I don't agree. When someone is selling a lens for $800 that normally sells online for $300...prospective buyers should be informed of such. That's not rude....it's saving someone from making a mistake.
Seems to me that since this is a private forum, the moderators can make any rule they please. Having a heated argument about the intelligence of one of their decisions could possibly have an effect none of us would like. Does anyone want the FS section removed completely? I do not.
Where did I demand a panel of self-proclaimed experts? So far, open discussions among our generally knowledgeable and benevolent lot did fare pretty well at arriving at something at least very close to the facts. The smaller pool of moderators probably won't do much better on average, and would indeed be more likely to trip up on items that need highly specialized knowledge (e.g. of 19th century European gear of local distribution - have we even a single European moderator?).
In any case, and all personal preferences aside, the moderators should proceed very carefully (and perhaps even ask for legal advice in the state the site nominally operates from) regarding moderated marketplaces - these things can be set up safe for the mods, but you can also trip up and make them personally responsible for the trades. The past, unmoderated state at any rate kept them out of all obligations.
I think it would be wiser to PM someone if they are mistaken in their pricing or description than to put a public post telling them how wrong they are about what they have.
The temptation is believing that we each have a responsibility to save prospective buyers from making mistakes, and that is, I think, the source of a lot of the issues that emerge.
In fact, I do not believe that we have such an obligation. And often, the people doing so are as likely to be mistaken as the seller about the value of something. The price of something can vary quite a bit based on all manner of conditions that may or may not make the "comparables" comparable. Price is not some immutable law, but a simple agreement between an uncoerced buyer and seller.
Supposing the price of large-format stuff starts to rise? Is it our job to inhibit that? Do we even want to? (Most of us own more than we are likely to want to buy already.) Somebody in a hurry should expect to pay more than a person who is patiently waiting for the correct price. And the seller may not need to sell something quickly. The market--and this market is quite open--should take care of that. The person who offers a $300 lens for $800 probably will have a lack of response as the statement on the price. It would have to be a willfully ignorant buyer to overspend that much if the price is really out of line. "Wilful ignorance" is the inability to perform a simple search of the for-sale ads here, at KEH, and on eBay, to determine what is a ball-park for similar items.
Sometimes, a willfully ignorant seller provides me a good deal. That happens quite often though I'm not usually the beneficiary. Many quite experienced sellers on this forum have offered stuff that sold within minutes--a sure sign that their price was too low. Occasionally, I've been the willfully ignorant buyer, but maybe I was in a real hurry in those cases. I'm glad in both cases someone didn't feel it was their obligation to impede the deal.
If someone starts a thread on the equipment forum that asks what the going rate ought to be for a given lens, then we can provide an abundance of opinions. And if someone is misrepresenting a product, providing the correct description is a service, as long as it is done so correctly. Often as not, though, even that starts an argument among experts as to what something really is.
Rick "who would never post an item for sale after cocktail hour, heh" Denney
I believe it is appropriate. I don't think its called the Whats your opinion of what I'm selling category.
What we really need is respect and consideration for the others that would be reading or posting. Sorry jim There is not even close to freedom of democracy here. This a private board and we are invited guests. But it would behove the owners of this board to give a wide latitude in the conversation here. That is what makes this board interesting. If we do not limit our conversation to respectful comments on photo issues, I guarantee chaos would ensue.
"Opinions are like assh**les ..everybody has one and everybody believes that everyone has a right to ("their") opinions". < worded very carefully
Where else could a conservative person exchange ideas with anarchist about photography.
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