RandomMan
Member
In this fast paced and exciting virtual world, it’s easy to get caught up in the rapid moving exchange and e-commerce that is occurring around you at any given moment. Emails can exchange at a rapid pace, things can happen so fast, perhaps faster than you can really plan. Emotions can get involved and interfere with your decision making process. At times like these, let’s remember some simple rules that will help you maintain good business etiquette for e-commerce and trade
1) Before posting something for sale or for trade, or to buy DO YOUR RESEARCH. The internet is the greatest research tool ever invented. My profession is as a research scientist, so I recognize that I’m probably a type-A when it comes to conducting my research before hand. However, you can be thoroughly armed with knowledge and comparables just by spending some time using search features on various forums and auction sites to get a sense of the market tempo, needs, wants, and prices.
2) When you post, BE HONEST. State the fullest details of everything to the exactness of your knowledge. Certainly we live in a caveat emptor environment, but it’s easier for potential buyers and traders to make a decision if you’re honest.
3) When entering into communication and discussion with buyers/traders/sellers, be PROMPT and FORTHRIGHT. Explain your situation, make it clear, BE HONEST, explain your understanding of YOUR RESEARCH, and do not WASTE SOMEONE ELSES TIME.
3a) If you’re unsure about a potential deal, ask someone to wait for you to conduct more research or decline. If you are emotionally unsure, and you tell someone, “let me think about it” or “I’ll sleep on it”, give them a time frame for an answer. That person maybe waiting to pull the proverbial trigger on another deal, pending your deal, and you’re wasting their time, by hemming and hawing.
3b) During that time it’s ethical to spend time conducting more research and deciding that the deal is or is not for you, but again BE HONEST. An example of handling this poorly would be saying, “Let me sleep on it.” an open ended term, that most people would equate with a 12-24 hour period of time and then spend the weekend (48-72 hours) shopping in local gun shops and decide that you don’t want to do the deal anymore. If you were unsure after “sleeping on it” inform the other person, so they can move on. Do not keep them in limbo wondering.
4) Try to avoid getting emotionally attached. I learned long ago, there are more fish in the sea than there are sharks to eat them. You WILL find another item that suits your fancy and desire to a “T” without much trouble.
Why have I written these words? Recently I’ve been involved with more than one trade/sell/buy situation on these forums that have resulted in frustration and disappointment on my part. Because of these exact types of issues outlined above, a lack of research, lack of transparency, poor communication, and/or emotional attachment. This is not an attempt to call anyone out, nor should it be viewed in a personal manner. It is simply an expression of my frustration and a constructive solution that I am providing. I recognize the wonderful thing that is e-commerce and the classified exchange forums here on Smith and Wesson Forum are a fabulous resource. I do think, however, that some folks may need as casual reminder that this world is still more or less doing business and that common courtesy, research, and communication are important.
I grew up in a small-business family that relied on exceptional service to pay the bills. All of the above were skills learned from conducting many a deal amongst clients. Each one has negative consequences in the real world if you fail to follow it. In this virtual world it is easy to ignore those consequences, but they are still real, because even though these words are transmitted via an internet signal and typed instead of spoken, they still represent reality. I learned by the golden rule to treat others, as I want to be treated. So, I try to follow the above in my business transactions, whether they be trading cigars amongst friends, or selling a car on Craigslist, or conducting professional business amongst professional associates.
I’ve posted this in The Lounge as I could not find an appropriate place for it elsewhere. This is not a thread designed to bash anyone, it is purely for constructive criticism to help along the process, please keep it this way.
Thanks.
1) Before posting something for sale or for trade, or to buy DO YOUR RESEARCH. The internet is the greatest research tool ever invented. My profession is as a research scientist, so I recognize that I’m probably a type-A when it comes to conducting my research before hand. However, you can be thoroughly armed with knowledge and comparables just by spending some time using search features on various forums and auction sites to get a sense of the market tempo, needs, wants, and prices.
2) When you post, BE HONEST. State the fullest details of everything to the exactness of your knowledge. Certainly we live in a caveat emptor environment, but it’s easier for potential buyers and traders to make a decision if you’re honest.
3) When entering into communication and discussion with buyers/traders/sellers, be PROMPT and FORTHRIGHT. Explain your situation, make it clear, BE HONEST, explain your understanding of YOUR RESEARCH, and do not WASTE SOMEONE ELSES TIME.
3a) If you’re unsure about a potential deal, ask someone to wait for you to conduct more research or decline. If you are emotionally unsure, and you tell someone, “let me think about it” or “I’ll sleep on it”, give them a time frame for an answer. That person maybe waiting to pull the proverbial trigger on another deal, pending your deal, and you’re wasting their time, by hemming and hawing.
3b) During that time it’s ethical to spend time conducting more research and deciding that the deal is or is not for you, but again BE HONEST. An example of handling this poorly would be saying, “Let me sleep on it.” an open ended term, that most people would equate with a 12-24 hour period of time and then spend the weekend (48-72 hours) shopping in local gun shops and decide that you don’t want to do the deal anymore. If you were unsure after “sleeping on it” inform the other person, so they can move on. Do not keep them in limbo wondering.
4) Try to avoid getting emotionally attached. I learned long ago, there are more fish in the sea than there are sharks to eat them. You WILL find another item that suits your fancy and desire to a “T” without much trouble.
Why have I written these words? Recently I’ve been involved with more than one trade/sell/buy situation on these forums that have resulted in frustration and disappointment on my part. Because of these exact types of issues outlined above, a lack of research, lack of transparency, poor communication, and/or emotional attachment. This is not an attempt to call anyone out, nor should it be viewed in a personal manner. It is simply an expression of my frustration and a constructive solution that I am providing. I recognize the wonderful thing that is e-commerce and the classified exchange forums here on Smith and Wesson Forum are a fabulous resource. I do think, however, that some folks may need as casual reminder that this world is still more or less doing business and that common courtesy, research, and communication are important.
I grew up in a small-business family that relied on exceptional service to pay the bills. All of the above were skills learned from conducting many a deal amongst clients. Each one has negative consequences in the real world if you fail to follow it. In this virtual world it is easy to ignore those consequences, but they are still real, because even though these words are transmitted via an internet signal and typed instead of spoken, they still represent reality. I learned by the golden rule to treat others, as I want to be treated. So, I try to follow the above in my business transactions, whether they be trading cigars amongst friends, or selling a car on Craigslist, or conducting professional business amongst professional associates.
I’ve posted this in The Lounge as I could not find an appropriate place for it elsewhere. This is not a thread designed to bash anyone, it is purely for constructive criticism to help along the process, please keep it this way.
Thanks.
