Just me or has the milsurps EE really slowed down a lot...

[sean69]

I feel that sort of requirement would lead to a massive spamming of useless posts as members try to hit the 500 mark. Post count doesn't mean much to me.

-Steve

Possibly, 500 is a lot for anyone to spam, but then again you are right someone WILL do it. How about a 6 months & 500 posts kinda deal. [of course mods can always delete posts.... I believe there is also a vote up vote down plugin for this board - could be 100 upvoted posts... spitballing. ]

or even better have 3/5 members 'sponsor' you? they can vote you in and also kick you out. [I wonder how many moderators hate that idea??]

 

[Steve1987]

Possibly, 500 is a lot for anyone to spam, but then again you are right someone WILL do it. How about a 6 months & 500 posts kinda deal. [of course mods can always delete posts.... I believe there is also a vote up vote down plugin for this board - could be 100 upvoted posts... spitballing. ]

or even better have 3/5 members 'sponsor' you? they can vote you in and also kick you out. [I wonder how many moderators hate that idea??]

Just because someone has been here 6 months or has 500 posts (quality or spam) doesn't really determine if they will be a good trader.

Some of the best sellers here on CGN seldom post outside of the EE, although I suspect most are lurking. They may simply not have enough time or interest to post here.

Regarding trader feedback it appears that leaving a negative feedback for someone else results in getting a retaliation negative feedback for yourself, so it's understandable why not many people will do it.

-Steve

 

[student of history]

I'd tend to agree with Steve on this one. The number of posts a member has really doesn't guarantee much of anything... There are quite a few respectable people who log onto CGN and simply read what others have posted opposed to commenting on threads themselves. I generally fall into this category, unless something is quite pressing or of particular interest I won't usually comment on it... But that doesn't mean that I haven't read every recent thread in the milsurp section or that I don't check the EE a several times a day

I don't know... I might be wrong but I just feel like posting: "welcome to CGN" or "Nice rifle!" 500 times doesn't make you more or less qualified to buy/sell in the EE.

 

[NavyShooter]

Years ago we considered a 50 or 100 post minimum for the EE, and then realized it would just end up with useless spam messages of "me too" or some such thing to get the member up to 100 posts.

Meh.

My experience has been that when I post something, I'll get lowballers. I ignore them. Period.

I corresponded with one a few weeks ago who lowballed me, and I ended up selling the rifle for $50 more than the ask to someone else, and mr. lowball was on his way to an auction where he was hoping to get a "deal" on some rifles there....that went for more than he thought.

When I post something for sale, I find it a good practice to go away for about 4 hours and read the PM's in my inbox in order when I get back. Delete the Lowballs, and start counting from the people willing to pay the ask. My prices are generally quite reasonable. I think I only overpriced a couple of times on here, and those items didn't sell quickly.

Interestingly, the deal that bothered me the most was with a gent who badgered me over a Browning HP I sold him, in used, slightly pitted, re-finished condition, with me paying shipping, etc, and he promptly turns about and flogs the same pistol with some bloody useless story about 'war tropy' or some tripe like that and asked $400 more than I sold it to him for. I wish I'd kept the damn thing in the end, and I feel sorry for the poor bugger that bought it.

As with any milsurp, buy the rifle, not the story though, so it's on his head.

*shrug*

I've had a bad tendency to not sell things lately....I'm accumulating a bit more than I'd preffer! (Need a bigger gun room!!!)

NS

 

[Steve1987]

Interestingly, the deal that bothered me the most was with a gent who badgered me over a Browning HP I sold him, in used, slightly pitted, re-finished condition, with me paying shipping, etc, and he promptly turns about and flogs the same pistol with some bloody useless story about 'war tropy' or some tripe like that and asked $400 more than I sold it to him for. I wish I'd kept the damn thing in the end, and I feel sorry for the poor bugger that bought it.

I'm not too surprised. It's funny when people complain about prices being too high, if a good item is listed for a bargain here's another thing I've watched happen:

The rare item is listed for a bargain and one of the circling EE sharks/lifers quickly snaps it up before a truly interested party has a chance to buy it.

The shark receives the item, adds a little cheese to story "vet bringback" ect.

The item is re-listed for top dollar, and the truly interested party finally has a shot at it for the new inflated price. The sellers must have some shame in what they are doing, it's usually these times the line "please e-mail for photos" is used perhaps because they feel what they're doing will be less obvious this way.

Then people wonder why the experienced sellers aren't offering any good bargains

Another re-occurring EE scam also ties to the line "please e-mail for photos".

This trick is what I call the selective screening scam. The interested parties all contact the member, and the seller sends out the photos. HOWEVER, the known experienced collectors never get the photos of the rare item but the newbies do, this usually indicates a shady re-build or force match. I've watched this go down on a couple "matching" k98's - something new members should keep in mind.

Just for fun, here's another typical EE advertisement line:

"We think it's original finish, but not entirely sure"

This actually means: definitely refinished, but I'm covering myself if someone tries to call me out on it

-Steve

 

[flying pig]

I have had it where I've posted a WTB ad looking for something and not stated I was looking for a certain condition. One fellow offered me what I was looking for in poor condition and asked what I thought was a fair price. I made said offer and that was the end of conversation. I did want what he had he just wanted way too much (I think as he never counter offered and never originally gave me a price). I think that happens quite a bit too, but it can be annoying. In a case like that I didn't mean to offend, just didn't intend to stab myself in the foot. If someone lowballs it probably wouldn't hurt to try one counter offer to see of they are just wanting to haggle...

 

[Andy]

"We think it's original finish, but not entirely sure"

This actually means: definitely refinished, but I'm covering myself if someone tries to call me out on it

-Steve

And the same for the bore: "It's presently badly fouled, but might clean up nicely".

 

[Claven2]

I have had it where I've posted a WTB ad looking for something and not stated I was looking for a certain condition. One fellow offered me what I was looking for in poor condition and asked what I thought was a fair price. I made said offer and that was the end of conversation. I did want what he had he just wanted way too much (I think as he never counter offered and never originally gave me a price). I think that happens quite a bit too, but it can be annoying. In a case like that I didn't mean to offend, just didn't intend to stab myself in the foot. If someone lowballs it probably wouldn't hurt to try one counter offer to see of they are just wanting to haggle...

LOL - last year I wanted a portuguese K98k, posted a WTB, and within 10 minutes and eager entrepreneur PM'd me with an average example and wanted $4000. The going rate is more like $1500 for an exceptional one. I no longer use the WTB function for anything other than small parts.

 

[kjohn]

LOL - last year I wanted a portuguese K98k, posted a WTB, and within 10 minutes and eager entrepreneur PM'd me with an average example and wanted $4000. The going rate is more like $1500 for an exceptional one. I no longer use the WTB function for anything other than small parts.

Only $4000. Jeez, you could have taken two at that price.....

 

[whitey07]

ive never had a prob on ee.i simply post what I have what I want and post good pics. I make sure and give a very accurate description. I wait one day and then the first ill take it gets it.there is always about 5 guys (with 98ks )that want better pics or have in depth questions.all of these guys pass and then usualy contact 3 days later wanting it,now I simply go down the list of pms and first ill take it where do I send emts gets it.usualy the stuff I sell is 1000 or under so it is a different price range.

 

[sean69]

And the same for the bore: "It's presently badly fouled, but might clean up nicely".

these guys need to take a lesson from the used car guys, clean it , curb appeal. etc.

 

[Tinman204]

these guys need to take a lesson from the used car guys, clean it , curb appeal. etc.

I like dusty, dirty, crappy looking milsurps! I can buy them for pennys on the dollar and then I giggle while bringing them home!!!
If everyone cleans their guns up it'll take 90% of the fun out of it!!

 

[sean69]

I like dusty, dirty, crappy looking milsurps! I can buy them for pennys on the dollar and then I giggle while bringing them home!!!
If everyone cleans their guns up it'll take 90% of the fun out of it!!

o? that's the fun part, ok , no problem, I'll buy the grubby crusty looking shootin stick, you come over and clean it up for me & all I'll charge you is a case of beer. I like Moosehead.

heheheh

 

[vinver]

Not a bad idea, but you are still dealing with a subjective description of bore, metal, and wood condition. One man's "very good" often means "fair" to the next man. Personally, I'd like to see people dispense with the term, "forced matched" and the description, "minty". Minty is either a flavor or the smell of unicorn farts. A separate sale forum for SKSs and related aftermarket gee-haws and whifftickers would be nice too.

My vote for post of the month
I bought one Enfield fairly cheap, with a bore described as a "drainpipe" but it cleaned up pretty good. Another one described as ?Minty? probably because it was green with copper? Condition seems to be relative to the angle of the viewer or viewee..

 

[Magellann]

I don't think that much has changed, except the number of buyers, hence many very quick deals on the "good deals" everyone wants.

I have been doing two things based on past unpleasant experiences:

- keep a list of fussy, prissy, childish, anxious, paranoid, cheap, arrogant and otherwise "high maintenance" people and refuse to buy, or sell to them. I only have 12 people in that category, so they're really not that numerous, but they can waste a lot of time; and
- respond to WTB ads only by posting the item as a "WTS" and pointing them to it. It seems that the vast majority of WTB are fishing expeditions to exploit ignorance or good will and flip for a profit. This approach makes short work of those, while still responding to the serious.

Those unhappy with slow sales need to accept some responsibility. If your stuff doesn't sell quickly it's either:

- overpriced, at least for the CGN community; or
- poorly promoted.

All said, CGN remains a great resource for buying or selling if you're patient, smart, shrewd, not too risk averse, and on occassion lucky.

Great post, that says it all! I love seeing all the btt for the same piece over and over again. You think the seller would figure it out after the second time....

 

[WW2GURU]

I find it funny that some of the people posting on this thread are on my ignore list from poor dealings. Complaining about the very things I punted them for! Pure comedy.

I think the 24 hour payment idea is great. Ill be using that in my EE posts. I've been selling fairly regularly to a small group of people. I wasn't able to keep up with buying and selling in 2011/12 so I more or less took a break except for those regulars looking for specific items. I was just knocking on WTB doors becuase they at least respond unless theyve got it already. After returning recently I have noticed all kinds of changes. I've seen a huge spike in garand asking prices. Pawn stars type haggling tactics in private messages. About 40% of Pms are not replied too. Ads I respond too are sold long ago are they're no longer looking for the part but the ad is still there even months later. The misurp parts ee is rife with outdated ads. It's really bad. Then there's people at want to meet up to get thier stuff. It gets to be a hassle when you live in the sticks and they want you to come in to the city and they're already in the city. Sorry I don't want to burn $40 in fuel to sell you $20 worth of parts or even $100 for that matter it's not worth it.

i think the EE ettiqutte requires some ground rules spelled out for the current and new members. Things are changing and some rules might be helpful. And let me tell you I'm not a fan of rules. It pains me to say it but to keep the EE viable for users we need some filters for the ignorant.

 

[Claven2]

Anyone see the $8000 handgun posted in the wrong forum (Exchange of militaria)? LOVE the caveats in the ad.

GOOGLE is your Bud!!
Pics to prooven buyers and e-mail supplied
TRADE Ref's a MUST! Sorry.
I reserve the right to sell or NOT! at my sole descretion to individual buyers

Kinda makes me wonder if the ad is merely posted for entertainment purposes?

Show of hands - how many ppl want to buy a $8000 item from someone who can;t be bothered to post any pictures of it and suggest a google photo search?

And how exactly does one prove oneself as a "proven buyer"?

I thought feedback scores were supposed to be trade refs - am I mistaken in this?