Something doesn't seem right in the classifieds

[Spydro]

Alo.

My reasoning behind the no avatar thing:

If you really want to be part of the community to learn, interact, teach and have a good time surely putting up a pic isn't too much to ask. I feel uneasy trusting someone who doesn't even take 10 seconds to create an avatar. If that is too much effort I question your commitment to the forum. Having said that, this is a very subjective thing, so many probably won't agree with me, but that's me, I don't trust easily.

My reasoning behind selling unopened goods:

Guys selling new stuff for R50 cheaper than the shops won't hook me. I'd rather spend that 50 bucks more and have the protection and after sales customer care from a vendor. If the seller can provide me with proof of purchase from a local vendor it slightly changes the picture. I say slightly because if the seller still makes me jittery I would first want the proof, which I will then authenticate through the vendor before finalising the deal. This point might be complete overkill, but I feel it's necessary to point out for members reading that are perhaps new to wheeling and dealing in the classifieds. Maybe this saves someone some heart ache.

That's me.

Cheers.

Opinions vary, just the real world. Nothing wrong with that, or following your own opinions that you feel more secure with.

You don't trust the lack of an avatar whereas I could care less... that's their right to have or not have one, so is not a warning flag to me. Joining a new forum just to sell is a huge warning flag, give away prices for new gear has the ring of clone gear, etc. Reminds me of the folks who started selling clone Chalice III atty's as authentic for something like $100 US. Their cost less than $10 US for clones when an authentic commonly sold for $150 US. So $90 profit when sold to anyone that didn't know how to tell the difference between the authentics and clones, especially from just pictures posted on an ad (where a couple can be clearly seen if clear enough pictures).

It's commendable that you support your local B&M's (and this forum). From what I've seen you do have some really great shops in SA. But I can't say the same for the 100+ B&M's in my city alone, so I do not support any of them.

Proof of authenticity and honesty, proof of reliability when buying from any source that you are not familiar with or do not have a trusted gauge to go by on them is always pucker time when considering a first time buy from them. Where most of my buys come from now days... total strangers. But I'm also a good judge of character, do know all the tricks and give my repeat business to those that have proven themselves on the first buy from them.

 

[maxjany]

Actually, it's the many members on here, mostly established, who PIF their devices that do the most for the community.

That's why I said some guys.
I've seen it on my one secondhand forum a few times, guys can't afford spending 30-50k on new kit, so being able to buy secondhand at a much lower price gets them into the community. Some of those guys go on to contribute more to new guys joining than some of my memebers who have been on since we launched it in 2008.