re:buy and sell subform frustration

[guitargabor]

Do people only look at the title when browsing the "Want to Buy" posts?

In my recent post there, I have specified I was looking for a certain brand of guitar.

My email has been bombarded with offers from people with brands that I really am not at all interested in.One person even went so far as to offer a junk guitar...

Seems like many do not bother to read the post in it's entirety.

I wish people would be more considerate when one makes a more specific request.

Perhaps it's due to the computer age, where mutitasking and inattentiveness is so prevalent.

[RP]

I continue to be amazed when I post a guitar for sale and state "Absolutely No Trades" and still get trade offers. My thinking is that the respondent read what I'd written but thought I'd change my mind when I learned what they were willing to trade...

[Silurian]

I find it reassuring, it simply demonstrates the human capacity for optimism: "I'll give it a go, you never know"

[BrunoBlack]

Originally Posted by Silurian

I find it reassuring, it simply demonstrates the human capacity for optimism: "I'll give it a go, you never know"

I like this — very positive outlook!

[Kerbie]

I don't know if it's inattentiveness as much as it reflects what a tough sales market it has been for a while. If they're answering a WTB, then they're trying to sell, just like most of our members who are posting in the Classifieds. Our members are finding it tough and so are the folks answering the WTB threads.

I'm sure inattentiveness plays a role because the staff sees folks every single day answer ads who are not entitled to do so by the rules. So, maybe everybody should pay a little closer attention in our Classifieds. Rules are at the top of the page.

In the meantime, I guess patience is a virtue.

[Mbroady]

It’s not just the Forum, it extends to other platforms such as craigslist or other local listings. One might say it comes with the territory.

I do find the AGF responders to be the most educated as to what one has to offer, so that’s a big plus.

[guitargabor]

Originally Posted by Haasome

I like this — very positive outlook!

Well, not so much when your email gets bombarded.

I replied several times to my post requesting people to respect the guidelines yet still they persist.It's not a positive for me.

[tbeltrans]

I have never sold anything through the classifieds here, but have posted follow-ups to the OP when the instrument for sale is one I am very familiar with. I figure if I can help "bump" a good instrument with some more information, that would help. I have also done this on rare occasions in the non-guitar "for sale" area.

Having purchased a couple of small items in the non-guitar "for sale" area, I follow the same idea that I follow when in music stores - I don't pester the sales folks or "try" guitars unless I am serious about buying, nor do I try to low-ball if I am serious about buying.

So far, this seems to have served me well. It would seem a courtesy to the sellers in the "for sale" section to read their wishes and terms, and honor them.

Tony

[619TF]

Originally Posted by guitargabor

Well, not so much when your email gets bombarded.

I replied several times to my post requesting people to respect the guidelines yet still they persist.It's not a positive for me.

And yet it's easy enough to just ignore/delete the irrelevant ones. At least that means people are looking at your ad I suppose.

[guitargabor]

Originally Posted by 619TF

And yet it's easy enough to just ignore/delete the irrelevant ones. At least that means people are looking at your ad I suppose.

I did that once and was chided by one person who was upset I did not respond to his email!

[619TF]

Originally Posted by guitargabor

I did that once and was chided by one person who was upset I did not respond to his email!

Hahahaha! "I wrote you an irrelevant email and you didn't respond? Waaaaaaah!". I'd have ignored that one too (and then blocked the sender).

[guitar george]

I have bought a few items where the ads have said "price is firm" and I end up getting it for a bit less. I go look at the item, develop a bit of a rapport with the owner and then offer something less than the firm asking price. The answer is usually, "No, I'm firm at that price". I then come up a little and say, "I'll leave my phone number and if you want to sell at that price, give me a call". Usually, before I get to the door, we end up with a deal.

[Brucebubs]

It's a guitar forum for people that love guitars so even though you specified 'Martin or Taylor only' it's only natural for enthusiasts to throw out suggestions for guitars they might think are similar or even better.
That blue Guild jumbo offered was certainly a good example until you let the forum know a jumbo was too big - something you didn't mention in your OP.
So I wouldn't be offended by it, many suggestions were posted with 'good will' not 'bad intent'.

[DenverSteve]

Originally Posted by guitargabor

Do people only look at the title when browsing the "Want to Buy" posts?....

Yes and they still ignore it. People post all the time things like "I want a Dread that...." and they get "you should try a parlor".

And, they say something like " I want a (pick one) American/European/Canadian..... solid wood guitar...". And they are bombarded with "You should check out the Pacific Rim laminate guitars" or "What's wrong with Australian..."

It's not just here. Because of the internet and no direct reprisal for inappropriate commentary, they say the first thing that comes into their head.