New members

[Wullie]

I don't won't to mention anyone, but over the last few months there seems to be a few new members , who i get the feeling are not really collectors, but have come across this forum or whatever, thinking to themselves that they can make some money out of the hobby, it's a piece of piss buying and selling. I'm afraid they could end up dissapointed as experianced collectors and dealers who have been in the hobby for years will them that it is not easy. A few months back, i had the misfortune to come across a guy who admitted he new nothing , but was buying items worth £100s becuase they were an "investment" and the tosser was upset because the 1940s cup final i sold him was in good condition. All i'm saying is if you only thinking of making money, forget it. The programme market makes no sense whatsoever. What sells for £400 one week will fetch £1000 the next and £200 the week after.

[martino]

I am not sure exactly what Wullie's point is.

If it is that there is no point in dealing as prices fluctuate or that not all items offered will sell then, if everyone felt like this, there would not be any dealers! As a part-time "dealer" I agree that prices fluctuate and not all items will sell but football programmes / memorabilia is no different to other forms of collecting / commodity. I am sure that most dealers understand and accept this point.

If his point is that he does not want "dealers" on this website then why does the website functionality include market place, wants lists and forums for the offering of programmes / memorbilia? As long as people can successfully offer and sell on this website then what is the problem? If they do not sell then surely they will drift away.

As Craig has said elsewhere, this valuable website has developed since day one, is still evolving and, hopefully it will continue to evolve around what the members want. Hopefully the ability to offer items for sale will continue to be part of the functionality offered.

M

[silkman1]

As Martino rightly says this can apply to any dealing in any commodity.

I too am failing to understand Wullies point - maybe he can re post?

[Wullie]

sorry , i didn't make myself clear. Anyone is free to sell here or else were, good luck to them, i am happy to see people offer programmes on the forum. Just one or two people have come into the hobby and when they have found out it is not easy money , they have become rude and bolshy. Maybe no other members have had experience of this behaviour, and everyone is most helpful with impeccable manners so a pretty pointless thread then

[paulo]

Wullie,

I think I know what you mean. I joined right at the start and everyone seemed to be in it together and we all seemed to try and help each other out. In recent months I have noticed that some people pounce on every thread to try and sell their stuff, esp dealers who have signed up.

I have also has 3/4 purchases lately where items have been described as mint and when they have turned up they have just been rubbish.

I, for the moment have stopped buying from fellow members as I cant trust people not to just disappear when I try and resolve an issue.

Please note I do not put any blame with Craig for this as its all beyong his control.

Hopefully I may do a few good trades again soon and my faith will be restored. Esp as some people on here are fanatastic and have sorted me out with ticket stubs etc for free!

[Rocky]

Wullie wrote:

I don't won't to mention anyone, but over the last few months there seems to be a few new members , who i get the feeling are not really collectors, but have come across this forum or whatever, thinking to themselves that they can make some money out of the hobby.

There are currently 1,567 members on the forum and 1,026 have made 3 posts or less including 632 who have made no contribution at all. Do you think the majority of those members who have posted 1-3 times have used it for a free advert / valuation?

Personally I think a few new members join the forum just to use it as a free advert. It’s cheaper than listing lots on Ebay or in Programme Monthly. Others think they may have an unusual or rare programme and ask for, in effect, a free valuation. Chancers?

[Wullie]

I don't mind helping people trying to find out a valuation of an item, but there does seem a general rudness with one or two.

[holtie96]

I think we may be losing sight of the nature of the post.
It refers I believe to people who are purely out to grab a quick profit on stuff or chancing their arm. There is nothing wrong with this as long as people are honest, polite and reliable. Unfortunately this hasn't been the case with some new members. However pleased to say that the vast majority of people on this site are reliable, honest and polite. I would however encourage people to report in confidence to Craig anyone who is openly rude, aggressive or dishonest.
I appreciate Craig can't police this site but I know from experience that he will listen and also regular contributors are very good at warning others should problems arise.
Stay positive everyone and enjoy this great hobby and super website.

[mancitymark]

The ££ chasers have been here a while I'm afraid !!
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[Wulfrunian]

mancitymark wrote:

The ££ chasers have been here a while I'm afraid !!

Are we still talking about the site or your club?
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[ToffeeDan]

On this subject how do you set up a mini-store?

[Kickoff3pm]

Sorry to say I think some people on here are away with the fairies. They seem to think the is some kind of blood brotherhood amongst collectors. And this "All togetherness" means they won't rip them off or sell them something for more then they could get it if they waited. The is no such thing here or anywhere else outside your nearest cult champ. The is and always has been as far as I know, many dealers on here who don't show their true colours and act as your friendly noughbourhood collector.

The market is cruel at times but if you are a dealer you learn quickly to roll with the punches and build a long term outlook. For example I was buying stuff five years ago that I knew I could sell for profit, well not decent profit. I was forecast the market and maybe lost more then I won but in this game you don't lose untill you let the items go.

I think the days of Alan Sugar types are over, well in this game - I mean you have a few hundred, buy and sell, then buy more and repeat and repeat. Problem is currently by the time you sell your few load the prices have dropped and so it's like king midas in reverse.

I wish anyone setting up all the best, we need more sellers, all I would say is don't expect to make a living at it and don't hurt anyone on your way. But it's not all sellers that give problems, look at this I went though the other week;

Buyer on 21st "ordered 16th please tell me when i can expect them asap" (ed 16th was a Friday).

Big Notice on front page, product page and order form - next shipping date is 26th due to holiday etc etc

Order sent on 27th in fact to Ireland.

Buyer on 30th 5.18pm "ive arranged with a national paper to visit me next week to do the story on how you took money off a disabled/housebound man and did not send item ill also do a story on twitter/facebook starting next thursday unless my money is returned im going to show british people the way your company treat disabled people i wont send anymore emails i want return of my money by thursday or i go ahead with this action"

Should get there it was sent etc etc

Buyer on 30th 6.25pm "your email has been passed to the press and accusing me of fraud well you took my money yes my money you will read your story in press as others will do what is it when people take others money"


Should get there it was sent etc etc

Buyer on 30th 6.41 "your order was recieved 5 mins ago it was delivered to 44 XXXXX street the person living there just left it up the postman left it in his garden as he was at work no 34 is on parcel ok so mistake made by royal mail lucky the person is honest i take back my comments in last email this will be the end of this problem as far as im concerned i wont buy off you again for both our sakes thankyou"

Feel free to order again

[mancitymark]

Wulfrunian wrote:

mancitymark wrote: The ££ chasers have been here a while I'm afraid !! Are we still talking about the site or your club?

As club at home the fans are not suffering because of the money our owners have pumped in - But when we go away we suffer as we are and always have been a well supported club and even more so now - Just about everything at an away day is priced up from tickets to tomato sauce !!!

While 4 tickets for Tuesday’s home Champions League game has cost me £80 - Just £11 cheaper for one ticket at some away days
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Every Man Needs A Hobby