Date:         Thu, 3 Jun 2004 20:41:03 -0500
Reply-To:     Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: I don't like this Re: SA grille for sale.bidding update
Comments: To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Jeff,

I agree with you, and I don't.

In this case, don't think of it so much as an auction as an OBO (Or Best
Offer) situation. The seller is merely offering this deal to a smaller
audience (thus it will probably bring a lower price) than if he placed it on
eBay. There can be several reasons for doing this. It certainly is easier to
just put up a post here. You don't need pictures here. You also give your
fellow hard-core Vanagon enthusiasts an opportunity to get a great part at a
good price.

I agree that most of the actual "dealing" should be taken care of via
p-mail. We don't all need to see each and every bid. A periodic update,
however, never hurts. After all, there always is the delete key.

I agree that in many (not all, or even most) cases, if it is a straight
sale, a price should be included. however, there are so many esoteric items
that one needs so rarely it difficult to determine what a fair market value
is. I have a ton of parts sitting in my garage that I would have no idea how
to price individually. Dealer price isn't always a good indicator. Sometimes
you just have to say, "Make Me An Offer."

Each situation is different. I don't think we need to turn this into an
auction site, but there is a long history of all types of commerce here.
Different parts call for different selling strategies. Let each seller/list
member decide what is best for their circumstance. Of course, while doing
so, they should also consider how much bandwidth it will take up, and how
much interest other list members will have in the item.

My 2¢.

Cheers,
Bruce
motorbruce

>From: Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
>Reply-To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: I don't like this Re: SA grille for sale.bidding update
>Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 20:58:06 EDT
>
>Please understand I don't mean this as a personal attack. I'm sure Adam has
>no ill intent with this sale. But auctions on the list bother me. Possibly
>I am
>the only who feels this way. And if so I'll go with the flow. But lets
>figure
>out if we want the list to a place for auctions.
>
>I find auctions a waste of time on the list. My feeling is YES, list
>something you have for sale on the list that is of interest to fellow
>Vanagonites--
>AND set a price on the item.
>
>If someone wants to negotiate you down, or even up, let it happen through
>P-mail and leave the rest of us out of it. If you want to auction stuff put
>it on
>Ebay or Ken's StricklyVW.  I think an auction site is the best place for an
>auction. I mean we're a group of insiders as it were, a group of brothers
>and
>sisters with tips an price breaks on Vanagons and their parts. Don't make
>your
>brothers and sisters turn on eachother in a bidding war.
>
>List it. Price it. And sell it first come first served.
>
>As long as I'm on it,--And this also has nothing to do with this auction--I
>prefer items for sale include a price so I don't feel like you're already
>trying to take me by setting your price in regard to the number of
>responses you
>get-- or trying to figure out how badly I want it before you tell me a
>price. An
>implied "What are you willing to pay" is insulting to me. If you're selling
>a
>can of Pepsi for a secret price of $18, why are you making me e-mail you to
>find out it's priced too high? Lonely? Just tell me what you want for it?
>Because I'm not interested for $18--for $1,  maybe I'm looking for just
>that.
>
>This SA grill auction is over in a day, so I'm not suggesting it in itself
>is
>a problem. But if everyone jumps on selling Vanagon stuff at auction get
>ready for lots of bandwidth about current prices, accusations of bid
>rigging,
>spats about who offered what when, disappointment, flames, flame suits,
>hurt
>feelings, snake oil, and leaky heads. Actually you should probably get
>ready for
>leaky heads either way.
>
>Best,
>Jeff
>83.5 Westfalia
>LA,CA
>
>
>
>
>In a message dated 6/3/2004 3:07:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
>vgonman@MSN.COM
>writes:
>
>
> > Ok folks, I will stop bidding midday Friday (when i come home for a work
>a
> > little while)
> >
> > High bid current is $200
> >
> > Adam P
> > Charleston,SC     Coburn, WV
> >