Scalping Vape gear on ECF needs to stop

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okcodemonkey

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Well, there is a rule against building to sell in the classifieds. Why not a rule against buying to sell. You have a special section for builders of devices... Suppliers. Why not have a section for retailers of devices. They quite simply are businesses, just like suppliers. They should register as businesses, just like suppliers do. Come on ECF, fix this.

In my eyes, the rule I posted above covers this. If your obviously buying and marking up at 200%+ then you are becoming a distributor. Interestingly enough the rules also state not selling for others as you are becoming a broker. As it is it seems that neither of the rules are enforced. The rules are obviously created to protect the seller. However, I did notice it says in the rules to leave feedback on interactions with the seller via the feedback system. It does not say whether you actually had to purchase the item, just that you had an interaction. Wonder if they would start deleting feedback?

I can tell you I bought an item a while back from a seller stating how they were not trying to profit, yada yada yada. I googled for hours to try and find the MSRP of the item, couldn't and bought it thinking the seller was being honest. About a month later I see a new list start up for the item at 1/2 of what I paid. Needless to say I was upset, but I learned a lesson. From now on if I cannot find MSRP I will not purchase, no matter how bad I want an item.
 

Katz123

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Where is that posted?
Has anyone mentioned this rule:

We have expressed on numerous occasions we will not be the "Price Police" but if the price is obviously inflated in an attempt to profit from your sell, the thread will be closed and consequences will follow.

is 200%+ markup not "obviously inflated". I notice people post being deleted but the seller's post keep going.
 

Rader2146

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Having been a moderator on a forum with a VERY active classified section, threads like this do little, or nothing, for the cause. If you are concerned enough to bring it up, then call a spade a spade. If you don't want to do so in public, PM a Mod stating your case. As codemonkey pointed out, ECF's policy is to not be the price police, but to handle issues on what seems to be a case by case basis.

My personal opinion, let the free market determine the price. If someone is willing to pay the price, then it must be worth it to them. Let the people that have the authority determin if there is foul play, but they cannot do so unless you bring it to their attention with specifics. It is not thier responsibility to patrol the classy's looking for scalpers. Asking for more stringent rules will end up punishing the innocent while the crooked will find a way to circumvent.

"Locks only serve to keep honest people honest."
 

Racehorse

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I really don't care what people buy or sell.

It is interesting, however, that some people have no posts here, pretty much, other than in classified section, or in topics that are just alternate ways of showing off what they are about to sell in the classifieds.


The thing is, if they are not earmarked as vendors, then what are they?

Basically, if they aren't registered vendors, and they aren't in the forums helping people, then they are just people using this board (while somebody else paying the hosting fees) so they can be "vendors with no overhead".
 

pumasforpets

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What about my neighbors that have a yard sale every Saturday?

Are they making a profit on a regular basis from their yard sales and failing to report that income for tax purposes? If so, they better not let the IRS get wind of it...

Free market or no...scalping is contrary to the spirit of community.
 

tazz

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You know before I became wise to the price gouging going on in the classifieds (not on all items) I thought nothing of the asking price of some of these items. Back then, only a couple of months ago, as a serious newb I would have been taken for a serious ride. The reason I say this is because the only thing you are allowed to do is bump and say what a great item and price it is.
 

denali_41

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Having been a moderator on a forum with a VERY active classified section, threads like this do little, or nothing, for the cause. If you are concerned enough to bring it up, then call a spade a spade. If you don't want to do so in public, PM a Mod stating your case. As codemonkey pointed out, ECF's policy is to not be the price police, but to handle issues on what seems to be a case by case basis.

My personal opinion, let the free market determine the price. If someone is willing to pay the price, then it must be worth it to them. Let the people that have the authority determin if there is foul play, but they cannot do so unless you bring it to their attention with specifics. It is not thier responsibility to patrol the classy's looking for scalpers. Asking for more stringent rules will end up punishing the innocent while the crooked will find a way to circumvent.

"Locks only serve to keep honest people honest."

couldn't have been said better IMHO..threads like these are just a waste of internet space and serve no real good to anybody

if you don't like the prices in the classys ?? then don't buy it
 

LongHaul

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Simple fix you can post something once a quarter or be registerd as a supplier and if your selling custom things like a GG or a ody then you have to provide proof that your a registerd reseller by the manufacturer


Sent from my truck using 3 toasters a broken microwave and 6 rubber bands McGyver style......Chuck Norris aint got crap on me
 

Speedgoat

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Having been a moderator on a forum with a VERY active classified section, threads like this do little, or nothing, for the cause. If you are concerned enough to bring it up, then call a spade a spade. If you don't want to do so in public, PM a Mod stating your case. As codemonkey pointed out, ECF's policy is to not be the price police, but to handle issues on what seems to be a case by case basis.

My personal opinion, let the free market determine the price. If someone is willing to pay the price, then it must be worth it to them. Let the people that have the authority determin if there is foul play, but they cannot do so unless you bring it to their attention with specifics. It is not thier responsibility to patrol the classy's looking for scalpers. Asking for more stringent rules will end up punishing the innocent while the crooked will find a way to circumvent.

"Locks only serve to keep honest people honest."


If they are not the price police, then why cant the sellers be called out on their high prices? We are allowed to say what a great price something is, but can not say that its a ripoff. Let the public deal with the scalpers. I have no issues with people marking stuff up that is hard to get. Some people wait up all night to be the first to get an item. Ill pay more for an item like that. Lot less hassle. But the common $50 item that someone is selling for $100, they should be called out with a link as to where to get for $50.
 

gthompson

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Are they making a profit on a regular basis from their yard sales and failing to report that income for tax purposes? If so, they better not let the IRS get wind of it...

Free market or no...scalping is contrary to the spirit of community.

The IRS doesn't give a fat rat's tail if they're a legitimate business, licensed or otherwise, so long as they're paying their taxes. Not a very good analogy.
 

vsummer1

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Should we also require people who sell things in the classifieds of newspapers to be a registered business?

Actually, yes. It is a law where I live that taxes be collected and paid for sales of goods, EVEN AT A GARAGE SALE. Is it done? Is it enforced? Nope. But when my folks died I had a house full of stuff so I did indeed follow the law and get a resale license. I set up on ebay, sold a LOT of stuff, made a lot of money and paid my taxes.

But then again I value my nursing license and don't need to break the law to make a profit and risk losing my real means of livelihood. I do realize that not all people are above board, but that is just me.
 
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