Why The Fee ??

[Musky]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386057747' post='2295011']
Pay your twenty quid (a set of strings or about half the price of a reasonable night out) and then it IS free!

I really don't understand all this belly-aching over a few quid. Just look at your signature man - there must own about £15,000 worth of gear and are "selling" nearly the same - and you tell us you can't/won't stretch to £20!

Unbelievable.
[/quote]

Are you sure you've quoted the right post? He's not belly-aching and specifically said he's going to pay in the New Year...

[Conan]

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1386059132' post='2295024']
Are you sure you've quoted the right post? He's not belly-aching and specifically said he's going to pay in the New Year...
[/quote]

Duly noted and post edited accordingly! I think I had another post in mind when I wrote that.... apologies to NAS

[Bassassin]

Having been away from BC for a couple of years I admit I was not pleasantly surprised to find selling gear is no longer free. However I appreciate the reasons and will, like NAS, pay the £20 in the new year, when people might have money to spend on old Japanese basses rather than figgy pudding, mince pies and iPads!

The marketplace feels different, though - dunno if it's a result of the fees or just the changing membership on BC, but there seems to be proportionately a lot more high-end stuff, and less of the sort of [s]shonky tat[/s] - sorry - modestly priced vintage curiosities - that I'm usually drawn to. Speaking from a seller's perspective though, a fee's a lot easier to comfortably accept when the bass in question's £500+ rather than £60.

Jon.

[KevB]

'High end' is anything over 100 notes for you though Jon

[Conan]

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1386157662' post='2296446']
The marketplace feels different, though - dunno if it's a result of the fees or just the changing membership on BC.
[/quote]

I would agree with that. There also seem to be more people who sign up just to sell stuff. I suppose that allows the rest of us to have access to gear that we otherwise wouldn't, but it does change the dynamic. There seem to be fewer of the "Basschat Bikes" as well - those basses that get passed around several members before (if ever) finding their permanent spiritual home.

Then again, times change - and the market has been rather slow for a couple of years now. More trades though, which I actually enjoy!

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386160430' post='2296490']
There also seem to be more people who sign up just to sell stuff.
[/quote]

I have no idea whether or not that is the case but I do recall that, when the whole thing about charging for the Marketplace kicked off, one of the anti-arguments majored on how many people came to the site initially just to sell basses, then stuck around and became valued members.

Obviously that was going to stop if there was a tiny annual fee, so Basschat should remain a freebie to all members for ever and ever.

So how did that go then?

[Toasted]

It'd be good to get some stats.

[Gust0o]

[quote name='Toasted' timestamp='1386173769' post='2296745']
It'd be good to get some stats.
[/quote]

It's an open forum - help yourself, why wait?

[Bassassin]

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1386157973' post='2296456']
'High end' is anything over 100 notes for you though Jon
[/quote]
That's a fair point.

J.

[bobbass4k]

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1386173839' post='2296746']
It's an open forum - help yourself, why wait?
[/quote]

We don't have access to information like how many and which members have paid the fee. If you were willing to give me that information I'd happily put some numbers together.

[NAS]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386063632' post='2295076']
Duly noted and post edited accordingly! I think I had another post in mind when I wrote that.... apologies to NAS
[/quote]

Apology accepted Conan. These threads can become quite serpentine! I know the internet has become a very different place since I used an early version, the UK university extranet LUCY back in the mid 70's, and now "monetisation" is all. I'm very happy to pay for on-line services so long as they are fit for purpose and value for money. £20 for a year's access to a specialist marketplace where in the past I found doing business was a pleasant and generally successful activity is as you say a small cost, and who should bellyache about that when the trade values are relatively high? I suspect it will be true that people wishing to make one or two off trades of relatively low value items will struggle a bit. Are there rules about making multi-item ads if for example you were selling a number of amp valves?

Best to all, NAS

[paulconnolly]

[quote name='smurfitt' timestamp='1385681939' post='2291236']
£900 mate for a custom shop....are you having a laugh? It's more than double that and it's not near mint....it's MINT!
Btw I'm not male so all your assumptions are totally incorrect.
£7 might be worth it for as many adverts as you want to put but I'm only selling one item and its a guitar so doubtful it would strike up much interest amongst bass players and how likely are you to tell your 'bandmates' there's a guitar for sale thats going to cost them a packet.
Yes, it was free last time I used this site to source a ltd edition bass so I was surprised that it cost £7. It would be far more profitable to charge £1 for every item that's advertised whether it be a set of strings, fx processor or expensive axe.
I wouldnt use evilbay but rest assured it got advertised on reputable sites. It's a shame your guitar buddies didn't get to hear the full details about an amazing guitar that is a worthy investment.
[/quote]
Hell hath no fury...................

[icastle]

[quote name='NAS' timestamp='1386184832' post='2296921']
Are there rules about making multi-item ads if for example you were selling a number of amp valves?
[/quote]

Really depends on how many items you're planning on selling.

A single ad is £7.
As many ads as you want for 12 months is £20.

So, if you're planning on selling three items or more, the £20 option is your best bet.

[Gust0o]

[quote name='bobbass4k' timestamp='1386178992' post='2296821']
We don't have access to information like how many and which members have paid the fee. If you were willing to give me that information I'd happily put some numbers together.
[/quote]

No? In large part, they're the members posting the ads

You could try Kiwi if you needed more - I'm not sure of his thoughts around divulging information, but it's a very public forum. The bulk of it's workings are on show for people to scrutinise.

[Kiwi]

Sorry Bob, once any information enters the public domain it could be made accessible to anyone regardless of whether they're known to us or trusted. Hope you understand.

[Conan]

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1386201451' post='2297279']
Really depends on how many items you're planning on selling.

A single ad is £7.
[/quote]

True - but I have seen ads that include more than one item. Say, for example, someone is trying sell a full bass rig - comprising an amp and two cabinets. Would that be three items or just one? Or someone selling a load of bass body parts (bridge, pickups, scratchplate, etc). Should each individual item be listed separately?

If the answer is no, then what is to stop someone selling a range of basses and other gear all on one ad? Would that be regarded as sharp practice?

I ask purely for clarification, not trying to stir...

[Conan]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1386170569' post='2296695']
I do recall that, when the whole thing about charging for the Marketplace kicked off, one of the anti-arguments majored on how many people came to the site initially just to sell basses, then stuck around and became valued members.
[/quote]

Agreed. But my perception is that that is happening less often now. There seems to be quite a few (often non-UK) members who are selling quite a lot of gear (particularly basses) and have done for quite a long time, but have extremely post counts - implying that they don't venture out of the marketplace to get involved in discussions or share knowledge (one of the main advantages of BC IMO).

Not that I'm saying that's wrong - I just perceive that there is more of it going on now than there was. It also means that the old caveat of "beware of buying from/selling to Newbies" has to be relaxed somewhat - as there are so many newbies!

[Thunderbird]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386250871' post='2297696']
Agreed. But my perception is that that is happening less often now. There seems to be quite a few (often non-UK) members who are selling quite a lot of gear (particularly basses) and have done for quite a long time, but have extremely post counts - implying that they don't venture out of the marketplace to get involved in discussions or share knowledge (one of the main advantages of BC IMO).

Not that I'm saying that's wrong - I just perceive that there is more of it going on now than there was. It also means that the old caveat of "beware of buying from/selling to Newbies" has to be relaxed somewhat - as there are so many newbies!
[/quote] I could not agree with this more but what can you do? And if I am honest I think it is a bit of a risk buying from a Newbie with no feedback but then on the other hand people with positive feedback can also be a waste of space

[Conan]

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1386251123' post='2297701']
I think it is a bit of a risk buying from a Newbie with no feedback but then on the other hand people with positive feedback can also be a waste of space
[/quote]

I've bought from (and sold to) newbies and crusty old stalwarts ( ) and so far I have been very fortunate that all my purchases and sales have been friendly and successful. Just touching the wooden door now...

A bad experience must be a very frustrating and painful experience...

[icastle]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386250612' post='2297690']
True - but I have seen ads that include more than one item. Say, for example, someone is trying sell a full bass rig - comprising an amp and two cabinets. Would that be three items or just one? Or someone selling a load of bass body parts (bridge, pickups, scratchplate, etc). Should each individual item be listed separately?

If the answer is no, then what is to stop someone selling a range of basses and other gear all on one ad? Would that be regarded as sharp practice?

I ask purely for clarification, not trying to stir...
[/quote]

I think the answer to that one really depends on what the items are and whether someone is listing them in such a way to avoid paying advertising fees.

Of course it makes sense to advertise smaller stuff like pedals in a clump and I'd say that advertising an amp and a couple of cabs together makes perfect sense.

Listing the entire contents of your house doesn't.

The other thing to consider of course is that a big list of stuff might not stand out enough to attract a buyer who's looking for a specific item whereas a seperate listing will.

[icastle]

[quote name='Toasted' timestamp='1386173769' post='2296745']
It'd be good to get some stats.
[/quote]

How's this...

[skankdelvar]

In the absence of server stats, one could always count and compare the number of new ads placed in Basses For Sale over a fixed period before and after the introduction of fees.

I did but I'm sad like that.

[UglyDog]

[pnefc42]

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1386281219' post='2298361']
How's this...




[/quote]

Quality!

[discreet]