Message board etiquette

frankhardy

Let's talk a little message board etiquette. My concern is mainly on the Buy/Sell/Trade board, but since a thread like this isn't actually buying, selling, or trading, I thought I would bring it up over hear.

I would just like to get a little feedback from you guys and see if any of you have experienced this or if any of you are guilty of this.

Let's say you post items in the B/S/T board that you have for sale. Let's say you have a bunch of cards and are taking requests. Let's say you get swamped with requests (from here and other message boards). Then, you bust your butt sorting out the cards that you have requests for. There is dialogue back and forth between you and the person making the request. Then, hoping to make some sort of deal, you send the person a list of what you have (sometimes, you scan all the cards you have and send it to them). Sometimes you have have a price in mind, sometimes you might want them to make an offer. Then.......... silence. You hear nothing back whatsoever from these people.

If the person making the request doesn't want the cards, THAT IS FINE. I don't care. What I do care about is being left hanging. Being led on. Isn't it just common courtesy to reply back saying, "Hey, thanks for the time, but I'm I think I'll pass" (or something similar). I have five different people I am waiting on. Some of these guys, I've waited on for way over a week. I have even sent a polite message asking if they are still interested - nothing but crickets chirping.

So, my question to you guys - am I alone in this? Do any of you guys experience this? Isn't it just common decency to reply to a message? I can't remember ever not replying back to a message. I even apologize if I have a message that I have not replied to just because I didn't know about the message for a day or two.

Hopefully this doesn't come off as whining. I'm just a little agitated, is all. (No, brianwintersfan, this is not concerning you. I've only been waiting on you for about 1 day. I'm talking about waiting several days).

gameusedhoop

Alot of it can be avoided by scanning your stuff and setting a price ahead of time. When I put stuff up everything is scanned and priced. It just avoids all the stuff you are experiencing.

An ounce of prevention-pound of cure thing. Boy, do I sound old saying that.

Some people aren't as considerate as you might expect, it is just easier to dummy proof in advance.

Sethro

You're not alone. Someone requested some raw cards from me. I spent hours going through thousands of cards, comparing and listing and finally scanning some. Constant contact the whole time. Was completely honest throughout the entire exchange, no pressure, etc. Then all of a sudden, nothing. Finally a few days later I PM'd and immediately got a "No thanks" response. Although I admit I was a little disappointed that he didn't buy them, what was more frustrating was being left hanging.

heritage

Shane i understand !
I agree with you if someone wants to pass on the cards that's fine. But a simple no thank you isn't that hard!
I have had that happen to me more than once. I always try and get back to everyone.

When I put stuff up everything is scanned and priced. It just avoids all the stuff you are experiencing.

maybe that is the best way to go! I should start doing that myself.

Dboneesq

I agree that nobody has to purchase the cards, but at least respond to the seller within 2 days. I have had a recent experience where the purchaser did not get back to me for over a week, but he apologized because he had some family problems. I had NO problem with that ... life happens ... because he is a real good guy!

Shane, it's possible some of your purchasers had the same problem, but most likely they just were not very courteous. Hope it gets better for you.

So bottom line: Yes, I agree with what you said.

frankhardy

Thanks for the comments, guys.

Doug, it has been pretty good selling those signed cards. I have done pretty well. Just those few that I never hear back from is a little concerning. Mostly, everyone has been great.

One instance of what you are talking about happened last week on another board. I guy was very interested in a bunch of a certain team. I got right back with him on what I had and didn't hear a peep out of him. Over a week later, he messaged me saying that he and his entire family was sick for a whole week. I had no problem with that at all. We ended up making a deal.

ThoseBackPages

i hear you, it's a tricky situation for sure.

the one thing that i dont like is when there are listings with nice scans, but no prices. Then you play PM tag with the seller, only to learn that they are delusional about pricing

drewsef

Goraiders feels the same way 5 days ago

yankeeno7

Give them no more than 2 or 3 days, if you dont hear anything then CASH IS KING! Sell to who ever is going to buy NOW. If they dont get back to you and they lose their chance, well, its their own fault. They should only be upset with themselves for the procrastination.

Garabaldi

This is the problem with buying/selling over the internet. It is easy to request items or just throw out a price, but when it comes down to paying it is always a 50/50 crapshoot if the deal will get done.

GooshA

Message Board Etiquette has nothng to do with what you are referring too.

This is America. Here's the deal, in my opinion. Man up. Set the facts up front. No mambee pambee bartering. Definitely no waiting past the given time frame. The time is up when time up. Move on. Next !!!! And of all things, no wimps that allow such activity. (the illegals are here.. pls save america)

Well, back to cards now.

frankhardy

I didn't really give a time frame. Also, I cannot possibly scan 2,500 autographed cards and detail them all unless I took several weeks to do it. That is why I was taking requests on an individual basis like I did. I think it has every thing to do with courtesy and etiquette. If you express interest in something and make a guy take a lot of time to work on your particular request, the least a person could do is send a reply back.

divecchia

I agree, Shane. They should at least have the common decency to respond, even if they are not interested, especially if they made the request. If you approached them and pushed your wares that's different, but if they asked you for something the least they could do is acknowledge it with some sort of reply.

I've been lucky, it's only happened a few times to me, even though they contacted me, I had scans, I accepted a lower offer and then nothing.

So I hear ya...Donato

SidePocket

On a side note, yep it would be a mind numbing effort to scan 2500 items so I would suggest scanning items as you buy/receive them. Then you always have your inventory available to share.

To your question, I always try to respond when I've inquired about an item but the process would be soooo much smoother if scans were posted.

diamondman

<< <i>I didn't really give a time frame. Also, I cannot possibly scan 2,500 autographed cards and detail them all unless I took several weeks to do it. That is why I was taking requests on an individual basis like I did. I think it has every thing to do with courtesy and etiquette. If you express interest in something and make a guy take a lot of time to work on your particular request, the least a person could do is send a reply back. >>



I have had this happen quite often to me, like 50% of the time. I take the time to look or sort through hundreds or thousands of cards pull them price them and then nadda nothing zip from the potential buyer, this is why I have almost quit altogether listing anything on the BST or even replying to someone that puts up a buy list wanting items, am now on day 8 of an item that someone requested , nothing not a "Hi but your price is to high" or "No thanks" or even a low ball hey "I'll give you 10.00 for that PSA 9 1951 Mantle ect ect".

I have also had this happen on contests that I have won pls send address and I do and then nothing comes in the mail of the 4 or 5 contests that I have won over the last 5 years only received 1 item. LOL so I don't even get into the contests too much anymore either.

Rude people, I remember one person I pulled like 120 cards for from like 8 different years (took like 2 hours) asked what condition do you like, I'll take anything from good to EX. book value in NM around 600 to 700 so I asked for 32.00 dlvd waited 2 weeks nothing emailed and asked again nothing. Only good thing to come from this was I ended up running them on ebay and they sold for around
100.00 so I know I wasn't to high on my asking price.

I now give 72 hours if I don't hear anything and have a chance to sell the item it's gone. tired of being jerked around here. jmho

thedutymon

Evening,

What are the chances that the individuals who are refered to here will actully Man Up and admit they acted wrong Here. Or will it just be the rest of us who have common courtesy and would Never leave somebody hanging talking to each other !!

Neil

frankhardy

<< <i>Evening,

What are the chances that the individuals who are refered to here will actully Man Up and admit they acted wrong Here. Or will it just be the rest of us who have common courtesy and would Never leave somebody hanging talking to each other !!

Neil >>



Interesting. I've wondered the same thing.

Stone193

<< <i>Message Board Etiquette has nothng to do with what you are referring too.

This is America. Here's the deal, in my opinion. Man up. Set the facts up front. No mambee pambee bartering. Definitely no waiting past the given time frame. The time is up when time up. Move on. Next !!!! And of all things, no wimps that allow such activity. (the illegals are here.. pls save america)

Well, back to cards now. >>

I only have a hi skool degree - I'm not sure I fully get your drift?

gumbyfan

<< <i>(No, brianwintersfan, this is not concerning you. I've only been waiting on you for about 1 day. I'm talking about waiting several days). >>



Just an fyi...brianwintersfan may be a few days getting back to you. I know you specified that you're not directing this at him, but I wanted to let you (and anyone else who may be waiting on a response from him) know that he was in a car wreck last night...t-boned by a drunk driver. He's ok, but if it was me in his shoes I would lay low and put in some quality family time for a few days.

As to your point, I agree. There's no reason someone should just not respond if they've previously made the request.

Stone193

<< <i>

<< <i>(No, brianwintersfan, this is not concerning you. I've only been waiting on you for about 1 day. I'm talking about waiting several days). >>



Just an fyi...brianwintersfan may be a few days getting back to you. I know you specified that you're not directing this at him, but I wanted to let you (and anyone else who may be waiting on a response from him) know that he was in a car wreck last night...t-boned by a drunk driver. He's ok, but if it was me in his shoes I would lay low and put in some quality family time for a few days.

As to your point, I agree. There's no reason someone should just not respond if they've previously made the request. >>

That's too bad! Wow.

Tell him Mike (Stone) gives him my best.

goraiders

<< <i>Goraiders feels the same way 5 days ago[/q


And I still do,


What are the chances that the individuals who are refered to here will actully Man Up and admit they acted wrong Here.


Let me fix this for you neil,
What are the chances the guywho me and Shane are talking about actully man up and admit they acted wrong and time really
is money.

frankhardy

Whoa. I hope brianwintersfan is ok. I'm glad I mentioned that this wasn't directed at him.

PSARich

I have had this happen several times and it is frustrating. The thing is I wasn't offering to sell, but rather on a message board post mentioned that I had many hundreds of 1970 and 1974 BB from vending (actually thousands). I received several requests to sell some and I did offer to do so given a want list. One particular individual who frequents these boards often and you would think was an honorable person, fired messages back and forth as I sorted through and found the cards he wanted. Then no payment...then sorry, thought I paid..... then it will be in the mail tomorrow, I promise....then nothing. So I spent a couple hours altogether trying to help out this guy and this is what I get. I even told him if you don't want the cards please let me know and I will move on...but nothing.

frankhardy

<< <i>I have had this happen several times and it is frustrating. The thing is I wasn't offering to sell, but rather on a message board post mentioned that I had many hundreds of 1970 and 1974 BB from vending (actually thousands). I received several requests to sell some and I did offer to do so given a want list. One particular individual who frequents these boards often and you would think was an honorable person, fired messages back and forth as I sorted through and found the cards he wanted. Then no payment...then sorry, thought I paid..... then it will be in the mail tomorrow, I promise....then nothing. So I spent a couple hours altogether trying to help out this guy and this is what I get. I even told him if you don't want the cards please let me know and I will move on...but nothing. >>



The last part you said - I have even done that. I have requested just for them to let me know one way or the other just so I wouldn't be left hanging. Nothin'.

itzagoner

best wishes added for brianwintersfan.....hope you're ok.

bking

<< <i>I have had this happen several times and it is frustrating. The thing is I wasn't offering to sell, but rather on a message board post mentioned that I had many hundreds of 1970 and 1974 BB from vending (actually thousands). I received several requests to sell some and I did offer to do so given a want list. One particular individual who frequents these boards often and you would think was an honorable person, fired messages back and forth as I sorted through and found the cards he wanted. Then no payment...then sorry, thought I paid..... then it will be in the mail tomorrow, I promise....then nothing. So I spent a couple hours altogether trying to help out this guy and this is what I get. I even told him if you don't want the cards please let me know and I will move on...but nothing. >>



This would be me, and I'd like to apologize for that. Simply put, I got much too eager on here right after joining until life yelled "whoa". I did think I had mailed the check, but apparently had not when I checked some weeks later. Still no idea what happened as I printed the mailing label online and have the receipt for it. No excuse for such crappy communication on my part though. Horrible way to treat someone who was helping me out.

I think I'm doing a much better job of keeping this a hobby and not such an obsession now, but time will tell. This was the one and only occurence on here, and I plan on keeping it that way.

frankhardy

bking,

Props to you for manning up. Way to go.

gameusedhoop

Just blame it on ADD.

frankhardy

<< <i>Just blame it on ADD. >>



Either that or "this person was abused as a child".

PSARich

You are forgiven honorable bking. Thanks.

WeekendHacker

Not sure if I should start another thread or post to this one on a 'different' etiquette' question...........

What is the 'norm' for bumping your BST thread to gain visability? I see members bumping their thread for a single card once it is no longer visible on the first page. This drives me friggen nuts!! When I post something on the BST boards, it is usually very well thought out and detailed. I will give my thread a bump to the front page every 4 or 5 days. Am I asking too much of others or should I consider bumping my thread more often?

WinPitcher

Once a day is the CU protocol.







<< <i> SportsModerator1 Supreme Ruler Posts: 18273 Joined: Sep 2002 Monday January 29, 2007 10:53 PM Subscribe to this thread Email this thread to someone User is offline Send user a private message View thread in raw text format There are far too many instances of people posting several threads at a time offering items for sale. I've edited some, I've PM'd others to combine their threads, but it seems to have had little effect. As of now, no more warnings, no more Mr. Nice Guy. If I see multiple threads on the same page, or multiple threads TTT'd from the same author or friends continually bumping, I'll delete them all with no warning. ..............and do put ebay in the title if that's where the items are being sold and not in the main body. AND For the thousandth time, it's ONE bump per day. >>




Steve