Hard to get Items and Transparent Sales / Auctions

[jcrouse]

WOW WOW WOW. It is simply amazing how many people complain about the transparent auctions, mostly around ClickClacks, but lookie what happens when something comes up that THEY really want. All of a sudden them become active and say "PM sent" in the thread. Of course they don't tell their offer. I see what one member meant, now, when he used the work hipocracy. This will be fun to watch, for sure.

Also, there is none of the complaining, negativity and crapping in the thread like when something is being sold that they believe is too high priced or they think was purchased to turn a profit. Do people really think that when people buy something they don't consider what it will be worth to sell at some point in time. In MM's thread we were actually telling a guy to buy the 10th anniv because if he didn't like it he could easily resell it for $300. If he resold it for $350, which some people ask and the right person was there, would you same people be all over him?

I really am disliking the apparent clicks of members and politics of GH more and more every day.

Later,
John

[gimpster]

I haven't bought any of my keyboards thinking "how much can I resell this for later?" I might compare used vs. new prices so that if it's something I'm not sure I'll like, then I can make a good choice about whether to buy new or used, but that's all, and I really don't think most people are all that different. You see something you like, so you buy it for yourself. It's nice if you can get out of it what you put in, but having been around lots of different hobbies I can assure you that is not a large contributing factor to the choice of whether to buy.

As for recommending that someone buy the 10th Anniversary Edition Realforce and how much they could sell it for afterward, keep in mind they also cost $50-100 more than the standard Realforce, so they should be able to resell for more. I don't really see what your complaint is there.

[jcrouse]

As for recommending that someone buy the 10th Anniversary Edition Realforce and how much they could sell it for afterward, keep in mind they also cost $50-100 more than the standard Realforce, so they should be able to resell for more. I don't really see what your complaint is there.

Oh, I'm not complaining, at least in that part. I was attempting to make a point, very poorly I might add. What I was saying is that when someone is thinking about trying something new, like this particular situation where he was sure if he'd like 55g topres, it is sometimes a factor of cost versus what you will be able to turn around and seel it for if you don't like it. If you figure you can break even, why not give it a go? Anyways, that was the situation here, at least the point some of us were trying to make to the buyer that was looking a MM's kbd. Hope that makes a little better sense.

[Quarzac]

Whenever this sort of topic comes up, I always feel the need to voice my opinion:

I have flipped several keyboards on here. A Filco TKL with browns, a Model M SSK, and I think there was at least one more, though I can't remember off the top of my head. In the interest of full disclosure, I paid $50 for the Filco, and $67 for the SSK. I sold the Filco for ~$95, and the SSK for ~$150. In retrospect, would I do it again? It depends. I didn't have much money a year ago when I joined GH, and saw an opportunity to sell some stuff without eBay fees. So when I saw these keyboards pop up, I bought them, almost entirely with the intent of selling them (I wanted to try browns, but expected not to like them.) I could use the extra couple bucks, and at the time, I didn't see much of a problem with it- to a degree, I still don't. If you need money, I'm not going to crucify any flippers. I've done it before, and it's entirely possible that as I enter a college I am not completely sure I can afford, I may do it again. That being said, nowadays I have given some stuff away and been given some stuff for free, seen the community come together to raise money for a member's pet's operation, and sort enormous quantities of stuff for fundraising auctions. That has helped me realize that many people here are good enough people that I will do them a favor or cut them a deal. As for auctions, I personally am in favor of complete transparency- an unjust individual could artificially increase the price of a PM auction, which would be bad. I also think it is unwise to not consider the depreciation of any investment upon purchase, be it a keyboard, real estate, firearm, or who knows what. Anywho, just my two cents.

[isp]

The spirit of geekhack has probably changed.  Mechanical keyboards have gone mainstream now and as such there has been a flood of noobs looking to get into this "hobby"; unfortunately, they think in materialistic terms and try to purchase "cool" think it will boost their reputation or something.  It used to be that learning and appreciating the differences between mechanical keyboards was the primary shared value, but now the focus is merely on the buying/selling of items and who has what.  Clickclacks are the "cool" currency these days and you gotta catch 'em all.  When Megarat sold me my first mechanical keyboard he wasn't looking to make any money off the deal, and it could be argued that he actually worked to increase the value (ritdye'd keys).

[Djuzuh]

The spirit of geekhack has probably changed.  Mechanical keyboards have gone mainstream now and as such there has been a flood of noobs looking to get into this "hobby"; unfortunately, they think in materialistic terms and try to purchase "cool" think it will boost their reputation or something.  It used to be that learning and appreciating the differences between mechanical keyboards was the primary shared value, but now the focus is merely on the buying/selling of items and who has what.  Clickclacks are the "cool" currency these days and you gotta catch 'em all.  When Megarat sold me my first mechanical keyboard he wasn't looking to make any money off the deal, and it could be argued that he actually worked to increase the value (ritdye'd keys).

I believe this spirit is still here. But it's not the predominant one anymore.

They are still some great members on here.

[fohat.digs]

I have sold a few items here and quite a few on ebay.

Selling is a huge hassle because of all the "little things" you have to do - take pictures, write copy, answer questions, proper packaging (including buying packing supplies), driving to the Post Office at least once, not to mention the postage itself and numerous fees.

If I buy an item for $100 and sell it for $100 I have probably lost at least $20-30 and at least an hour of my time.

You cannot begrudge anybody making an honest profit. If I saw something 2 years ago and recognized a good investment, who can blame me for selling it for triple today?

Free markets determine prices. If somebody will pay it, the price is fair. Otherwise, you are complaining about sour grapes.

I like transparency because I almost always sell at fixed prices, so I want to feel confident about what my item is worth and offer it at a fair price.

[jwaz]

Whenever this sort of topic comes up, I always feel the need to voice my opinion:

I have flipped several keyboards on here. A Filco TKL with browns, a Model M SSK, and I think there was at least one more, though I can't remember off the top of my head. In the interest of full disclosure, I paid $50 for the Filco, and $67 for the SSK. I sold the Filco for ~$95, and the SSK for ~$150. In retrospect, would I do it again? It depends. I didn't have much money a year ago when I joined GH, and saw an opportunity to sell some stuff without eBay fees. So when I saw these keyboards pop up, I bought them, almost entirely with the intent of selling them (I wanted to try browns, but expected not to like them.) I could use the extra couple bucks, and at the time, I didn't see much of a problem with it- to a degree, I still don't. If you need money, I'm not going to crucify any flippers. I've done it before, and it's entirely possible that as I enter a college I am not completely sure I can afford, I may do it again. That being said, nowadays I have given some stuff away and been given some stuff for free, seen the community come together to raise money for a member's pet's operation, and sort enormous quantities of stuff for fundraising auctions. That has helped me realize that many people here are good enough people that I will do them a favor or cut them a deal. As for auctions, I personally am in favor of complete transparency- an unjust individual could artificially increase the price of a PM auction, which would be bad. I also think it is unwise to not consider the depreciation of any investment upon purchase, be it a keyboard, real estate, firearm, or who knows what. Anywho, just my two cents.

I have both those boards now

[Djuzuh]

You cannot begrudge anybody making an honest profit. If I saw something 2 years ago and recognized a good investment, who can blame me for selling it for triple today?

Free markets determine prices. If somebody will pay it, the price is fair. Otherwise, you are complaining about sour grapes.

This isn't the problem.

Geekhack isn't a market, it's a community.

A lot of people on here do and sell stuff only to help other people out.

So if for example I sell something to a nice price thinking of helping somebody get access to a nice product, and then this person only resells it for profit, MEH.

By thinking of buying and selling in order to get profit, you are abusing a lot of people. Be it the GB leader, GH's staff, the previous owner, the buyer, the other people wanting this item, etc…

I'm not saying selling at a higher price of that you bought something is bad. There are a lot of situations where it's perfectly fine. It's more the intend behind it.

This obviously doesn't apply to people who add some value to the items (be it by helping others to get access to something (GB leader), or stuff you downright created (chwang, boost), or service you created (MMB)).

I'm only talking about the wannabe traders. I don't welcome them.

But as always this is my opinion.

And I think auctions should be banned in here (unless the benefits are used for the community/hummanity). An auction is only used to maximize profit. Prices should be given in advance for everything that is  selled. But the buyer selection doesn't have to be first come first served.

If you want to make profit, use ebay.

[rowdy]

I would tend to agree that classified threads should stay on topic.  Another forum I belong to has moderators who will delete any irrelevant post.  Bids or questions about the item only.

Private bids are ok, if the thread starter indicates as much in the OP.  Otherwise it is only fair to let everyone keep up with the latest bid.

And selling stuff for a profit - why not?  You don't have to bid on it, you don't have to buy it, especially if you can get it somewhere else for the same or lower price.  Some people might like to do forum members a favour by listing hard to get items at a reasonable price, but if you can sell it for twice as much on eBay then why not?

[sth]

And selling stuff for a profit - why not?  You don't have to bid on it, you don't have to buy it, especially if you can get it somewhere else for the same or lower price.  Some people might like to do forum members a favour by listing hard to get items at a reasonable price, but if you can sell it for twice as much on eBay then why not?

selling things at inflated prices makes it harder for people to get them, and turns the community into a contest that only people with lots of disposable income have a reasonable shot at getting into rather than a community of like minded hobbyists who like to help others out.

[rowdy]

If the price is inflated too far, then no-one will buy it.  If the seller tries long enough, and in enough places, they'll probably find someone who will pay the inflated price.  That is if they are really desparate to sell at that inflated price.

And, as you say, if the seller does not want to help fellow Geekhack members.

But ultimately it is the seller's choice how much they want to offer their goods for.

That is where trades and group buys cmoe into it - trades as it is a mutual swap of like for like, and group buys as everyone pays the same price.

[sth]

i understand your econ 101 take on markets and economies. it's not applicable here except as a model that we, as a community, can be critical of in its shortcomings.

if the seller doesnt want to help geekhack members, or rather, is actively out to profiteer without being a contributing member otherwise, they shouldnt sell on geekhack. there are plenty of outlets online designed specifically for selling.

[rowdy]

if the seller doesnt want to help geekhack members, or rather, is actively out to profiteer without being a contributing member otherwise, they shouldnt sell on geekhack. there are plenty of outlets online designed specifically for selling.

Agreed!