Bartertown.com

I know that it obviously doesn't mark someone as a bad trader, but in my opinion there needs to be something done about the piss-poor netiquette that I've been finding invading Bartertown.

In every single one of my last few deals I've been finding a steady increase of "Hey I'm Interested - oh nevermind I change my mind" and I'm not too sure about other Bartertowners, but this is really starting to piss me off.

Every deal that I make, if someone inquires - the deal gets put on hold... not until something better comes along but until I hear otherwise from the individual that inquired. From my most recent ad I've recieved 2 PMs and 5 emails inquiring about my Tyranids. Out of those, 1 PM and 2 emails turned into valid interest. K, I've been here enough to not even flinch about people showing interest and just disappearing, but when you've started down the road-of-negotiation and then the person disappears... that really irks me.

There really needs to be something done (if possible) about this growing trend, apart from veteran BTowners turning sour and trading to the highest bidder regardless of who inquired first. There is something obviously wrong when dealing with an individual for a week, and they turn around and take a deal that they were offered yesterday.

I know this falls on deaf ears, because any of the Vets that have felt this way has gone to Ebay or simply given up all together, but seriously, it's common manners at least to tell the person that you're no longer interested rather than letting them assume 1 month later!

I totally agree w/ you, unfortunately, I don't see a whole lot that can be done about it sadly. There have been many times when I've had 5 offers for a deal, but I went w/ the first one simply because he was first, not that his was best, which it wasn't, but I'd already made the deal w/ him. I'd hate to see BTowners going w/ the highest bidder, that seems like very bad business etiquette there.

Out of the 5 offers, 2 changed their minds and 3 went with other deals... one of which was less than 24 hours after making the offer to me

but I went w/ the first one simply because he was first, not that his was best,

I wouldn't go with the first. Typically I'll take piles and piles of miniatures, throw them up on the page in one giant ad and then take the best offer after 2-3 days and send them a PM. Best for me is the one who is going to take the most of the lead off of my hands all at once, you may have different criteria ( better stuff in trade, more money, etc. )

You can also take the one with the highest trade rating, that should weed out most of your problem.


Just because he's first doesn't mean you have to go with them.

-TrademasterAdam

I agree with "just because he's first...", but how about the obvious poor Netiquette displayed by these individuals and others.

If you are no longer interested in an offer with a Bartertowner, CONTACT THEM immediately. Don't wait around assuming they'll "figure it out sooner or later". Yes if you do as BT does and hoardes a list of people, it may mean that you'll spend a large portion of time sending "rejection" notices, but trust me, they'll appreciate it more if you do that than if you leave them hanging for weeks.

Considering how often I've had to repost items here... I'm glad I don't use Ebay. Reserve-not-met would be sucking right now.

Well, you guys can go with the first offer you get.

Personally, I'm going to hold out until I get the best offer I think i can get, THEN negotiate terms.

You think that me getting the most value for my minis is bad netiquette, while I think that going with the first offer I get is just plain stupid.

If I did that, I would have traded almost $400 worth of Necrons away for 1 $40 boxed set of Warmachine last week.

Seems like common sense to me.

I also try to trade first come first served - IF, and only IF - they are at the same retail value. I like to work deals that way and if I start trying to squeeze out a couple more dollars, I find that deals fall through a lot easier.

Now, if some newbie offers me 1/2 retail, I always tell them 1.) that I trade at retail for retail and 2.) Thanks, but no thanks.

Always easy to turn down a deal .... its tougher to get acceptable offers.

I will admit that there are times when I don't respond that I am not interested - this is a barter forum and if they want me to buy or trade, it is also their responsibility to keep in contact with me. It is a two way street. If they keep up with me, I might come into what they want and go ahead and make the deal. Who knows?

My problem is being nervous about making the deal work. I am really sticking to my guns lately about anyone with less transactions has to send first unless I have traded with them before (or maybe if they have traded successfully with someone I have traded with, or with someone who has a very high rating). I will also NEVER send cash to anyone with a rating less than mine and the whole "check my eBay rating" is complete BS.

Enough rant!!

Good luck with your issue, it won't change in a barter forum, thats the nature of the beast.

Ekister

That and low ball offers. I hear what your saying but I always set definite prices and its take it or leave it. People do back out of things as they may change there mind. Frankly I do this quite a bit becuase my mind never can be making itself up...

But yeah... Normally I'm first come first serve unless its a tie between someone i dont know, and someone whom I know or I know is a veteran or a great trader... I dont even look at the traders info, its a no go or go go.

I've only done a couple trades here, but I have traded through other sites as well. For me its not a matter of first come first serve, but once a deal is made, another, more lucrative deal gotten later does not void the original trade.

You just have to be smart and know what you have got is worth to you and not accept less than that.

If no agreement has been reached, either party should feel comfortable backing out at any time. A note saying as much is nice though.

rnrusa wrote: For me its not a matter of first come first serve, but once a deal is made, another, more lucrative deal gotten later does not void the original trade.

This is my stance, right on the money.

insidius wrote:

rnrusa wrote: For me its not a matter of first come first serve, but once a deal is made, another, more lucrative deal gotten later does not void the original trade.

This is my stance, right on the money.

Amen to that! Once you say "Okay it's a deal," at the very least ASK PERMISSION before cancelling everything and scuttling off to make a different trade.

It goes tit for tat.

Theres lots of guys that inquire about what you have to offer right? You dont HAVE to put it on hold for them. An easy fix is to just let it be known that it is first come first serve. The first guy to give me a definitive offer gets it. I never hold anything for anyone that is "interested". This will save you from getting pissed off.

The tat part comes when the person that made the ad decides to trade with a guy and then some other guy comes along and offers more. Sellers have backed down on me at the last minute before because they got greedy when some other guy offered a little more than I. This is even after I got confirmation on the trade. Oh well.

Such is life.

~~~I think that until both parties have agreed to the final details of a trade, then the items are still on the market...I say this because I have had too many trades get all but settled, then the person disappears...so unless we have set a shipping date & finalized a deal, tehn there is always room for renegotiation...but you should be fair to all involved & let them know that there are other interested parties.

For example, I am dealing with somone who is interested in a small part of my Space Marine army...while we are negotiating a trade, someone emails & makes me a very attractive offer on the entire army...do I turn down a good deal that will take the entire army, or do I pursue the smaller trade & hope someone will take more later? I, for one, feel that there's always room for new parties to be interested in my stuff up until I set a shipping agreement with another trader. Once you have agreed to send soemthing, THEN it is officially off the market & you are obligated to live up to the bargain.

Maybe others will disagree with me, but this seems to personify the whole "barter" system in my eyes.

C

This is a useful thread.

I think that there's a point where the deal is sealed. Where is that point?

I really wanted to comment on one of the responses about setting a price when you post your offering. I find that very useful. If someone says "$200 solid" then I know where they're coming from. If someone says "$200 or make me an offer" I don't think they should be uptight if someone makes a low offer.

But what is a low offer?

For my part, I have a wholesale account, so I can buy whatever I want for 1/2 off (1/3 off for GW stuff). That makes it hard for me to make what is percieved as a fair offer. I factor in the uncertainty of the trade. It's riskier to deal with individuals on an open trading forum than with an established distributor.

1) What I'm suggesting here is that with an offer come unknown factors on the other party's part. Perhaps their offer is bona fide considering their circumstances, and not a flippant lowball.

For example, in my case, "painted" actually lowers the value since the model needs to be stripped.

2) I suggest that posts include more details (like edition of the models) and the position of the seller. If you are looking for the best offer, then put "or best offer".

A post with "Chaos Knights x5" listed doesn't help. Are they the crap-tastic 4th edition ones? Are they primed? Assembled? Painted well?

Well, that's all I have to say about that.

Shawn G.

For my part, I have a wholesale account, so I can buy whatever I want for 1/2 off (1/3 off for GW stuff). That makes it hard for me to make what is percieved as a fair offer. I factor in the uncertainty of the trade. It's riskier to deal with individuals on an open trading forum than with an established distributor.

You do realize that everyone hates you now, right?