Buying equipment on PhotoNet

<p>I have sold and bought on PhotoNet classified before and have been graced with perfect and honest dealings. The ability to see some of the member's history, and the use of PayPal and other measures, has also offered a certain protection0 or at least peace of mind.</p>

<p>Several ads from new users of PhotoNet (members since a few days only) have recently appeared. How do you feel about dealing with someone who is a very recent member, who has no history on PhotoNet of prior sales or purchases, and who has not indicated payment methods or other measures that promise securest dealings?</p>

<p>Am I alone with this concern? What might be done, individually or by PhotoNet, to facilitate dealings?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I've been a PhotoNet member for many years, going back to the original Phil Greenspun years. But I post infrequently and buy or sell rarely and do not have a PayPal account. I've found all the dealings I have had satisfactory with persons who were honorable. So far, this appears to be a unique community that new members adapt to readily. <br>

Maybe I'm being naive, possibly because my transactions involve vintage hardware and I don't expect perfection but I don't see it as a problem. I've also found that forums that do have a feedback system sometimes degenerate into name calling and nastiness over real or imagined slights.</p>

<p>If you are asking whether a new user to photo.net should be allowed to list items for sale my answer would be 'absolutely'...<br>

If you don't like the details contact the seller to see if something can be worked out...<br>

How is buying something on photo.net from a new user any different than buying something used in person from someone you don't know?<br>

People are either honest or they aren't....whether you give them the benefit of the doubt is a personal decision...<br>

Bottom line is if your gut says 'don't do it...' then don't do it....</p>

<p>One big constant in life is that people will always be people. There's some good ones, there's some bad ones, and there's some really bad ones. No community, or amount of history will necessarily change that fact of life. Like Jack said, trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right then don't do it. But I don't believe putting restrictions on new users would make it any safer. A forum history doesn't weigh heavily when there's money being exchanged.</p>

<p>Great How do you go about setting up a buy and sell account on Photo.net. Also where do I go to look at items for sale. I need a few new lenses.</p>

<p>Arthur,</p>

<p>Chances are those folks stumbled on this site, read the classifieds and said, "Wow -- I should advertise there. Oh, wait -- ya gotta be a member. OK, where do I sign up?"</p>

<p>My point is I see no connection between the length of time they've been a member and the potential for problems with their ads. In fact, I think I joined for that reason. We were all new members once.</p>

<p>Will</p>

<p>Todd, you simply have to click on forums and then classified and create a post WTB (want to buy).</p>

<p>Chris and Will, I don't believe in restrictions either. I just like to have a bit of information about the person I'm dealing with, if possible (the big auction site has a rating system. I don't necessarily suggest that auction site is foolproof or a rating system needed at Photo.Net), certainly before sending off a grand or some similar sum. Some of the sellers here have received very positive comments, others less so. But you need a history before that can serve as a guide.</p>

<p>I have no solution, but I just wanted to know how other people feel. If you have no uncertainty, so much the better.</p>

<p>How do I feel... new members.<br>

Generally less sure, more wary, as it crosses my mind that, as do the spammers, someone might have joined with a purpose other than community. But dealing with potential problem sellers can't be any worse than trying to purchase things off the local craigslist, which features some items for sale used at more than they cost new.</p>

<p>The <em>can't be any worse than Craigslist</em> sentiment is far from heartwarming. One of the possible benefits of PNET is its sense of community. I belong to a golf enthusiast website where one needs not only to be a member, but have 70 posts before being allowed to post a classified ad. Maybe that's a tad extreme (though they have a huge and very civil classifieds section because of it). IMHO, PNET should be at least somewhat closer to that in practice.</p>

<p>Members (especially members who post a lot) will tend to want to preserve <em>their place</em> at a website like this.</p>

<p>Those who just drop by PNET to sell some gear might not.</p>

<p>Let them go to Craigslist...</p>