POLL: Should......................................

[Husky]

Visibility of consistent pricing & advice is key to the best deals/buys in the club

 

OR

 

Traders have a right to give private advice & keep their pricing to themselves

 

 

what's the public opinion on this one?

PS: Please don't degenerate into a war and get the thread locked, sensible comments are good though

[andlid]

Visibility of consistent pricing & advice is key to the best deals/buys in the club

 

That better for members and if advice is given it should be public since it then makes it easy for others to see what they might need to do etc...also it's then public and people can comment on it etc... it's all good. Closed bankers doors aint.

 

[UNABASHED]

I've voted that it should be public, although I do not see this a a rule to be enforced as a trader should be able to do it how they see fit.

 

I just see it as a logical thing really. I know it annoys me asking traders for prices even though there is another 4 replies telling others 'you have PM' = leads to you thinking what deal everyone is getting!

[martinmac]

Remember that lost of prices will vary due to exchange rates. For example if Adam quoted a price including delivery there are lots of variables involved.

 

I agree that it would be great if there were definitive prices posted up on here and welcome traders viewpoints but I doubt it would work.

 

Another example is bulk buying, the volume influences the price If a trader buys a dozen units they will get a price for that. When they are sold and i want one they may order one which will be more expensive. I dont think we can expect traders to outlay thousands of pounds to carry stock with the vast range of bits we may want.

[UNABASHED]

I agree there are issues when exchange rates are involved, but surely the best option there is to list the item in dollars or euros or whatever and state that the price could vary due to exchange rates? At least then the potential buyer can have a rough idea of the costs when camparing different places for the best price

[Husky]

true mart, i suppose this is the "what the public want" thing.

No taxes, free beer, lapdances at work. We can dream

[andlid]

41 views and only 5 votes... like an election... ffs

[marzman]

For me, im more of a bargain spotter than setting my sights on a particular item, so when the actual price isnt listed then i'll simply disregard the item, assuming it's gonna be too expensive for me!

 

However, if i knew a set of wheels i liked was £1200 for example, i would then have the target in my mind of how much i needed.

 

I understand why they dont show prices, but it really winds me up. Also, i'll never PM a trader to ask for a price, as 99% of the time i wont want the item, and i'll feel like im wasting their time.

[mc]

I think the prices should be visible and not by pm, I appreciate the traders may have varying stock levels and prices, but they could say (as some do) I have xx in stock at £yy.

 

A lot of advice could be done publically too - it helps everyone, and I doubt that anyone would really lose business through giving away a few tips/tricks?

[Roo]

Transparency breeds trust. Why hide the price? I understand prices change sometimes and individuals can negotiate bulk/special discounts but on the whole i would have thought its better to to give a baseline price.

[martinmac]

So if I was deciding the price to put on a website i would err on the side of caution and add a bit to make sure I would be safe. I personally voted for advertising the prices but I am thinking that the realistic way of doing this is by word of mouth.

 

Wanted XXX wheels. I would try ^^^ mate, they did me a great deal.

[Vik54]

I think that wherever possible prices for stock items are made available publicly and updated regularly.

Specialist and second hand parts are always going to vary depending on where they're sourced from and what condition they're in. Same with imported parts for the reasons already mentioned.

If one day a trader publicly identifies a price for such a part and then can't do it for same price again people will feel hard done by - either the original buyer or the new potential purchaser will be sat there thinking "well that isn't what I paid"

People really shouldn't need this spelt out for them. This is a niche market and everyone is free to shop around. Problem is forum makes people lazy - they expect everything to be at their fingertips.

I think you need to add a third option to the poll John to reflect this scenario

[marzman]

I think that wherever possible prices for stock items are made available publicly and updated regularly.

Specialist and second hand parts are always going to vary depending on where they're sourced from and what condition they're in. Same with imported parts for the reasons already mentioned.

If one day a trader publicly identifies a price for such a part and then can't do it for same price again people will feel hard done by - either the original buyer or the new potential purchaser will be sat there thinking "well that isn't what I paid"

People really shouldn't need this spelt out for them. This is a niche market and everyone is free to shop around. Problem is forum makes people lazy - they expect everything to be at their fingertips.

I think you need to add a third option to the poll John to reflect this scenario

 

But how much business is lost by not advertising prices? I personally assume if the price isnt listed, it's more than i can afford. I dont want to waste the traders time inquiring.

 

A ballpark figure would be good... i.e. 'These wheels will cost £1200 - £1300 depending on exchange rates etc. If prices change significantly, we will let you know.'

 

I cant see prices fluctuating so much that it's outside of the ballpark figure. I dont always know if an item is going to be £1200, or £2200, so the ballpark would promote business as far as im concerned.

[Vik54]

I think that wherever possible prices for stock items are made available publicly and updated regularly.

Specialist and second hand parts are always going to vary depending on where they're sourced from and what condition they're in. Same with imported parts for the reasons already mentioned.

If one day a trader publicly identifies a price for such a part and then can't do it for same price again people will feel hard done by - either the original buyer or the new potential purchaser will be sat there thinking "well that isn't what I paid"

People really shouldn't need this spelt out for them. This is a niche market and everyone is free to shop around. Problem is forum makes people lazy - they expect everything to be at their fingertips.

I think you need to add a third option to the poll John to reflect this scenario

 

But how much business is lost by not advertising prices? I personally assume if the price isnt listed, it's more than i can afford. I dont want to waste the traders time inquiring.

 

A ballpark figure would be good... i.e. 'These wheels will cost £1200 - £1300 depending on exchange rates etc. If prices change significantly, we will let you know.'

 

I cant see prices fluctuating so much that it's outside of the ballpark figure. I dont always know if an item is going to be £1200, or £2200, so the ballpark would promote business as far as im concerned.

 

I agree that's easily done for imported goods but not so for second hand and specialist/limited edition parts

[marzman]

I think that wherever possible prices for stock items are made available publicly and updated regularly.

Specialist and second hand parts are always going to vary depending on where they're sourced from and what condition they're in. Same with imported parts for the reasons already mentioned.

If one day a trader publicly identifies a price for such a part and then can't do it for same price again people will feel hard done by - either the original buyer or the new potential purchaser will be sat there thinking "well that isn't what I paid"

People really shouldn't need this spelt out for them. This is a niche market and everyone is free to shop around. Problem is forum makes people lazy - they expect everything to be at their fingertips.

I think you need to add a third option to the poll John to reflect this scenario

 

But how much business is lost by not advertising prices? I personally assume if the price isnt listed, it's more than i can afford. I dont want to waste the traders time inquiring.

 

A ballpark figure would be good... i.e. 'These wheels will cost £1200 - £1300 depending on exchange rates etc. If prices change significantly, we will let you know.'

 

I cant see prices fluctuating so much that it's outside of the ballpark figure. I dont always know if an item is going to be £1200, or £2200, so the ballpark would promote business as far as im concerned.

 

I agree that's easily done for imported goods but not so for second hand and specialist/limited edition parts

 

 

Agree on specialist/iported stuff... ...but then i wouldnt be buying these anyway cos they're too expensive

[rtbiscuit]

with international traders, or those that trade with parts from abroad i.e. the states why not quote the price in $ or euros etc but add ex shipping, as to be honest shipping is the only variable unless people are being cut deals on the side?

 

or add a note that item is available via group buy giving a % and then minimum number needed to achieve this price.

 

at the end of the day what ever is set out, some traders will still deal via pm

[Andy]

As a UK trader, I always try and put prices up such as on my spacers and Dodo Juice products. I personally feel that the price is then out there, people can make an informed decision knowing that they are paying the same price as everyone else on the forum so don't feel they might have got a worse deal than others. I can appreciate that this can't and won't work for every product and every trader out there though.

 

Just my 2p's worth though.

[andlid]

As a UK trader, I always try and put prices up such as on my spacers and Dodo Juice products. I personally feel that the price is then out there, people can make an informed decision knowing that they are paying the same price as everyone else on the forum so don't feel they might have got a worse deal than others. I can appreciate that this can't and won't work for every product and every trader out there though.

 

Just my 2p's worth though.

KUdos

 

ALso worth saying that nobody in here go to the supermarket buying goods without price on them... or do you? Get to the till and get the price whispered to you? Lol

[Bradders]

Would be nice to see prices as it personally give me more an idea of prices. I can understand traders not wanting make prices public if they are exclusice to our forum. Can no members access our trader's sections? If not, I think making the prices available to all members can only be a good thing.

 

Bradders.

[rothers2901]

Clarity is the Key. Most people have a budget in mind and will actively seek out the best prices. If i want something and the price is not stated i will automatically go to the one with the price shown and if that just happens to fall within budget i buy it. My advice to traders is, show all prices and a least get on the search list.

[rtbiscuit]

there are times when i can understand it, i know for instance R35LEE and Zamalex both do alot of car salvage, it would be unrealistic to expect them to list every part of the car going and how much; and also as its second hand the quality varies so the prices change depending on the age and quality of the part being sold, its far easier to pm them and say "I need a....." and they then pm you back.

 

i've seen traders on forums who don't really advertise; but trawl the forum and when they see someone looking for something or doing something they send a pm offering the parts.

 

i find this a little unfair on the traders who put in the effort to make things open; its almost as if its a secret club and you have to be invited to shop/deal with them. also you never know if the "secret price pm" you get is the same price everyone else is getting.

 

you never know if they do special rates for some people and not for others.

[Ekona]

Generally I don't buy stuff from traders who don't put prices up. It's nothing personal, it's me being a lazy-ass who can't be bothered to phone/PM for prices. The exception is if I'm after something specific or from abroad, and then I will make the time because it helps me out.

 

I've abstained from voting because there isn't an option that fits my opinion, which is that every trader has the right to do what they feel is appropriate for their business and shouldn't be made to do one thing or the other.

[Tarmac@TarmacSportz]

Leaving the foriegn traders aside.... If as a trader your advertising something for sale then you already have it so you know what profit you want to make right So why not advertise the price ??? Only reason you wouldnt IMO is that you may think you can make more money out of some noob that just joined the scene rather than a seasoned modder...

 

Problem is I don't really blame them, I used to do it for the last company I worked for.... A trader comes in and gets bottom end price, man off street walks in and gets 50% mark up.... Thats life guys, as a buyer you make the decision to pay the money... if you research you can find out how much things are so your not forced into the transaction...

 

I agree with most though, if price isnt advertised it puts me off straight away... When members post in the for sale section we don't say pm me for price do we

[Chilli Red]

Both Mitz (CS) and I along with other traders have websites openly showing our prices?? Lets be more specific here if you are having a rant, who are you digging at, or do you want us all to flood the forum with for sale threads and prices.

 

Sarah

[MITZ@CougarStore]

This is the sole reason why Sarah and I list our prices on our websites, but I’m more than happy listing every single item from my website on the forum with prices if it helps…