Almost every other forum I am on has something like this in the for sale section. Its not so much a guideline to follow, but a guide to help sellers be sucessful, and the buyers be more aware. Here are a few tips for you all to help ensure a friendly marketplace.
SELLERS Thread Titles:This is the starting point of your sale. Give a general summary of what you are selling. Also, a location helps. Use prefixes in the title to tell people what you want. Also, put all of your items into one thread. There is no need for a single thread for every shift knob you have to sell. If you are selling things months apart from each other, its understandable.
Popular abbreviations:
FS-For Sale
WTB-Want to Buy
WTT-Want to Trade
Bad Example:D17 motor
Good Example:FS NJ: D17a1 motor complete with trans, runs.
Description:Now that you have their attention, move on to making a good description. Be as specific as possible about the item's condition, compatability, etc. but dont write a page to describe it.
Bad Example: tokico struts-$200
Good Example:Tokico struts and shocks, good condition, 30k miles, came off a 2002 civic-$200
Pictures:A picture speaks 1000 words. Instead of describing your exhaust with 300 words, post a good picture, and you will be helping buyers, and yourself. Please dont post pictures of every individual nut and bolt, that will cause clutter and be an annoyance.
Bad Example:Email me for pictures, cell phone pix, small pix
Good Example:Clear pictures, big enough to see your item and it's condition. If there are problems with the item, make sure to get close-ups
Hosting Pictures:Some people dont know how to get their pictures from the computer online, so here is a quick guide in steps. This should eliminate the "email me for pix" line
1. go to
http://imageshack.us
2. click the "browse" button on the right
3. select your picture and click "open" on the little window
4. click "upload"
*On this forum, there is an automatic resize feature, so you dont have to worry about the picture being too big
Credibility:Some of you may be new members to the site who have things for sale, and being new, you might not be trusted. A good way to help you ensure trust is to provide some kind of reputation. Ebay feedback, feedback from other forums, anything you can find to make your buyers more at ease will certainly help your sale.
Bad Example:I have a good rep on other sites
Good Example:I have a good rep on other sites. Here are links to my feedback: __________________, and ____________________.
Maintenance:A great thing to do is to keep your thread organized. This means as follows:
1. When items sell, move them to the bottom, and mark them
SOLD
2. Have everything in sections with bolded item names followed by a description.
Examples:
.....
Neuspeed Sport Springs - $100
.....1.75F/1.5R drop, 20k miles, good condition.
.....**picture here**
.....
Stage 1 Crower Cam -
SOLD
.....NIB, does not require valvetrain upgrade
.....**picture here**
BUYERS Be Careful:Not all sellers are honest, some come with a set intention to scam and steal. We have a system called iTrader, it works similar to eBay feedback. Check the seller's feedback if its available, if not, ask for other sources. Ebay feedback, feedback from other forums, etc. If the seller cannot provide any of this, chances are this is not an honest seller. If at all possible, see the items in person and inspect them carefully. Ask questions if you have any, and be informed before a purchase. This is your hard earned money you are parting with, make sure that it wont disappear.
Be Quiet:So you are reading a for sale post and see something for sale that is priced high, or has wrong information. Do not make a public scene of this, some sellers dont know exactly what their items are or what they are worth. Do everyone a favor, and send a PM and tell them
"Hey, just wanted to let you know that the turbo you are selling is a T3, not a T3/T4, and your price is a bit high. Shoot for around 500, thats their average selling price. Good luck with your sale."
You wouldnt like it if someone did it to you, so dont do it to them.
Be Honest:If you dealt with a seller that did you wrong, and you are not happy with their service, let others know. This is a great public service, and can help your fellow members steer away from trouble. Also, make sure to leave iTrader feedback for members to see, and feel free to start a thread in the "Feedback" subforum in the Marketplace section. Feel free to post the seller's Name and Location. Often times, members local to him/her can confront the seller, and get things sorted out better than you can from 9 States away. Be aware that violence is not a solution, and will just cause more prolems for everyone. A peaceful agreement can usually be reached.
Be Real:If you agree with a seller to purchase an item, don't drag out the deal. Telling a member that you will send the money tomorrow for a week in a row is pointless. Chances are that the seller will be fed up, and sell to someone else anyway, and will leave you negative feedback because of your shenanigans.
There is a lot of money flowing through the marketplace on this forum, and if you follow this guide, chances are you will sell products faster, and will not end up getting scammed.
Props to
TRIZ for helping me make this guide.
-Alex
