Bike Hub classifieds vibe

[Nick]

@nick and @admin - maybe requirements should be 10 posts or something like that before you can start replying on classifieds (dm/email or see phone number) or posting to classifieds?

 

To elaborate on what Admin said:

 

It's a request we get often.

 

The truth is that the number of people using the classifieds far outweighs those using the forums. So forcing people who don't want to use the forums to use the forums will have a negative impact on both the forums and the classifieds.

 

Just image everyone rushing in here to get their 10 posts in the bag with no intention of sticking around or adding any value. Likewise, it'd be a terrible user experience for those just wanting to trade in the classifieds to first have to make X number of posts while the pool of buyers and sellers would dramatically decrease.

[Shebeen]

so after all of this on this thread I took a look at my ratings and it seems all comments lead to the fact I am in the wrong line of work and should go into packaging

no one has rated you for 4 years!

either you stopped trading, or the 100% positive feedback means people don't add to it.

[Ed-Zulu]

This often crops up in conversations on Classifieds and while it may work well for forum-first users, there are many upstanding, regular Classifieds users with zero forum posts. 

 

It also risks incentivising "spammy" posts in the forums simply to meet that requirement.

 

 

There are hubbers with in excess of 10,000 posts I would not deal based on the tripe they talk on here.

[Shebeen]

 

A question to the OP, @nox1111, and others who've expressed similar sentiments: 

 

Do you see the lack of comments on a given advert is a key issue or more the way some potential buyers choose to engage in communication in general (i.e. one liners, no formalities or introductions, outlandish low ball offers)?

 

I think comments are crucial to making this a trustworthy marketplace.

Some people will say that by commenting on a seller's post you start tainting the prospective sale. BUT if what you are commenting is correct, then it only adds to the authenticity of the sale.

examples of this are: correcting the date of the bike (ie. that's a 2014 model) or pointing out that almost new (ie. that chainring looks well used) are fine if it is glaringly obvious.

 

like most things it comes down to the adage, "don't be a p$%^, be lekker"

 

 

I saw an article in a backissue of a Go! magazine on mountainbiking - it specifically mentioned bikhub as a goodplace for second hand bikes as the "forum users will identify any charlatans trying to pull a quick scam on newbies"

[Sbloomer]

Nick please add the ability to re-arrange photos in the ad?

 

As it is now you have to first upload the pic you want to see as the thumbnail then go add the rest of the pics in one go and hope the order is not too bad and then have to delete everything and start again photo by photo because the order makes no rhyme or reason.

 

It seems to me a there's a trend of people advertising but with no photos.  Stuff that I'd be interested and at a reasonable price, but I wont even contact them.

 

The new classified should insist on photos (although there's still no guarantee)

[Dirkitech]

I think comments are crucial to making this a trustworthy marketplace.

Some people will say that by commenting on a seller's post you start tainting the prospective sale. BUT if what you are commenting is correct, then it only adds to the authenticity of the sale.

examples of this are: correcting the date of the bike (ie. that's a 2014 model) or pointing out that almost new (ie. that chainring looks well used) are fine if it is glaringly obvious.

 

like most things it comes down to the adage, "don't be a p$%^, be lekker"

 

 

I saw an article in a backissue of a Go! magazine on mountainbiking - it specifically mentioned bikhub as a goodplace for second hand bikes as the "forum users will identify any charlatans trying to pull a quick scam on newbies"

Ironic, now if they search go! magazine and bikehub at once, they'll get your post with the profanity.

 

I align with the idea that bikehub is the best place for buying and selling 2nd hand goods - there's no competition so the people running bikehub are the pioneers for any future expansions in this regard.

[Hairy]

Have not done much trading, but have also not received feedback again......and thankfully there is also no thread in my name where I need to answer uncomfortable questions.

 

There was a well known hubber who I sold a shock to recently ..... he calls me up and tells me that the shock is giving issues etc ... heart sinks, then he laughs saying it is a joke ... should have gone to give him a negative rating after that as I am sure I lost a few years of my life with the shock (No pun intended)

 

no one has rated you for 4 years!

either you stopped trading, or the 100% positive feedback means people don't add to it.

[Kranswurm]

Have not done much trading, but have also not received feedback again......and thankfully there is also no thread in my name where I need to answer uncomfortable questions.

 

There was a well known hubber who I sold a shock to recently ..... he calls me up and tells me that the shock is giving issues etc ... heart sinks, then he laughs saying it is a joke ... should have gone to give him a negative rating after that as I am sure I lost a few years of my life with the shock (No pun intended)

I have bought and sold a good many bikes and frames over the years and not once received a rating...quite disappointing actually

[Chingy182]

Agreed and I hate getting these low ball offers with no introduction.

 

Maybe we should introduce a minimum 20 word count on the PM function.

 

At least then:

 

"R850 Cash?

I am very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very interested."

[CAAD4]

Have not done much trading, but have also not received feedback again......and thankfully there is also no thread in my name where I need to answer uncomfortable questions.

 

There was a well known hubber who I sold a shock to recently ..... he calls me up and tells me that the shock is giving issues etc ... heart sinks, then he laughs saying it is a joke ... should have gone to give him a negative rating after that as I am sure I lost a few years of my life with the shock (No pun intended)

Name and Shame him!!!

[EddieV]

Ironic, now if they search go! magazine and bikehub at once, they'll get your post with the profanity.

I align with the idea that bikehub is the best place for buying and selling 2nd hand goods - there's no competition so the people running bikehub are the pioneers for any future expansions in this regard.

 

I agree ....

 

I’ve bought many parts from the classifieds over the years, .... whether it’s for fixing my own bike/s or building up bikes for friends etc.

I try to offer what I perceive I would have sold it for (or the budget of the person I’m assisting)

 

If you selling an article that might fail easier, where you bought it with a guarantee eg. “a carbon frame”. I can’t take the frame back to you and ask for a replacement frame, so you can’t expect the guy to offer what you paid. Thus a 2nd-hand carbon frame is going to sell like an old tube TV, use it while it works and then throw it away when your tubes crack.

 

I blame the inflated prices of bikes squarely on the lease agreements available. I doubt that without it, bike prices would be what they are today. It’s skewed the market completely. Dissimilar to the vehicle market, it’s not easy buying a 2nd-hand bike on lease - and certainly not from a private seller.

Add onto that “boost” technology on MTB’s - no one wants to pay for non-boost parts anymore, and “disc brake” road bikes - similarly, on one wants to pay top price for a rim brake frame or parts.

 

I’ve digressed a bit

 

I have undoubtedly offended a few people when making offers, but it was never to low-ball. I always say “hi” and “thank you” too.

 

If I don’t get what I want it is my own fault for not offering what the seller wanted

 

I think the classifieds is perfect as it is .... over regulating the classifieds will hamper healthy competition

.... and no amount of regulation is going to make people buy stuffs they perceive as too pricey. .....

[ABrooks]

I think comments are crucial to making this a trustworthy marketplace.

Some people will say that by commenting on a seller's post you start tainting the prospective sale. BUT if what you are commenting is correct, then it only adds to the authenticity of the sale.

examples of this are: correcting the date of the bike (ie. that's a 2014 model) or pointing out that almost new (ie. that chainring looks well used) are fine if it is glaringly obvious.

 

like most things it comes down to the adage, "don't be a p$%^, be lekker"

 

 

I saw an article in a backissue of a Go! magazine on mountainbiking - it specifically mentioned bikhub as a goodplace for second hand bikes as the "forum users will identify any charlatans trying to pull a quick scam on newbies"

Saw a guy once selling a bike with the fork on backwards, brake caliper facing forwards! Commented that it's the wrong way round, hope he read his comments.

 

Do sellers get notified if a comment is posted on their ad?

[Kranswurm]

Saw a guy once selling a bike with the fork on backwards, brake caliper facing forwards! Commented that it's the wrong way round, hope he read his comments.

 

Do sellers get notified if a comment is posted on their ad?

That was prob a Manitou fork and you were wrong

[NotSoBigBen]

Having bought a fair amount of stuff through the classifieds and sold a few items my thoughts are as follows

 

Since once the deal starts happening outside of the classifieds i.e PM, WA, phonecalls etc. it's difficult to force things like ratings to be done but how about something like this

 

When an item is marked SOLD or gets removed ask if it was to a hubber, if yes then go straight to the ratings screen for that buyer in that way almost forcing a rating

 

At the same time automatically PM the buyer with a link to rate the seller

 

Not sure if that is possible in the platform used without major customisation?

 

I personally rate every seller I have been involved with but very few have bothered to give me a rating sadly but it is what it is

 

My general approach is if it's something I need and I'm happy with the price I do what's necessary to get it without negotiation!

 

However .... If it's something I consider nice to have and I notice it's been available for a while I would first send a message asking if the price could be negotiated. If no I would respond to say thanks but no thanks. If yes I would make an offer based on what I'm prepared to pay not necessarily what it may be worth but often times it's been lying around and guys don't mind to part with it ...

 

Have been caught with the 'its for my wife and I'd like to buy her something nice' when selling an at the time high end bike that was unused. This was quite some time ago, I dropped the price considerably thinking it was going to a good home only to find it advertised at more than my original price right here on the Hub a week later! There was quite a hoo haa at the time as there were a few doing it and he deleted the ad and his user not long after that ...

 

All of my other dealings however have been great and met a few really cool hubbers over the time face to face that way as well!

 

Anyway hope some of that helps ...

[Sitting@89]

Having bought a fair amount of stuff through the classifieds and sold a few items my thoughts are as follows

 

Since once the deal starts happening outside of the classifieds i.e PM, WA, phonecalls etc. it's difficult to force things like ratings to be done but how about something like this

 

When an item is marked SOLD or gets removed ask if it was to a hubber, if yes then go straight to the ratings screen for that buyer in that way almost forcing a rating

 

At the same time automatically PM the buyer with a link to rate the seller

 

Not sure if that is possible in the platform used without major customisation?

 

I personally rate every seller I have been involved with but very few have bothered to give me a rating sadly but it is what it is

 

My general approach is if it's something I need and I'm happy with the price I do what's necessary to get it without negotiation!

 

However .... If it's something I consider nice to have and I notice it's been available for a while I would first send a message asking if the price could be negotiated. If no I would respond to say thanks but no thanks. If yes I would make an offer based on what I'm prepared to pay not necessarily what it may be worth but often times it's been lying around and guys don't mind to part with it ...

 

Have been caught with the 'its for my wife and I'd like to buy her something nice' when selling an at the time high end bike that was unused. This was quite some time ago, I dropped the price considerably thinking it was going to a good home only to find it advertised at more than my original price right here on the Hub a week later! There was quite a hoo haa at the time as there were a few doing it and he deleted the ad and his user not long after that ...

 

All of my other dealings however have been great and met a few really cool hubbers over the time face to face that way as well!

 

Anyway hope some of that helps ...

I don’t get the deal with if someone got something from you at a price (willing seller, willing buyer) and they then sell it off for a profit.

[Jaws677]

I don’t get the deal with if someone got something from you at a price (willing seller, willing buyer) and they then sell it off for a profit.

The seller wants someone else to appreciate what he is selling , not selling it for the max price but rather passing it on to someone else to enjoy. When the buyer just scoops it up and resells for maximum profit then the ethos of the classified section is lost and it's just another gumtree Olx