RSS feeds causing grief?

[SAFireman]

Lately I have noticed that some folks have been notoriously quick in snapping up items in the For Sale sections, and even in the Ship Date request section over in the SWCA side....I think that RSS feeds are to blame.

For those of you less technically inclined, RSS feeds are a little message that is instantly sent to your wireless phone, tablet, or other device that notify you of a new posting in a certain place (ie internet forum).

I feel that it might be to the benefit of the forum members if the RSS feeds could be disabled in some selected sections of the site. We could offer more people an opportunity to purchase items in the for sale section and ask Roy for a ship date.

What really irks me, and I am almost certain that more than a few members feel the same way is this: Our For Sale and Trade forum is for the benefit of the members. There is a section devoted to Vendors for a reason. Those who buy from the forum only to promptly re-list the item on one of the auction sites really has me feeling like the spirit of the forum has somehow been violated....

Am I the only one? or am I just being overly sensitive.....I know that I don't have any RSS feeds and I don't "vulture" the For Sale sections just for re-sale.

All you have to do is look at the items that sold within minutes (sometimes less) of being posted....it can happen to some folks, just by plain luck, but when it is a recurring affair, it is unfair to the rest of the folks here.

Sorry for the rant....maybe I have early onset curmudgeon syndrome?

 

[H Richard]

If this is correct, then how about in the "Get shipping date" section., I've been trying to "time" getting a shipping date for over 5 months now and NEVER get to the section when Roy has has just answered and 5 people dump new questions in (the max per day) within less than 10 minutes. I've given up on trying to get an accurate shipping date. What gets me, it is mostly the same people over and over day after day.

 

[Rastoff]

We could offer more people an opportunity to purchase items in the for sale section and ask Roy for a ship date.

I don't understand. If there is only one item for sale, how is it possible to offer it to more people? I mean, the early bird gets the worm, right? Do you have proof that there is some kind of foul play going on? Can you post an item that was sold only to be posted on another auction site?

I don't even know what this "ship date" thing is you're talking about so, I can't comment on that.

 

[alwslate]

Some folks just seem to know that their natural place in line is first,..
...always. They realize that they are special and it's always their turn.
I know a few people like that and they usually find a way to make it
happen. Some people are drawn to that type of individual and are
happy for the opportunity to serve.

 

[LVSteve]

Guess I'll never get to play on the For Sale forum in that case. I cannot take my cell into work and I don't have internet at my desk. Just call the the boy in the bubble.

 

[quinn]

One recent gun for sale had an "I'll take it" before the OP had even finished uploading the pictures. For me this takes some of the fun out of the forum. I've see others sold in 1 minute. How do you even look at the pictures in that time? I'll bet some of these are showing up on GB. There is something said for being first, but making this into a competition is causing me to lose some interest. I have listed things for sale here because I thought it might help other forum members. Might as well list it directly on eBay.

Edit: another one picked off in 2 minutes.

 

[SAFireman]

I don't understand. If there is only one item for sale, how is it possible to offer it to more people? I mean, the early bird gets the worm, right? Do you have proof that there is some kind of foul play going on? Can you post an item that was sold only to be posted on another auction site?

I don't even know what this "ship date" thing is you're talking about so, I can't comment on that.

Rastoff,

When you have an electronic device that signals you the instant a post is made, it gives you an edge over other buyers who don't utilize the technology. Now if it was a once in a while deal, I probably would never have even noticed it, but when it is an ongoing practice, it bothers me. Maybe it shouldn't? You are correct, removing the feed will not make any more items come up for sale, it will allow a larger segment of the forum members an opportunity to purchase items from their fellow members.

I did not refer to the feeds or use of the feeds as foul play. I do feel that it is poor form to use the forum to buy and 'flip' guns and other items. I list items for sale here instead of an auction site because I know that a forum member will appreciate (might need?) an item more than I will miss the few extra dollars that I might get by selling in an auction setting.

The SWCA members have access to the Smith & Wesson historian (Roy Jinks) and one of the many privileges of being a member is being able to request the date that a certain firearm (Smith & Wesson) was recorded as having shipped. Roy's time is limited and he can only accommodate a certain number of requests in a given week, so there is a backlog of folks waiting to get a ship date.

I am not pointing a finger at any one person, but I think that the experience of more members by removing the RSS feeds from certain areas of the forum.

 

[Biginge]

Next item I sell I am going to sell it to the 3rd "I'll take it". That should work? Can't be the same bird more than once!

 

[Rastoff]

I guess I just don't understand this whole thing. I don't spend a lot of time hawking the for sale ads. I have looked, but I've never seen any deals that were so great there was a lot of money to be made by flipping a gun. Are there really that many of these that I've missed?

 

[SAFireman]

I guess I just don't understand this whole thing. I don't spend a lot of time hawking the for sale ads. I have looked, but I've never seen any deals that were so great there was a lot of money to be made by flipping a gun. Are there really that many of these that I've missed?

I think that from time to time, there are some screaming deals here on the forum. I appreciate getting first shot at a desirable gun here on the forum (at a fair price) before it gets sent off to auction (and the price may go into the stratosphere). I have personally bought several guns that I felt were under-priced compared to what the seller could have achieved on an auction site.

....to those who intend to list a gun here - Thank you for allowing your fellow forum members and collectors have a shot at a fairly priced item.

I know that most folks here enjoy and appreciate the items that they have acquired from their fellow forum members- I know that I do. Thanks again guys!

 

[skeezix]

I have "RSS Feed" capability in my email program. Never knew what it was for and never used it.

Tried it today, and got every post made to SWF in my inbox. Apparently my RSS can't be narrowed down to just certain forums (i.e. Guns For Sale) on SWF.

Even if I wanted to monitor new "for sale" posts, I'd have to wade through every post made to every forum on SWF to find them. I don't have the time or inclination to do that. I don't need or want any gun that bad.

So, my RSS feed is now disabled again. More fun to just check the SWF once a day and see what I missed.

 

[ladder13]

Well said, Scott and Randy, thanks for posting what others have been privately saying for awhile.

 

[Biginge]

Boys,

I have way more than my share of Smith & Wessons, and others too. I think it is marginal at best to create an unfair advantage over others in any area. We should all play on a level field with the same boundaries.

I have bought several guns on this forum and most have been posted by this writer for purusal by other members. I am not sour graping because I have missed out on any gun buys on this forum. I have not.

I really think "the little guy" makes up the larger percentage of this group of folks on this forum. I, personally, am much more eager to read the post of a "newbie" that just got his first model 10 and is just tickled beyond belief to have it than I am to read a similar post of someone that has glomed on to a purchase that is suspect at best. I wonder if those that "work" the system to their advantage are not "stealing" the interest of those just joining our group, to leave and not return.

I wouldn't know how to do a rss feed it you had a gun to my head (electronically challenged anyway). I would suggest those that feel this is a fair competitve "advantage" read recent post about "what is a handshake".

Just my 3 cents factored for inflation.

 

[Rastoff]

While I've never tried, I'm sure the RSS could be narrowed by using some kind of filter.

I never really got a response to my question though. How is this any different than someone who is retired and can watch their computer all day vs someone who has to work? Should we all wait until 6PM PST to respond to an ad? This would at least give the working stiffs a chance to get home and see the ad too.

Then what if I just happen to look at the classified a few seconds after the ad is posted, buy it, and then sell it for more money a day later? Is that wrong too?

Also, someone mentioned the "handshake" thread. This seems to imply that there are some "less than honest" proceedings going on. Well, if the price on the gun is so low, and we're so concerned about being honest, why aren't you offering more than the asking price for the gun? Maybe the seller isn't aware of the current market value. Aren't you now taking advantage of the seller?


All I'm getting at here is that the playing field is level. There are limitations for all of us. Some have to work and therefore, miss out. Some may use the RSS, or some other electronic means, to see an ad early. Some sit in front of their computer all day. Some are just looking for a good deal to add to their collection and some are looking to flip it for a profit. In the end, it's fair for all because the opportunities are the same for all.

I'm not sure, but can't you also get email notification when a new post is made to a forum?

 

[45Wheelgun]

This:

I have "RSS Feed" capability in my email program. Never knew what it was for and never used it.

Tried it today, and got every post made to SWF in my inbox. Apparently my RSS can't be narrowed down to just certain forums (i.e. Guns For Sale) on SWF.

Even if I wanted to monitor new "for sale" posts, I'd have to wade through every post made to every forum on SWF to find them.

And this:

How is this any different than someone who is retired and can watch their computer all day vs someone who has to work? Should we all wait until 6PM PST to respond to an ad? This would at least give the working stiffs a chance to get home and see the ad too.

Then what if I just happen to look at the classified a few seconds after the ad is posted, buy it, and then sell it for more money a day later? Is that wrong too?

All I'm getting at here is that the playing field is level. There are limitations for all of us. Some have to work and therefore, miss out. Some may use the RSS, or some other electronic means, to see an ad early. Some sit in front of their computer all day. Some are just looking for a good deal to add to their collection and some are looking to flip it for a profit. In the end, it's fair for all because the opportunities are the same for all.

I'm not sure, but can't you also get email notification when a new post is made to a forum?

Both of these posts win "forum post of the day" for today.

The number of people using RSS is minute. Is there a way to filter? I'm not aware of one, but maybe. The "standard" RSS feed readers are going to get you 100% of the traffic on our forum which is thousands of message per day. Good luck with that.

If I were going to "snipe" I would setup a notification and then I would get every post from the For Sale area sent directly to my email. Then my phone would be blowing up all day with new emails from the forum - hundreds per day - because that is what the For Sale areas get - hundreds per day. I would also be very disappointed as the notification routine runs on a cyclical basis every "X" minutes. So even though I have nothing better to do but to sit by my phone and sift through hundreds of messages, I might still miss out on that Registered Magnum in the FS area for only $300 because of the lag in the notification process.

And then this:

This seems to imply that there are some "less than honest" proceedings going on. Well, if the price on the gun is so low, and we're so concerned about being honest, why aren't you offering more than the asking price for the gun? Maybe the seller isn't aware of the current market value. Aren't you now taking advantage of the seller?

I expect each and every person complaining in this thread to offer current market value to any seller on this forum who has under-priced their gun. We have standards of ethical behavior here and since you are all concerned about "Fairness" - I expect you to be at the front of the line where this is concerned.

Having said all that - do we actually have an issue where one guy is buying all the great priced guns seconds after they are posted and then selling them for profit, or stocking his gun show tables/store shelves with inventory?

If so I want PROOF. Not supposition - Not "another gun bought seconds after it was posted", but actual proof that someone is taking advantage of the situation. We have dealt with that issue in the past and can and will deal with it when presented with factual information. If you have such proof - sent it to Lee or myself via PM or email - DO NOT POST IT HERE. We WILL deal with it.

 

[Rick Bowles]

With all due respect, you can only sell anything once. Technology is such that it requires staying up to date or suffering the consequences. Whatever technology is available... is available to everyone. In my opinion it can't possibly be more fair. If you have one thing for sale and two folks that want it, one person is always going to be disappointed.