BST Courtesy and Protocol

[doug.goodman]

In my mind, the BST is like a candy machine, once you put the money in, you get the candy. Until then, no matter how early or often you look at the candy, or how many questions you ask, the candy isn't yours.

On a related topic, while I can understand the logic of posting an "email sent" note on a BST thread, I generally contact the seller directly and I don't always post about it in the thread. Unless I post "I'll take it" in the thread, which means "I'll take it if you haven't already sold it to somebody else".

Doug

[Stampsfan]

Thanks for the info to everyone who took the time to post.

And no, I am not "upset" at all; they are all pretty common items. I thought I could capture some "low hanging fruit" on a low priority want list. I was simply looking for a clarification and opinions, mostly for future reference.

Yes, I wanted a better scan before making the decision, which I still feel is reasonable. I also completely understand if someone came in and purchased outright without asking for scans. I wasn't prepared to do so. Simply wondering if there are rules or courtesies around being first in, which I thought I might have been.

Thanks for the feedback and clarifications. Much appreciated.

Bob

[drcy]

Committing and inquiring are two different things, especially considering many inquirers never commit and some don't even respond.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Stampsfan

Thanks for the info to everyone who took the time to post.

And no, I am not "upset" at all; they are all pretty common items. I thought I could capture some "low hanging fruit" on a low priority want list. I was simply looking for a clarification and opinions, mostly for future reference.

Yes, I wanted a better scan before making the decision, which I still feel is reasonable. I also completely understand if someone came in and purchased outright without asking for scans. I wasn't prepared to do so. Simply wondering if there are rules or courtesies around being first in, which I thought I might have been.

Thanks for the feedback and clarifications. Much appreciated.

Bob

Really is a great place to shop. I have done probably 40 transactions without an issue of any kind. Great communication and I've gotten some rarer stuff I wanted and paid fair prices (without putting fees in someone else's pocket). And on occasion I've unloaded items to raise cash for other purchases. More I use BST the less I appreciate the hassles of crazy high buy it nows and the like.

[darwinbulldog]

Lost in all of this is the fact that someone had a reasonable question and received reasonable responses and had a reasonable reaction. What is this place, and what have you guys done to my internet?

[Leon]

The fewer rules the better. I have to get involved (not a ton I can do but I try to help) in approximately 1 deal a month. That tells me things aren't that bad and we don't need more freaking rules (*I don't like rules in general).
The overriding theme is act professionally or you won't be allowed there. Communication is always key and CAVEAT EMPTOR. Always PM me or another moderator with anything suspicious or that just doesn't look right (a person selling a 10k card that just registered, for instance). Those issues get looked at very quickly. There are no safeguards there other than everyone's own policing....and of course there is always UCC that lawyers can debate as in normal business. In other words regular laws, and some being federal if over the internet, always apply. Because everyone is vigilant on the BST we have almost no actual scammers who have ever gotten away with anything that I am aware of. A few deals have gone sour but those were with know collectors.... Carry on...

.

[quinnsryche]

I always state in my sales posts "pm over post". I don't have time to constantly check the listing for posts but I do get instant notifications via email from pm's. That way FIFO (first in/first out). It's the fairest way I've found to conduct business on the B/S/T. I've actually had this happen a couple of times:
someone will post "I'll take it in the thread" and by the time they pm me, someone else has committed to buy (or even paid) via an email or private message. It literally comes down to 1-2 mins. on some items.
Just some food for thought.

[buymycards]

I think a seller should specify the way that a buyer should contact them. I had a problem several years ago when I posted an item, and within a few minutes, a had a post on the thread, a couple of PM's, and a couple of emails, so I had to sort through everything to determine who was the first person to commit to the purchase.

So now, I always specify the type of contact. I will state - "PM's only". This way I don't have to constantly check my email or the thread, only the PM's.

Rick

[CobbSpikedMe]

I never post in the thread when I plan to buy the card. I either PM the seller or email them if they specifically note they want emails in their post. Seems like a waste of time to post in the thread and then PM.

AndyH

[ALR-bishop]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

In my mind, the BST is like a candy machine, once you put the money in, you get the candy. Until then, no matter how early or often you look at the candy, or how many questions you ask, the candy

Doug

Knowing Doug, I could not help but picture him standing at a candy machine and asking it questions

[mintacular]

The op should have said I'll take it pending the scan and if the scan was no good could opt out at that point. Also, the seller really should put scan up first so that this back and forth can be avoided.

[buymycards]

Originally Posted by mintacular

The op should have said I'll take it pending the scan and if the scan was no good could opt out at that point. Also, the seller really should put scan up first so that this back and forth can be avoided.

Posting scans would solve a lot of problems. Same thing with posting a price.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by buymycards

Posting scans would solve a lot of problems. Same thing with posting a price.

+1

There is a member that keeps listing cards that I'm very much interested in but, without a price, I don't even bother.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

+1

There is a member that keeps listing cards that I'm very much interested in but, without a price, I don't even bother.

what he said. ↑

I'm anal about trying to make sure all my stuff at a show is tagged for the same reason. I hate walking up on a dealer with no prices.