Buying & Selling on the Yankee Trader

HisMastersVoice · Post by **HisMastersVoice** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:31 am

It has come to my attention that the guideline regarding order of potential buyers for an item was not specific enough. I have updated it to read as follows:

10) The order in which buyers will be considered in the event that there are multiple interested parties will be determined by the order in which said parties publicly reply to the ad with either the word "sold" or "interested". The potential buyer should then follow up with the seller via a private message.

From this point forward, if you do not use either the word "sold" or "interested" in your reply, you risk losing out on the item if someone posts after you with one of those words. "PM sent" will no longer be sufficient on its own. I hope this clears up any confusion or questions of fairness.

LINK TO YANKEE TRADER GUIDELINES

briankeith · Post by **briankeith** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:48 am

I thought the rules looked pretty simple after I went back and read them again. What color is the horn etc. doesn't mean you're going to buy the horn, you are just asking what color horn is. Now "Sold", "interested", or "PM sent" obviously tells me that the party is interested in sealing the deal..... Making the purchase.

Post by **rgordon939** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 10:20 am

This reminds me of a listing for a very low number Edison Home Suitcase that was listed on the Yankee Trader about two years ago. It was listed with a fixed price and said first to say "SOLD" gets it. I was the first person to say sold but t yet others claimed that they were first because they sent a PM or email. Eventually the seller supposedly chose to not sell it. I wonder who did end up getting the machine.

I personally think the fairest method is the first to say "SOLD" on the Yankee Traider get it. This way it very clear and up front for all to see. If there are multiple SOLD's and the first one backs out the seller just goes to the next one.
Rich Gordon

Jerry B. · Post by **Jerry B.** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 11:06 am

Another consideration is the method of communication. Some people prefer using a phone while others use email or personal messages. In my recent Trader ads I've tried to get communication funneled through Forum PM's. When you consider emails and messages you can't be two places at once.

In the last few days I have been selling spare horns. I tried to write my ads to reflect my preference to deliver to APS in Los Angeles. But I did include horn dimensions as well as needed carton dimensions for shipping. Each horn had at least four good photos. On one horn I had multiple pleasant exchanges of messages but no commitment. Someone else sent a message with a commitment to buy and I messaged that "it is yours." I agree that consideration should be given to order of inquiry but I believe a firm commitment to buy is the key. Comments?

Jerry Blais

52089 · Post by **52089** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 11:23 am

Jerry B. wrote:Another consideration is the method of communication. Some people prefer using a phone while others use email or personal messages. In my recent Trader ads I've tried to get communication funneled through Forum PM's. When you consider emails and messages you can't be two places at once.

In the last few days I have been selling spare horns. I tried to write my ads to reflect my preference to deliver to APS in Los Angeles. But I did include horn dimensions as well as needed carton dimensions for shipping. Each horn had at least four good photos. On one horn I had multiple pleasant exchanges of messages but no commitment. Someone else sent a message with a commitment to buy and I messaged that "it is yours." I agree that consideration should be given to order of inquiry but I believe a firm commitment to buy is the key. Comments?

Jerry Blais

I'm with Jerry on the communication preference concept. My Yankee Trader ads usually say "PM with interest" or something similar. I know of at least one regular seller whose ads always say to email him. Why shouldn't that be up to the seller, especially since sold lots are now (supposed to be) updated as sold?

I also have an issue with the requirement of publicly responding. I don't think it's anyone's business what I'm buying, nor is it any of my business what anyone else is buying.

I'm on the fence about "SOLD" outranking "I'm interested". To me, "I'm interested" usually means "SOLD, pending answers to my questions".

Looking forward to more opinions and thoughts.

HisMastersVoice · Post by **HisMastersVoice** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 11:30 am

52089 wrote:I'm with Jerry on the communication preference concept. My Yankee Trader ads usually say "PM with interest" or something similar. I know of at least one regular seller whose ads always say to email him. Why shouldn't that be up to the seller, especially since sold lots are now (supposed to be) updated as sold?

To be fair to everyone, this is how it will be now. The seller does have a choice, they can choose to sell here and follow the rules, or they can choose not to sell here. The buyer can certainly email or call the seller, but they should comment on the item before doing so.

52089 wrote:I also have an issue with the requirement of publicly responding. I don't think it's anyone's business what I'm buying, nor is it any of my business what anyone else is buying.

I can understand that, but the only way to keep sellers honest and buyers from claiming they've been cheated is to have a public record of order of interest.

52089 wrote:I'm on the fence about "SOLD" outranking "I'm interested". To me, "I'm interested" usually means "SOLD, pending answers to my questions".

Sold does not outrank Interested, they have the same weight. I agree, sold is sold, and Interested is sold pending questions, price, or other arrangements.

Jerry B. · Post by **Jerry B.** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 12:13 pm

I'm not sure we can have anything more than well intentioned guidelines. Here's an exaggeration but it's the perfect Forum "storm."

Day one... After dinner the seller posts a Trader ad with good photos and description selling a plain case Victor II for $700.

Morning of day two... Seller received two PM's with the first expressing "interest" and the second saying "sold."

Evening of day two... Seller replies to initial question about the machine being "all original" and replies to the second seller that he'll have to wait.

Morning of day three... PM says "your machine is original but does that mean the finish as well?" Buyer two waits.

Evening of day three... Reply, "yes the finish is original as well as the parts". Buyer two waits.

Morning of day four... PM "The reproducer gasket looks really white. Is it original?" Buyer two waits.

Evening of day four... Reply, "I forgot to mention the new white gasket material." Buyer two starts looking at eBay.

Morning of day five... PM "I noticed some spots on the horn. Did you use a flash? Buyer two continues his eBay search.

Evening of day five... Reply "Yes, I used a flash." Buyer two buys one of the neat looking machines with the flashy brass horns on eBay.

Morning of day six... PM "I showed my wife a photo of a humpback Victor II. She said it's much better looking. I think I'll wait for one of those." The seller then replies to the second original message.

Evening of day six... PM "Sorry but I got tired of waiting and bought something else.

The seller had a lousy Yankee Trader experience.

GRANTED, the above is an exaggeration. But at some point the seller should be able to skip to the person willing to make the commitment to buy. An experienced tire kicker can go for a long time. Guidelines are fine but rules are difficult.

Respectfully submitted by Jerry Blais

HisMastersVoice · Post by **HisMastersVoice** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 12:29 pm

Unfortunately we can't please everyone. I don't think this is an issue 95% of the time, usually transactions go pretty seamlessly here.

Jerry B. · Post by **Jerry B.** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 12:53 pm

Unfortunately we can't please everyone. I don't think this is an issue 95% of the time, usually transactions go pretty seamlessly here.

I agree. My experiences both buying and selling on the Trader have been positive. The mere fact that an ad placed in the morning can be at the lower part of the page by evening demonstrates how active and involved we are in that section.

Jerry Blais

Post by **rgordon939** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 12:54 pm

I think Jerry's example is a fair one but I would add that the seller has the right to set a deadline. An example may be telling the interested party they have 24 or 48 hours before you go to the next interested party. This would negate the issue he described.

Don't forget the seller also has the option to list the item without a set price using
FOR SALE: Title of Object For Sale - INQUIRE

Rich Gordon