Ebay Related Etiquette

[moonpup]

Every now and again, I run across an item on eBay that is either rare or hard to find. Sometimes these are listed in the wrong category, mis-spelled or just listed in a way that most folks might miss with a basic search.

If I decide not to pursue the item, I hesitate to post a thread here alerting the members to the auction fearing the "danged if you do, danged if you don't"

While I think I might be helping someone in desperate need, I might also be stepping on another persons toes who was hoping it wouldn't get much attention and thus get a great deal.

So......Do I or do I not? What's the general concensus here?

[Zak's Z]

If its not something I want or I'm bidding on, I'd share the wealth. Maybe someone else wants it more. I'd rather help out a member here than step on the toes of someone i don't know (again, unless its a member here). Its a public listing after all...

[geezer]

If I know someone has been looking for something for a long time, I will give them the "heads up". That is, if I'm not looking for the same item. I've got far too many so called "rare" pieces that I have bought at bargain prices, that I don't plan on using, just taking up space. So now I buy only what I need and pass on the information to others. If I don't know of anyone looking for a "rare" piece that is inconspicuously listed, I just ignore it usually.

[Oiluj]

I fully agree with the above posts. Just common sense.

If it's something You've been looking for and need, don't tip your hand. If it's not something you need, tell others who might need it.

As for myself, I've got too much stored in my garage as it is and am not looking to collect & store extra stuff I don't need!

[Stickerman]

I have a different view. If you are going to post ebay items, post them all, even the ones that you are interested in, or none at all. I don't think it's fair to keep the ones you are looking to get a deal on to yourself, yet let others know about the ones I found

[moonpup]

Originally Posted by: Zak's Z

.....I'd rather help out a member here than step on the toes of someone i don't know (again, unless its a member here). Its a public listing after all...

The problem is you won't know if it's a members toes until you post it. I've seen it several times where someone links an item only to have a member respond " D*#@ I was hoping no one else had seen that!"

Originally Posted by: Stickerman

I have a different view. If you are going to post ebay items, post them all, even the ones that you are interested in, or none at all. I don't think it's fair to keep the ones you are looking to get a deal on to yourself, yet let others know about the ones I found

Interesting view, just not sure how may others would want to increase the potential bidding pool on an item they were really interested in.

[Stickerman]

Interesting view, just not sure how may others would want to increase the potential bidding pool on an item they were really interested in.

To me that is the problem. If you don't want to build interest in something you want, why is it fair for you to build interest in something I want?

[moonpup]

Stickerman...exactly, that's the "danged if you do" part.

So far we got 2 "post it", 1 "inform a friend" and 1 "No, don't post"

[hls30.com]

If it is a series one or JDM roadster or 240Z part, and you don't recognize it, or Ron or Carl would call it "rare" I'll save everyone from having to think about what to do, email me and only me:stupid:! willathls30dotcom hopefully everyone here knows what to substitiute for the at and the dot!

Will

[DougN]

Post it!

[Twentysixouncer]

I vote for don't post. If I know someone is looking for something I will privately inform them. Too many times in the past I have been a victim of somebody spilling the beans on an auction that I hoped no one had noticed. I search ebay EVERY DAY. If someone else is too lazy to do their own searching they don't deserve to know about the auction.

[hls30.com]

I check ebay twice a day, and still manage to miss things on occasion-laziness doesn't come into play. Just today I pointed out a rare part to another member who I knew was looking for one. He had already seen it, but was happy to hear his need was important enough to me to pm him.

If you are happy to lend a hand in the garage, what is a couple of seconds at the keyboard...An extra set of eyes is always a valuable and welcome thing.

Will