BST Etiquette - friendly reminder on a few rules...

[shammus]

The past few weeks, I've been spending time almost every day responding to "Reported Posts" and other inquiries about rules being broken in the BST area. So I thought I'd take the time to remind everyone about a few of our guidelines for this section -

1.) Please no more than 3-4 threads at one time on the first page. We want everyone to have a fair chance to have their cards/requests listed in the most visible locations.

2.) Please don’t bump your thread more than once every 3-4 days. Again, we just want everyone to have a chance to have their threads seen.

** Regarding rules 1 and 2, I have had to delete several posts lately when I’ve seen that people are ignoring these two rules. I really don’t want to have to be deleting or consolidating anyone’s threads so please remember to keep your fellow board members in mind when posting/bumping in BST.

3.) Only persons involved in a potential transaction should be responding to a BST post, however benign or favorable comments are generally permitted by third parties. Here is an example of the type of commentary that I'm seeing more and more of which is NOT permitted.

- seller lists a Cal Ripken PSA 5 rookie for $100
- someone responds and says "But you can get a PSA 6 at such-and-such location for $25 cheaper!..."

Or another one…

- “Is that price a typo??”

These sort of responses are against the rules. If you feel you need to contact the individual about the price, please utilize our "Private Message" feature to contact them discreetly. Any response to a listing that is critical/negative in nature or otherwise interferes in a potential transaction is against the rules on the board. The only exception here is if the item in question is fake, grossly misrepresented or any other situation where fraud may be a concern. Aside from those extremes, this sort of communication needs to be handled privately moving forward.

Thanks all, much appreciated!

[jimivintage]

Thanks, Brian!

This seems to be an issue especially in the '50s-'79 BST. I don't understand why people can't consolidate their threads. If you are selling a Clemente RC and an Aaron RC only, there is no reason to separate those into two different threads. Just an example.

[4815162342]

I believe I'm the culprit of the "typo" post. My apologies Brian.

[rainier2004]

Originally Posted by jimivintage

Thanks, Brian!

This seems to be an issue especially in the '50s-'79 BST. I don't understand why people can't consolidate their threads. If you are selling a Clemente RC and an Aaron RC only, there is no reason to separate those into two different threads. Just an example.

Hey Jimi, I here where your coming from on that.

If I were to sell those 2 cards, I would list them in separate threads IF I wasn't selling anything else. I would only have 2 threads, those are pretty iconic cards, Id consider both high value and would want to make it as easy as possible for people to view/interpret and 2 threads would suit that better IMO. Now listing multiple 54's or 55's in separate threads would yank my chain a bit though.

Thanks for all your hard work Brian!

[shammus]

Daryl - No worries man. Actually, I wasn't aiming that comment at any particular person. I've seen several variations of that question - "Is that the right price....", "Is that a mistake...." and so on.

[jimivintage]

Originally Posted by rainier2004

Hey Jimi, I here where your coming from on that.

If I were to sell those 2 cards, I would list them in separate threads IF I wasn't selling anything else. I would only have 2 threads, those are pretty iconic cards, Id consider both high value and would want to make it as easy as possible for people to view/interpret and 2 threads would suit that better IMO. Now listing multiple 54's or 55's in separate threads would yank my chain a bit though.

Thanks for all your hard work Brian!

Good point, I didn't think of that. I guess if I just had those two cards, I personally would list them in the same thread and have the title reflect that. It was just an example of the type of stuff I see in the BST.

[GoldenAge50s]

As a frequent lister in the Auction BST, I find everyone pretty much plays by the rules & it seems to run pretty smoothly.

I have 1 suggestion regarding Rule 2. Since most Auctions are only 1-4 days long, why not allow only 2 bumps per listing--use them when you please, but only 2 bumps per!

That's about what everyone uses anyhow--just make it official!

How does that sound?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by GoldenAge50s

As a frequent lister in the Auction BST, I find everyone pretty much plays by the rules & it seems to run pretty smoothly.

I have 1 suggestion regarding Rule 2. Since most Auctions are only 1-4 days long, why not allow only 2 bumps per listing--use them when you please, but only 2 bumps per!

That's about what everyone uses anyhow--just make it official!

How does that sound?

That is a great suggestion for the Auction section Fred. I second it.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by shammus

1.) Please no more than 3-4 threads at one time on the first page.

I was wondering if we had decided to blow off the above bit of etiquette. Thanks for posting this.

[Wildfireschulte]

Bummer - Now that I know the rules the number of my posts will be greatly reduced. I always thought that Frank's auctions were fair game hassling him. Oh well - I guess that I could actually buy some more stuff.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Wildfireschulte

Bummer - Now that I know the rules the number of my posts will be greatly reduced. I always thought that Frank's auctions were fair game hassling him. Oh well - I guess that I could actually buy some more stuff.

Hassle bumps are always appreciated.

[tschock]

^^^^ wonders if he should offer up his services as a "shill bumper"?

[Rollingstone206]

...

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I like to post in the BST when I receive a card. That way other buyers can look at the thread and get some feedback.

On a side note, Blowout has a pretty good feedback setting for the BST.

[sayhey24]

Two ways that a couple of posters frequently bump their threads on the memorabilia and autograph side is by one -- listing many items together, and then posting a new reply every time a single item is sold (instead of just editing the original post).
Two -- starting an item at a high price, and then posting a new reply every day with a price drop.

Greg

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

People get riled up about this.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by I Only Smoke 4 the Cards

People get riled up about this.

Yea they do. And as much as people here like to rag on me, they can actually learn a thing or two from me. On the Ebay thread, CONSOLIDATE YOUR THREADS!! No need to put up a separate thread for EVERY SINGLE CARD you got ending on Ebay!

[icollectDCsports]

I've not sold anything using the BST portion of this site (or any others, for that matter) so I'm not complaining on my own behalf but I do feel bad for sellers who are respectful and appropriate in the number individual threads they start at one time and in not bumping themselves up needlessly. When someone abuses a BST forum, I think the mods should not hesitate to step in. Of course, that means more work for them and I'm mindful of that. Bottom line is that folks should be respectful of others posting on what is a collectors' forum and not a commercial sales site. Not that I think BST is overrun with this problem, but I do notice it from time to time.

[ALR-bishop]

I am doing my level best to learn it. It can be tough

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Yea they do. And as much as people here like to rag on me, they can actually learn a thing or two from me. On the Ebay thread, CONSOLIDATE YOUR THREADS!! No need to put up a separate thread for EVERY SINGLE CARD you got ending on Ebay!

I just had to remind someone of this as we speak.

[Leon]

Let me reiterate and clarify what was previously said. I, and the other mods, don't read every BST thread (or forum thread for that matter) but I believe I have acted, some way or another, on every PM ever sent to me concerning issues on the board. Don't be afraid to PM me if someone is out of line. I will handle it and you will stay anonymous, unless you don't want to be. I won't promise I will always side with the person sending the PM but I will always look at the issue and try to be fair. Overall, that section gives us few problems relative to the amount that goes on. Also, please remember it is always CAVEAT EMPTOR, buyer beware on the BST. Besides normal US and state laws there is no protection.

[Sean1125]

Originally Posted by Leon

Let me reiterate and clarify what was previously said. I, and the other mods, don't read every BST thread (or forum thread for that matter) but I believe I have acted, some way or another, on every PM ever sent to me concerning issues on the board. Don't be afraid to PM me if someone is out of line. I will handle it and you will stay anonymous, unless you don't want to be. I won't promise I will always side with the person sending the PM but I will always look at the issue and try to be fair. Overall, that section gives us few problems relative to the amount that goes on. Also, please remember it is always CAVEAT EMPTOR, buyer beware on the BST. Besides normal US and state laws there is no protection.

I refuse to believe you don't read everything

[digdugdig]

Kinda surprised that no one has mentioned anything about "non-card items" showing up on multiple forums when they should be listed in the Everything Else BST.
Just my $.02 (no tax here).

[granite75]

Curious where the board stands on the friends and family vs. goods and services on PayPal. I generally prefer to pay the 3% extra and be able to submit my address info, etc. just to be safe. Is either way frowned upon?

[Jacklitsch]

Originally Posted by granite75

Curious where the board stands on the friends and family vs. goods and services on PayPal. I generally prefer to pay the 3% extra and be able to submit my address info, etc. just to be safe. Is either way frowned upon?

I don't use friends and family. If I'm buying I'll add the 3%. If I'm selling I'll eat the 3%.

I think, though I'm not positive, but you get buyer protection using goods and services.

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by granite75

Curious where the board stands on the friends and family vs. goods and services on PayPal. I generally prefer to pay the 3% extra and be able to submit my address info, etc. just to be safe. Is either way frowned upon?

I've done a hundred gift transactions and never had a glitch on this site. This is, however, probably the only site I would feel comfortable doing so regularly save for some low dollar transactions or members I know well. I also have common sense and if my gut tells me to protect myself I do so. There is another board I frequent that has strict rules against gift transactions, which I amount to: "you're not smart enough to make sound decisions." If I pay gift and get burned I have no one to blame but myself and I accept that risk.

[Luke]

I agree with Steven. This site is unique in how close-knit it is. I don't know if this is the norm, but Leon called me personally when I signed up just to make sure I was someone he felt comfortable having on his site. I see all these posts asking for a feedback forum. Is anyone actually having unsatisfactory transactions? I bet I've done around 500 transactions on here, and the only hiccups I ever had was when one of my packages never made it to my buyer (and I refunded him in full). I feel totally secure making deals on this site, as long as the buyer has been around awhile. If it's a big $ transaction, of course you should do your homework, but I feel like we are pretty secure in this little community we have here.

[clydepepper]

Hello All-

I just wanted to assure everyone that I will not be adding any more updates, etc. posts to my Raffle thread.

Instead, I will edit the appropriate post directing readers to the specific numbered post to read details of the next 'contest'.

I have asked that anyone with questions about any part of the Raffle use PM to contact me rather than unnecessarily add to the thread.

Now, to make their guesses, they will need to post, however, just as I edit my updates, they can do the same with their posts (i.e. more than one answer per post) - even though the contests have different deadlines and I'm asking only one edit per post, I am trusting our 'group' to be honorable and 'draw between' the lines.

I sincerely hope that this Raffle does not fly in the face of BST etiquette as my aim was to add fun and interest.

-Raymond

[Leon]

Originally Posted by granite75

Curious where the board stands on the friends and family vs. goods and services on PayPal. I generally prefer to pay the 3% extra and be able to submit my address info, etc. just to be safe. Is either way frowned upon?

There is no rule on this board concerning how you pay someone.

[GoldenAge50s]

My experiences using F&F for pymt is similar to Steve's--MANY trannys on BST w/ no problem from any buyer nor PayPal themselves. Using F&F enables me to offer items that I never would on EBay because of the fees.

I'm a long time EBayer in good standing w/ PPal and they have never questioned my use of F&F for off-EBay transactions--they offer it & I use it.

I might add that my good name & reputation as an honest Seller supercedes any safety net offered by PPal for a deal made w/ me, so whether they cover a deal or not, you can rest assured you will not get screwed in a transaction bearing my ID.