Buy.Sell Section Rules! Updated 12-11-09!

[Abel]

Listing items in this section please use the following thread title prefixes depending on what you intention is.

Legend
FS: = For Sale
FT: = For Trade
WTB: = Wanting To Buy

Once you've sold or found your items please edit the thread and use one of the following tags in the beginning of the thread title.

SOLD:
FOUND:
TRADED:
CLOSED:

Example:
If the thread you're posting is listing an item for sale then it should be formatted as such:

FS: Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS

Once that item sells you should NOT delete any of the listing information or pricing in the original thread. Simply reply that the item has been sold and then rename your thread title as such:

SOLD: Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS




Buy/Sell Section Rules

15. Price Policing
Price Policing in the Buy/Sell Section is prohibited. If a price seems too high on a particular item, either ignore it and move one or you can kindly PM the seller and mention that might be the case and let them be aware of it. Either way, calling out a member publicly is not tolerated.


19. Buy/Sell Forum
All For Sale listings in this section MUST accompany an asking price for the item. If you are unsure of what you can get on an item simply set a price and add O.B.O. (Or Best Offer). There will be NO "Want To Rent:" type threads looking to rent equipment from other members. This opens up the person renting the equipment to a whole lot of risk and it is simply not needed.


-------- New Addition ---------

Updated 3-21-07

Please do NOT delete posting once transaction has ended..

I am seeing a bunch of threads with the original content and thread title edited out to read "ALL SOLD" or something of that nature.

Please leave the entire thread in tact since it helps members keep track of what market prices are on particular items.

plus our itrader feedback system references back to the threads that transactions took place which helps other members not only see the reputation of the user but how much the transaction was actually for.


-------- New Addition ---------

Updated 9-9-07
In order to protect our members from outside scams and unknown people selling camera equipment on other websites and/or forum I have decided to only allow items in this section that our own TPF members are selling. The main reason we require 25 posts on the forum prior to new members having access to list stuff is one of the ways we try to minimize the chance of a potential rip off. We have a very unique feature here on TPF installed named iTrader. This is a trader rating program that documents members feedback from various transactions. Even listing items from other forums and websites such as ebay and craigslist open up our members to unknown camera sellers and can really backfire if it is indeed a scam.

As of today... ONLY items from TPF members themselves will be allowed to be listed in the Buy/Sell section. This is the only way to ensure that none of our member base has the misfortune of potentially getting ripped off.


-------- New Addition ---------

Updated 10-2-07
Software, programs, actions, templates etc will not be allowed to be sold here on the forum because of certain piracy concerns. It is just easier to not allow them at all. So as of today, any software whatsoever will not be allowed to be sold here on TPF.


-------- New Addition ---------

Updated 1-31-08
Members posting items in the Buy / Sell Section that do not have shipping as an option MUST include a note in the title saying so. For example if you are listing a lens a lens and you are not willing to ship the item out and it's a local pickup only then the thread title should read as such:

FS: Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS (Houston Only)

We always recommend and prefer that ALL items are available to be shipped out to other members since this is a state wide photography forum and it is very limiting to both the seller and the buyer to restrict to local pick up only.

Typically on other sites where you may have a problem with sales falling through during the course of shipping an item but here on TPF we are completely different. We have a rating system in place so that you can see the past transactions from various users and you can be sure that everything is up to par with them prior to shipping. Since the system has been in place until today (1-31-08) there have been 413 members rated with 925 total rating and only 1 negative feedback. That's a pretty good track record if you ask me.

If the shipping cost is the reason for local pick up only, then specify you're willing to ship but buyer pays the shipping or something to that effect.

It can be very frustrating for a member to read a title and see there is an item they have been wanting only to look in the thread and its designated as local pickup only. Inserting that restriction in the title will inform them prior to even opening the thread so they can simply look past it since its not applicable to them.


-------- New Addition ---------

Updated 6-30-08
The only items allowed to be listed in the B/S Section are those related to Photography. Computer hardware etc is also allowed since it still has to do with photography in a sense since it can help post processing etc.

We are just trying not to let the B/S Section become garage sale in the sense that anything and everything is listed here from kitchen sinks to carburetors. Please keep it to photography/computer related items only...


-------- New Addition ---------

Updated 12-18-08
It is much more beneficial for you as the seller as for the community as a whole if you give specific details in the thread title for the item you're selling/trading etc. Generic titles as listed below are no help to anyone..

FS: Canon Lenses

Instead, either list out the items in the title like such:

FS: Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS : 24-70 f2.8L : 35 f1.4L

Or you can even break them out into individual threads (highly recommended).

FS: Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS - $1200
FS: Canon 24-70 f2.8L - $975
FS: Canon 35 f1.4L - $1000

This will help your items get much more exposure to potential buyers and it will allows members browsing the B/S Section to navigate the listings easily.


-------- New Modification ---------

Updated 12-11-09
We have decided to eliminate the 25 minimum post rule in order to list an item here in the Buy/Sell Section. Buyers/Sellers should use their best judgment when purchasing an item from another member as the 25 post rule never guaranteed a sale to begin with. We have iTrader ratings to help members gauge the people they're buying from or selling to. There will be NO "Want To Rent:" type threads looking to rent equipment from other members. This opens up the person renting the equipment to a whole lot of risk and it is simply not needed.

[Abel]

Everyone Please Read the Buy/Sell Section rules thoroughly...

It seems like we're having a lot of members posting items without following the guidelines that have been established for this section.

Without a good solid structure, this section can quickly turn into one big mess which makes it difficult to sell items as well as buy items from other members. So in the end, if these guidelines are followed... we all benefit!

[NEEDTAY1]

I really like the forum, which I just joined last week. I understand the reasoning for the 25+ post minimum to initiate a B/S thread, but is there any way to list a WTB quicker? I want to find any resources for Canon gear before she leaves for a college study abroad next semester. I'm hoping some well-established photographer in either the Houston or Waco area has something up to commercial standards for a good deal or lease. She is in her 3rd year on the Baylor Lariat staff. Any suggestions??? Need some help here!

Thanks,
Terry T

[Abel]

Updated 12-11-09
We have decided to eliminate the 25 minimum post rule in order to list an item here in the Buy/Sell Section. Buyers/Sellers should use their best judgment when purchasing an item from another member as the 25 post rule never guaranteed a sale to begin with. We have iTrader ratings to help members gauge the people they're buying from or selling to. There will be NO "Want To Rent:" type threads looking to rent equipment from other members. This opens up the person renting the equipment to a whole lot of risk and it is simply not needed.

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by Abel

Updated 12-11-09
There will be NO "Want To Rent:" type threads looking to rent equipment from other members. This opens up the person renting the equipment to a whole lot of risk and it is simply not needed.

Why wouldn't you allow individuals to decide when and if that risk was acceptable for themselves? There would be no liability to the forum (read: Abel) if a proper disclaimer were made.

[ext237]

Originally Posted by boxofrocks

Why wouldn't you allow individuals to decide when and if that risk was acceptable for themselves? There would be no liability to the forum (read: Abel) if a proper disclaimer were made.

Not a direct liability, no. But all it takes is a couple of bad experiences for people to start telling others "I tried that TexasPhotoForum and totally got burned."

Plus, renting is just too risky between strangers replying to classified ads; the new restriction is enforcing good advice. There are equipment rental companies in most major cities. If you're in a smaller area, you can rent mail order or borrow from a friend.