WTB Threads in Trading Section

[Dave_K.]

Ok, not counting the stickies at the top, there are 27 threads displayed on the 1st page of the Trading Station section, of which half (14 threads) are currently listed as WTB (Want To Buy). Is it just me, or does it seem people are too lazy to actually search for PCB /console deals anymore?

To me WTB threads mean "I will pay anything for xxx"...but it seems more people (newbies?) are simply posting their wants and still expecting to find a good deal on them when offered. For some reason this really erks me.

BTW: I'm not pointing out any particular thread here, just the general trend over the last few months, and seems to be getting worse.

[iatneH]

I'm sorry, I promise I won't do it often...

[professor ganson]

Agreed. "WTB" means I'm ready to pay for it. Let's be clear about this and stop littering the place with casual posts.

[Strider77]

yeah.... funny thing is I've tried WTB threads twice with no results but I saw someone do the same for the same item and got a offer for the item in a few hours.

[Dave_K.]

Agreed. "WTB" means I'm ready to pay for it. Let's be clear about this and stop littering the place with casual posts.

Agreed. While we're at it, bumping WTB threads should not be allowed. Actually I thought any blatant thread bumping was not allowed...

[MX7]

Lol, nobody loves you.

[Super Laydock]

Agreed. "WTB" means I'm ready to pay any somewhat reasonable price for it. Let's be clear about this and stop littering the place with casual posts.

Thought that was more appropriate.

Wanting to buy a certain game doesn't always mean: at any price.

I am often in search for particular games and willing to buy: but not always at any price.

[Dave_K.]

I am often in search for particular games and willing to buy: but not always at any price.

Well what about others who would pay more, but haven't posted a WTB thread recently? Just doesn't seem fair, thats all. And last thing we need is WTB threads all over the place. I think I remember someone stating WTB threads should contain your stated price you'd pay, at least then you can keep that out there and not feel bad if you loose it to someone else who was willing to pay more.

[jonny5]

i dont see the problem with these threads....its a good way to find stuff if that which you seek is not being advertised for sale....

people often have stuff they are willing to sell but arent actively trying to move .....these threads bring these pieces to market so to speak

but i agree about the no bumping.....put it out there and hope for the best

[Plasmo]

I don't see anything wrong with WTB threads. If you want to sell an item, open a FS thread, if you want to buy an item, open a WTB thread. If you wanted a game, but you didn't open a WTB thread and complain about people getting the game, who have opened a WTB earlier, makes absolutely no sense.
Either you WANT a game (open a WTB thread) or you DON'T want a game (don't open a thread)
Simple, not?

[Dave_K.]

.....these threads bring these pieces to market so to speak

Problem is people don't usually post what they are willing to pay in WTB threads.

Simple, not?

I guess you didn't understand the part about this getting out of hand, as the trading post is being overrun with WTB spam.

[Plasmo]

An what's the problem with that? That's what the trading section is for! If more and more people start FS threads will you complain again? Does it have to be exactly 50/50 ?
Sorry, but I just don't get it at all.

[Super Laydock]

Simple, not?

I guess you didn't understand the part about this getting out of hand, as the trading post is being overrun with WTB spam.

I think Plasmo understood it quite well.

One of the things defining spam is that it about always is useless attention gathering stuff.

WTB threads have a purpose.
And trying to find a game the easy way is not a crime.

[MX7]

This thread makes no sense. The trading section is getting overrun by people who want to trade? I see.

[jonny5]

This thread makes no sense. The trading section is getting overrun by people who want to trade? I see.

agreed.....it is the 'trading thread'....not the 'selling thread'....

but no bumping rule sounds good....put it out there and hope for the best

[hermosaguy]

I am guilty of one of those threads. I know there was a response to my search for Bakraid (I believe by you Dave K) but they don't have the item in stock.Try asking those sellers about some of their top game boards and see if they have the item in stock...I am convince they advertise those prices just to lure you in! I've scoured the usual sites of ebay, yaj, the listed pcb sellers atop of the sales thread and even craigslist.

I can see where it can get a little annoying, and I hope to not add to the clutter.

Also, this is my first request for bakraid. My other was on 6/14 at neo-geo, as I believe another member was looking for it here on shmups. No need to cock block a fellow member, even for an awesome game.

[OmniGLH]

.....these threads bring these pieces to market so to speak

Problem is people don't usually post what they are willing to pay in WTB threads.

People do not post the prices always so they are open for offers.

I may post to want to buy DoDonPachi for PSX.

Member then PMs offer of $X

Fair market price is $XY

I then except offer of $X

IF I post I want to buy for price of $Y I will not get offers at all?

[Lordstar]

if i want something but im still looking for a bargin i make a note about it in my sig. Note: right now im poor so im just selling my stuff

[Dave_K.]

One of the things defining spam is that it about always is useless attention gathering stuff.

Agreed.

WTB threads have a purpose.

Not the ones I've seen that do not state a price, or are willing to accept any offer. This is what turns them into spam, especially when its a game a lot of people want or have been looking for already.

And trying to find a game the easy way is not a crime.

No its not, but shows a lack of decorum that I supposed is inevitable. I generally don't give shit, but it seems to be getting out of hand, so thought I'd find out how others felt.

This thread makes no sense. The trading section is getting overrun by people who want to trade? I see.

No, the more trade the better, and if there is more demand to buy, even better! But how we go about brokering these deals is the issue I'm trying to raise.

I am guilty of one of those threads.

If anything, you did it the right way, you stated what you were willing to spend. I figured as much about Legend not having any, they usually have little to no stock and simply act as buying agents.

[doodude]

.....these threads bring these pieces to market so to speak

Problem is people don't usually post what they are willing to pay in WTB threads.

People do not post the prices always so they are open for offers.

I may post to want to buy DoDonPachi for PSX.

Member then PMs offer of $X

Fair market price is $XY

I then except offer of $X

IF I post I want to buy for price of $Y I will not get offers at all?

Yeah, I kinda have to agree with this. You dont say what youll pay up front as that sort of ends the negotiation for some.

I think Id rather see a thread bumped than a new thread created. If you see a thread bumped you know its contents & can move on without reading it.
New threads for the same item may be a waste of time as its the same info with a different wrapper.

Having said all that, I have noticed alot of WTB threads & understand the annoyance some may feel but it is in the long run a thread made for the purpose of announcing WTB, WTT, WTS...

[iatneH]

I don't see anything wrong with WTB threads. If you want to sell an item, open a FS thread, if you want to buy an item, open a WTB thread. If you wanted a game, but you didn't open a WTB thread and complain about people getting the game, who have opened a WTB earlier, makes absolutely no sense.
Either you WANT a game (open a WTB thread) or you DON'T want a game (don't open a thread)
Simple, not?

I am 100% with this.

I usually like to allow the seller to set a price. I opened a WTB a few days ago with no initial offers, they are not games often advertised in FS threads here, and we continued price negotiations via PM. What's the problem? Besides, I think getting a really good deal is still more a function of being in the right place at the right time.

For example, a new FS thread, the lucky buyer has to be the first person to see it and PM.
Or a WTB, the thread has to be created very shortly before a prospective seller looks at the trading section so it's on the first page.

[Dave_K.]

I don't see anything wrong with WTB threads. If you want to sell an item, open a FS thread, if you want to buy an item, open a WTB thread. If you wanted a game, but you didn't open a WTB thread and complain about people getting the game, who have opened a WTB earlier, makes absolutely no sense.
Either you WANT a game (open a WTB thread) or you DON'T want a game (don't open a thread)
Simple, not?

I am 100% with this.

I usually like to allow the seller to set a price. I opened a WTB a few days ago with no initial offers, they are not games often advertised in FS threads here, and we continued price negotiations via PM. What's the problem? Besides, I think getting a really good deal is still more a function of being in the right place at the right time.

For example, a new FS thread, the lucky buyer has to be the first person to see it and PM.
Or a WTB, the thread has to be created very shortly before a prospective seller looks at the trading section so it's on the first page.

So let me make sure I'm following you. You're saying since its harder to catch a FS thread soon enough, its easier to post a WTB thread, with no price (don't want to scare away the seller with low ball offer), and bump it as often as possible (or open new ones each day) to make sure it stays on the front page, in front of everyone else's WTB thread, in the hopes yours will be the first one a seller see's before posting his/her killer FS thread?

Cool.

[professor ganson]

I admit, it annoys me when people with almost no post count come in and ask for a PS2 Saturn pad or Armed Police Batrider-- and then get it. I know, the trade forum is there for everyone, anyone who cares to join the site. I just prefer it when the people who make this site worthwhile are rewarded for that. Not that I am suggesting any change to address this.

[iatneH]

So let me make sure I'm following you. You're saying since its harder to catch a FS thread soon enough, its easier to post a WTB thread, with no price (don't want to scare away the seller with low ball offer), and bump it as often as possible (or open new ones each day) to make sure it stays on the front page, in front of everyone else's WTB thread, in the hopes yours will be the first one a seller see's before posting his/her killer FS thread?

I'm saying it's timing either way, and I hope that people will exercise some etiquette when posting WTB threads, such as NOT bumping them daily or creating new ones every few hours.

To be honest, I didn't search before posting my WTB. But just in response to this post, I searched. The games I want are not listed in any recent FS, and the last time one of them appeared in a FS thread is in BIG's post dated July 21, 2007. I posted the WTB, with no initial price offer either, and luckily a member stepped up and offered his for sale. That probably wouldn't have happened if I sat around waiting for him (or anyone for that matter) to post a FS thread.

I'd just like to end by saying there are appropriate situations for both FS and WTB, it's up to the thread creator to use discretion in posting and updating (I guess this is where your main beef lies Mr.K?)

[Dave_K.]

I'd just like to end by saying there are appropriate situations for both FS and WTB, it's up to the thread creator to use discretion in posting and updating (I guess this is where your main beef lies Mr.K?)

Correct. I'm all for WTB and FS and FT threads in appropriate situations too. I just noticed a lot more WTB threads recently and wanted peoples sense of it getting a bit out of hand with no real governance of rules/etiquette.

[D]

I'd just like to end by saying there are appropriate situations for both FS and WTB, it's up to the thread creator to use discretion in posting and updating (I guess this is where your main beef lies Mr.K?)

Correct. I'm all for WTB and FS and FT threads in appropriate situations too. I just noticed a lot more WTB threads recently and wanted peoples sense of it getting a bit out of hand with no real governance of rules/etiquette.

The threads clearly state WTB, so if you are not selling, why even go there in the first place?
I bet you make them offers and they're like: "it's too much".
I mean do you have an actual solution to this problem mankind is facing? Do you want a seperate WTB section? what then?
bumps are annoying, but you will recognize if you already saw the thread, so why click on it again? let us help you. what do you want/propose?

[Michaelm]

Damned, shmups.com lost it's humor
A funny thread was mistaken for a spam thread and closed.

Anyway, the criteria I've heard leads me to think that the trading section will come down to whoever first posted a WTB thread will be the one that has the 'right', according to some members, to either have first dibs, complain or whatever regarding the title.

This reminds me of when I was a kid and we used sentences like
'I will always have one more than you' and stuff like that to try to shut the other up cause of a lack of available options.

But I still don't get why my funny thread was closed so fast, really.

[szycag]

Clearly it wasn't as funny as you thought it was. I only kinda smirked at it. Or maybe one of these

[Dave_K.]

I mean do you have an actual solution to this problem mankind is facing? Do you want a seperate WTB section? what then?
bumps are annoying, but you will recognize if you already saw the thread, so why click on it again? let us help you. what do you want/propose?

The point of this thread was to bring up the issue, and get a sense for what people feel about this if it continues to get out hand. Enforcing social norms / etiquette in a community is not a cut and dry "solution". I already made suggestions above, but was looking for more people to chime in. Here they are again:

1. WTB threads should state what people are actually willing to pay up front. This separates serious buyers, from the rest who are just trolling/spamming for cheapest price.

2. WTB threads should not be bumped, given nobody deserves something more than another, unless they are upping the amount to pay, or its been some excessive amount of time with no response (whatever seems socially acceptable, I'm not going to state number of days/week).

3. Combine WTB wants in a single thread so we don't have to see 5 new threads each week on things you want to buy.

4. Once you find your item(s), update the first post in your thread, or change the title from "WTB:" to "FOUND:" so we know there isn't anything left in your thread you are looking for.

These are just suggestions, to try and make it fare to everyone who posts WTB threads, and not fillup the entire front page with them. I know some already have a problem with #1, but if you really WANT something you should attach a price willing to pay to get it up-front. If you are concerned with it being to low, then search other WTB threads to find out what others are willing to pay and make a competitive offer. Wouldn't it be nice to know the real value people are willing to pay for things rather than do deals in secret PMs?

[Dave_K.]

Damned, shmups.com lost it's humor
A funny thread was mistaken for a spam thread and closed.

I thought it was hilarious, and not particularly for or against whats been stated in this thread. Great satire.