HAMB classifieds - unwritten rules of commerce

[TimBob]

Note: I don't want this to turn into a debate or rant on 'strangers' posting classifieds. There's already volumes of posts on that elsewhere.

I've followed a few items in the classifieds in my short time here, and there seems to be a casual honour system in place:

1. If it's a "special HAMB price", there's no haggling. That's the lowest price that person's willing to take at the time.

2. First to PM the seller gets first crack at making a deal. If no deal is struck, second person in line gets their turn. And so on.

If these unwritten rules are true, this is obviously different from 'public' classifieds. The first rule is like a members' perk, and should keep negotiations simple and respectful. The second rule is polite, and should prevent internal bidding wars (unless that's what the seller asks for). It can also have the downside of delaying the sale while buyers are dealt with 'in series', so opportunities can be missed.

Am I being too idealistic by assuming these are the rules? As you can see I'm new here, and don't want to step on anyone's d!(&. I also don't want to miss a deal because I'm following some rule that really doesn't exist.

Thanks.

PS not sure if this is the right board to be posting this on http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Ayers Garage]

That's exactly how I worked my classified deal.

It was somewhat frustrating to sift through the interested parties in proper order, givng each a reasonable amount of time to decide, but that's the deal.

[fab32]

That seems to be the way the classifieds work here. Most people here are willing to give the members a break when selling things, either a first crack at the parts or a better price. Kind of like how you should treat your friends.

Frank

[TimBob]

Fair enough, good to know for sure.

So in the future when I miss a deal I'll be kicking myself in the ass for not finding it sooner, rather than for not raising the stakes http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif.

Should this be added to Ryan's classified rules, or is it too obvious? Could be a handy reminder to help newbies avoid pissing people off.

Cheers