Why the propensity...

[Crag]

of people posting a comment that has nothing to do with an offer to buy or trade an item in the selling forum? I am just asking because lately it seems that sale or trade threads end up getting hijacked because someone makes an off-topic comment and takes away the whole purpose for the thread.

For example, member "A" posts an "FS/FT" thread. Member "B" then posts a "Consultative" reply on why they should or shouldn't sell or trade the item. Then the next Member replies to member "B", and the FS/FT thread is hijacked. I'm not talking about endorsements, because they only further the cause of the sale or trade.

I, for one, do not like spending time to create a nice FS/FT thread only to have it Hijacked by someone, whether it is well-meant or not. This is the Selling and Trading forum, and replies should be kept within the "I want it", "I'll trade this" or "Someone should jump on this" nature.

I had a discussion on another board with a member we are all familiar with, who posted a brush for sale 3 different times because 2 of his threads got hijacked.

Mods, feel free to move this thread to the appropriate category.

<Steps down from Soapbox>

[castlecraver]

For example, member "A" posts an "FS/FT" thread. Member "B" then posts a "Consultative" reply on why they should or shouldn't sell or trade the item. Then the next Member replies to member "B", and the FS/FT thread is hijacked. I'm not talking about endorsements, because they only further the cause of the sale or trade.

I, for one, do not like spending time to create a nice FS/FT thread only to have it Hijacked by someone, whether it is well-meant or not. This is the Selling and Trading forum, and replies should be kept within the "I want it", "I'll trade this" or "Someone should jump on this" nature.

If the original poster takes an issue with the discussion cluttering his FS thread, then he is perfectly within his right to request that off-topic discussion occur elsewhere. If it were my thread, however, I'd welcome whatever increased visibility the repeated bumping would attract.

[momo360]

If the original poster takes an issue with the discussion cluttering his FS thread, then he is perfectly within his right to request that off-topic discussion occur elsewhere. If it were my thread, however, I'd welcome whatever increased visibility the repeated bumping would attract.

aye, can't forget the bump...

[yomuppet]

Such a "consultative" reply could also be for benefit of prospective buyers, if related to price or other product-related details.

I've seen quite a few such replies, and have benefitted from them myself, both as a buyer and a seller. I could see such why a seller would be miffed if such comments painted a product or price in a negative light, but would be hesitant to consider such comments out of place. Such replies are one of the benefits of such an active community.

J

[Crag]

It's not so much the idea of a consultation. I'm the type of person that would never list something for sale unless I had really thought it over. What gets me is when a member tries to "convince" me in a reply not to sell the item that is listed or points to a place where someone can get it cheaper....That's what fries me. Recently, on another board, I listed an item for sale, and a member replied that they had the same item for x amount less than mine, and subsequently made a sale from my thread!

I don't mind the replies so long as they are on track with what the thread contains. That's all I'm saying.

[Doc4]

It's not so much the idea of a consultation. I'm the type of person that would never list something for sale unless I had really thought it over. What gets me is when a member tries to "convince" me in a reply not to sell the item that is listed or points to a place where someone can get it cheaper....That's what fries me. Recently, on another board, I listed an item for sale, and a member replied that they had the same item for x amount less than mine, and subsequently made a sale from my thread!
I don't mind the replies so long as they are on track with what the thread contains. That's all I'm saying.

Okay, I can see where that might frost your cake, especially were the other guy could have just started up his own thread.

Personally, I see lots of times in the BST forum where I want to get chatty about an item for sale, and usually manage to refrain. Usually ... sometimes it just can't be helped! But there's always a little bit of witty banter going on here (one of our strengths, imho.) But if a n00b is offering his whole kit for sale "I just can't do this anymore", I don't mind the seasoned pros posting a few "don't jump!" messages.

[TimmyBoston]

I think our BST Forum is the best in the business and things go exceedingly smoothly there all things considered. I don't feel that this forum is being abused in this way and thusly we don't need to make these changes in regards to our current rules, but if things get really out of hand, then they will definitely be looked into and if you notice a specific thread, let someone know and the mod team can attempt to sort it out. On the other hand Pat, also makes a great point, all those "bumps" can really help an item get sold.

[ZiggyDeath]

As with many forums, there is often a propensity for people to get off track. As in real life, you have people who will comment on everything regardless of relevance. It's one of the reasons why there is a lot of forum drama, while it is relatively subdued here, perhaps due to a slightly more mature atmosphere.

Regardless, it also irritates me when forum topics get derailed, especially when the discussion is serious. Let's face it, there are tons of people who will write two sentences with little pertinence of the subject and immediately smash the Submit button. A quick look at the post counter and the join date is often a pretty good indicator to how much actual substance or thought is in someone's reply.

HOWEVER in regards to your specific cripe regarding:

Recently, on another board, I listed an item for sale, and a member replied that they had the same item for x amount less than mine, and subsequently made a sale from my thread!

That's pretty lame, if they thought your deal sucked they should have made their own post, and undermine you indirectly, but posting it directly is not nice at all.

But I do believe that when dealing with merchandise that can be procured new, IE Merkurs, Rooneys, Simpsons, etc, a cautionary post is warranted. No offense, but when I see a "WTS Slant 40$ shipped" (new/old, doesn't matter), I sit there and wonder why anyone would do that when you could get it for less and brand new from one of the many dealers here. Sure, everyone likes to recoup from their initial investment, and many of us don't get mass shipping discounts either, but to me that looks like someone is trying to rip off a newbie; which is simply disgusting.

Not saying that you've done it, but I've seen it happen.

[Rorschuck]

If the original poster takes an issue with the discussion cluttering his FS thread, then he is perfectly within his right to request that off-topic discussion occur elsewhere. If it were my thread, however, I'd welcome whatever increased visibility the repeated bumping would attract.

Agreed. I wish someone would hijack my Pecksniff's FS thread!

[ouch]

The precipitation over Portugal pelts primarily on the plateau.

[Antique Hoosier]

I think our BST Forum is the best in the business and things go exceedingly smoothly there all things considered.

+1

(But I do understand the Original Poster's Point.... "OUR" BST forum is very gentlemanly and serves such good for new and old shavers alike)