Hyperbole on the For Sale/Wanted Forum
I've been watching the "BEST! 8x10 setup money can buy!" thread over on the For Sale/Wanted with some perplexity. For some reason the header stirred up the wrath of certain members who thought it was hyperbole. For the record, I thought the outfit was a reasonable start for a shooter, overpriced perhaps but the whole point of forums like this is to establish actual values: what will an actual buyer actually pay.
The real hyperbole to me is stuff like this, seen all the time:
"Shutter speeds sound accurate" (to my scientifically calibrated ear)
"Scratches on glass do not affect image quality" (unless you're aiming for quality images)
"CLAd a few years back by the previous seller" (and only used in church by a little old lady)
"Bellows appear to have no pinholes" (there's a sure way to find out)
"Last chance before I send it to eBay" (don't make me drown these kittens)
And my current favorite:
"Paypal only. Add 3% for Paypal" (?)
I'm quite happy to step around these little stinkers because I've found and purchased some amazing stuff on this forum. Bargains, yes, but more than that things that would be otherwise impossible to find, like the $5 rangefinder cam that matches my Horseman 65mm. This is the Long Tail effect of the internet, and it's what makes this forum, and those like it, so valuable.
So caveat emptor. Let the feedback continue but let's be civil about it. There is, after all, a certain dignity that goes with large format work.
Re: Hyperbole on the For Sale/Wanted Forum
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tenny69
"Last chance before I send it to eBay"
"Add 3% for Paypal"
I find these two especially repulsive.
It really doesn't matter how nice it is or how well priced...as soon as I see either of these...I click the back button and never look back. Interestingly, items that have this kind of bullshit in their listings always seem to have very optimistic pricing anyway.
Re: Hyperbole on the For Sale/Wanted Forum
just in case context is lost to contest:
OED: "exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally."
to understand it as hyperbole means "you understand 'both' "
Re: Hyperbole on the For Sale/Wanted Forum
I started to post a bunch of personal crap about how truly shitty life can be but I erased it. No one wants to hear a bunch of "oh pitiful me" crap. Suffice it to say this is very petty stuff. Think about the folks in Haiti!!
Re: Hyperbole on the For Sale/Wanted Forum
Quote:
[...]
"Add 3% for Paypal"
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BradS
I find these two especially repulsive.
It really doesn't matter how nice it is or how well priced...as soon as I see either of these...I click the back button and never look back. Interestingly, items that have this kind of bullshit in their listings always seem to have very optimistic pricing anyway.
Why does the PayPal line bother you? This is usually done by the sellers who accept other methods too (such as money order).
PayPal does charge the seller a 3% surcharge (more for international transactions) and all it does is offer greater security to the buyer. Why should seller have to pay for it?
Re: Hyperbole on the For Sale/Wanted Forum
There is nothing wrong in adding 3% for paypal provided the seller discloses it up front. If more merchants added a fee for credit cards, it would eventually prevent the banks (U.S.) from being so goddamn greedy.
Re: Hyperbole on the For Sale/Wanted Forum
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tenny69
I've been watching the "BEST! 8x10 setup money can buy!" thread over on the For Sale/Wanted with some perplexity. For some reason the header stirred up the wrath of certain members who thought it was hyperbole. For the record, I thought the outfit was a reasonable start for a shooter, overpriced perhaps but the whole point of forums like this is to establish actual values: what will an actual buyer actually pay.
The real hyperbole to me is stuff like this, seen all the time:
"Shutter speeds sound accurate" (to my scientifically calibrated ear)
"Scratches on glass do not affect image quality" (unless you're aiming for quality images)
"CLAd a few years back by the previous seller" (and only used in church by a little old lady)
"Bellows appear to have no pinholes" (there's a sure way to find out)
"Last chance before I send it to eBay" (don't make me drown these kittens)
And my current favorite:
"Paypal only. Add 3% for Paypal" (?)
I'm quite happy to step around these little stinkers because I've found and purchased some amazing stuff on this forum. Bargains, yes, but more than that things that would be otherwise impossible to find, like the $5 rangefinder cam that matches my Horseman 65mm. This is the Long Tail effect of the internet, and it's what makes this forum, and those like it, so valuable.
So caveat emptor. Let the feedback continue but let's be civil about it. There is, after all, a certain dignity that goes with large format work.
2 posts and you're already whining about this place?
Re: Hyperbole on the For Sale/Wanted Forum
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Henry Ambrose
2 posts and you're already whining about this place?
Re: Hyperbole on the For Sale/Wanted Forum
Actually, if you read my original comment, I was not criticizing LFPF at all. I think it is a unique and highly valuable resource.
Nor am I criticizing the use of PayPal, I'm just amused by the particular case I quoted. Why not just set your price 3% higher in the first place, if there are no other payment options?
There, three posts now. My credibility has jumped by 50%!
Re: Hyperbole on the For Sale/Wanted Forum
How amusing is this. The thread everyone loves to hate has born a sibling. TFF; Too F'ing funny.