Why I will never respond to a WTB ad again

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RTH1800

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Minuteman
    • Sep 16, 2009
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    #1
    I was not sure where to put this but will place it here for lack any other idea. Nor do I have any idea if anyone is interested.
    I will start by saying I have purchased and sold literally hundreds of items on this site.
    As I am cleaning out my excess stuff in fits and starts, I become aware of things I did not even realize I own. Much of it very high quality, scarce or at least good kit.
    I occasionally read the WTB ads. Respond to a few where I possess the exact item I see is wanted. Have replied to literally dozens of them over the years. Not one time has the person running the ad purchased anything. In my opinion, every one of them is trolling for something super cheap. Without exception. I do not price my gear out of line as most everything I post sells quickly.

    Anyway, I find the WTB ads of no value to respond to and was wondering about others experience in this area.

    Rant off.
     
    #2
    Well everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion and if you have never sold an item to someone who placed a WTB add I can understand your frustration and reluctance to answer any such future adds. However I have placed many WTB adds on various forums looking for items that I want to purchase, I was always willing to pay top dollar for the item that I was searching for, provided it was in excellent condition. These adds were placed because I had difficulty in finding the item I wanted not because I was "trolling for something super cheap". By answering WTB adds you might have the opportunity to help a fellow shooter find his dream rifle, not to mention make some money in the process.
     
    #3
    Not every WTB add is a troll.

    I posted a WTB add for .308 Hornady Match brass a few days ago, received responses and purchased a bunch from one of the responders.
     
    #4
    It's about a 50/50 shot for me. May have sold something on this forum; do I have a feedback score?

    Got recently cussed out by a guy on AR.com, because he gave me a low-ball offer on an item and I responded "good luck with that". But you are correct; many people in the WTB section are looking for something cheap. Knowing that, I don't get upset. It IS irritating to dig out an item, shoot some pics, post them, and then be offered pittance.
     
    #7
    I've responded to one WTB ad. Sent a low value item and told the guy to try it, if it worked send me $20.00. Never heard from him again. Wasn't worth the time to follow up. Once heard if someone owes you $20.00 and you never hear from them again it was money well spent.
     
    #8
    EddieNFL said:
    I've responded to one WTB ad. Sent a low value item and told the guy to try it, if it worked send me $20.00. Never heard from him again. Wasn't worth the time to follow up. Once heard if someone owes you $20.00 and you never hear from them again it was money well spent.
    Click to expand...
    Ouch atleast it was only $20 though.

    I respond to most any wtb ads on the plethora of forums i belong to. I really hate posting them though because almost no one ever replies or if they do its to tell you of a place that sells em and most people are typically looking to buy it for a little cheaper than what a retailer can offer.
     
    #9
    My average is pretty good. I've posted one that I remember and scored 900 162 Amaxes. I've responded to one and got a good price for a fairly hard to find rifle. Traffic isn't as high in that forum though.
     
    #10
    I understand your issue. Why not try this...Continue to peruse the WTB if you come across something you have and wish to sell, list it in a for sale thread and post in the WTB thread a link to your for sale thread. That way you are not limited to dealing with one potential drooler.
     
    #14
    I just bought something that I had posted in the WTB. The guy contacted me with what I was looking for with a fair price. I did have one other that contacted me about what I wanted but it was more than I wanted to pay so I passed. I was not looking to low ball anyone it just so happened that the first offer was just more than I wanted to pay for the item I was looking for used.
     
    #15
    WTB here is one of the few places worth actually posting a request. I needed a Badger 22 MOA AR rail last spring, Badger hadn't made them in a while and had no immediate plans to do so, vendors didn't have them, and they weren't turning up on search sites like RiverofGuns.

    I posted a WTB here and paid the gentleman what he wanted (fair price).

    it is like anything else, if it is a request for something common - they are likely trolling for a low number. If on the other hand it is a specialized or hard to get item they are likely a real buyer at market value.
     
    #17
    It's almost as bad answering WTS ads. I got in on a set of Redding dies and after several attempts at contact I still haven't gotten them. I think maybe the guy figured he priced them too cheap or something but WTFE.
     
    #18
    Cool Stary Bra
    P1040005.jpg
     
    #19
    I've responded to several WTB ads and for the most part everything has gone well. There is the normal haggling over price, but if someone starts lowballing me under any circumstances, I just put them on my ignore list. Works like a charm. It's rare though; I only have three people I'm ignoring.
     
    #20
    I just bought a V2 magnetospeed off a WTB add. Had a guy offer me a V3 $30 off retail and I passed, but had a guy with a V2 give me a good deal(to me) so I pulled the trigger. I would say WTB and WTS adds are all hit or miss.
     
    #22
    You will always have those who want a 90% off deal. I usually avoid them but have sold some stuff over the years.

    My favorites are the ones that contact you on something you are selling for a good price. Like 25% off of new for a nick here and there. Then some jackass comes in and wants it for 40% of new. I asked one of these guys will you resell it?

    oh no of course not. He replied

    So in two years if you do not have it I will take 60% of your Dick. How does that sound?

    A simple no would have worked he said.


    Lol. Those people suck. Of course this guy would have resold it for a profit or I got this scope from a retard. Either way frakk him.
     
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