eBay stuff (was: Selling My Camera

["Willem-Jan Markerink" <w.j.markerink@xxxxx>]

On  5 Apr 01 at 13:34, Lance wrote:

> > I wasn't aware that announcements of equipment for sale were prohibited or
> > discouraged by the list rules. Are they?
> 
> I don't know that answer, and I apologize if my post sounded rude, I didn't
> intend it too, but after reading it, it does sound a little harsh.
> 
> I just meant that if you are posting something for sale to the list, it
> would be nice to give us a little advanced opportunity, before you put it up
> on ebay.
> 
> Sorry!
> Lance

Well, nevertheless thank you for sharing at least one 
argument/consideration with your listowner....;))

I delayed my reaction, because I didn't want to kill this discussion 
right away, with possible concensus on the end, but I guess it's time 
to share a few thoughts, thoughts posted on the Canon EOS list last 
year....see below.
Note that these are general thoughts, not pointed at Stan, nor 
blaming him. Would not be fair either, since these thoughts/rules are 
not written down anywhere....

Btw, there is a Nikon Mailinglist available too....see URL in the 
admin footer how to get there (do a text search for 'mailinglist' or 
'photoforum').

xxxxxxxx
From:             "Willem-Jan Markerink" <w.j.markerink@xxxxx>
To:               eos@xxxxx
Date sent:        Thu, 10 Aug 2000 12:17:38 +0100
Subject:          eStuff (was: EOS For Sale Advertising - Recent Nonsense
Send reply to:    eos@xxxxx

On  9 Aug 00 at 14:40, Robert Meier wrote:

> WJM,
> 
> The list policy says that advertising about selling
> EOS and compatible equipment is allowed except for
> commercial purposes. While personaly I would not send
> a post to this list about an auction that I have on
> ebay (never used ebay so far) it is not 100% clear if
> this would be against the rules. Just because
> something is sold on ebay doesn't make it commercial.

It's the combination of: 

- commerce (just like a sale of your gear at a shop, under 
commission....you might think it is not commercial/advertising, but I 
do) 

- not offering a fixed price (hence the claim 'good deal' or 'rare 
offer' is hilarious)

- not giving list-members first opportunity (one of the reasons why I 
prefer private auctions, if at all)

Bottom line: 
Somewhere between the outcomes 'max benefit for seller' and 'max
benefit for buyer' there is an financial, social and ethical optimum,
and that optimum is not within the realm of eBay....

Or: with exactly the same justification I could charge eBay-sellers a 
fee for posting their ad to this list....think about it....this list 
is no less part of the success of the auction than eBay itself, so 
why not charge a fee here too?
('But it is to the benefit of the listmembers!'....sorry, *ONLY* if 
you set a fixed, friendly price....otherwise the claim is 
hilarious....since you simply don't know....it might gain a higher 
price than new....wouldn't call that a benefit to listmembers/buyers
....so then all benefit is at the sellers-side....which IMNSHO defeats 
the intent/spirit/nature of this list).

> If you have a garage sale and do not only put a poster
> on the street but also let your friends now doesn't
> make it commercial, unless you do it on a regular
> basis. In other words, what about extending the policy
> about advertising on the list and forbide any indirect
> sales (through a third person, auction, etc)? That way
> we do not have to have that discussion again.

<grin>
You are way too optimistic about the idea that people will read 
list-rules, and remember them....;-))


--                 
Bye,

Willem-Jan Markerink

      The desire to understand 
is sometimes far less intelligent than
     the inability to understand

<w.j.markerink@xxxxx>
[note: 'a-one' & 'en-el'!]
 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

--                 
Bye,

Willem-Jan Markerink

      The desire to understand 
is sometimes far less intelligent than
     the inability to understand

<w.j.markerink@xxxxx>
[note: 'a-one' & 'en-el'!]
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