Question on selling gear (debated putting this in the FS Forum)

Hey All,

I have some gear I would like to unload and have a few questions as I've not sold gear online (only made local purchases via forums vs. shipping gear).

1. Is there anyway around the 50 post minimum? I can add my $.02 to a buch of threads but just thought I'd ask.

2. How do you transfer funds? I'm looking at getting rid of some higher ticket items (nice quilt, underquilt etc) and am wondering if it's all on the honor system or if people use something like escrow.com or other services.

Thanks in advance,

Jason
One additional note - the reason I have not had to post a lot is because you all have such a great archive of info if I use the search function I find mostly what I need!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by japaddler

Hey All,

I have some gear I would like to unload and have a few questions as I've not sold gear online (only made local purchases via forums vs. shipping gear).

1. Is there anyway around the 50 post minimum? I can add my $.02 to a buch of threads but just thought I'd ask.

2. How do you transfer funds? I'm looking at getting rid of some higher ticket items (nice quilt, underquilt etc) and am wondering if it's all on the honor system or if people use something like escrow.com or other services.

Thanks in advance,

Jason
One additional note - the reason I have not had to post a lot is because you all have such a great archive of info if I use the search function I find mostly what I need!

---

1. No way around the 50 post minimum. It only takes a few days to make a meaningful amount of posts if you dedicate some time.

2. I use PayPal pretty exclusively for all my online transactions. Nearly everyone else knows how to use it and they have some fraud protection.

Sorry but you will have to get that mto magic 50 post min, kind of lets us get to know you.

Most people here use PayPal

I like the 50 post minimum, even though I'm not there yet. Good thing I don't have anything to sell.

I have bought and sold things on several forums. All of my transactions have been completed using USPS money orders. There is some degree of trust involved, but I have found that most of the people that participate in the forums are honest people. That's part of the reason for the 50 post rule (very common practice on forums)...it gives you a chance to get a basic idea of the character of the people that you are thinking of dealing with.

I think it is (maybe not the best (interview/background check/bank account details to mods etc. Before buying/selling)) the most practicable way to go so the site maintains a reputation for having trustworthy members and the 50 post rule kinda shows that your not just around to get gear or take folks money fraudulently.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by japaddler

One additional note - the reason I have not had to post a lot is because you all have such a great archive of info if I use the search function I find mostly what I need!

---

I am not at 50 posts yet, I won't be buying or selling anyway due to customs charges etc. but I agree, if everyone on here wasn't so well educated in the way of the hammock I would probably be well over 100 posts by now! :mad: lol

I am petty sure there is NO minimum post count to buy, just for the selling.

That has been my experience.

There is no way around the 50 post limit to sell items here. It is used as an introductory period so that the people here can get to know the people who are selling items.

Paypal is the most common form of monetary transaction here (and on most forums I'm a member of) because it is fairly easy and painless and provides a bit of insurance for the buyer should the seller fail to deliver the item as advertised.

You can review the ToS for further details on selling items here.

Quote:

---

VI. The Marketplace. Hammock Forums offers a Marketplace for members to sell their personal gear or to post about a piece of gear they’re willing to buy. The following rules apply to the Marketplace:

A. You must have a minimum of 50 posts before starting a new 'For Sale (FS)' thread. There is no minimum for posting in the 'Want To Buy (WTB)' section.

B. Items listed in the FS section should be related to outdoors gear.

C. Items must be listed with a selling price. No auction-style posts, bidding on items, or linking to auctions.

D. Do not post links to websites that offer referral bonuses or kickbacks.

E. When items have sold, or an item in a Willing To Buy thread is found, please reply to the thread and mark them sold so the moderators can close the thread.

F. No off topic discussion in FS or WTB threads. Off topic discussion will be deleted at moderators discretion.

G. Please do not play "price police" and make a public post in another member's thread about where this product can be found at a lower price. A simple Private Message to the seller may be helpful, though.

H. Firearm sales not allowed.

I. No 'PayPal Gift Only' or 'PayPal Personal Only' payment requirements are allowed in sales.

J. Vendors and resellers are not welcome to post their sales in the Marketplace. Dumping extra inventory, even if it’s a good deal for HF’s members, violates the essentially non-commercial nature of our site.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craige

I think it is (maybe not the best (interview/background check/bank account details to mods etc. Before buying/selling)) the most practicable way to go so the site maintains a reputation for having trustworthy members and the 50 post rule kinda shows that your not just around to get gear or take folks money fraudulently.

---

There is NO way around the post limit. The mods here don't allow special circumstances, nor do they have the extra time to perform background/credit checks on people. And I seriously doubt that they would want to.


If you're just looking to offload gear fast there are plenty of sites for that such as ebay, craigslist, & geartrade. We are here to discuss our love of hammocks. Whether they be for backpacking, car camping, hanging in the back yard, or even in the house. :cool:

it really grinds my gears to see this. i understand people asking about the whole "why", but to try to circumvent the "trust" earned? gah.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by REV

it really grinds my gears to see this. i understand people asking about the whole "why", but to try to circumvent the "trust" earned? gah.

---

Not going against the trust concept. I was not sure if that as a function of the forum for some other reason. Like I stated upfront, the amount of knowledge found when searching the forums was so helpful as I started my hangin' journey I did not have a need to post all that much.

Due to kids and work I do not have the opportunity to read the forums frequently, again limiting my need to post.

Might be worth it not to make such assumptions with a "gah" on the end. I could end up being they guy coming across you in a time of need out in the wilderness. Number of posts doesn't have much to do with trust. After all, I'm a low posting ski patroller who volunteers his time. Hopefull the good folks twisting a knee don't ask how many times I've posted on a forum :lol:

All in good fun and thanks for the replies. I'll have to get to posting. I'm guessing a few people out here are going to want some 900 fill power goodness.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by REV

it really grinds my gears to see this. i understand people asking about the whole "why", but to try to circumvent the "trust" earned? gah.

---

I'd have to agree with REV here on this one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by japaddler

{...}
I'm guessing a few people out here are going to want some 900 fill power goodness.

---

It's comments like this that define your 'character' online. It's postings and threads like this that folks are trying to "tune into" to see if they want to trust you.

This whole thread comes across as a crafty attempt to circumvent the post limitation in the marketplace. It's as if you're attempting to pique folks interest enough in what you might have so they contact you outside of the marketplace so you can sell them something that you're in need of getting rid of. That's not right, nor is it a positive way of building your online trustworthiness. One of the reasons of having a post limitation is to present enough opportunity for folks to see you in action, to see if they are comfortable with blindly giving money over to you in hopes that they get their package in the mail.

Maybe I'm reading too much into what you've posted, and maybe I'm way off in left field on this one - but seriously, why even start a thread like this unless you're attempting to do something miscevious? You've already mention that you don't post because all of your questions have already been answered. So, surely you've already found all the other post from folks asking "why?" - so, it only appears that you know 'why' and are attempting to do something other than re-ask why/how.

Either way all of your questions could have been anwered by sending a PM to one or all of the mods.

I have to second Rev and WetRivrRat, 50 posts is a nice starting point, to get an idea of whom you are dealing with. I broke one of the rules/suggestions for purchasing from this site. Im was not happy with the purchase, however it was my fault, because I did not do my research. Now I do the research, I look at whom I will be purchasing from, what their history is. I also see some gear go through three or more buyers on this site, what they paid and how the item was described.

I have found PayPal to be helpful in a dispute. I have not used PayPal to settle any disputes on this site, however, I have used it on E-Bay and with a vendor. I pay with my Visa Card which holds many tools to help if the need arises.

Almost everyone uses paypal, but some people still buy with money orders. But it is up to the seller on how they want to get paid.

As a user whom reads way more than i post, I am still below 50 posts. I have purchased a few items from the for sale section but am still waiting around to get to 50 to list anything myself.

As stated, the 50 post rule is designed to allow buyers to get to know you, but also for you to get to know us. We are a non-commercial site, and would not appreciate very much folks appearing simply to offload their latest deal. These types of policies have allowed us to build and be a part of quite a helpful community, within which you are very welcome.

The mission of the site is to discuss hammocks and hammock related gear, and the rest is "gravy".

There is no post limit to buy gear, as was stated earlier.

Welcome, and feel free to "post away" as much as you are able.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NCPatrick

... and the rest is "gravy".

---

"delicious" gravy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by toygun

"delicious" gravy.

---

I've never been much a fan of gravy, but this "gravy" me like :laugh:

mmmm, gravy :)

Thanks for this rule, it really cuts down on the riff-raff jumping on and just trying to sell stuff or worse rip off members.

Thanks.

I've been a member for a few years now but still haven't reached the 50th post. I guess I'm not much of a talker but I do greatly enjoy reading the forums and I have learned a great amount of useful info on hammocks and camping in general. I have bought items from for sale section and have been very pleased with the transactions.

I've been here a while too. The forum is such a thorough resource, you hardly need to ask questions if you know how to search.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craige

I think it is (maybe not the best (interview/background check/bank account details to mods etc. Before buying/selling)) the most practicable way to go so the site maintains a reputation for having trustworthy members and the 50 post rule kinda shows that your not just around to get gear or take folks money fraudulently.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Catavarie

There is NO way around the post limit. The mods here don't allow special circumstances, nor do they have the extra time to perform background/credit checks on people. And I seriously doubt that they would want to.

---

Sorry if I offended you catavarie but I think you may have misinterpreted what I was trying to say :confused: what you said was more or less what I was trying to say. Of course, it would be impossible for the mods to go through all of that so that anyone who wants to can sell their stuff and why should they, this is a forum not a 2nd hand retailer! I was just meaning what everyone else has said, that it IS the best way possible but also that I could see why some folks may be frustrated, because if you search properly you can almost always find what you are looking for and as someone who is learning it can be difficult to add anything valuable to a discussion without bloating the threads with rubbish! Sorry again for the misunderstanding! :cool:

I agree with WetRivrRat, that last sentence comes across as a above the law attitude. You may be a good and honest person, but only those who know you personally know that. It's good to listen more than you speak as you apparently do, but choosing your words wisely is also important. Just friendly advice not trying to preach.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by japaddler

Not going against the trust concept. I was not sure if that as a function of the forum for some other reason. Like I stated upfront, the amount of knowledge found when searching the forums was so helpful as I started my hangin' journey I did not have a need to post all that much.

Due to kids and work I do not have the opportunity to read the forums frequently, again limiting my need to post.

Might be worth it not to make such assumptions with a "gah" on the end. I could end up being they guy coming across you in a time of need out in the wilderness. Number of posts doesn't have much to do with trust. After all, I'm a low posting ski patroller who volunteers his time. Hopefull the good folks twisting a knee don't ask how many times I've posted on a forum :lol:

All in good fun and thanks for the replies. I'll have to get to posting. I'm guessing a few people out here are going to want some 900 fill power goodness.

---

Japaddler- I must say that I feel kind of bad for the way youve been treated in response to your post. This is exactly the situation we were debating about a month ago. Here we have a guy that- may or may not, have a great piece of gear that he would like to sell to the hammock community. He is right around 25 posts, and is going to have to fill in another 25 "fluff" posts to do it. At this point, we will "have an idea of who he really is and he'll know more about us"- and we will feel more secure about sending him our money. Yeah right.

One of the reasons we are not able to use the Paypal personal option, is for the safety measures built into Paypal commercial transactions. Thats why there is a fee for it. If you dont get what you paid for, you have a means of recourse through paypal.

If the individual doesnt feel comfortable buying from a guy with only 25 posts, then he doesnt need to. For those of us willing to take that "risk", backed up by paypal policy-I think we should be able to do so.

This guy will now go sell his gear somewhere on geartrade, for a higher price including all their fees, and the community here suffers from not being able to pick up a piece of quality gear to supplement their hammocking experience.

I know some will say thats not what this forum is about, and Ive tried to explain that the "gear" is untimately what this is all about- and everything else (group hangs, commraderie, innovations, knowledge) all stem from the gear itself.

To Japaddler- Im looking forward to your next 25 posts.

I'm happy the rule was implemented and will leave it at that. As much as I hate PayPal's fees, the system works and works very well. Try getting money back if you had used a Money Order and the transaction went sour. I don't believe the OP was trying to circumvent the rules, but the comment about the 900 fill power goodness didn't help his cause.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NCPatrick

As stated, the 50 post rule is designed to allow buyers to get to know you, but also for you to get to know us. We are a non-commercial site, and would not appreciate very much folks appearing simply to offload their latest deal. These types of policies have allowed us to build and be a part of quite a helpful community, within which you are very welcome.

The mission of the site is to discuss hammocks and hammock related gear, and the rest is "gravy".

There is no post limit to buy gear, as was stated earlier.

Welcome, and feel free to "post away" as much as you are able.

---

Wow... VERY well handled.

Just sayin'. :)

Its nice to have great mods like this... I'm not trying to blow smoke or anything, but I've been on other forums where mods will threaten your first born and insult your mother while lowering the ban hammer... for very little reason.

Brandon

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OrangePeel

Wow... VERY well handled.

Just sayin'. :)

Its nice to have great mods like this... I'm not trying to blow smoke or anything, but I've been on other forums where mods will threaten your first born and insult your mother while lowering the ban hammer... for very little reason.

Brandon

---

One of the reasons I like this forum and don't visit all the others I belong to. I think the members here are a cut above the rest.

I was wondering the same thing but after reading the posts here it makes perfect sense. I'll hit my 50 posts soon enough. And, I do want to be known as trusty guy.

I've been a member for all of 4 days and really enjoy reading all the posts.

And then there is a situation like mine where I've been a member for over a year and i think this is my second post. Someone posted a wtb that i think i could have met well, but the post was deleted (i think neither the op or myself were at 50). I understand rules, It is a privately run forum, the community within the forum can install whatever boundaries it wishes.

What i find amusing is that most will look at post count or lack thereof, and assign credibility or intellect with the number. Funny, i do so myself.

This is the first of 48 posts to follow shortly thereafter, i will try to be of value.
I will most certainly be satirical.

I was right it was my second post. Warned ya.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by boyscout67

And then there is a situation like mine where I've been a member for over a year and i think this is my second post. Someone posted a wtb that i think i could have met well, but the post was deleted (i think neither the op or myself were at 50). I understand rules, It is a privately run forum, the community within the forum can install whatever boundaries it wishes.

What i find amusing is that most will look at post count or lack thereof, and assign credibility or intellect with the number. Funny, i do so myself.

This is the first of 48 posts to follow shortly thereafter, i will try to be of value.
I will most certainly be satirical.

---

I don't think post count determines intelligence or credibility, rather, post quality gives you some idea of who you are dealing with. By requiring 50 posts, the mods give the rest of us a chance to read through them and assess your internet presence, which hopefully translates to your real character.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cpc1027

I don't think post count determines intelligence or credibility, rather, post quality gives you some idea of who you are dealing with. By requiring 50 posts, the mods give the rest of us a chance to read through them and assess your internet presence, which hopefully translates to your real character.

---

I like to above reply. What I look at: how long has someone been a member.
How many posts have they made? Then I look at their statistics. The statistics and prior posts are VERY revealing. It took me two unpleasant purchases to learn now to shop on this site. Now I know how to shop and be pleased with the result. Looking around you can follow the trail of some transactions, member 1 sells to member2 then the gear might move on to a third member. I found on hammock that was being offered as brand new, never even opened. I did my little search, by gosh I found where it had be sold to the current owner, and there was a photo of the hammock, hanging with current owner in it. New, never used hammock. Nope been through at least 3 HF members. As with everything, spend your money with someone you can trust, do your research first. Then this site is great.

post count has nothing to do with creditability. this is the intranet after all. by my avatar you would think I grew up a deliquent.......................



oh nevermind

I'm having similar posting issues. I find that if I use my google-foo almost all my questions are answered without any posts needed. So reaching 50 posts will take me a long time, however, I am in no hurry to get to 50. Understand the mods are trying to avoid spammers and bots, the 50 post limit makes life better for everyone.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craige

Sorry if I offended you catavarie but I think you may have misinterpreted what I was trying to say :confused: what you said was more or less what I was trying to say. Of course, it would be impossible for the mods to go through all of that so that anyone who wants to can sell their stuff and why should they, this is a forum not a 2nd hand retailer! I was just meaning what everyone else has said, that it IS the best way possible but also that I could see why some folks may be frustrated, because if you search properly you can almost always find what you are looking for and as someone who is learning it can be difficult to add anything valuable to a discussion without bloating the threads with rubbish! Sorry again for the misunderstanding! :cool:

---

No offense taken. I just wished to clear things up for any who might be confused on the subject as I know of forums where things such as credit/background checks are performed before they allow the selling of any merchandise to occur.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by boyscout67

And then there is a situation like mine where I've been a member for over a year and i think this is my second post. Someone posted a wtb that i think i could have met well, but the post was deleted (i think neither the op or myself were at 50). I understand rules, It is a privately run forum, the community within the forum can install whatever boundaries it wishes.

What i find amusing is that most will look at post count or lack thereof, and assign credibility or intellect with the number. Funny, i do so myself.

This is the first of 48 posts to follow shortly thereafter, i will try to be of value.
I will most certainly be satirical.

---

I don't look at post count so much as I look at who it is that is posting. If I recognize the name from discussions I've either had with them or read of theirs then I feel as if I know them just a little bit more than someone who hasn't made any post that I can recall. Gives them just that little bit of an edge for my money when I'm looking to buy something.

Um...WOW!

I had no idea I was opening up such a can of whoopsie slings:D

Great discussion and I really appreciate several points of view. I especially appreciate the acknowledgement of the treatment by some (negative that is) and the pragmatism of others as to why the rules are in place.

As I mentioned, I had to get to posting and I am doing my best to avoid the fluff and look for people who are asking questions where my newish experience might be helpful.

On a more philosophic (or would that be sophical?) note I really enjoyed the posts on whether or not 50 posts allows one to pass judgement on another's character. I think just making it to this forum and signing up says that one is interested in the activity and has already passed a bit of a hurdle. Someone who was only in the business of taking advantage of others probably wound not bother, and my guess is they would not have any high quality gear to sell either.

Finally, I appreciate the opportunity this thread has given me to put two more notches in my belt (as far as posting goes).

Hope there are no hard feelings and I sincerely hope this thread has caused people to pause and reflect prior to passing judgement on others intent.

Now shut down the screen and get outside. me, I'm off to a kid's swim meet. Ahhh, the tradeoff's of parenthood. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Well, the post limit thing makes sense to me. I didn't even notice it was there the first time I posted something for sale, or even for quite a while afterward, when suddenly this year, there's been about half a dozen threads either questioning it or trying to get it changed. In all of them, I can't help but think the original post comes off as a bit petulant.

50 posts isn't really that hard to get to, and it's quite possible to show your character in what you post. You say your search skills let you get all your questions answered, so you don't need to open an "I'm a newbie -- help!" thread? Okay, how about:

An introductory thread, telling us a bit aout yourself and how you got into hammocking?

A thread about the evolution of your hammocking experience?

A note thanking someone whose advice you took and how it helped you?

A review on some hammock-related gear?

Your thoughts on some of the reviews, videos, and illustrations provided by our other members?

Participation in the planning thread for a group hang in your area?

Saying hello to some of the other people joining the forum so they feel welcome?

Vote in a poll and say why you voted the way you did?

How about a trip report?

Pictures of your setup?

An idea you had and tried, regardless of whether it's been discussed on here before? We've had some great innovations added to the hammock community because of threads like this -- whoopie slings, triangle thingies, dutch clips, etc.

And best of all, realizing that even if you have all your questions answered, there's still plenty of people asking questions every day. Go use some of that search skill and help another member out. Plus, even limited knowledge is helpful to people who have less. Being closer to the beginner level of skill, you might remember a mindset that more experienced hangers have forgotten, and can approach the problem from a different angle.

Yes, there are many forms of meaningful posts you can make in this forum and easily hit 50. In the process, you become a known presence and an actual part of the community, rather tan just someone who watches from outside, gets a general feel for the "town," then rolls into town to make a sale. You might be a great person to everyone in your real life, but online, you're anonymous. 50 posts of one-liners to arbitrarily hit a post count limit doesn't sound much better. You don't have to write a novel, but at least a paragraph can help people learn what kind of a person you are.