passed on that great deal to someone else, if the seller didn't want it.

but you'd have no objection to this as its a firm sale price right?
Besides the personal feelings of the person possibly gaining profit off of a member.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:06:19
Just throwing this out there, say someone goes to their closest e-cycler and finds a dolch system in good condition, walking away with it for say $50, is it right to sell it for $175 in a sale?

Only they would know how much they paid. And people generally only want them for the keyboard, so probably about $100 or so would be a more fair way to price it, I would say. It is then on their conscience to know that they just basically took $50 from a fellow forum member, for doing nothing but being lucky with a find, when they could have passed on that great deal to someone else, if the seller didn't want it.

So IF you knew about it would it be proper to say something in their FS thread??

I would.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:09:18
Just throwing this out there, say someone goes to their closest e-cycler and finds a dolch system in good condition, walking away with it for say $50, is it right to sell it for $175 in a sale?

Only they would know how much they paid. And people generally only want them for the keyboard, so probably about $100 or so would be a more fair way to price it, I would say. It is then on their conscience to know that they just basically took $50 from a fellow forum member, for doing nothing but being lucky with a find, when they could have passed on that great deal to someone else, if the seller didn't want it.

but you'd have no objection to this as its a firm sale price right?
Besides the personal feelings of the person possibly gaining profit off of a member.

I wouldn't know how much the seller paid for it, and $100 is a fair price for a Dolch keyboard. So no, I would have no reason for objection, if I didn't know how much the seller paid.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:09:48
Just throwing this out there, say someone goes to their closest e-cycler and finds a dolch system in good condition, walking away with it for say $50, is it right to sell it for $175 in a sale?

Only they would know how much they paid. And people generally only want them for the keyboard, so probably about $100 or so would be a more fair way to price it, I would say. It is then on their conscience to know that they just basically took $50 from a fellow forum member, for doing nothing but being lucky with a find, when they could have passed on that great deal to someone else, if the seller didn't want it.

So IF you knew about it would it be proper to say something in their FS thread??

I would.
Isn't that considered threadcrapping?  Take that stuff up with the seller over PM.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:11:04
Just throwing this out there, say someone goes to their closest e-cycler and finds a dolch system in good condition, walking away with it for say $50, is it right to sell it for $175 in a sale?

Only they would know how much they paid. And people generally only want them for the keyboard, so probably about $100 or so would be a more fair way to price it, I would say. It is then on their conscience to know that they just basically took $50 from a fellow forum member, for doing nothing but being lucky with a find, when they could have passed on that great deal to someone else, if the seller didn't want it.

So IF you knew about it would it be proper to say something in their FS thread??

I would.
Isn't that considered threadcrapping?  Take that stuff up with the seller over PM.

It has been considered that in the past. But I don't have a problem with it, and I don't think there should be a "no threadcrapping" rule. You can see my many posts about that previously.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: inlikeflynn on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:11:23
But you know what you paid for it, can that not be your guide?

That is the problem though for both the actual old/rare stuff and the CC's that most of this discussion is about

If I sell something which is in high demand or rare for zero profit, there is a very good chance that the person I sell it to will end up reselling it (publicly or privately) for much much more.

Example: Lets say I put up an ad to sell my OG TRI CC to the 1st person who pm's me for $50. There is a much smaller number of people on here who would actually keep and appreciate it vs. those that who would instantly flip it for a nice profit on their end. Lets say its a 20%/80% split there of types of members, and I doubt its even that many percentage wise that would be on the keeping it side. So if there is an 80% chance of me selling it to someone else who will flip it and make $200-$250 profit why in the heck would I want to-do that? It still sold for an outrageous price in the end and someone else made all the profit for being the fastest at pm'ing. So basically the same thing that happens after the EK sales, except its the original seller here losing out instead of CC on the profit

The point i'm trying to make is that its too risky and stupid for a seller to blindly give a deal to someone when more likely than not its just going to get flipped.  CC might not care seeing people profit from the luck of the EK/4grabs sale. But I sure as hell don't want someone to make huge profits from me being nice and selling at a reasonable price....
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:13:35
Just throwing this out there, say someone goes to their closest e-cycler and finds a dolch system in good condition, walking away with it for say $50, is it right to sell it for $175 in a sale?

Only they would know how much they paid. And people generally only want them for the keyboard, so probably about $100 or so would be a more fair way to price it, I would say. It is then on their conscience to know that they just basically took $50 from a fellow forum member, for doing nothing but being lucky with a find, when they could have passed on that great deal to someone else, if the seller didn't want it.

So IF you knew about it would it be proper to say something in their FS thread??

see here's the thing, i wouldn't
but people here seem to think they have to be white knights and bring up posts.

For example, i will link one of my first classified threads:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=27058.msg509406#msg509406

I had just come back from taiwan and had bought a few keyboards back with me to the USA
This was when Filco MJ2 TKL Blues were not commonly available in the USA
I was also selling Filco Wrist rests and what not.

I was getting threadcrapped about how my keyboards are only $5.00 cheaper than amazon, why the heck would anyone buy from me instead of from keyboardco's amazon store

But here's the kicker:  Keyboardco's Amazon page was sold out of normal black TKL Filcos MX Blue
They only had i believe a Yellow Keycap version and the Camo.
And I think they had like MX Blacks.
Or they would link fullsize keyboards to me.

But people kept linking these products in my sell thread, after i continued to say its not the same item, stop threadcrapping.

Is that "educating" people?  Or is it just White-Knighting?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:14:55
I would much rather see people hording CCs and/or only trading them for CCs only than to see people sell them for $$$. I'm disgusted when I see people trading a CC for entire keyboards + cash on top of that.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:16:24
But you know what you paid for it, can that not be your guide?

That is the problem though for both the actual old/rare stuff and the CC's that most of this discussion is about

If I sell something which is in high demand or rare for zero profit, there is a very good chance that the person I sell it to will end up reselling it (publicly or privately) for much much more.

Example: Lets say I put up an ad to sell my OG TRI CC to the 1st person who pm's me for $50. There is a much smaller number of people on here who would actually keep and appreciate it vs. those that who would instantly flip it for a nice profit on their end. Lets say its a 20%/80% split there of types of members, and I doubt its even that many percentage wise that would be on the keeping it side. So if there is an 80% chance of me selling it to someone else who will flip it and make $200-$250 profit why in the heck would I want to-do that? It still sold for an outrageous price in the end and someone else made all the profit for being the fastest at pm'ing. So basically the same thing that happens after the EK sales, except its the original seller here losing out instead of CC on the profit

The point i'm trying to make is that its too risky and stupid for a seller to blindly give a deal to someone when more likely than not its just going to get flipped.  CC might not care seeing people profit from the luck of the EK/4grabs sale. But I sure as hell don't want someone to make huge profits from me being nice and selling at a reasonable price....


That's when you call them out for it and make them feel like crap for doing it. Let everyone know what type of person they are to do it. Make sure no one wants to deal with that person. I would rather be here with the 20%, to use your example, and the other 80% can go take a flying leap.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:16:35
But you know what you paid for it, can that not be your guide?

That is the problem though for both the actual old/rare stuff and the CC's that most of this discussion is about

If I sell something which is in high demand or rare for zero profit, there is a very good chance that the person I sell it to will end up reselling it (publicly or privately) for much much more.

Example: Lets say I put up an ad to sell my OG TRI CC to the 1st person who pm's me for $50. There is a much smaller number of people on here who would actually keep and appreciate it vs. those that who would instantly flip it for a nice profit on their end. Lets say its a 20%/80% split there of types of members, and I doubt its even that many percentage wise that would be on the keeping it side. So if there is an 80% chance of me selling it to someone else who will flip it and make $200-$250 profit why in the heck would I want to-do that? It still sold for an outrageous price in the end and someone else made all the profit for being the fastest at pm'ing. So basically the same thing that happens after the EK sales, except its the original seller here losing out instead of CC on the profit

The point i'm trying to make is that its too risky and stupid for a seller to blindly give a deal to someone when more likely than not its just going to get flipped.  CC might not care seeing people profit from the luck of the EK/4grabs sale. But I sure as hell don't want someone to make huge profits from me being nice and selling at a reasonable price....

I have $50 in my paypal......and your paypal address...just sayin  :o
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:18:43
I would much rather see people hording CCs and/or only trading them for CCs only than to see people sell them for $$$. I'm disgusted when I see people trading a CC for entire keyboards + cash on top of that.
Then having a clack would truly be some secret club, it would be impossible to get a clack unless you won one from the lotto, and some people *cough*noisyturtle*cough* clearly aren't very lucky with those.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:21:08
I would much rather see people hording CCs and/or only trading them for CCs only than to see people sell them for $$$. I'm disgusted when I see people trading a CC for entire keyboards + cash on top of that.
Then having a clack would truly be some secret club, it would be impossible to get a clack unless you won one from the lotto, and some people *cough*noisyturtle*cough* clearly aren't very lucky with those.

I think noisy's luck turned around today, but it's pretty obvious there is/are already clack traders that only trade amongst themselves.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: inlikeflynn on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:23:28
But you know what you paid for it, can that not be your guide?

That is the problem though for both the actual old/rare stuff and the CC's that most of this discussion is about

If I sell something which is in high demand or rare for zero profit, there is a very good chance that the person I sell it to will end up reselling it (publicly or privately) for much much more.

Example: Lets say I put up an ad to sell my OG TRI CC to the 1st person who pm's me for $50. There is a much smaller number of people on here who would actually keep and appreciate it vs. those that who would instantly flip it for a nice profit on their end. Lets say its a 20%/80% split there of types of members, and I doubt its even that many percentage wise that would be on the keeping it side. So if there is an 80% chance of me selling it to someone else who will flip it and make $200-$250 profit why in the heck would I want to-do that? It still sold for an outrageous price in the end and someone else made all the profit for being the fastest at pm'ing. So basically the same thing that happens after the EK sales, except its the original seller here losing out instead of CC on the profit

The point i'm trying to make is that its too risky and stupid for a seller to blindly give a deal to someone when more likely than not its just going to get flipped.  CC might not care seeing people profit from the luck of the EK/4grabs sale. But I sure as hell don't want someone to make huge profits from me being nice and selling at a reasonable price....


That's when you call them out for it and make them feel like crap for doing it. Let everyone know what type of person they are to do it. Make sure no one wants to deal with that person. I would rather be here with the 20%, to use your example, and the other 80% can go take a flying leap.

then its just more drama and butthurt on GH

My personal method to avoid this sort of problem by hand picking who I've sold/given CC's to so that it does go to the 20%. A little bit of time looking at peoples WTB threads and talking to people lets you find out a lot about them.  And so far i'm 10/10 that everyone still has theirs, or if they did get rid of it, it was for the same price.


I have $50 in my paypal......and your paypal address...just sayin  :o


you know I was going to use you in my example actually, to say the 1st person to PM who wasn't SpAmRaY who is always first  :p
I may or may not be serious about getting rid of the old OG TRI. All I do know is that someone got a nice Night Owl deal this week
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:23:49
But you know what you paid for it, can that not be your guide?

That is the problem though for both the actual old/rare stuff and the CC's that most of this discussion is about

If I sell something which is in high demand or rare for zero profit, there is a very good chance that the person I sell it to will end up reselling it (publicly or privately) for much much more.

Example: Lets say I put up an ad to sell my OG TRI CC to the 1st person who pm's me for $50. There is a much smaller number of people on here who would actually keep and appreciate it vs. those that who would instantly flip it for a nice profit on their end. Lets say its a 20%/80% split there of types of members, and I doubt its even that many percentage wise that would be on the keeping it side. So if there is an 80% chance of me selling it to someone else who will flip it and make $200-$250 profit why in the heck would I want to-do that? It still sold for an outrageous price in the end and someone else made all the profit for being the fastest at pm'ing. So basically the same thing that happens after the EK sales, except its the original seller here losing out instead of CC on the profit

The point i'm trying to make is that its too risky and stupid for a seller to blindly give a deal to someone when more likely than not its just going to get flipped.  CC might not care seeing people profit from the luck of the EK/4grabs sale. But I sure as hell don't want someone to make huge profits from me being nice and selling at a reasonable price....


That's when you call them out for it and make them feel like crap for doing it. Let everyone know what type of person they are to do it. Make sure no one wants to deal with that person. I would rather be here with the 20%, to use your example, and the other 80% can go take a flying leap.

And im sure this'll be great when you make JDHack
I understand your passion, but i don't agree with your method.
Unless a Mod or someone in power at GH tells me so, i would not adhere to any of your stance and would report your posts as harassment/trolling/threadcrapping.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:25:43
I think it is time for a vote. 

1.  Allow auctions as it is now.
2.  No auctions on this site.
3.  Allow only zero profit auctions.

^^ how do you determine if they are zero profit??

Ray, you just keep hammering on this point -- how do we root out the evil profiteers from the people who are selling their keyboards to save handicapped orphans? There seems to be no good way. Fraud can be prevented, but apart from maintaining a database of sales, receipts, etc. -- there's no real way to do it.

^^ exactly! It can't be done! That's the point.

You make my point for me, sir. Since there is no way to determine if an auction is for-profit, or not-for-profit, they must all be assumed to be for maximum profit. And therefore must be disallowed on the forum.

So no auctions ok.

Just throwing this out there, say someone goes to their closest e-cycler and finds a dolch system in good condition, walking away with it for say $50, is it right to sell it for $175 in a sale?

I did exactly this only it was 2 WYSE terminal boards with vintage blacks.  I auctioned them off all bids were public knowledge via posts in the thread.  My intention was to pay back some people that lost money on the switch test tour that CPTBadass was doing.  I got $105 for both boards total.  Shipped them both off and donated 135 to geekhack.  I paid $28 for the pair.  Therefore shipping was covered by me and I donated a bit more on top.  Does that make be a bad guy for conducting the auction and selling them for 4 times what I paid?  Mkawa can verify my donation as well.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:31:13
But you know what you paid for it, can that not be your guide?

That is the problem though for both the actual old/rare stuff and the CC's that most of this discussion is about

If I sell something which is in high demand or rare for zero profit, there is a very good chance that the person I sell it to will end up reselling it (publicly or privately) for much much more.

Example: Lets say I put up an ad to sell my OG TRI CC to the 1st person who pm's me for $50. There is a much smaller number of people on here who would actually keep and appreciate it vs. those that who would instantly flip it for a nice profit on their end. Lets say its a 20%/80% split there of types of members, and I doubt its even that many percentage wise that would be on the keeping it side. So if there is an 80% chance of me selling it to someone else who will flip it and make $200-$250 profit why in the heck would I want to-do that? It still sold for an outrageous price in the end and someone else made all the profit for being the fastest at pm'ing. So basically the same thing that happens after the EK sales, except its the original seller here losing out instead of CC on the profit

The point i'm trying to make is that its too risky and stupid for a seller to blindly give a deal to someone when more likely than not its just going to get flipped.  CC might not care seeing people profit from the luck of the EK/4grabs sale. But I sure as hell don't want someone to make huge profits from me being nice and selling at a reasonable price....


That's when you call them out for it and make them feel like crap for doing it. Let everyone know what type of person they are to do it. Make sure no one wants to deal with that person. I would rather be here with the 20%, to use your example, and the other 80% can go take a flying leap.

And im sure this'll be great when you make JDHack
I understand your passion, but i don't agree with your method.
Unless a Mod or someone in power at GH tells me so, i would not adhere to any of your stance and would report your posts as harassment/trolling/threadcrapping.

You don't have to agree with me. Just the acknowledgement that I'm right is enough.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:35:05
But you know what you paid for it, can that not be your guide?

That is the problem though for both the actual old/rare stuff and the CC's that most of this discussion is about

If I sell something which is in high demand or rare for zero profit, there is a very good chance that the person I sell it to will end up reselling it (publicly or privately) for much much more.

Example: Lets say I put up an ad to sell my OG TRI CC to the 1st person who pm's me for $50. There is a much smaller number of people on here who would actually keep and appreciate it vs. those that who would instantly flip it for a nice profit on their end. Lets say its a 20%/80% split there of types of members, and I doubt its even that many percentage wise that would be on the keeping it side. So if there is an 80% chance of me selling it to someone else who will flip it and make $200-$250 profit why in the heck would I want to-do that? It still sold for an outrageous price in the end and someone else made all the profit for being the fastest at pm'ing. So basically the same thing that happens after the EK sales, except its the original seller here losing out instead of CC on the profit

The point i'm trying to make is that its too risky and stupid for a seller to blindly give a deal to someone when more likely than not its just going to get flipped.  CC might not care seeing people profit from the luck of the EK/4grabs sale. But I sure as hell don't want someone to make huge profits from me being nice and selling at a reasonable price....


That's when you call them out for it and make them feel like crap for doing it. Let everyone know what type of person they are to do it. Make sure no one wants to deal with that person. I would rather be here with the 20%, to use your example, and the other 80% can go take a flying leap.

And im sure this'll be great when you make JDHack
I understand your passion, but i don't agree with your method.
Unless a Mod or someone in power at GH tells me so, i would not adhere to any of your stance and would report your posts as harassment/trolling/threadcrapping.

You don't have to agree with me. Just the acknowledgement that I'm right is enough.

don't get it wrong, i said i understand the passion, i don't agree with it though.
I def don't agree with the method
when you're running the site, i'll follow the rules/instructions handed out by you.

Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:36:14
Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.

/me ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:37:44
But you know what you paid for it, can that not be your guide?

That is the problem though for both the actual old/rare stuff and the CC's that most of this discussion is about

If I sell something which is in high demand or rare for zero profit, there is a very good chance that the person I sell it to will end up reselling it (publicly or privately) for much much more.

Example: Lets say I put up an ad to sell my OG TRI CC to the 1st person who pm's me for $50. There is a much smaller number of people on here who would actually keep and appreciate it vs. those that who would instantly flip it for a nice profit on their end. Lets say its a 20%/80% split there of types of members, and I doubt its even that many percentage wise that would be on the keeping it side. So if there is an 80% chance of me selling it to someone else who will flip it and make $200-$250 profit why in the heck would I want to-do that? It still sold for an outrageous price in the end and someone else made all the profit for being the fastest at pm'ing. So basically the same thing that happens after the EK sales, except its the original seller here losing out instead of CC on the profit

The point i'm trying to make is that its too risky and stupid for a seller to blindly give a deal to someone when more likely than not its just going to get flipped.  CC might not care seeing people profit from the luck of the EK/4grabs sale. But I sure as hell don't want someone to make huge profits from me being nice and selling at a reasonable price....


That's when you call them out for it and make them feel like crap for doing it. Let everyone know what type of person they are to do it. Make sure no one wants to deal with that person. I would rather be here with the 20%, to use your example, and the other 80% can go take a flying leap.

And im sure this'll be great when you make JDHack
I understand your passion, but i don't agree with your method.
Unless a Mod or someone in power at GH tells me so, i would not adhere to any of your stance and would report your posts as harassment/trolling/threadcrapping.

You don't have to agree with me. Just the acknowledgement that I'm right is enough.

don't get it wrong, i said i understand the passion, i don't agree with it though.
I def don't agree with the method
when you're running the site, i'll follow the rules/instructions handed out by you.

Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.
Okay that is pretty ****ing cold man.  Cheapshot.  Jd is a great guy, does a ton for the community.  Can't you just agree to disagree?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:39:44
Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.

Hold on a second, someone disagrees with you and he's made out to be a troll? Interesting logic. I disagree with you. Call me a troll too.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:44:57
Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.

Hold on a second, someone disagrees with you and he's made out to be a troll? Interesting logic. I disagree with you. Call me a troll too.

captain troll!! :P
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: tjcaustin on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:46:13

don't get it wrong, i said i understand the passion, i don't agree with it though.
I def don't agree with the method
when you're running the site, i'll follow the rules/instructions handed out by you.

Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.

Translated:

"You're trying to keep me from screwing the community over by improving overall consumer knowledge, therefore you're nothing but a troll in my twisted, self-interested mind"

The funny part is when you state you'll do what he suggests if he's in some sort of power position, like that should matter when we're talking the things we're talking about.

In the interest of humor:
Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.

Hold on a second, someone disagrees with you and he's made out to be a troll? Interesting logic. I disagree with you. Call me a troll too.

captain troll!! :P

It's CptGoodTrl
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:54:09
i said i don't agree with his actions, why wouldn't he be considered a troll if he's going to be blasting people in threads?
Is TP not trolling when he goes on his Ergodox rants?

I specifically said if he was going to act like that, i don't see how he's any better than those trolls.  Yeah his hearts in the right place, but the method of execution is wrong.

I don't agree with one person going on a crusade on a forum.
I also don't believe in ganging up on people to guilt them into selling stuff at what a vocal minority perceives the sale cost to be.

I believe in following the rules laid out on the forums.
If im not agreeing on how the forum is run, i myself will choose not to participate in the forum or leave.
I don't try to have a revolution.

I like how its a gangup now because i disagree with his method, and somehow im trying to protect myself and my profits lol.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:55:20
i said i don't agree with his actions, why wouldn't he be considered a troll if he's going to be blasting people in threads?
Is TP not trolling when he goes on his Ergodox rants?

I specifically said if he was going to act like that, i don't see how he's any better than those trolls.  Yeah his hearts in the right place, but the method of execution is wrong.

I like how its a gangup now because i disagree with his method, and somehow im trying to protect myself and my profits lol.
I don't really think TP is a troll.  He obviously is very passionate about eDox.  Nothing wrong with that.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: hashbaz on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:56:15
Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.

What in the hell ... sorry who are you?  These are fighting words.

Unless you're intentionally trollceptioning, trolling by means of troll accusations.  In which case, bravo.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:56:40
i said i don't agree with his actions, why wouldn't he be considered a troll if he's going to be blasting people in threads?
Is TP not trolling when he goes on his Ergodox rants?

I specifically said if he was going to act like that, i don't see how he's any better than those trolls.  Yeah his hearts in the right place, but the method of execution is wrong.

I like how its a gangup now because i disagree with his method, and somehow im trying to protect myself and my profits lol.
I don't really think TP is a troll.  He obviously is very passionate about eDox.  Nothing wrong with that.

i doubt he even owns one....people have asked him to show the eDox, i don't think he has.
Also he was bringing up the eDox in every thread lol.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:57:36
Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.

What in the hell ... sorry who are you?  These are fighting words.

Unless you're intentionally trollceptioning, trolling by means of troll accusations.  In which case, bravo.

i dont get it, how are his claims that he will belittle and berate and keep posting in topics/classified threads/etc to break down the "Greedy seller" and make him/her feel guilty not bullying or trolling?
and im but a minor member of GH, not very vocal, but apparently touched a nerve?

*Edit*
To clarify, i know how much JD does for GH, more than me def.

I just view the way he said he'd go around to berate and belittle those who are profiteering and "greedy" as disruptive as TP, MW and Ripster when they go off on their tangents.  Apparently bringing up TP/MW/Ripsters = someone's a troll
Look at that, we know they're trolls and yet they're still (well minus ripster) in the community
I was saying his actions are as disruptive as those people.

I also said i would follow the rules of the forums.  I don't believe in harassing to make a point.  So i would view harassment even in classified about profiteering and what not as disruptive as TP going on and on about eDox or ripster back in the days posting a bunch of gifs.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:05:56
Alright guys this thread is going the wring direction very quickly.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Pacifist on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:11:01
Back on topic, if we let people post ebay auctions but explicitly say its their ebay auction, then people won't have purely GH auctions with all the problems.

There will still be auctions but different
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:12:29
Back on topic, if we let people post ebay auctions but explicitly say its their ebay auction, then people won't have purely GH auctions with all the problems.

There will still be auctions but different

Assuming GH bans on site auctions, just letting people post ebay auctions alone won't help anything.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:12:43
Back on topic, if we let people post ebay auctions but explicitly say its their ebay auction, then people won't have purely GH auctions.

problem will still occur, there will be discussions about the ebay topics either in the thread or someone would make one in offtopic or what not.
I dunno, i'd go with a straight no auction policy similar to how EVGA/HForums/OCN does it.
Don't even link personal ebay links, if its like Buy.com or something dealing through ebay, sure put that in the great finds if its a good deal.
But personal ebay auctions?  i wouldn't even bring them up here.

*Edit*
Leaving work! going home, will check back to see how much more jimmies i rustled when I get home lol
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: hashbaz on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:18:44
I feel like moving auctions to ebay is important simply to help prevent abuse.  Even if that's all we did and prices/jimmies didn't change, I think it would be worthwhile.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:21:34
What about creating a sub forum in the classifieds thread for posting eBay auctions and just have all comments locked?  This with banning all local auctions I feel would be the best bet.  If we just straight ban auctions the ones that really want to do an auction to maximize profits will just go somewhere else.   If the comments are blocked for links to peoples personal auctions from eBay than we eliminate/greatly reduce the frequency of trolling/bullying people to reduce prices that others may not agree with.  If someone has an issue with a particular item they can send a pm via eBay. 
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:23:05
What about creating a sub forum in the classifieds thread for posting eBay auctions and just have all comments locked?  This with banning all local auctions I feel would be the best bet.  If we just straight ban auctions the ones that really want to do an auction to maximize profits will just go somewhere else.   If the comments are blocked for links to peoples personal auctions from eBay than we eliminate/greatly reduce the frequency of trolling/bullying people to reduce prices that others may not agree with.  If someone has an issue with a particular item they can send a pm via eBay. 

^^ This plus a subforum dedicated to clack trades/sales to keep them out of the regular classifieds.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:24:11
What about creating a sub forum in the classifieds thread for posting eBay auctions and just have all comments locked?  This with banning all local auctions I feel would be the best bet.  If we just straight ban auctions the ones that really want to do an auction to maximize profits will just go somewhere else.   If the comments are blocked for links to peoples personal auctions from eBay than we eliminate/greatly reduce the frequency of trolling/bullying people to reduce prices that others may not agree with.  If someone has an issue with a particular item they can send a pm via eBay. 

^^ This plus a subforum dedicated to clack trades/sales to keep them out of the regular classifieds.

I wouldn't be opposed to this either.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:26:15
Any thoughts on changing access to selling/buying? Like being a member for so long plus post count and/or adding the requirement items have to be on hand to have a sell thread, plus having username/date/photo as part of any sale thread?

Might as well do it right.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Pacifist on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:27:05
That sounds good, removing GH auctions and letting people put ebay auctions in a special subforum where there are no comments. If someone has questions, PM or ebay questions would work.

There would be no threadcrap or b*tching. It won't diffuse high clack prices, but people selling clacks would go somewhere else to sell their clacks anyways, and I remember people linking ebay auctions before (not their own ones, and ended ones) of other people putting CCs on ebay to sell, so people will find a place to sell CCs and other stuff
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:31:41
Can we hear a little from the moderators now? As some have already mentioned, I think that banning auctions alone won't solve much.

The buying/selling culture has to begin to change. If the moderators come to an agreement that overpricing items has overall negative effects on the community, then the moderators should do their part in socializing the community in a top-down fashion. Forum rules should indicate that conscious overpricing of items should be forbidden, or at the very least, looked down-upon and subject to criticism from the community.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jinxedx84 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:35:06
Can we hear a little from the moderators now? As some have already mentioned, I think that banning auctions alone won't solve much.

The buying/selling culture has to begin to change. If the moderators come to an agreement that overpricing items has overall negative effects on the community, then the moderators should do their part in socializing the community in a top-down fashion. Forum rules should indicate that conscious overpricing of items should be forbidden, or at the very least, looked down-upon and subject to criticism from the community.

You cannot limit over pricing. If someone want to get an astronomical price for their CC and another is willing to pay it who are we to stop them? I am by no mean condoning high prices and ridiculous auctions, just saying
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:40:23
who are we to stop them?

Have you not been following the thread? We are the members of this forum! We will stop them! You have the power! Refuse to pay such ridiculous prices, for a start. Convince other to do the same.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:54:59
Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.

i said i don't agree with his actions, why wouldn't he be considered a troll if he's going to be blasting people in threads?
Is TP not trolling when he goes on his Ergodox rants?

I like how its a gangup now because i disagree with his method, and somehow im trying to protect myself and my profits lol.


i dont get it, how are his claims that he will belittle and berate and keep posting in topics/classified threads/etc to break down the "Greedy seller" and make him/her feel guilty not bullying or trolling?
and im but a minor member of GH, not very vocal, but apparently touched a nerve?

*Edit*
To clarify, i know how much JD does for GH, more than me def.

I just view the way he said he'd go around to berate and belittle those who are profiteering and "greedy" as disruptive as TP, MW and Ripster when they go off on their tangents.  Apparently bringing up TP/MW/Ripsters = someone's a troll
Look at that, we know they're trolls and yet they're still (well minus ripster) in the community
I was saying his actions are as disruptive as those people.

I also said i would follow the rules of the forums.  I don't believe in harassing to make a point.  So i would view harassment even in classified about profiteering and what not as disruptive as TP going on and on about eDox or ripster back in the days posting a bunch of gifs.

I'm going to say this and move on. I said what I said because you couldn't hold an argument without resorting to name calling and a personal attacks. "YOU ARE" is saying something personal yes? Discussing methods with theoretical people and claiming things is not personal. Just because you disagree with him doesn't mean you get to make personal attacks. Has JD ever called you a name here? Don't think so.

And don't martyr yourself. It's just unbecoming. "I was ganged up on. I'm a minor GH member". Cut the ****. Argue and know that people are going to have differing opinions. That doesn't make them more right or wrong than you, just different.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jinxedx84 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:58:54
who are we to stop them?

Have you not been following the thread? We are the members of this forum! We will stop them! You have the power! Refuse to pay such ridiculous prices, for a start. Convince other to do the same.

You cant stop them? on this forum maybe...... but im pretty sure the majority of people on geekhack also browse /r/mechmarket,  So you can get them off this forum but the sale and auctions will not stop.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:00:04
I feel like moving auctions to ebay is important simply to help prevent abuse.  Even if that's all we did and prices/jimmies didn't change, I think it would be worthwhile.

I agree.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:02:02
but im pretty sure the majority of people on geekhack also browse /r/mechmarket,

I believe that is backwards....
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jinxedx84 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:07:56
then your lying to yourself Esoomenona even posted a WTB on /r/mechmarket.
http://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/1pyvm5/wtb_mx_gumrot/
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:09:54
then your lying to yourself Esoomenona even posted a WTB on /r/mechmarket.
http://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/1pyvm5/wtb_mx_gumrot/


Hmm ok, sorry, I'd never even heard of that place until you mentioned it. My mistake.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: tjcaustin on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:10:48
then your lying to yourself Esoomenona even posted a WTB on /r/mechmarket.
http://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/1pyvm5/wtb_mx_gumrot/

Wow, one person posted a WTB in both areas, that proves that most everyone looks at both!

Or not.  I mean, I could say no one does because I don't and have literally the same strength of argument you have.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Tym on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:11:11
Only ever been on reddit twice, layout confused me :(
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jinxedx84 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:15:57
then your lying to yourself Esoomenona even posted a WTB on /r/mechmarket.
http://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/1pyvm5/wtb_mx_gumrot/

Wow, one person posted a WTB in both areas, that proves that most everyone looks at both!

Or not.  I mean, I could say no one does because I don't and have literally the same strength of argument you have.

Please understand what i meant. If i were in the market to by something collectible why would i not use any and all methods to get said item?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jinxedx84 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:16:27
I was merely using it as an examples.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:23:35
Can we hear a little from the moderators now? As some have already mentioned, I think that banning auctions alone won't solve much.

The buying/selling culture has to begin to change. If the moderators come to an agreement that overpricing items has overall negative effects on the community, then the moderators should do their part in socializing the community in a top-down fashion. Forum rules should indicate that conscious overpricing of items should be forbidden, or at the very least, looked down-upon and subject to criticism from the community.

You cannot limit over pricing. If someone want to get an astronomical price for their CC and another is willing to pay it who are we to stop them? I am by no mean condoning high prices and ridiculous auctions, just saying
So you want to give mod's the power to tell people "you cannot sell your item here, it is priced too high"

Nothing could go wrong with that!  iMav has stated before that staff should take a hands off approach to the classifieds.  I don't really oppose moving auctions to eBay, but I don't really think that it is necessary.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jinxedx84 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:28:24
Can we hear a little from the moderators now? As some have already mentioned, I think that banning auctions alone won't solve much.

The buying/selling culture has to begin to change. If the moderators come to an agreement that overpricing items has overall negative effects on the community, then the moderators should do their part in socializing the community in a top-down fashion. Forum rules should indicate that conscious overpricing of items should be forbidden, or at the very least, looked down-upon and subject to criticism from the community.

You cannot limit over pricing. If someone want to get an astronomical price for their CC and another is willing to pay it who are we to stop them? I am by no mean condoning high prices and ridiculous auctions, just saying
So you want to give mod's the power to tell people "you cannot sell your item here, it is priced too high"

Nothing could go wrong with that!  iMav has stated before that staff should take a hands off approach to the classifieds.  I don't really oppose moving auctions to eBay, but I don't really think that it is necessary.



No not at all, I think people should ask any price they want for their item. Whether or not people will purchase it for that price. I think people should be able to do so without people crapping all over their thread because they think the price is too high.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Danule on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:14:15
But you know what you paid for it, can that not be your guide?

That is the problem though for both the actual old/rare stuff and the CC's that most of this discussion is about

If I sell something which is in high demand or rare for zero profit, there is a very good chance that the person I sell it to will end up reselling it (publicly or privately) for much much more.

Example: Lets say I put up an ad to sell my OG TRI CC to the 1st person who pm's me for $50. There is a much smaller number of people on here who would actually keep and appreciate it vs. those that who would instantly flip it for a nice profit on their end. Lets say its a 20%/80% split there of types of members, and I doubt its even that many percentage wise that would be on the keeping it side. So if there is an 80% chance of me selling it to someone else who will flip it and make $200-$250 profit why in the heck would I want to-do that? It still sold for an outrageous price in the end and someone else made all the profit for being the fastest at pm'ing. So basically the same thing that happens after the EK sales, except its the original seller here losing out instead of CC on the profit

The point i'm trying to make is that its too risky and stupid for a seller to blindly give a deal to someone when more likely than not its just going to get flipped.  CC might not care seeing people profit from the luck of the EK/4grabs sale. But I sure as hell don't want someone to make huge profits from me being nice and selling at a reasonable price....


That's when you call them out for it and make them feel like crap for doing it. Let everyone know what type of person they are to do it. Make sure no one wants to deal with that person. I would rather be here with the 20%, to use your example, and the other 80% can go take a flying leap.

My thoughts exactly.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:55:47
Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.

i said i don't agree with his actions, why wouldn't he be considered a troll if he's going to be blasting people in threads?
Is TP not trolling when he goes on his Ergodox rants?

I like how its a gangup now because i disagree with his method, and somehow im trying to protect myself and my profits lol.


i dont get it, how are his claims that he will belittle and berate and keep posting in topics/classified threads/etc to break down the "Greedy seller" and make him/her feel guilty not bullying or trolling?
and im but a minor member of GH, not very vocal, but apparently touched a nerve?

*Edit*
To clarify, i know how much JD does for GH, more than me def.

I just view the way he said he'd go around to berate and belittle those who are profiteering and "greedy" as disruptive as TP, MW and Ripster when they go off on their tangents.  Apparently bringing up TP/MW/Ripsters = someone's a troll
Look at that, we know they're trolls and yet they're still (well minus ripster) in the community
I was saying his actions are as disruptive as those people.

I also said i would follow the rules of the forums.  I don't believe in harassing to make a point.  So i would view harassment even in classified about profiteering and what not as disruptive as TP going on and on about eDox or ripster back in the days posting a bunch of gifs.

I'm going to say this and move on. I said what I said because you couldn't hold an argument without resorting to name calling and a personal attacks. "YOU ARE" is saying something personal yes? Discussing methods with theoretical people and claiming things is not personal. Just because you disagree with him doesn't mean you get to make personal attacks. Has JD ever called you a name here? Don't think so.

And don't martyr yourself. It's just unbecoming. "I was ganged up on. I'm a minor GH member". Cut the ****. Argue and know that people are going to have differing opinions. That doesn't make them more right or wrong than you, just different.

what was the personal attack?
Explain this to me.  we can discuss this in PM more, but i don't see the personal attack
IMO, i said the way he's on a crusade is as disruptive as the known trolls of GH.
So by mentioning that he's disruptive in my opinion means im resorting to a personal attack on him?
Get off that

And martyring myself?  Did you just read all the comments?  You guys were the ones who insinuated i called him a troll.
then saying I somehow lost an argument (there really wasn't any argument, it was me stating my opinion)?

And I was answering hashbaz's comment by being cheeky.  But its true, i only wrote one review for the site, i've sold a few things on the forum, and i normally just make small comments about threads that interest me.

My posts in this thread i would like to think are an informative opinion, i've stated multiple times i agree to move auctions off of GH.  But i mean if you guys want to center in on one aspect, whatever.

Moving on as its on page 11 of this thread, any opinions from the mod team exactly what to try to implement?  Or will we just keep repeating/rehashing the same opinions
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Thu, 07 November 2013, 19:20:21
Until then, you're as bad as TP, MW, and Ripster imo.

/me ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED

damn it, beat me to it  ; ;
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Thu, 07 November 2013, 20:54:55
I feel like moving auctions to ebay is important simply to help prevent abuse.  Even if that's all we did and prices/jimmies didn't change, I think it would be worthwhile.

I agree.

I second this movement.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jcrouse on Thu, 07 November 2013, 22:23:04
As you can imagine, I like the auctions.  In reality, they build excitement and community activity, like it or not. In all honesty, I am not a real active member and don't participate in the community aspect as much as many but I do try to support members and the forum. That said, just remember that there are many sides to view things from and many people come here for various reasons and enjoy diffetent things, not necessarily for the same reasons you may be here.

I have always been of the free enterprise view and anyone can do whatever they want with their items. In my opinion, it is not the activity, an auction, that divides the community, but in fact, it is the constant whining and butthurt. Maybe the whiners need removed. Think about it, if $20 items were auctioned for $1000 and there was no whining, jelousy, envy, butthurt, call it whay you want, but instead, joy for the new owner, would there be an issue? I am guessing not. I don't want to call people out and respect the views of others. There are many here against auctions and I will adk this, if I auction a $20 item for $1000 how does it honestly negatively effect you. It should have no effect on you, yourself. You are just tired of the *****ing. Maybe those individual need to grow up and reexamine their perspectivrs. If there was no *****ing there would be no problem.

John
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: nubbinator on Thu, 07 November 2013, 23:26:34
If ClickClack himself was the one to auction them off, I would have no issue with it.  I think it's great when artists see returns on their work like that.

I have a huge problem though when people decide to exploit an artist's generosity.  When an artist decides to keep their prices lower and more accessible to people, it's great; however, when people decide to take that generosity and exploit it for their own financial gain, that's reprehensible.

Think back to the Tickle Me Elmo fiasco.  It was the toy to get for kids that year.  As such, it sold out.  There were people, however, who saw that it was the toy to get and bought the entire stock from stores, then turned around and sold them for massive markups.  I don't know anyone who wouldn't call them scumbags for doing that.

That's exactly what Clack auctions have turned into.  It's people who know that something is sought after and valued by people getting it cheap or at a decent price and turning around and selling it for a ridiculous amount.  Yes, it's not purely the fault of the sellers because there are people who will pay that much, but it is a problem nonetheless.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 08 November 2013, 00:01:41
I skimmed through a bit of the thread, and I thought I'd add my two cents.

There seems to be a whole lot of idealism going on here.  I think there are some who need to step back and think about things realistically.
There are people who want to buy and sell things related to keyboards (or just other cool stuff).  Sellers will want to make a reasonable return on the sale, and buyers will want to snag an item for the least amount they can.  New things in high demand are going to cost more, ie clacks.  This is supply and demand.  Clacks have a low supply pretty much all around, and since for whatever reason people seem to freaking love them, their demand is high.  Guess what happens to the price when you have low supply and high demand?  Price goes up.  Sure this isn't ideal, but it's reality.

Getting back to auctions, do they belong? Maybe.  I personally think auctions are a perfectly fine way to sell something.  It can benefit both the seller and buyer, for various reasons that have surely been outlined already.  I feel the only issue is the quality and setup of an auction, which is completely a result of the seller.  A good seller who sets up an auction with clearly defined rules and stays on top of the auction to handle it is fine by me.  A bad seller who sets up abusable or just plain bad rules for the auction is going to have a bad time.  Also, I think it should go without saying that if you don't like somebody's auction, don't bid.  It's that simple.  Along the same lines, somebody's auction thread is not the place to complain about the auction.

Having auctions on ebay is great, but I feel a primary reason that people want to hold auctions in threads here is visibility.  With an ebay auction, no thread is bumped, and chances are people will only see your auction once or twice, unless they're actively bidding in it.  Here, when a bid is made by way of a reply to a thread, it pops the visibility up to 11.  But of course this causes problems like forcing down other threads in the classifieds.  There is however an easy fix for this: Have an auctions subforum, separate from classifieds.

Good things can also be done with google forms, or maybe if some enterprising individual wants to set up a bidding service, we could see some really cool auctions.  Classical auctions have issues, like sniping (yes it's an issue in my opinion), so having a bidding system that can be configured to do interesting things could lead to some good auctions happening.  From my minecrafting days, I've seen a couple auction methods implemented on servers to buy in-game loot, each with its own positives and negatives.  I've seen, for instance, an auction system where you place hidden bids, and if you bid higher, you become the bid leader and the second highest bid is announced, but if you bid lower, you are informed that you are not the highest bidder.  However, the winner of the auction only pays an amount equal to the second highest bid.  The idea is that you bid the most you are willing to pay, and then any bid lower than yours will raise the amount you would pay if you won.

TL;DR: Auctions are cool and useful, but should probably have their own sub-forum.  Users should be able to leverage a variety of auctioning methods based on the auction they want to run. Ex: ebay, google forms silent auction, etc.  If you don't like somebody's auction, you don't have to bid.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Polymer on Fri, 08 November 2013, 00:04:01
As you can imagine, I like the auctions.  In reality, they build excitement and community activity, like it or not. In all honesty, I am not a real active member and don't participate in the community aspect as much as many but I do try to support members and the forum. That said, just remember that there are many sides to view things from and many people come here for various reasons and enjoy diffetent things, not necessarily for the same reasons you may be here.

I have always been of the free enterprise view and anyone can do whatever they want with their items. In my opinion, it is not the activity, an auction, that divides the community, but in fact, it is the constant whining and butthurt. Maybe the whiners need removed. Think about it, if $20 items were auctioned for $1000 and there was no whining, jelousy, envy, butthurt, call it whay you want, but instead, joy for the new owner, would there be an issue? I am guessing not. I don't want to call people out and respect the views of others. There are many here against auctions and I will adk this, if I auction a $20 item for $1000 how does it honestly negatively effect you. It should have no effect on you, yourself. You are just tired of the *****ing. Maybe those individual need to grow up and reexamine their perspectivrs. If there was no *****ing there would be no problem.

John

This would be fine if the entity creating/selling the Clacks was selling them at whatever price they could get..completely free market..

But what we have here is someone that is keeping the prices low because he wants the community to share in the enjoyment.  Based on what they sell for here he could easily sell them for significantly more and people would still buy them.  He keeps prices low so the people that want to enjoy them can enjoy them without really hurting their wallet.

What ends up happening is people then end up making money off his back...You have people trying to buy them, not for their enjoyment, but so they can flip them immediately.  The intent of keeping the prices low so the community can enjoy them instead turns into people trying to get them to try to make money off of someone else's work.

I have no issues with sales, auctions, etc..per se...I think other than shill bidding, auctions aren't a big deal...but it is pretty sad to see people flip clacks right away...They've basically taken someone's goodwill and turned it on its head..it is going to happen in situations like this.  People aren't stupid, they'll buy a 100 dollar bill for 25 dollars...but at the same time, the community itself should not facilitate that behavior..take it somewhere else..

Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Fri, 08 November 2013, 00:31:15
As you can imagine, I like the auctions.  In reality, they build excitement and community activity, like it or not. In all honesty, I am not a real active member and don't participate in the community aspect as much as many but I do try to support members and the forum. That said, just remember that there are many sides to view things from and many people come here for various reasons and enjoy diffetent things, not necessarily for the same reasons you may be here.

I have always been of the free enterprise view and anyone can do whatever they want with their items. In my opinion, it is not the activity, an auction, that divides the community, but in fact, it is the constant whining and butthurt. Maybe the whiners need removed. Think about it, if $20 items were auctioned for $1000 and there was no whining, jelousy, envy, butthurt, call it whay you want, but instead, joy for the new owner, would there be an issue? I am guessing not. I don't want to call people out and respect the views of others. There are many here against auctions and I will adk this, if I auction a $20 item for $1000 how does it honestly negatively effect you. It should have no effect on you, yourself. You are just tired of the *****ing. Maybe those individual need to grow up and reexamine their perspectivrs. If there was no *****ing there would be no problem.

John

This would be fine if the entity selling the Clacks was selling them at whatever price they could get..completely free market..

But what we have here is someone that is keeping the prices low because he wants the community to share in the enjoyment.  Based on what they sell for here he could easily sell them for significantly more and people would still buy them.  He keeps prices low so the people that want to enjoy them can enjoy them without really hurting their wallet.

What ends up happening is people then end up making money off his back...You have people trying to buy them, not for their enjoyment, but so they can flip them immediately.  The intent of keeping the prices low so the community can enjoy them instead turns into people trying to get them to try to make money off of someone else's work.

I have no issues with sales, auctions, etc..per se...I think other than shill bidding, auctions aren't a big deal...but it is pretty sad to see people flip clacks right away...They've basically taken someone's goodwill and turned it on its head..it is going to happen in situations like this.  People aren't stupid, they'll buy a 100 dollar bill for 25 dollars...but at the same time, the community itself should not facilitate that behavior..take it somewhere else..

Noob question but what is "shill bidding"?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: nubbinator on Fri, 08 November 2013, 00:38:59
Fraudulent bids to artificially drive up the price.  Usually done with alt fraudulent alternative accounts or by friends and/or family.

While not quite shill bidding, Cactux's bidding in some recent auction threads could be considered shill bidding by some since he's only bidding to increase the sale price, not to try and win.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: catnipz0098 on Fri, 08 November 2013, 00:51:17
I'm fine.

Its an honor system anyways.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 08 November 2013, 07:08:41
While not quite shill bidding, Cactux's bidding in some recent auction threads could be considered shill bidding by some since he's only bidding to increase the sale price, not to try and win.

There is nothing wrong with what he is doing for one important reason: if he ends up with the highest bid, he is obligated to pay that for the item.  If you notice him bidding on something he doesn't even want... let him win it.  He'll stop bidding on things he doesn't want pretty quickly if he starts winning them.  Then, if he wins the auctions and backs out since he didn't want the items in the first place, you have a basis to legitimately ignore him in any future auctions for failure to pay after winning.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jcrouse on Fri, 08 November 2013, 07:28:45
But what we have here is someone that is keeping the prices low because he wants the community to share in the enjoyment.

The intent of keeping the prices low so the community can enjoy them instead turns into people trying to get them to try to make money off of someone else's work.

They've basically taken someone's goodwill and turned it on its head.
I am curious how you know the thoughts and intent of CC. Do not speak for someone else who has not voiced their opinion since this really exploded a year or so ago. While you may be 100% correct, It simply is not fair. (and don't paste the extremely generic comment cc made a long time ago that really does not address the issue)

John
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MOZ on Fri, 08 November 2013, 07:38:33
My ideas towards solutions:
1. All auctions elsewhere unless allowed by moderators (Those for community/charitable benefits)
2. Subforum for posting CC WTS/WTB
3. Subforum for posting auction great finds, posting replied locked.
4. All items posted for sale should have atleast one image showing clearly the product for sale, username, and date the item is posted on. Image has to be re-uploaded after one month if item is unsold.
5. All items for sale must have a listed price.
6. Template for putting up products, including fields such as name of product, date of purchase, location, listed price, reason for sale, product condition, shipping charges, mode of payment.
7. One other thing I have noted and seen less elsewhere is each user having a single sale thread and editing them. Most sites have classifieds threads product wise, once the item is sold, sold price is mentioned and thread locked. A CRON job moves all these closed threads to a "Closed Deals" subforum ever night or it is done automatically when the thread is closed. This tends to keep things organised and the replies in the thread are relevant to the currently sold product.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Blazed on Fri, 08 November 2013, 07:50:27
But what we have here is someone that is keeping the prices low because he wants the community to share in the enjoyment.

The intent of keeping the prices low so the community can enjoy them instead turns into people trying to get them to try to make money off of someone else's work.

They've basically taken someone's goodwill and turned it on its head.
I am curious how you know the thoughts and intent of CC. Do not speak for someone else who has not voiced their opinion since this really exploded a year or so ago. While you may be 100% correct, It simply is not fair. (and don't paste the extremely generic comment cc made a long time ago that really does not address the issue)

John

What are you even talking about jcrouse? Sounds like you are getting mad at him for no reason, and your comments don't even match up with his.

If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself for starting this massive problem of people throwing their wallets at clacks.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 08 November 2013, 07:59:10
As you can imagine, I like the auctions.  In reality, they build excitement and community activity, like it or not. In all honesty, I am not a real active member and don't participate in the community aspect as much as many but I do try to support members and the forum. That said, just remember that there are many sides to view things from and many people come here for various reasons and enjoy diffetent things, not necessarily for the same reasons you may be here.

I have always been of the free enterprise view and anyone can do whatever they want with their items. In my opinion, it is not the activity, an auction, that divides the community, but in fact, it is the constant whining and butthurt. Maybe the whiners need removed. Think about it, if $20 items were auctioned for $1000 and there was no whining, jelousy, envy, butthurt, call it whay you want, but instead, joy for the new owner, would there be an issue? I am guessing not. I don't want to call people out and respect the views of others. There are many here against auctions and I will adk this, if I auction a $20 item for $1000 how does it honestly negatively effect you. It should have no effect on you, yourself. You are just tired of the *****ing. Maybe those individual need to grow up and reexamine their perspectivrs. If there was no *****ing there would be no problem.

John

This would be fine if the entity selling the Clacks was selling them at whatever price they could get..completely free market..

But what we have here is someone that is keeping the prices low because he wants the community to share in the enjoyment.  Based on what they sell for here he could easily sell them for significantly more and people would still buy them.  He keeps prices low so the people that want to enjoy them can enjoy them without really hurting their wallet.

What ends up happening is people then end up making money off his back...You have people trying to buy them, not for their enjoyment, but so they can flip them immediately.  The intent of keeping the prices low so the community can enjoy them instead turns into people trying to get them to try to make money off of someone else's work.

I have no issues with sales, auctions, etc..per se...I think other than shill bidding, auctions aren't a big deal...but it is pretty sad to see people flip clacks right away...They've basically taken someone's goodwill and turned it on its head..it is going to happen in situations like this.  People aren't stupid, they'll buy a 100 dollar bill for 25 dollars...but at the same time, the community itself should not facilitate that behavior..take it somewhere else..

Noob question but what is "shill bidding"?

I'm not saying it was shill bidding but when I first saw it, it was the first thing that came to mind.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50101.msg1098837#msg1098837

Someone registered to bid and then disappears...seems fishy, I mean anyone could do that just because they wanted to troll an auction.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Fri, 08 November 2013, 08:16:55
While not quite shill bidding, Cactux's bidding in some recent auction threads could be considered shill bidding by some since he's only bidding to increase the sale price, not to try and win.

There is nothing wrong with what he is doing for one important reason: if he ends up with the highest bid, he is obligated to pay that for the item.  If you notice him bidding on something he doesn't even want... let him win it.  He'll stop bidding on things he doesn't want pretty quickly if he starts winning them.  Then, if he wins the auctions and backs out since he didn't want the items in the first place, you have a basis to legitimately ignore him in any future auctions for failure to pay after winning.

Right, Cactux would "win" on an item he doesn't want, but since GH doesn't have the infrastructure (like an auction site) to enforce that negative outcome on him, who can really be sure? When fraud occurs at a site like eBay, eBay can handle the resolution. Sell broken items on eBay and get enough negative comments and you'll be done. Maybe items over a certain monetary value could be handled off-site. If you've got a $40 Model M to sell, name your price here and sell, but if you've got a high-ticket, rare, unique item that you expect to sell, take it to eBay? The problem with GH hosting auctions is that there's really no way to make sure people have skin in the game. For most auctions, people who want to bid are usually obligated to show how much money they've got in their pocket, and in some cases are required to leave a deposit -- which is forfeited in the event that they bid more than they can pay.

Auctions are too disruptive to the community it seems, so take it off-site where there can be more protection against fraud. People are still going to be upset by auctions, no matter where they are held, but at least there will be some consumer protection.

We should run a poll to determine what the community thinks of selling, auctions and the marketplace in general. CF should still have lotteries, but raise the prices. The "real" price of a clack is not the $40 price that CF asks for -- it's the $100+ prices that people are willing to pay. If CF will agree to run his lotteries at the real market price, then at least the extra money will be riding on CF's hip.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jcrouse on Fri, 08 November 2013, 08:18:28
What are you even talking about jcrouse? Sounds like you are getting mad at him for no reason, and your comments don't even match up with his.

If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself for starting this massive problem of people throwing their wallets at clacks.
What? I stated that I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that. What part of that do you not understand. I am in no way mad. We are openly discussing something here are there is certainly no reason to point blame, although you are emntitled to your opinions. If you did not understand my point you should read it again.

He stated why cc keeps his prices low and something else. I simply asked how he knows what the intent or reasons of another person are. That's all. This is exactly why I do not often comment, share my opinion or engage here. Because for some reason a lot of people have an inability to maturely and openly discuss items without resorting to blame or name calling. 

Lastly, I would think someone with 23 posts and a member for a little over half a year hardly knows the entire story of what has happened here the last 18 to 24 months.

John


Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Fri, 08 November 2013, 08:27:30
We should run a poll to determine what the community thinks of selling, auctions and the marketplace in general. CF should still have lotteries, but raise the prices. The "real" price of a clack is not the $40 price that CF asks for -- it's the $100+ prices that people are willing to pay. If CF will agree to run his lotteries at the real market price, then at least the extra money will be riding on CF's hip.
I don't really think it is right to try and tell CC how to set his own prices.  The whole point of the lottery is so you can feel awesome when you win a clack for so damn cheap.  He obviously has his motif's for setting the prices how he does, lets try not to drag him into this bull****.  He's just a guy who likes to create keys as a hobby.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jcrouse on Fri, 08 November 2013, 08:38:01
Someone above mentioned moving auctions to ebay. Do we dtill allow sales? Or sales of everything except clacks? Msybe single out korean customs also. My point is that if allow any clack activity, sales, the issues will continue. If someone posts a clack for sale for $200 they eill get many pms offering 150 or 175 and if we make it trandparent like everything is the way to go then the envy, butthurt and negativity will all continue. As stated, the problem is not the auction or sale, but peoples reactions to it. Every single person that posts these types of comments adds to the problem. If clack auctions are moved to ebay they will still be discussed here and all the anger and butthurt will continue. Someone will still whine that the missed ount on the last X numbet of sales and a freakin 20 clack just sold on rbsy for 200. Am I wrong thinking that? Maybe we sensor and delete sny post that references clacks completely. Now, that may solve gthe problem.  :)

John
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jcrouse on Fri, 08 November 2013, 08:40:40
If CF will agree to run his lotteries at the real market price, then at least the extra money will be riding on CF's hip.
But people will still be angry they did not get one, can't afford it or dont have any. No?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Fri, 08 November 2013, 08:46:35
We should run a poll to determine what the community thinks of selling, auctions and the marketplace in general. CF should still have lotteries, but raise the prices. The "real" price of a clack is not the $40 price that CF asks for -- it's the $100+ prices that people are willing to pay. If CF will agree to run his lotteries at the real market price, then at least the extra money will be riding on CF's hip.
I don't really think it is right to try and tell CC how to set his own prices.  The whole point of the lottery is so you can feel awesome when you win a clack for so damn cheap.  He obviously has his motif's for setting the prices how he does, lets try not to drag him into this bull****.  He's just a guy who likes to create keys as a hobby.

I'm not questioning his motives for offering clacks at an artificially low price -- but look at the upsetment it causes! People routinely call the $40 price the "regular" price, but the after lottery market says otherwise. I like the lotteries because they're exciting and fun -- but when people lose, they get upset, and their agita is so great, so powerful, so profound that we should do what is right: make sure no one gets a sweetheart deal on a clack anymore. CF was (and is) doing something cool, but since some upsetment has resulted, it should stop. It's the only moral thing to do.

No one can decide what price CF can sell his work except him, I'm just pointing out that the clack market is being distorted. The fact that the distortion is motivated by altruism and goodwill does not matter.

OR we just hug our more sensitive members and move on, and enjoy the lotteries and not look for people to blame when things don't go our way.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Fri, 08 November 2013, 09:05:55
If CF will agree to run his lotteries at the real market price, then at least the extra money will be riding on CF's hip.
But people will still be angry they did not get one, can't afford it or dont have any. No?

Nothing will ever stop the butthurt. Jesus said, "The butthurt will always be with you." Olivia Wilde doesn't return any of my phone calls -- this is obscenely unfair and morally wrong, and yet I soldier on despite my own butthurt over it. (looks stalwart) My point is that people are confusing CF's lottery prices with the real price, the real value of the clacks -- which the after market has determined is closer to $100. If CF sold them at a higher price, a price closer to the price determined by the market, people wouldn't see them as flippable investments. Sure, some people might still then choose to flip them for $500, but that wouldn't happen often. I'm making the suggestion to try to put the bellyaching into perspective. We can either enjoy CF's altruism and accept periodic butthurt, or we can ask him to stop the generosity. It's like saying, "If you don't bring enough cupcakes for everyone in the class NO ONE GETS CUPCAKES." We can't share the joy and good luck equally, so we should abolish the joy. Or we get over our butthurt.

The real issue to me is the attitude that market transactions are (except when profitless) inherently exploitative. If there's a person who cares only about making a profit, and that person finds junked keyboards and sell them here (or anywhere) with not an altruistic bone in their body, they are helping the hobby by making those 'boards and items available, by rescuing them from oblivion. When a community is openly hostile to profit-making (as GH seems to be becoming), it's not good for the hobby or the community in my opinion.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 08 November 2013, 09:15:51
Olivia Wilde doesn't return any of my phone calls.

Make sure you are using a modem!

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 08 November 2013, 09:37:44
While not quite shill bidding, Cactux's bidding in some recent auction threads could be considered shill bidding by some since he's only bidding to increase the sale price, not to try and win.

There is nothing wrong with what he is doing for one important reason: if he ends up with the highest bid, he is obligated to pay that for the item.  If you notice him bidding on something he doesn't even want... let him win it.  He'll stop bidding on things he doesn't want pretty quickly if he starts winning them.  Then, if he wins the auctions and backs out since he didn't want the items in the first place, you have a basis to legitimately ignore him in any future auctions for failure to pay after winning.

Right, Cactux would "win" on an item he doesn't want, but since GH doesn't have the infrastructure (like an auction site) to enforce that negative outcome on him, who can really be sure? When fraud occurs at a site like eBay, eBay can handle the resolution.

GH has plenty of infrastructure to deal with people who back out of auctions, especially if auctions get their own sub-forum.  1st time backing out? 1 month ban from auctions sub-forum.  2nd time backing out? 1 year ban.  Simple.
Even if mods don't help out with enforcing, if other sellers know about somebody backing out of a win, they can simply ignore any bids from that person in the future.  Put simply, keep a personal ban list of people who cannot bid on your auctions.  In the event of a back-out, no real fraud happens since no money is transferred, and no item is lost.  It surely is inconvenient for the seller, since they then have to auction the item again, but there is no loss besides time.

TL;DR: If he wins something he never wanted in the first place, make him buy it.  If he doesn't, ban him from future auctions, enforced by the sellers themselves or mods.  Also, give auctions their own sub-forum!
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Fri, 08 November 2013, 09:38:36
Just from past observations, the only place where these auctions are a problem (if you want to call it a problem) are clacks and occasionally some old group buy sets like Graphite or OG R.A.

Usually I look at an auction or keyboard that was sold and think damn that was a steal.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: ITzNybble on Fri, 08 November 2013, 09:40:43
Olivia Wilde doesn't return any of my phone calls.

Make sure you are using a modem!

(Attachment Link)

ohhhh Olivia Wilde........
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jdcarpe on Fri, 08 November 2013, 09:46:04
There seems to be a whole lot of idealism going on here.  I think there are some who need to step back and think about things realistically.

/me Puts on reading glasses, sits in the rocking chair, and puffs from his pipe of tobacco...

My ideals of this forum and this community come not from some "fantasy world" where everything is utopia and everyone is happy. They come from MY ACTUAL FORUM EXPERIENCE IN THE MONTHS FOLLOWING MY JOINING THIS COMMUNITY. How I describe things is how the forum actually worked at that time.

Then two things happened, almost simultaneously, that changed this forum, and not for the better, in my opinion.

1. Ripster went Super Troll, and got himself banned. Not only from here, but from Deskthority as well.
2. The R00TW0RM attack brought the site down, and it was several weeks before it went live again.

After the R00TW0RM attack, some senior members decided not to return. It was from them (and others) that I obtained the guidance that shaped my ideas as to how one should conduct him/herself in this community. The loss of those members has created a void that has not been adequately filled. I will shoulder part of that blame. I allowed the laissez faire attitude now prevalent to overrule my desire to help guide how others behaved on the forum. I didn't think it was my place to do it; that I wasn't senior enough to be suggesting how others should conduct themselves. But I was wrong in that assumption. It is every member's place to do so, when they feel things are headed in the wrong direction.

The other side of the Ripster incident was that because he was banned from the two primary English-speaking keyboard enthusiast forums, he went to Reddit and started the subreddit /r/mechanicalkeyboards. Because Reddit has a large audience, all of whom can browse the subreddits, his visibility increased to a wider audience. Of course, Ripster was, and, to my admittedly limited knowledge of him, still remains obsessed with all things Geekhack, so he naturally spews forth about our forum there for his disciples/minions/readers to consume. This had the effect of increasing the visibility of Geekhack to a wider audience, as well. I'm not saying that is necessarily a bad thing, but the influx of a great number of new users in a short period of time has caused some turbulence here, with regard to how members are expected to conduct themselves.

That's how we got to this point. Where we go from here is up to us. I haven't given up on people, yet. I still believe that people can come together, talk about keyboards, and make cool new stuff, without always trying to extract money from each other's wallets.

/nostalgia
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 08 November 2013, 09:50:42
There seems to be a whole lot of idealism going on here.  I think there are some who need to step back and think about things realistically.

/me Puts on reading glasses, sits in the rocking chair, and puffs from his pipe of tobacco...

My ideals of this forum and this community come not from some "fantasy world" where everything is utopia and everyone is happy. They come from MY ACTUAL FORUM EXPERIENCE IN THE MONTHS FOLLOWING MY JOINING THIS COMMUNITY. How I describe things is how the forum actually worked at that time.

Then two things happened, almost simultaneously, that changed this forum, and not for the better, in my opinion.

1. Ripster went Super Troll, and got himself banned. Not only from here, but from Deskthority as well.
2. The R00TW0RM attack brought the site down, and it was several weeks before it went live again.

After the R00TW0RM attack, some senior members decided not to return. It was from them (and others) that I obtained the guidance that shaped my ideas as to how one should conduct him/herself in this community. The loss of those members has created a void that has not been adequately filled. I will shoulder part of that blame. I allowed the laissez faire attitude now prevalent to overrule my desire to help guide how others behaved on the forum. I didn't think it was my place to do it; that I wasn't senior enough to be suggesting how others should conduct themselves. But I was wrong in that assumption. It is every member's place to do so, when they feel things are headed in the wrong direction.

The other side of the Ripster incident was that because he was banned from the two primary English-speaking keyboard enthusiast forums, he went to Reddit and started the subreddit /r/mechanicalkeyboards. Because Reddit has a large audience, all of whom can browse the subreddits, his visibility increased to a wider audience. Of course, Ripster was, and, to my admittedly limited knowledge of him, still remains obsessed with all things Geekhack, so he naturally spews forth about our forum there for his disciples/minions/readers to consume. This had the effect of increasing the visibility of Geekhack to a wider audience, as well. I'm not saying that is necessarily a bad thing, but the influx of a great number of new users in a short period of time has caused some turbulence here, with regard to how members are expected to conduct themselves.

That's how we got to this point. Where we go from here is up to us. I haven't given up on people, yet. I still believe that people can come together, talk about keyboards, and make cool new stuff, without always trying to extract money from each other's wallets.

/nostalgia

^^ That I understand. Thank you for sharing JD. :thumb:
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Fri, 08 November 2013, 10:01:13
GH has plenty of infrastructure to deal with people who back out of auctions, especially if auctions get their own sub-forum.  1st time backing out? 1 month ban from auctions sub-forum.  2nd time backing out? 1 year ban.  Simple.

With respect, no I don't agree. GH doesn't have a payment system. So when I say I bought Olivia Wilde dinner on the forum, but that afterwards she refused a ride home on my lightcycle, who on GH is able to confirm that I took her to Olive Garden? Also, who wants to administrate all that? You? Not me. Meanwhile, on eBay, people are being paid to check transactions, etc. and impose punishments.

Quote from: Neebio
Even if mods don't help out with enforcing, if other sellers know about somebody backing out of a win, they can simply ignore any bids from that person in the future.  Put simply, keep a personal ban list of people who cannot bid on your auctions.

Possible, but still tedious. What about someone's suggestion that we announce eBay auctions here, and make them by-invitation only. You PM the person, ask for an invite and you can bid: on eBay. And if there's a problem, eBay handles it, not Geekhack. And if you feel cheated, invisibly slighted, etc. -- don't bid with that person again. And you can do so using eBay's system, as well. So when someone rages about an eBay auction, you can wonder (or say) "why not complain about them on eBay?" That would also reduce people from being gratuitously butthurt, because everyone would know that they can do something concrete about their feelings.

Quote from: Neebio
In the event of a back-out, no real fraud happens since no money is transferred, and no item is lost.  It surely is inconvenient for the seller, since they then have to auction the item again, but there is no loss besides time.

How do you really know that I didn't buy Olivia Wilde the 'Neverending Pasta Bowl' (http://blog.pe.com/food-and-drink/2013/08/09/dining-olive-gardens-never-ending-pasta-bowl-returns/) in an attempt to impress her? I just told you I did. That's what I mean by eBay having the proper infrastructure; they can see the money going into and out of accounts -- GH can't, and shouldn't. And they can inflict a lot more punishment than GH can. And you can't hide who you are with sock puppetry on eBay.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Polymer on Fri, 08 November 2013, 10:17:52
But what we have here is someone that is keeping the prices low because he wants the community to share in the enjoyment.

The intent of keeping the prices low so the community can enjoy them instead turns into people trying to get them to try to make money off of someone else's work.

They've basically taken someone's goodwill and turned it on its head.
I am curious how you know the thoughts and intent of CC. Do not speak for someone else who has not voiced their opinion since this really exploded a year or so ago. While you may be 100% correct, It simply is not fair. (and don't paste the extremely generic comment cc made a long time ago that really does not address the issue)

John

Well originally I was going to put..his motivation for keeping prices down COULD be to create hype...but that doesn't go with what he has said in the past.  The limits, the possible bans, etc...none of that goes with anything EXCEPT what I said.  It isn't exclusive to CCs....other industries face this same problem and when the creator/owner runs into that situation they do the same thing going on with CC's.  When they don't care they'll just charge more money for their goods.  I think assuming the owner, in this case CC, is not aware enough to charge more if that is what he wanted is silly. 

If you're saying you disagree then I think that is just to make you feel better about it....and I'd wonder what your reaction would be if CC came out and said the same thing...I doubt most flippers would even care even though they might not admit it publicly.. 
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Fri, 08 November 2013, 10:37:38
On the subject of buying and reselling CCs:

The one problem I see with the banning of auctions on the forum is the second-hand price some members have paid for CCs. I've noticed a pattern. A person really wants a CC being sold and is willing to outbid others even if it costs over $100. Most people who are willing to pay over $100 for a CC are also aware that they can resell it for roughly the same amount if they have to. I've seen this quite a lot with the recent jump in CC sales. The seller states that he has a CC for sale and wants to sell it for, let's say, $140 because he bought it for $140. Do you guys see the cyclical nature of the buying and reselling of these things?

Now, if auctions are banned from the site and the pricing of CCs for outrageous amounts on the forum is looked down-upon, people who've amassed a sizable collection of CCs will stand to lose A LOT of money unless they find other venues such as eBay to see the same returns on their CCs. I'm not sure what a reasonable solution would be when it comes to these individuals, but one thing is certain: something has to change.


I allowed the laissez faire attitude now prevalent to overrule my desire to help guide how others behaved on the forum. I didn't think it was my place to do it; that I wasn't senior enough to be suggesting how others should conduct themselves. But I was wrong in that assumption. It is every member's place to do so, when they feel things are headed in the wrong direction.

Thanks for pointing this out, JD. Although we are practically eye to eye on the issue on auctions, people in this thread seem to undervalue the opinion of non-senior members such as myself. Opinions should be taken into consideration in terms of what is said -- not by who said it.

The influx of new members will either help deteriorate this forum if nothing changes or help turn it around by reversing the selfish buying/selling culture that has developed. I've already seen a few active members state that their lack of activity/interest is due to the current state of the forum. At the current rate, this forum will transform into a keyboard market forum with a small sub-forum for keyboard discussion.

I, for one, am baffled by those defending the status quo. But then again, I do not have the same ethic principles as these individuals. It is up to the admin staff to act as the "supreme court" and hopefully come to the right conclusion.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 08 November 2013, 13:03:06
-- snip --

How do you really know that I didn't buy Olivia Wilde the 'Neverending Pasta Bowl' (http://blog.pe.com/food-and-drink/2013/08/09/dining-olive-gardens-never-ending-pasta-bowl-returns/) in an attempt to impress her? I just told you I did. That's what I mean by eBay having the proper infrastructure; they can see the money going into and out of accounts -- GH can't, and shouldn't. And they can inflict a lot more punishment than GH can. And you can't hide who you are with sock puppetry on eBay.

I agree with your points generally, though I just don't think it's that bad..  I'm certainly not opposed to people running auctions on ebay; using a third party service that was designed specifically for your desired need certainly can't be a bad thing.  That said, I don't think we should say that auctions don't have a place here simply because of the possibility that somebody could abuse it.  That's similar to saying a convenience store shouldn't have a 'give a penny take a penny' jar because somebody could just take all the pennies. (Do you guys have those things in the states?)

P1 TL;DR: We shouldn't get rid of something just because there is a risk that it could be abused.

About people lying as to whether they paid/shipped an item, there are two parties involved in the transaction.  It will come down to whichever party can provide proof as to their word.  Now this pretty much goes for all transactions all the time, but people should document their purchases/sales.  Keep a log of your payment confirmations, etc.  Take pictures of the item being packed, with the shipping label, shipping receipt, etc.  Use paypal invoices to request payment from a buyer.  All these things provide adequate protection for purchases and will allow a buyer or seller to adequately prove their word with regards to details of a purchase.

With that said, I think keeping a personal ban list is easy, since you are the seller, and you have the right to not sell to a person.  If you seek mod help to get somebody banned for a period of time from auctions because they backed out, you should be ready to provide proof (such as an expired paypal invoice that went unpaid) to the mods before they impose a ban.  In the event somebody tries to get you banned from auctions when you did in fact pay your invoice, you'll have paypal receipts to back that up.  In the event that the seller doesn't ship an item, or it goes missing and you can't resolve the issue with the seller and you suspect foul play, you can raise a paypal dispute.

P2+3 TL;DR: Protect yourself by keeping records of everything.  Use paypal invoices and keep receipts.  Life is good, and it's never as bad as it seems. :)

And as I've said before, give auctions their own sub-forum.  Even if nothing else changes, that will be a bonus I think.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jcrouse on Fri, 08 November 2013, 13:13:44
.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Fri, 08 November 2013, 14:04:50
ITT: people protecting their investments with bull**** reasoning.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Fri, 08 November 2013, 14:09:50
ITT: people protecting their investments with bull**** reasoning.

I don't know why I bothered with the wall of texts when I could have just stated it so succinctly.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Fri, 08 November 2013, 14:12:05
Also, nobody here knows exactly what CC thinks so stop acting like his rep and saying **** he hasn't said himself. It's an insult to him and makes you look desperate to prove your point.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:02:58
Also, nobody here knows exactly what CC thinks so stop acting like his rep and saying **** he hasn't said himself. It's an insult to him and makes you look desperate to prove your point.
Teller of truths
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Pacifist on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:09:04
Also, nobody here knows exactly what CC thinks so stop acting like his rep and saying **** he hasn't said himself. It's an insult to him and makes you look desperate to prove your point.
Teller of truths
'
In a world of lies
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:32:43
ITT: people protecting their investments with bull**** reasoning.

Also, nobody here knows exactly what CC thinks so stop acting like his rep and saying **** he hasn't said himself. It's an insult to him and makes you look desperate to prove your point.

Yup, you really are the teller of truths.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: RabRhee on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:01:14
To maybe deviate slightly from the topic, I have a question. If auctions are removed completely from this site, we are aware of what benefits it will probably bring (greater simplicity, removal of a cause of friction, less scope for dishonesty) but what are likely to be the downsides of removing all auctions?

The only answers I can think of are these, but I'm wondering what others people consider:

Perhaps fewer people may frequent the boards (unlikely, but possible that some people are here only for that)
Slowing down of sales because non-auction sales are considered less exciting?
People feeing they won't get the best price so don't bother selling here at all?

While not offended personally by auctions, if there are few real penalties for removing them, perhaps they should just go. Reading through all these posts only seems to consider the debate, rather than the loss. would it be a loss? I appreciate it is hard to predict what may happen. Is it loss of a finger or an appendix?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Photoelectric on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:14:14
I don't think there will be a huge impact on the Classifieds subforum if Auctions are forbidden.  Vast majority of the sales are in normal non-auction format.  No one is going to stop selling if they can't put their items up for auction--they might just be more careful about listing their valuables.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:18:46
I do think it's obvious geekhack ebbs and flows with sales of different things, a lot of traffic does come because of the classifieds, maybe not just auctions, and if it weren't for a lot of the drama threads there wouldn't be nearly as much traffic.

Not saying all the traffic is good neccessarily, just I remember a few times this summer when there were only like a couple of us posting for a few days in a row  ::)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:20:47
Perhaps fewer people may frequent the boards (unlikely, but possible that some people are here only for that)
If a member is only here to profit and take advantage of other members though auctions, then by all means they can leave.

Slowing down of sales because non-auction sales are considered less exciting?
Less exciting? You mean drama? Are you saying that drama is good for the community?

People feeling they won't get the best price so don't bother selling here at all?
This is a community, not a store. If your only intent is to make money then go to ebay. 
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: absyrd on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:23:25
Often drama on forums does draw more attention, replies, etc. Sorry, but it is the internet.

I'd personally like less of it, though, even if it means there "wouldn't be nearly as much traffic".
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:36:51
If a member is only here to profit and take advantage of other members though auctions, then by all means they can leave.

I don't really understand this.  It takes two (or more) to auction.  You have a seller and buyer(s), and each must participate in order for an auction to complete.  By way of this, I don't think you can say that anybody is taken advantage of through an auction.  If you don't like an auction, don't bid.  If you don't want to pay as much as the auction has reached for an item you want, don't bid.  This isn't rocket science.  You can't be taken advantage of if you don't let yourself be taken advantage of.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: noisyturtle on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:42:50
+1 for a Clack trading/selling sub forum. Half or more of the classifieds front page is clack related anyway and it makes it a pain in the ass to sift through when you just want to browse. Or have an auctions only classifieds, and a regular this way you can stipulate rules tailored to each one as opposed to making broader strokes.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: RabRhee on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:43:09
Perhaps fewer people may frequent the boards (unlikely, but possible that some people are here only for that)
If a member is only here to profit and take advantage of other members though auctions, then by all means they can leave.

Slowing down of sales because non-auction sales are considered less exciting?
Less exciting? You mean drama? Are you saying that drama is good for the community?

People feeling they won't get the best price so don't bother selling here at all?
This is a community, not a store. If your only intent is to make money then go to ebay.

I personally couldn't think of a real downside to auctions being removed, that's why I posted the question. I posed those three suggestions ending with question marks to try and fathom what could be downsides. Personally I agree with what you answered to them mostly. Anyone just here for auctions is probably no loss, auction drama can cause people who have been friendly here to become bitter enemies long after the auction has ended which can be a real cost to the community. Mostly I see the drama as a net loss, even if it does bring the popcorn on. The non auction drama should still hold most the rubberneckers  here :)

The only part I could disagree with you on is the store part. Trade and sales are quite a strong part of this site, from vendors, group buys, classifieds, friend trades, etc., and clearly some make money. But of course auctions are a fraction of a fraction of that business and unlikely to harm it in any real way if they are removed.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:48:06
If a member is only here to profit and take advantage of other members though auctions, then by all means they can leave.

I don't really understand this.  It takes two (or more) to auction.  You have a seller and buyer(s), and each must participate in order for an auction to complete.  By way of this, I don't think you can say that anybody is taken advantage of through an auction.  If you don't like an auction, don't bid.  If you don't want to pay as much as the auction has reached for an item you want, don't bid.  This isn't rocket science.  You can't be taken advantage of if you don't let yourself be taken advantage of.

The bidders aren't the only parties being affected, unfortunately. Anyone who does not participate because the price has reached obnoxious proportions is affected. Thus, the entire community is taken advantage of because of a small percentage of profiteers.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:56:56
If a member is only here to profit and take advantage of other members though auctions, then by all means they can leave.

I don't really understand this.  It takes two (or more) to auction.  You have a seller and buyer(s), and each must participate in order for an auction to complete.  By way of this, I don't think you can say that anybody is taken advantage of through an auction.  If you don't like an auction, don't bid.  If you don't want to pay as much as the auction has reached for an item you want, don't bid.  This isn't rocket science.  You can't be taken advantage of if you don't let yourself be taken advantage of.

The bidders aren't the only parties being affected, unfortunately. Anyone who does not participate because the price has reached obnoxious proportions is affected. Thus, the entire community is taken advantage of because of a small percentage of profiteers.

I'm curious to hear how you think non-participants are affected by an auction.

Also, please explain how anybody is taken advantage of.  An auction is between a seller and buyers.  It is an organized competition requiring consent from all involved parties.  Bidders enter into the auction with an understanding that they may not win, and that in order to win they will have to outbid other bidders.  This is accepted by anybody who bids.  If an auction reaches a price that is too high for a bidder, they can simply stop bidding.  If they are not comfortable paying the price it has reached, they don't have to.  Again, this is stupid simple stuff.  No rocket science here.  Nobody is being taken advantage of.  People who pay lots for stuff in auctions are doing so because they want to.


Still my recommended first action to take: Create a sub-form in the marketplace dedicated to auctions (forum or ebay).
It would remove the bump-storm from the classifieds that auctions create, and allow for more targeted and specific moderating, overall creating a better user experience.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Binge on Fri, 08 November 2013, 17:10:01
 ^-^  Starting to feel this thread has no purpose other than to stir up debate.  If the points have not been said by now I think it is a moot point to pump them up much like a hillbilly working on clearing the septic tank.

Is there any chance that there will be a resolution to this concern which many have about the Geekhack Classifieds section?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Fri, 08 November 2013, 17:34:59
Lol a clack trading board?  Seriously?  Lets make a BroBot trading board while we're at it, and maybe a trading board for Korean boards.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: absyrd on Fri, 08 November 2013, 17:47:17
^-^  Starting to feel this thread has no purpose other than to stir up debate.  If the points have not been said by now I think it is a moot point to pump them up much like a hillbilly working on clearing the septic tank.

Is there any chance that there will be a resolution to this concern which many have about the Geekhack Classifieds section?

A debate is exactly what is needed to hash this out. Without it we wouldn't come to any resolution. If the admins/mods made the change without giving ample time to discuss, even more trouble would be caused. Due diligence here, and, for me personally, I hope we do see a classified rules overhaul soon.

My opinion based upon experience with forums and the above discussions:
1. No auctions or links to ebay auctions in classifieds.
2. Pictures of items must be present along with a handwritten piece of paper with GH username and date in the pic(s).
3. 24 hour bump rule, perhaps 48.
4. Define "threadcrapping" in terms that admins/mods agree upon and enforce it strictly.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Fri, 08 November 2013, 17:52:47
Lol a clack trading board?  Seriously?  Lets make a BroBot trading board while we're at it, and maybe a trading board for Korean boards.

Make one for cables too! :P
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Binge on Fri, 08 November 2013, 17:54:05
^-^  Starting to feel this thread has no purpose other than to stir up debate.  If the points have not been said by now I think it is a moot point to pump them up much like a hillbilly working on clearing the septic tank.

Is there any chance that there will be a resolution to this concern which many have about the Geekhack Classifieds section?

A debate is exactly what is needed to hash this out. Without it we wouldn't come to any resolution. If the admins/mods made the change without giving ample time to discuss, even more trouble would be caused. Due diligence here, and, for me personally, I hope we do see a classified rules overhaul soon.

My opinion based upon experience with forums and the above discussions:
1. No auctions or links to ebay auctions in classifieds.
2. Pictures of items must be present along with a handwritten piece of paper with GH username and date in the pic(s).
3. 24 hour bump rule, perhaps 48.
4. Define "threadcrapping" in terms that admins/mods agree upon and enforce it strictly.

You're a credit to your statement.  Although debate is meant to come to a point of consensus.  Folks are using this as a platform to argue about tangents related to anything ethical or fiscal.  I'm not saying people have touched on every other subject, but either strict moderation of the proceedings should exist or a decision should be made regarding the issue based on now almost 72 hours of debate.  Either way action by the admins/mods is needed before this just turns into something they would want to lock and ignore.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Fri, 08 November 2013, 18:12:44
I'm curious to hear how you think non-participants are affected by an auction.

Also, please explain how anybody is taken advantage of.  An auction is between a seller and buyers.  It is an organized competition requiring consent from all involved parties.  Bidders enter into the auction with an understanding that they may not win, and that in order to win they will have to outbid other bidders.  This is accepted by anybody who bids.  If an auction reaches a price that is too high for a bidder, they can simply stop bidding.  If they are not comfortable paying the price it has reached, they don't have to.  Again, this is stupid simple stuff.  No rocket science here.  Nobody is being taken advantage of.  People who pay lots for stuff in auctions are doing so because they want to.

I didn't think it was necessary to explain since it's pretty obvious. You keep stating that an auction is between a seller and bidders. Yes, but if an auction takes place here and there are users who would like to purchase something for a reasonable price but an auction has put it out of their reach, then everyone who refuses to pay for an overpriced item is affected. This is especially true if it's an item in short supply. Now, please don't give me a lesson in economics because the argument has nothing to do with supply and demand. It is all about the kind of behavior and ethics we want to have in this community. Auctions are greedy and exploitative by nature and I don't believe they have any place in this community.

>Please explain how anybody is taken advantage of
Anyone who does not participate because the price has reached obnoxious proportions is affected
Further explanation: If I choose not to participate in an auction because a $50 item is now $150, how exactly am I NOT affected? I want to buy this $50 item but it's now absurdly priced at $150. I either cannot afford the $150 price tag or find it insulting for a $50 item. Furthermore, those individuals who ended up in a bidding war are also taken advantage of because they may have paid way more than they would have if the item wasn't sold via an auction.

You repeat this process over numerous auctions and...
Thus, the entire community is taken advantage of because of a small percentage of profiteers.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 08 November 2013, 19:21:04
If I choose not to participate in an auction because a $50 item is now $150, how exactly am I NOT affected?

This is absurd to me.  An auction happens and you have decided you aren't willing to bid above the other bidders since the price has gone that high.  Fine, but how are you really affected? You haven't lost anything, you haven't gained anything, and by saying you're negatively affected, all you're really doing is complaining that you didn't get your item as fast as you would have liked.

If an auction happens and the price goes above what you are willing to pay, stop bidding and wait for the item to come around again, because it eventually will.  There's probably some lesson in patience here.

You repeat this process over numerous auctions and...

I don't agree with you here either.  Auctions don't cause the average price of an item to go up or down.  That's a supply & demand issue.  World economics for the past 1000 years (at least) backs this up.

Auctions are greedy and exploitative by nature and I don't believe they have any place in this community.

Auctions are not greedy or exploitative.  They serve a purpose to sell an item that the seller may or may not have a good idea as to what the price should be, to buyers who would like to buy the item at a price which they are comfortable paying.  Seriously, there is nothing exploitative here.  If you bid, you're saying you'll pay that much.  If it's too much for you, keep it to yourself and don't bid.  Stupid simple stuff.

As for the greed bit, well, I think that's capitalism's hand in things, not necessarily auctions.  Welcome to the wonderful world we live in, where money is king and greed is good.

------

Still my recommended first action to take: Create a sub-form in the marketplace dedicated to auctions (forum or ebay).
It would remove the bump-storm from the classifieds that auctions create, and allow for more targeted and specific moderating, overall creating a better user experience.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Fri, 08 November 2013, 19:31:52
I completely disagree with almost everything you said. I won't respond to each point since the discussion on the real world market vs GH as a community has already taken place earlier in the thread. It seems we're at crossing roads here. People either see this forum as a community of people with similar interests or more of a mechanical keyboard market where one can make significant profit off other members. The ethical difference is the dividing factor.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Fri, 08 November 2013, 19:47:02
I completely disagree with almost everything you said. I won't respond to each point since the discussion on the real world market vs GH as a community has already taken place earlier in the thread. It seems we're at crossing roads here. People either see this forum as a community of people with similar interests or more of a mechanical keyboard market where one can make significant profit off other members. The ethical difference is the dividing factor.
This is definitely a community with people of similar interests, but I don't think it is inherently wrong for somebody to want to get the most amount of money they can for an item.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 08 November 2013, 19:48:26
I completely disagree with almost everything you said. I won't respond to each point since the discussion on the real world market vs GH as a community has already taken place earlier in the thread. It seems we're at crossing roads here. People either see this forum as a community of people with similar interests or more of a mechanical keyboard market where one can make significant profit off other members. The ethical difference is the dividing factor.

I see it as it is currently.  A community of people who enjoy keyboards and keyboard related things, with an area designated for the sale or trade of keyboard and keyboard related things.  It isn't so black and white that you can lump people into either pure community or pure marketplace.  People are here to enjoy keyboard and related things, and if there are some of those people who would like to buy/sell/trade with other members, who are you to say they can or can't do that?  Who are you to try and limit what some people are willing to pay for items they want? You talk about ethical issues due to people buying and selling, but have you even considered the ethical issues inherent in removing that ability to buy and sell?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Fri, 08 November 2013, 19:52:53
^-^  Starting to feel this thread has no purpose other than to stir up debate.  If the points have not been said by now I think it is a moot point to pump them up much like a hillbilly working on clearing the septic tank.

Is there any chance that there will be a resolution to this concern which many have about the Geekhack Classifieds section?

well this is starting to be a tradition. mods make a separate thread for discussion to basically keep everybody in one place to ignore.

chances are that nothing will happen (as stated by hashbaz, imav likes to keep a hands off approach in the classifieds) even though a large majority want something to change. this will happen again when another big sale happens or somebody pisses somebody off (word to blindrage) and starts causing problems.

rinse and repeat!
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: L4yercake on Fri, 08 November 2013, 20:51:31
x1 Novelty Keycap for Sale Subforum

x1 Auction Subforum


I dislike sifting through WTB: Clack threads

Those that do not want to see the clack fever and auctions would then have that option. Its too late to change anything with the clacks, its like that in every hobby. There is always a unique collectible that most everyone wants but can't have and thats just the way it is.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Pacifist on Fri, 08 November 2013, 21:28:54
What about regular novelty caps, one that go for $3?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: L4yercake on Fri, 08 November 2013, 21:31:42
Expensive Novelty keycaps for Sale

Although everyone has a different opinion of what expensive is but whatever.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: dustinhxc on Fri, 08 November 2013, 23:40:27
Ill make this note, I dont like auctions ever. I like buy it now and trades. the end.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Fri, 08 November 2013, 23:53:32
stuff like this becomes a problem:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50679.0

"highest offer" yet there is no proof.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: dustinhxc on Fri, 08 November 2013, 23:58:44
stuff like this becomes a problem:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50679.0

"highest bid" yet there is no proof.

Exactly! That made me post on their topic.. I was like why do you keep changing the price? Just put a damn buy it now down....
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Sat, 09 November 2013, 02:32:36
Alright guys all the points that can be made have been argued and discussed until the horse died and got beat some more.  Someone (Mods & Admins) make a decision and lets go from there.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Polymer on Sat, 09 November 2013, 06:01:49
Also, nobody here knows exactly what CC thinks so stop acting like his rep and saying **** he hasn't said himself. It's an insult to him and makes you look desperate to prove your point.

I think you can have a good idea of what his intent is based on previous statements and what is being represented.  If you have another logical explanation of what he could be thinking based on what he's said in the past, the pricing/banlists, etc..why not express that?  Since no one actually can come up with one, their argument is CC isn't coming out and saying a more recent statement of what he thinks...That's not a reason but an excuse.  Not that I really think it matters to people flipping it right away.  People are going to do it regardless of what CC thinks.  As I said, you sell a 100 dollar bill for 25 dollars, people are going to go through that effort and really don't care what anyone else thinks. 

I think it is completely unrealistic to expect all people to be pro community and to give up money they could make.  It won't happen.  You don't know anyone online from anyone else..so no point in selling a CC to someone below market only to see them flip it.  I also don't think in general there is anything wrong w/ selling clacks...it is going to happen.  If you have one, enjoyed it, sold it...fair enough.  Or you needed the money, sold it..fair enough..or traded it for something else..fair enough..but when you try to buy some with no intention of keeping it...strictly just to make money off of someone else's work.....I actually could understand it more if it was a LOT of money, and maybe that makes me a bit of a hypocrite...but if you're going to sell your integrity, don't do it for a piddly amount like this...


Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Sat, 09 November 2013, 10:30:20
Expensive Novelty keycaps for Sale

Although everyone has a different opinion of what expensive is but whatever.
That is dumb.  The reason there are so many clack threads in classifieds at the moment is because there was just an EK sale.  Usually there aren't that many, or a person puts the clacks the want/are trying to trade/sell in a thread with other stuff.  Typically the classifieds is not a process of wading through a sea of clacks.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: AKIMbO on Sat, 09 November 2013, 11:39:55
Auctions are the bane of geekhack classifieds imo.  They should be banned as should raffles.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Sat, 09 November 2013, 11:59:08
Auctions are the bane of geekhack classifieds imo.  They should be banned as should raffles.
Why don't you like raffles?  Usually they donate to GH
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: AKIMbO on Sat, 09 November 2013, 12:50:51
Auctions are the bane of geekhack classifieds imo.  They should be banned as should raffles.
Why don't you like raffles?  Usually they donate to GH

Legality reasons.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: sth on Sat, 09 November 2013, 12:59:06
 :blank:
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Michael on Sat, 09 November 2013, 15:51:59
Auctions are the bane of geekhack classifieds imo.  They should be banned as should raffles.
Why don't you like raffles?  Usually they donate to GH

Legality reasons.


Oh really? (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50549.0)



Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: AKIMbO on Sat, 09 November 2013, 16:01:04
Auctions are the bane of geekhack classifieds imo.  They should be banned as should raffles.
Why don't you like raffles?  Usually they donate to GH

Legality reasons.


Oh really? (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50549.0)

I'm talking about raffles where you have to buy in. For example, pay a dollar and get entered into the drawing for a prize.  It subjects gh to several laws, tax complications, etc.

What you did was a giveaway....a totally separate type of transaction.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Michael on Sat, 09 November 2013, 16:04:43
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Sat, 09 November 2013, 16:23:30
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Sat, 09 November 2013, 16:24:56
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.

Rules in regards to clacks? What do you have in mind?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Michael on Sat, 09 November 2013, 16:25:48
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.

Rules in regards to clacks? What do you have in mind?


Rules set in place for auctions. Such as setting up a formatted way to post an auction. No private bidding, etc.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Sat, 09 November 2013, 16:30:22
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.

Rules in regards to clacks? What do you have in mind?


Rules set in place for auctions. Such as setting up a formatted way to post an auction. No private bidding, etc.

I don't think private bidding changes anything. If people are allowed to sell novelty keycaps for a massive price hike, they will do it by any means available to them: auction, PM, or even just straight-up demanding $150 in a sale thread. The real issue behind the "butthurt" is the fact that the obnoxious resale prices are allowed. The method which they are sold through really doesn't matter, but auctions seem to be creator of the highest prices.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Michael on Sat, 09 November 2013, 16:34:43
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.

Rules in regards to clacks? What do you have in mind?


Rules set in place for auctions. Such as setting up a formatted way to post an auction. No private bidding, etc.

I don't think private bidding changes anything. If people are allowed to sell novelty keycaps for a massive price hike, they will do it by any means available to them: auction, PM, or even just straight-up demanding $150 in a sale thread. The real issue behind the "butthurt" is the fact that the obnoxious resale prices are allowed. The method which they are sold through really doesn't matter, but auctions seem to be creator of the highest prices.


Market demand drives price. It's the same for any economy. If someone asks 500 for a clack, and nobody buys it - well hey, guess that's not the market price.
Also, auctions with only 100 dollar differentiation between buy it now and reserve are a prime example of people not knowing how to make an auction. A regulation for that difference can be set.
But overall, getting rid of auctions is NOT going to change the price of clacks. Instead of maybe getting it for a lower price, you are going to see them at the highest price in [FS].


Again - getting rid of auctions is not the answer, its a cop-out for lacking the ability to come up with a better solution.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Sat, 09 November 2013, 16:50:36
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.

Rules in regards to clacks? What do you have in mind?


Rules set in place for auctions. Such as setting up a formatted way to post an auction. No private bidding, etc.

I don't think private bidding changes anything. If people are allowed to sell novelty keycaps for a massive price hike, they will do it by any means available to them: auction, PM, or even just straight-up demanding $150 in a sale thread. The real issue behind the "butthurt" is the fact that the obnoxious resale prices are allowed. The method which they are sold through really doesn't matter, but auctions seem to be creator of the highest prices.


Market demand drives price. It's the same for any economy. If someone asks 500 for a clack, and nobody buys it - well hey, guess that's not the market price.
Also, auctions with only 100 dollar differentiation between buy it now and reserve are a prime example of people not knowing how to make an auction. A regulation for that difference can be set.
But overall, getting rid of auctions is NOT going to change the price of clacks. Instead of maybe getting it for a lower price, you are going to see them at the highest price in [FS].


Again - getting rid of auctions is not the answer, its a cop-out for lacking the ability to come up with a better solution.

The market principles for "rare" items such as CCs don't have to apply to our growing community here. We have the power to enforce it as long as people want this change to occur. You're right, banning auctions isn't an optimal solution, but it's the one I'm willing to settle for. Why? Because how many people here will agree to simply forbid overpricing CCs, especially those right after a CC lottery? Those looking to profit off their fellow members will be the most vocal opponents of such measures.

Perhaps I'm too idealistic. Maybe my ideas aren't realistic since people unknowingly bring their greed and selfishness here from the outside world and refuse to change. I guess I will take it upon myself to make a small change and not sell to those who make immense profits off other members.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Michael on Sat, 09 November 2013, 16:54:35
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.

Rules in regards to clacks? What do you have in mind?


Rules set in place for auctions. Such as setting up a formatted way to post an auction. No private bidding, etc.

I don't think private bidding changes anything. If people are allowed to sell novelty keycaps for a massive price hike, they will do it by any means available to them: auction, PM, or even just straight-up demanding $150 in a sale thread. The real issue behind the "butthurt" is the fact that the obnoxious resale prices are allowed. The method which they are sold through really doesn't matter, but auctions seem to be creator of the highest prices.


Market demand drives price. It's the same for any economy. If someone asks 500 for a clack, and nobody buys it - well hey, guess that's not the market price.
Also, auctions with only 100 dollar differentiation between buy it now and reserve are a prime example of people not knowing how to make an auction. A regulation for that difference can be set.
But overall, getting rid of auctions is NOT going to change the price of clacks. Instead of maybe getting it for a lower price, you are going to see them at the highest price in [FS].


Again - getting rid of auctions is not the answer, its a cop-out for lacking the ability to come up with a better solution.

The market principles for "rare" items such as CCs don't have to apply to our growing community here. We have the power to enforce it as long as people want this change to occur. You're right, banning auctions isn't an optimal solution, but it's the one I'm willing to settle for. Why? Because how many people here will agree to simply forbid overpricing CCs, especially those right after a CC lottery? Those looking to profit off their fellow members will be the most vocal opponents of such measures.

Perhaps I'm too idealistic. Maybe my ideas aren't realistic since people unknowingly bring their greed and selfishness here from the outside world and refuse to change. I guess I will take it upon myself to make a small change and not sell to those who make immense profits off other members.


I understand your point, but again - it's still not going to change the price of these things. An auction represents the ability to possibly get an item at a lower cost. Which regulating auctions could help with.
Of course you get people that make an auction with, let's say '$400 minimum and $500 BIN' which is just ridiculous. We can say if item has a max or BIN, then minimum cannot exceed 50% of BIN or something to that effect.


Don't forget there are always behind the scenes sales happening as well. So removing legitimate auctions from people isn't an answer.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jcrouse on Sat, 09 November 2013, 17:58:32
You could move the entire classifieds, both sale and auction to ebay but everytime something is sold that one of the gh whiners thinks is overpriced they will post a link on gh to the sale and it will be the same story, 8 pages of opinions, *****ing, whining and butthurt.

John
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Sat, 09 November 2013, 18:00:18
lets throw money at it
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jcrouse on Sat, 09 November 2013, 18:01:39
Don't forget there are always behind the scenes sales happening as well. So removing legitimate auctions from people isn't an answer.

You make a good point here. What may happen is that things become less transparent, prices do NOT decline and actually fewer members get opportunities because people are pm'ing their friends privately.

John
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Sat, 09 November 2013, 18:02:01
lets throw money at it
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Alessandro on Sat, 09 November 2013, 18:04:49
You could move the entire classifieds, both sale and auction to ebay but everytime something is sold that one of the gh whiners thinks is overpriced they will post a link on gh to the sale and it will be the same story, 8 pages of opinions, *****ing, whining and butthurt.

John

I always love that:

Complaints come in saying "don't bid on this". Don't make the guy money and such.

Why post it and fuel the flames in the first place?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Sat, 09 November 2013, 18:07:13
something something glass house

something something kettle black
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 09 November 2013, 18:23:47
Let's just get people to buy clacks for other people.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: MKULTRA on Sat, 09 November 2013, 18:28:42
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.

Rules in regards to clacks? What do you have in mind?


Rules set in place for auctions. Such as setting up a formatted way to post an auction. No private bidding, etc.

I don't think private bidding changes anything. If people are allowed to sell novelty keycaps for a massive price hike, they will do it by any means available to them: auction, PM, or even just straight-up demanding $150 in a sale thread. The real issue behind the "butthurt" is the fact that the obnoxious resale prices are allowed. The method which they are sold through really doesn't matter, but auctions seem to be creator of the highest prices.


Market demand drives price. It's the same for any economy. If someone asks 500 for a clack, and nobody buys it - well hey, guess that's not the market price.
Also, auctions with only 100 dollar differentiation between buy it now and reserve are a prime example of people not knowing how to make an auction. A regulation for that difference can be set.
But overall, getting rid of auctions is NOT going to change the price of clacks. Instead of maybe getting it for a lower price, you are going to see them at the highest price in [FS].


Again - getting rid of auctions is not the answer, its a cop-out for lacking the ability to come up with a better solution.
I already tried to explain this but it didn't work.  Save your fingers the energy wasted of explaining it.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Sat, 09 November 2013, 21:50:42
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.

Rules in regards to clacks? What do you have in mind?


Rules set in place for auctions. Such as setting up a formatted way to post an auction. No private bidding, etc.

I don't think private bidding changes anything. If people are allowed to sell novelty keycaps for a massive price hike, they will do it by any means available to them: auction, PM, or even just straight-up demanding $150 in a sale thread. The real issue behind the "butthurt" is the fact that the obnoxious resale prices are allowed. The method which they are sold through really doesn't matter, but auctions seem to be creator of the highest prices.

The reason behind the "butthurt" isn't the "obnoxious" resale prices, it's the people who complain about it.  People have all the right in the world to sell that which they own for any price a buyer is willing to pay.

--edit-- a word
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Michael on Sat, 09 November 2013, 22:25:15


I don't think private bidding changes anything.


Private bidding matters because you don't know if it's a real bid, or an artificial one by the seller to jack the price up.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Sat, 09 November 2013, 22:31:44
I also held auctions that donated directly to GH.


Honestly - I think there is way too much butthurt here regarding auctions and it has almost 100% to do with Clacks.
Instead of trying to remove auctions, you need to just set rules in place and regulate them. It's really not that hard.

Rules in regards to clacks? What do you have in mind?


Rules set in place for auctions. Such as setting up a formatted way to post an auction. No private bidding, etc.

I don't think private bidding changes anything. If people are allowed to sell novelty keycaps for a massive price hike, they will do it by any means available to them: auction, PM, or even just straight-up demanding $150 in a sale thread. The real issue behind the "butthurt" is the fact that the obnoxious resale prices are allowed. The method which they are sold through really doesn't matter, but auctions seem to be creator of the highest prices.

The reason behind the "butthurt" isn't the "obnoxious" resale prices, it's the people who complain it.  People have all the right in the world to sell that which they own for any price a buyer is willing to pay.

So people are butthurt because they complain? Dat logic. For me, it has nothing to do with the physical CC but the greedy principles some of you display.

I'm pretty much done debating here. I've given up the possibility of having members view each other as members instead of a piggy bank. From now on, I will boycott profiteers whenever I sell something. I will flat-out ignore them if they'd like to buy one of my items. I encourage others to do the same.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Sat, 09 November 2013, 23:23:37
-- snip --

So people are butthurt because they complain? Dat logic. For me, it has nothing to do with the physical CC but the greedy principles some of you display.

I'm pretty much done debating here. I've given up the possibility of having members view each other as members instead of a piggy bank. From now on, I will boycott profiteers whenever I sell something. I will flat-out ignore them if they'd like to buy one of my items. I encourage others to do the same.

Other way around.  Complaining about something that you have no place taking issue against is just causing drama.  I'm neither now nor ever talked specifically about Clacks.  This applies globally.  If you think something is overpriced, that is your right to think it, but you have no right to complain1 about others paying what you believe is an exaggerated price for an item.  It is their right to pay whatever they feel comfortable paying to get what they want.

With regards to your second remark, more power to you.  Sell to whoever you wish.  Though I'd be careful about how you define "profiteers" or you may just incite more needless drama.

1 Edit: I Re-read that.  To clarify:  I am not suggesting, by saying you have no right to complain, that you have no right to free speech or whatever related.  The intended idea of it was to say that you have no right to mess with what or how a seller sells an item to a willing buyer.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Sat, 09 November 2013, 23:24:01
 :eek:
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: kmiller8 on Sat, 09 November 2013, 23:24:29
:eek:

this is how he really feels

(http://i.imgur.com/48Fv4RZ.png)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Sat, 09 November 2013, 23:28:39
:eek:

this is how he really feels

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/48Fv4RZ.png)


...how did you... so fast... do you... a database of moose pictures..?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Michael on Sat, 09 November 2013, 23:37:30
I specifically brought up clacks only because they are what really sparked this issue, once the EK sale people were notified and starting putting up auctions.



Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Sat, 09 November 2013, 23:42:50
1 Edit: Re-read that.  I am not suggesting, by saying you have no right to complain, that you have no right to free speech or whatever related.  The intended idea of it was to say that you have no right to mess with what or how a seller sells an item to a willing buyer.

I have no right? Hah. I certainly have a right and that is why this thread exists. People keep thinking this forum is eBay or liken it to the world market, but it is NOT any of those. If this community agreed to from the start, with the moral guidance from the moderators, to participate in fair buying/selling practices...there wouldn't have been a need for this thread.

Hopefully the admin staff will put on their moral goggles and see what is the right thing to do for the COMMUNITY and not for the INDIVIDUAL SELLER.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Sun, 10 November 2013, 00:12:59
1 Edit: Re-read that.  I am not suggesting, by saying you have no right to complain, that you have no right to free speech or whatever related.  The intended idea of it was to say that you have no right to mess with what or how a seller sells an item to a willing buyer.

I have no right? Hah. I certainly have a right and that is why this thread exists. People keep thinking this forum is eBay or liken it to the world market, but it is NOT any of those. If this community agreed to from the start, with the moral guidance from the moderators, to participate in fair buying/selling practices...there wouldn't have been a need for this thread.

Hopefully the admin staff will put on their moral goggles and see what is the right thing to do for the COMMUNITY and not for the INDIVIDUAL SELLER.

Man.. Did you really just misinterpret my edit which was aimed at avoiding misinterpretation?  The edit (which you quoted) says that I'm NOT saying you don't have a right to your freedom of speech, but that you have no right to interfere with what consenting parties do together.

Also, how exactly do you see any of the sales going on here as unfair?  I thought this was clear.  When a buyer decides they are willing to pay an amount to a seller for the item they want, there is nothing wrong with that.  A sale that takes place without issue and with both parties consenting completely is 100% fair.  There is literally nothing unfair about it.  The only sales you could call "unfair" would be any time somebody is scammed or cheated in some way.

There's probably also something to be said about counting on the mods/admins for morality, but after having taken multiple university level courses on philosophy of morals and ethics, I can say for certain that that is not something I want to get into here... That stuff is boring as hell.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Photoelectric on Sun, 10 November 2013, 00:24:00
Sometimes I wish clacks didn't exist at all.  Seems like 80% of the Classifieds drama stems from them.  Even as related to the auctions.  Perhaps something else would be hyped up out of proportions then, but so far, nothing even comes close.  Gas Mask market is a fair amount healthier than the Clack market.  If only we could figure out what makes specifically the Clack market so crazy vs. other well-made novelty caps.  Because there are plenty of others.

But let's not be jumping to incorrect conclusions: obviously the colorful molded pieces of plastic don't have any evil consciousness of their own, trying to rob everyone's wallets and stirring up drama.  It's the people involved in the sales, the buying, the discussing, and the reselling.

My observations have led me to believe that the Legend Of The Great Clacks is perpetuated by the current sale $ figures and by all the talk about them like they are the End All desirable caps, so that new members quickly learn that Clacks are THE caps to get.  Before they even learn to appreciate the caps as works of art or what not, they learn that Clacks are the best way to make some quick cash, if only they get lucky enough during EK or CF sales.  Everyone who discusses Clacks and their high value and continues building a shrine to them is perpetuating this problem.  This issue extends outside the Classifieds subforum, and sometimes I think it'd be great to just not allow any discussions such as "Clack Therapy" threads and similar.  They are fueling the drama, exaggerating the value of these keycaps, and continuing the problem. 

That's my stance on what some of the current conventions for certain novelty caps are doing to this community.  I think this discussion about auctions also stems at least in part due to all the drama from specifically clack sales.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Sun, 10 November 2013, 00:25:28
the Legend Of The Great Clacks

:eek:
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Sun, 10 November 2013, 00:46:03
Man.. Did you really just misinterpret my edit which was aimed at avoiding misinterpretation?  The edit (which you quoted) says that I'm NOT saying you don't have a right to your freedom of speech, but that you have no right to interfere with what consenting parties do together.

Also, how exactly do you see any of the sales going on here as unfair?  I thought this was clear.  When a buyer decides they are willing to pay an amount to a seller for the item they want, there is nothing wrong with that.  A sale that takes place without issue and with both parties consenting completely is 100% fair.  There is literally nothing unfair about it.  The only sales you could call "unfair" would be any time somebody is scammed or cheated in some way.

There's probably also something to be said about counting on the mods/admins for morality, but after having taken multiple university level courses on philosophy of morals and ethics, I can say for certain that that is not something I want to get into here... That stuff is boring as hell.

I didn't misinterpret anything. I said that I DO have a right to "mess with what or how a seller sells an item to a willing buyer" because it affects all the other prospective buyers in the community. They're directly affected because they either cannot afford the price or refuse to pay because it is insulting to buy a $25 plastic for up to $500. I've argued this point to death previously in the thread and do not wish to repeat myself.

I come here to see the new creations by talented members and new products by vendors -- not to watch a few greedy d-bags rip off the community. Put a stop on this laissez-faire bull****.

I'll end my rants with this: when I do win a CC, I will sell it at cost to someone that doesn't even have one. I don't even understand why everyone is so obsessed with them, but the outrageous prices they're being sold should really start pissing people off.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 10 November 2013, 10:12:57
So all these magical $500 clacks everyone references were they ever actually for sale publicly?

Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: nubbinator on Sun, 10 November 2013, 10:22:41
So all these magical $500 clacks everyone references were they ever actually for sale publicly?

I'm trying to remember if there were ever any that auctioned for that much.  I know there were a few public $300-400 Clacks for sale.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 10 November 2013, 10:26:54
What I'm saying is many of the $400  clacks were not sold to just anybody in an open sale, so in a way those are perhaps more collectible and worth more.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Sun, 10 November 2013, 10:48:34
I said that I DO have a right to "mess with what or how a seller sells an item to a willing buyer" because it affects all the other prospective buyers in the community. They're directly affected because they either cannot afford the price or refuse to pay because it is insulting to buy a $25 plastic for up to $500.

This is literally 100% wrong.  You really don't have any right to interfere with two consenting parties participating in a trade of goods at a mutually accepted cost.  You don't.  As a outside party to the transaction, you are unaffected in ANY way, and you don't have any right to get in between the parties and interfere.  It is NOT the concern of the seller or any other buyers if a particular buyer cannot afford the asking price.

And this one is especially important: you have the right to be insulted, but that DOES NOT give you the right to interfere.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: singaporean123 on Sun, 10 November 2013, 10:54:20
yes I am butt hurt.

But not because others have clacks.

Because some people get them for the sole purpose of selling it for huge profits- and they get away with it.

I am butt hurt because they are luckier than I am.

In my mind the scenario plays out like this

>5 limited edition collectibles sold at $5
>I want it
> X doesn't want it, but he knows it can be sold for $50
>X asks me if I want it, and I say yes
>He gets lucky in getting one and says, "okay I'll sell it to you then $50"
>wtf but you didn't want it anyway
>X: I want money and someone will pay me good money for it
>much anger; many butthurt

Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Alessandro on Sun, 10 November 2013, 11:01:50
That's the simple fact of rarity no matter what the item. It happens in many hobby circles.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Sun, 10 November 2013, 11:20:11
I'm going to hopefully pull this back on course here, since the original topic asks about auction threads.  This whole business of whether people should be allowed to make profit on sales needs to stop, since it is mostly just silly.

Way back in post #1, jwaz mentioned they seemed to easily go chaotic, and they circumvent the bump rule in a sense because people post to bid.

Proposed solutions:

- Create an Auctions Sub-Forum.  This sub-forum would be specifically for auctions (in-thread or off-site).  Nothing but auctions.  The sub-forum would have a modified set of rules similar to the classifieds section, but different in relation to issues like the bump rule.  (for example, the owner of an auction thread is allowed to bump it once every 24 hours, and bids must be new posts.  Bids which have been edited are disqualified, to keep the most legitimacy as possible, etc)

Reasoning:

- Classifieds would no longer be cluttered by auction threads (which have a tendency to sit at the top and push other threads down).  Classifieds users would be happier and have an easier time finding stuff.
- Auctions wouldn't have to worry about conflicting with the bump rules of the classifieds section, and since they would be in their own sub-forum, would only be competing against other auctions for the first page spots. 
- Sub-forum rules specific to auctions will help prevent auctions from going chaotic, and help to formulate a 'standard' for auctions.

Proposed 'specific' rules:

(These are my suggestions, but the new auction-specific rules certainly wouldn't be limited to just what I come up with)
- In-thread auction bids MUST be made in a new reply to the auction thread.  No Edits. No PMs.
- Items for auction must be in the possession of the seller.
- If there is a reserve on the auction, it must instead be listed as the minimum starting bid.  No hidden reserves.
- Auction length and bid step policy must be clearly defined in the auction thread by the auctioneer.  By bidding in their auction, you accept to follow their bid step policy and auction style.

Other notes:

I would think that it might be a good idea to continue to allow people to post about their ebay auctions (or other off-site sales) in the classifieds, so long as they follow all the classifieds rules.  This is because an ebay auction post wouldn't act like an in-thread auction and have the tendency to push other sale threads down repeatedly, since the bidding isn't done in-thread.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Sun, 10 November 2013, 13:21:17
I said that I DO have a right to "mess with what or how a seller sells an item to a willing buyer" because it affects all the other prospective buyers in the community. They're directly affected because they either cannot afford the price or refuse to pay because it is insulting to buy a $25 plastic for up to $500.

This is literally 100% wrong.  You really don't have any right to interfere with two consenting parties participating in a trade of goods at a mutually accepted cost.  You don't.  As a outside party to the transaction, you are unaffected in ANY way, and you don't have any right to get in between the parties and interfere.  It is NOT the concern of the seller or any other buyers if a particular buyer cannot afford the asking price.

And this one is especially important: you have the right to be insulted, but that DOES NOT give you the right to interfere.

Sorry, but this is a forum and a community -- not some kind of impersonal flea market where anything goes. People with your way of thinking are ruining this place. I, as a member of this community, have just as much right as anyone else on the forum to call someone out for ripping people off.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jcrouse on Sun, 10 November 2013, 13:21:57
Simple fact, some will have, some will not. Some who have not will be angry, discuss it openly, others who have not  will join in and the conversation will go to a place that many consider to not be in the best interest of the commumity.

This will never change or completely go away, period.

John
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: demik on Sun, 10 November 2013, 14:15:02
And others will throw money at it and justify it
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 10 November 2013, 14:26:48
So all these magical $500 clacks everyone references were they ever actually for sale publicly?

I'm given to understand that CC undertook custom designs on request back in the day, and people asked him to do all sorts of things.

So some of them were probably one-offs, or extremely limited runs.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Neebio on Sun, 10 November 2013, 14:33:47
I said that I DO have a right to "mess with what or how a seller sells an item to a willing buyer" because it affects all the other prospective buyers in the community. They're directly affected because they either cannot afford the price or refuse to pay because it is insulting to buy a $25 plastic for up to $500.

This is literally 100% wrong.  You really don't have any right to interfere with two consenting parties participating in a trade of goods at a mutually accepted cost.  You don't.  As a outside party to the transaction, you are unaffected in ANY way, and you don't have any right to get in between the parties and interfere.  It is NOT the concern of the seller or any other buyers if a particular buyer cannot afford the asking price.

And this one is especially important: you have the right to be insulted, but that DOES NOT give you the right to interfere.

Sorry, but this is a forum and a community -- not some kind of impersonal flea market where anything goes. People with your way of thinking are ruining this place. I, as a member of this community, have just as much right as anyone else on the forum to call someone out for ripping people off.

So a seller puts up an item you feel is overpriced (the "rip-off"), and a buyer (who obviously doesn't think it's a rip-off, since he is buying it) buys it.  So this makes you mad?  That somebody who is willing to spend more than you for an item does so?  Literally all you are doing by complaining about somebody else spending more money than you would for something is creating needless drama.  You advocate so hard for the "community" but really all you are doing is creating toxicity.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jcrouse on Sun, 10 November 2013, 16:44:58
And others will throw money at it and justify it
C'mon demik, almost evrryone here is attempting to help or add something, in some small way, even though they have different views. Personally, every time I post you have replied with a smart ass comment. If you have something to say, say it. If it is personal feel free to pm me. If you think everyone can benefit say it here.

John
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Alessandro on Sun, 10 November 2013, 17:04:23
And others will throw money at it and justify it

Yes, that's also part of what John just said. Guess what? That won't change either. Bloody hell, if people want them, let them get them how they see fit!
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Tue, 12 November 2013, 09:32:37
I don't see how putting auctions in a subforum would be much of a help. The anger over them spills over into other areas of the forum anyway.

If auctions generate so much unease and anger (looks like they do) just ban them outright. Then the people who want to get the most for their clacks will do it elsewhere. It doesn't matter if any of us feel the anger is justified or not; keeping people happy is valid enough reason. No one here at GH has "rights" -- the owners of the forum can do whatever they want. If the owners ban auctions, or sales, etc. -- they'll still happen somewhere else, so no one's rights are really being trampled. Clacks will still be sold for prices that get some people's panties bunched up; but at least it won't happen here. So, if you've got a big collection, or a rare one you need to sell, you'll still see a return on your investment, it just won't be here.

Ban auctions and be done with it. But, outline what happens when people set them up in ignorance of this new rule; temporary banning, public shaming, whatever -- so long as it is explicitly stated. Also, what to do about ongoing auctions? Should they immediately cease?

Quote from: Neebio
You advocate so hard for the "community" but really all you are doing is creating toxicity.

I have to agree. But from their perspective, the "community" should not be infected with the profit motive. If the majority of the decision-makers at GH believe this (looks that way) then they have the every right to purge excessive 'greed' from the community, as they define it. (If they deign to define it.)

What tickles me is the attitude among those people (not calling anyone out specifically) is that not only is excessive profit morally wrong (still no concrete numbers defining excessive profit) but the greater a hit you take in your wallet, the greater your prestige in the "community". What kind of sense does that really make, anyway? If we're a community, then I care about the people in it. That means I don't want to hear about people losing money on GBs, or anything, for that matter. I would rather see people who do great things for the community make some profit. This hobby should be about joy, not monetary self-sacrifice. No one should have to prove their loyalty and passion for the hobby and the community by taking a loss financially. When you do that, you're pushing some members of the community away, and that's a mistake.

If some people are tired of being "lectured" about economics, I am similarly tired of being lectured on the immorality of the market.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Tue, 12 November 2013, 09:35:58
I don't see how putting auctions in a subforum would be much of a help. The anger over them spills over into other areas of the forum anyway.

If auctions generate so much unease and anger (looks like they do) just ban them outright. Then the people who want to get the most for their clacks will do it elsewhere. It doesn't matter if any of us feel the anger is justified or not; keeping people happy is valid enough reason. No one here at GH has "rights" -- the owners of the forum can do whatever they want. If the owners ban auctions, or sales, etc. -- they'll still happen somewhere else, so no one's rights are really being trampled. Clacks will still be sold for prices that get some people's panties bunched up; but at least it won't happen here. So, if you've got a big collection, or a rare one you need to sell, you'll still see a return on your investment, it just won't be here.

Ban auctions and be done with it. But, outline what happens when people set them up in ignorance of this new rule; temporary banning, public shaming, whatever -- so long as it is explicitly stated. Also, what to do about ongoing auctions? Should they immediately cease?

I would say let the current ones run their course but no more new ones.  If people start extending the time limit of said auctions then set an end date and time for them.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 12 November 2013, 09:37:07
I don't see how putting auctions in a subforum would be much of a help. The anger over them spills over into other areas of the forum anyway.

If auctions generate so much unease and anger (looks like they do) just ban them outright. Then the people who want to get the most for their clacks will do it elsewhere. It doesn't matter if any of us feel the anger is justified or not; keeping people happy is valid enough reason. No one here at GH has "rights" -- the owners of the forum can do whatever they want. If the owners ban auctions, or sales, etc. -- they'll still happen somewhere else, so no one's rights are really being trampled. Clacks will still be sold for prices that get some people's panties bunched up; but at least it won't happen here. So, if you've got a big collection, or a rare one you need to sell, you'll still see a return on your investment, it just won't be here.

Ban auctions and be done with it. But, outline what happens when people set them up in ignorance of this new rule; temporary banning, public shaming, whatever -- so long as it is explicitly stated. Also, what to do about ongoing auctions? Should they immediately cease?

Wonder what iMav's thoughts are, is he still the 'owner'?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Tue, 12 November 2013, 09:48:43
Wonder what iMav's thoughts are, is he still the 'owner'?

*shrug* No idea. Maybe just end the marketplace altogether, to be on the safe side?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 12 November 2013, 09:50:03
Wonder what iMav's thoughts are, is he still the 'owner'?

*shrug* No idea. Maybe just end the marketplace altogether, to be on the safe side?

There are some who would go for that and be happy with only the handful of people that would be left  ::)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Tue, 12 November 2013, 09:55:08
Wonder what iMav's thoughts are, is he still the 'owner'?

*shrug* No idea. Maybe just end the marketplace altogether, to be on the safe side?

There are some who would go for that and be happy with only the handful of people that would be left  ::)

The market would just go someplace else.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 12 November 2013, 10:02:16
Wonder what iMav's thoughts are, is he still the 'owner'?

*shrug* No idea. Maybe just end the marketplace altogether, to be on the safe side?

There are some who would go for that and be happy with only the handful of people that would be left  ::)

The market would just go someplace else.

Nobody buys my stuff or sells me anything anyways, I just come here because for the most part I like the place and most of the people :P
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Krogenar on Tue, 12 November 2013, 10:10:05
Nobody buys my stuff or sells me anything anyways, I just come here because for the most part I like the place and most of the people :P

Please don't derail the thread with your community love, Ray.

(I'm kidding, derail away.)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Tue, 12 November 2013, 10:14:07
I feel like sdafhjakjsdiofunwoeonifncslkcnmklsmnadfoiuwiuerjnkjsfdlas. Your rebuttal?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 12 November 2013, 10:16:24
(http://i.imgur.com/66wAPRL.jpg)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Melvang on Tue, 12 November 2013, 10:23:55
I feel like sdafhjakjsdiofunwoeonifncslkcnmklsmnadfoiuwiuerjnkjsfdlas. Your rebuttal?

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/66wAPRL.jpg)


I concur
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: redskull on Tue, 12 November 2013, 10:43:14
for those astonishing clack prices, maybe CC can start mass-producing them. once they are generally available to everyone, prices should go down i guess. not sure, not an economics pro.

other than that, i'm on with auctions with regulations. mods can think up what those would be and enforce it.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Tue, 12 November 2013, 10:55:07
>be future
>CCs mass produced
>no rarity
>no desire
>Who cares about CCs?
>jimmies still not settled
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 12 November 2013, 10:58:57
>be future
>CCs mass produced
>no rarity
>no desire
>Who cares about CCs?
>jimmies still not settled

^This.  Plus, I doubt CCs will ever be mass produced (hasn't CC himself said that?)
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Binge on Tue, 12 November 2013, 12:43:07
:facepalm:

No- artist- wants- to- mass- produce- anything- by- themselves...

Taking time working on art != going to business school/innate business sense when it comes to manufacturers.  Why do people ASSUME this would make things better?  Does the plan of mass production even seem fiscally responsible?
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: esoomenona on Tue, 12 November 2013, 12:44:56
But den evry1 can hav 1 n we r all happy!
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 12 November 2013, 12:47:18
Lots of people collect Clacks for their rarity.

Take away the rarity, and they won't want them anymore...
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jwaz on Tue, 12 November 2013, 12:51:00
Lots of people want Clacks for their rarity.

Take away the rarity, and they won't want them anymore...

What Binge said. He isn't going to do that, not should he.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: keymaster on Tue, 12 November 2013, 14:26:44
>be future
>CCs mass produced
>no rarity
>no desire
>Who cares about CCs?
>jimmies still not settled

^This.  Plus, I doubt CCs will ever be mass produced (hasn't CC himself said that?)

Just wait until the Chinese get a wiff...Feng already has similar skulls with flames that will be up for sale very soon...It definitely won't be the first time there has been a knock-off product produced in China.  :cool:
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 12 November 2013, 14:30:18
>be future
>CCs mass produced
>no rarity
>no desire
>Who cares about CCs?
>jimmies still not settled

^This.  Plus, I doubt CCs will ever be mass produced (hasn't CC himself said that?)

Just wait until the Chinese get a wiff...Feng already has similar skulls with flames that will be up for sale very soon...It definitely won't be the first time there has been a knock-off product produced in China.  :cool:

Didn't that already happen before......
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: digi on Tue, 12 November 2013, 14:54:21
How is this thread not locked already? Everyone posted, it turns out this is about clacks like I said 7 pages ago. Either make a change to the rules regarding auctions or leave it a lone and move on. Holy crap.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 12 November 2013, 15:35:28
>be future
>CCs mass produced
>no rarity
>no desire
>Who cares about CCs?
>jimmies still not settled

^This.  Plus, I doubt CCs will ever be mass produced (hasn't CC himself said that?)

Not enough gnomes.
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 12 November 2013, 15:38:24
>be future
>CCs mass produced
>no rarity
>no desire
>Who cares about CCs?
>jimmies still not settled

^This.  Plus, I doubt CCs will ever be mass produced (hasn't CC himself said that?)

Not enough gnomes.

Exactly. So not only is mass production improbable, it is damn near impossible...
Title: Re: How do you feel about auction threads?
Post by: jwaz on Thu, 21 November 2013, 12:59:30
FYI: We've closed this thread because we felt the discussion had run it's course and had devolved into a less positive discourse. The big points have been made and we're considering them.

We're currently working on implementation a solution.