Unspoken Etiquette of the B/S/T World

[Z-man]

Here is something that I would like to hear your thoughts on. Trade etiquette on the net is a bit like tipping. Everyone seems to have their own little system and justifications for doing or not doing something that others think you should or should not do. What are your thoughts on things like:

1 - Buying a marker specifically to flip it for a profit

When is it ok or is it ever NOT appropriate? Is it ok to buy a marker from someone who is short on cash and then immediately flip it? Do you hide your tracks so that no one sees what you did because you are ashamed or do you leave it up? Do you find it ok to try and lowball people as much as you can on the pure hope someone will take it and then flip it and try to hype the hell out of it anyway you can to squeeze out that extra $20?

2 - Buying and Selling among friends.

Do you warn your friends if you perceive they think the marker you are selling is not what you have i.e. You want to buy a Matrix from me and think they are zero maintenance markers (which they are NOT). Is it expected that you give your friends a "better" deal on the marker, and as the friend are you obligated to "in good faith" buy the marker NOT to flip for a profit X weeks / months later?

3- Sale practices.

Do you answer questions about your stuff as the truth, WHOLE truth, and nothing but the truth or do you answer the minimal amount that you can without lying and justify it by saying "hey he never asked about that part". Will you boot the guy who was first in line and agreed to buy the marker if the second, third... etc guy offers you more before the money changes hands?

Let's here your logic and how you justify how you trade.

[vf-xx]

1 - Buying a marker specifically to flip it for a profit

I've done it. Especially when the buy is a steal and they don't want to part the marker. I enjoy it, I doubt I'll make as much profit as I thought it would, but it's fun.

2 - Buying and Selling among friends.

Sadly, I don't have friends... :(
Seriously, it's not been a problem. I've only sold one marker to a friend, and my expectation is, if I'm selling it, it's a buisness deal. What they do with it afterwards isn't any buisness of mine. I do try to help them with it, but see my comments below.

3- Sale practices.

I answer all questions asked. I ususally volunteer information too. Even if it's detrimental to my sale. I prefer honesty and integrity over making a buck. I'd rather be up front with things. Causes me less trouble in the long run.

I also run First come first served. See Honor/integrity statement. Not saying, that it's not a temptation, but still..

Am I perfect? No. But I try.

[Chris]

1. I see no problem with buying a marker to flip for a profit. I'll do it, and if Im asked about it I'll let people know what Im doing. I do not however believe in hyping a marker.

2. I've never SOLD a marker to a friend; but I have done trades with them. I would treat my friends no differently than I would anyone else; with the exception that I would prefer to trade to a friend than a stranger when all else is equal.

3. I'd rather keep my reputation as an honest trader, than make an extra buck by being less than honest. I try to provide as much information as I can, and answer questions as honestly as I can. I've had instances where I have agreed to sell a marker for less than my asking price; only to have someone come along a few minutes later and offer the full price. On each of those instances, I have kept my word and sold to the first person.

I'll sell something and provide only the factual information. I see no point in creating a story about how this AGG WGP ANGEL BLASTER is the greatest thing, and due to its AWESOME POWERS I was able to win a 10 man tourney on my own.
Provide an honest description, with a couple of good photos, and the marker should sell itself.

[Zondo]

1) Flipping for profit: I haven't done it and don't think I would unless if the arbitrage is decent. Generally, I don't want to buy stuff that I'm not prepared to use/keep for myself.

2) Buying/selling among friends: I would expect them to deal with me as they would with anyone else. If I turn around and sell it, I'd let them know then I would divy some of the profit back to them if it was a quick turnaround. Friends would get first-come status treatment, but that would be before I post a sale if there was interest before.

3) Answering questions: I completely value reputation, especially if I'm dealing with people that I don't know and they don't know me. I am upfront about items for sale/trade. I answer questions to the best of my ability, plus pictures, because while I may sell an item once, I may not be able to again if I was a schmuck.

[wetwrks]

1 - Buying a marker specifically to flip it for a profit

I have no problem with this and have seen my things up for sale/trade the same week I sent them out. Do I specifically try and lowball people? No, but I do try and get a good deal.

2 - Buying and Selling among friends.

I try and educate my friends on all my equipment reguardless of them buying or not. As for selling to friends, done it and watched as they have sold it again later. They buy it, it is theirs to do with it as they please.

3- Sale practices.

I try and be as truthful as possable as I don't want the hassle of trying to correct something later. As for people lining up, I always do the first deal first. If it falls thru, then I'll deal with someone else but I never let another offer kill a deal that is standing. I also never try and butt in on an ongoing set of negotiations. I will mention that if it falls thru I want to be in line to have a shot at it but I don't make any offers as I don't want to interfere in the ongoing negotiations.
:D

[MeÐiC]

1 - Buying a marker specifically to flip it for a profit

Done it many times. There's no problem doing so.

2 - Buying and Selling among friends.

I do my best to inform friends that buy from me.

3- Sale practices.

I want all of my buyers to be as informed as can be. I have a good rep and intend to keep it that way. I also have no problem helping them with questions or issues after the sale.

[Maniac Mechanic]

1 - Buying a marker specifically to flip it for a profit

This is what I tell the wife :evillaugh: , It will normally turn into parts ( because there is something I wanted on it ) , then get sold

2 - Buying and Selling among friends.

I don't have any friends that are smart enough to shoot Mags or AKA's

3- Sale practices.

My word is my bond ; I tell & show (pic's) , every thing I know or see about something i'm selling , parts or markers , & then offer a money back guarantee , I encourage others to check my feedback & I try to check the other parties feedback

[FiXeL]

1 - Buying a marker specifically to flip it for a profit

I don't recall flipping a marker.. But i don't see any problems doing so.

2 - Buying and Selling among friends.

Friends get the same advise and information on guns and gear as all other buyers. If there are issues, they will be mentioned and yes sometimes i would advise against a purchase if i feel they want to buy something that doesn't really suit them. (i.e. selling a phantom to a electro only guy and one that has never shot a pump before. I'll advise him to get a cheap pump and try it atleast a few times before getting a "high end" pump) But i would tell the same to any buyer if i knew them well enough to see that something isn't suited for them.

I rather say no then have a dissapointed buyer, friend or no friend.

3- Sale practices.

All questions will be answered and nothing will be omitted for the sake of getting rid of whatever i'm selling. First come, first pick and if the first buyer backs out, the second in line gets it and it doesnt really matter if somebody else offers more. In that case i should have asked more. :)

The only thing i refuse to do is to sell to people that i have had bad experiences with, be it on payment issues, or issues with the goods delivered. Also if i was ordering parts for them, and they back out as soon as i have them, then i won't deal with that person anymore.

[A-Tach-One]

#1 Specifically buying an item to flip for a profit isn't bad but I do not appreciate a person who buys an item dirt cheap then puts it up above normal market pricing. It's a bit annoying to me, just my opinion. It's there item to do what they want with though.
For the most part when it comes to prices, I tend not to haggle. If I like the sellers price, Im buying the item. If I don't like the price I don't even bother contacting the person.



#2 I treat everyone with the same respect and consideration I hope to receive in return. If someone ask my opinion, then I give them my honest opinion. If they pass on my item for sale, that's ok. Selling to friends has changed for me a bit.

One of my stories: Lets first start off by saying this, you guys knoooooow how I am about XMags yeah? Ok. I once sold an XMag with blue Xvalve for 650 to a person I know. Granted, it was not prestine and had a mismatched ano'd breech. But soon after this person kept the blue xvalve and sold the Xmag for a profit. He made some cash and basically kept a free blue xvalve. He never offered me the XMag back. :(

The Result of this story: This is one story of many, but this was the one story that changed how I would go about selling to friends. I used to give people I thought were online friends smokin deals on items but I witnessed some turn a decent profit on what I had just sold them. I may still cut a deal but I now ask for first opportunity to purchase the item back at the same price.



#3 Yes I answer questions truthfully. I give any info related or unrelated to the question. :D

No I do not boot the first guy in line. I always set my pricing at an amount I would be happy with. If your happy with the price your selling at then there is no reason to be greedy.

Now I have been accused of being the kind of buyer who snipes things from people and I hate that. I have always contacted sellers by pm's but after being accused of sniping or "stealing", I tend to post in the thread now. People want visual proof of everything these days. Visual proof being first to "post". If they do not see you post then it is a lie, you must not have been first.

[Twilight]

1 - Buying a marker specifically to flip it for a profit

I have never flipped a marker. However, I generally use at least one part from the marker and part out the rest. Sometimes, I can make enough back to break even so it's almost like getting the part for free. Even then, I do not try to offload the parts asap.

I don't think that I lowball but I will attempt to bargain. If the seller is firm on their price, I will politely decline or just accept their price if it's reasonable.

2 - Buying and Selling among friends.

None of my friends play paintball :rolleyes:
I may give some "e-friends" a chance at something first before posting publicly if I know they have already expressed interest in it. I may also sell to them at a slightly lower price because I would hope to one day have the favor returned to me.

3- Sale practices.

I usually supply as much info as possible so that there are no surprises. Partly due to buying parts myself that turned out to be in less-than-pristine condition and disappointed as a result.
As for conducting the sale, I believe that most of my prices are fair. I usually never get anyone offering more than my asking price. If I do get a high offer, whoever contacted me first will get the first chance at it for the price I listed.
(now that I think about it, this did happen to me on a worn X-Valve I recently sold. I could have made $20 more on the deal but sold to the first guy @ my price)

[vf-xx]

Query: who is really going to say anything bad about question #3?

"Yeah I"m a douche and I tell people whatever I can to make a sale!"

You know that no one is going to admit that online.

I'm not doubting anybody's sincerity here, I'm just saying.

[Z-man]

Query: who is really going to say anything bad about question #3?

"Yeah I"m a douche and I tell people whatever I can to make a sale!"

You know that no one is going to admit that online.

I'm not doubting anybody's sincerity here, I'm just saying.

Probably right. But you and I both know and see it happen. What I was more interested in was some of the less black and white areas.

For example buying a marker from a friend. I won't lie I have would either need to clearly explain what my expectations were in the sale or not sell it to him.

Like if Cunha wanted my Toxic (because he is so jealous of it already) and I was willing to sell it to him because he's such a good friend who DOESN'T ABANDON ME TO GO WORK ON SOME STUPID CAR HE JUST GOT...

I would expect him to buy it because he wanted it and would hold onto it. If he explicitly told me he was buying it to flip it, I would thank him for his honestly and then slap him in the face (respectfully of course).

That's just me.

[Cunha]

Slapping..Z-Mans attack of choice.

[Ruler_Mark]

1-, if its from someone online that is thier fault. If its from someone who is a good friend I might just take it in as collateral on a 'loan' till I sell it then give them the $ earned over what I loaned them incially.

2-, I tell people the same things friend or not, no BS.

3-, yes always try to describ every part to the fullest.

[MeÐiC]

Bought a packaged deal on the nation. Guy told me the marker was in great shape, nothing wrong with it. Ya right! Eyes were broke, orings shot, and frame buttons missing. Did I throw a fit? No because I expected nothing better for the price I paid.

[Sundown]

1 - Well if someone finds a good deal and then sells it right after, I guess it's there decision. I only sold one marker that I bought used (my X-mag) and I pretty much sold it the same price I bought it and with more stuff. So I guess I did not make any money.. darn, now that I think about.. haha

2 - My friends at home, well I must admit that I would give them a good deal. But, truth be told, I just let them play with my marker whenever they wanna play (they are not paintballs addicts). Friends online in forums, I guess I could make them a better deal and hope they don't sell it 3 days latter at a higher price :) haha
I like A_tach's comment on being the first in line to buy it back at same price (not a bad idea)

3 - All in all, I do not sell allot of markers (3 up till now) but like everyone her said; I give out all the info I have on the marker I am selling.

Like allot of people here statedL: reputation is important if you plan on staying on the forums and selling more paintball related items.

I see allot of people here with good reputations and that alone is really nice and makes it fun to read and post :)

[Turbo Chicken]

noone is going to admit publicly ... sooo...

Ill admit to stretching the truth or embellishing a little to make what ever im selling sound more attractive...

but at the same time before any money changes hands i let the buyer know anything and everything about the item in question that may cause issues ...

[Dend78]

1 - Buying a marker specifically to flip it for a profit

i see nothing wrong with it if you can buy it and help someone out and then resell it and make a lil extra for yourself so be it.

2 - Buying and Selling among friends.

friends get a little better deal nothing super fantastic, you know since its you here is an extra 10 off. if its my gun they are buying i will let them know every detail about it as best i can

3- Sale practices.

dont cut in line i hate that well he pm'ed me and was on when i was on so i sold it to him even though 30 seconds after i posted and logged off you said you wanted it....i freakin hate that :wall:

as far as overall how an item looks and what not i try to describe my items in my posts but sometimes i miss stuff, if a person doesnt ask about it with a little detail i noramlly dont look it over and say hey it has this or that on it after they buy, usually i will ship it to them and if they are unhappy with the sale talk to me and we will see what we can work out cause ultimately i want a buyer to be happy or at least ok with their purchase

[jonmcfatty]

1 - Buying a marker specifically to flip it for a profit - I personally would not buy a marker to flip unless I was going to part it out in hopes of making some money, there are a lot of sellers that state no parting and I think the reason people don't part out a marker is that it takes extra time and effort finding buyers and shipping all the items, but if you're willing to do the legwork than why not


2 - Buying and Selling among friends.

I never sell friends markers, I made the mistake once and for a long time I was fixing every little thing that needed a little maintenance for a long time.
3- Sale practices.

I try my very hardest to describe every detail about the items i'm selling, And I would accept any return if I missed disclosing something to the buyer, its the way I would want to be treated and I don't appreciate it when people misrepresent items, it has happened to all of us and it always sucks.

[RogueFactor]

I almost dont know where to start. My :twocents: ...its a 2-way street.