The Sales and Trades section is DEAD!

[Jason1145 4683]

Last time I was active in this forum 5 years ago there was  atleast 2-3 sales posts per day, we were spoilt for choice, I remember buying lots through this forum…. What’s happened to it?

I’ve noticed the quantity of listings are much reduced in number, has everyone decided to hoarde their collections now and not sell as much stuff? ( can’t blame them!)

 

[Kowalski86 4082]

I used to post WTBs, but all that I'd ever get were scammers, new accounts with no points.

And what few items I've tried to sell never got any hits, so it goes to an auction site.

[Gebbly 772]

There have been one or 2 scammers responding to wanted ads. I wonder if that has put people off using the forum to sell.

[speedy_w_beans 4279]

Shipping costs have been a pain point.  It's almost better to advertise locally and remain patient.

[Grastens 2802]

It also looks like there is a disconnect between the sellers and buyers, as if each was a different market. There are ads for overpriced brand-new chassis and miscellaneous parts while everybody wants cheap runners or rare items... There is very little reconciliation between the two groups, and I feel that is indicative of the dynamic on this forum, including the transactions that do not end up getting listed here.

However, the state of international shipping is definitely the more intelligent answer.

[Willy iine 18826]

5 hours ago, Jason1145 said:

Last time I was active in this forum 5 years ago there was  atleast 2-3 sales posts per day, we were spoilt for choice, I remember buying lots through this forum…. What’s happened to it?

I’ve noticed the quantity of listings are much reduced in number, has everyone decided to hoarde their collections now and not sell as much stuff? ( can’t blame them!)

 

Yep.. 

 

 

 

[Jason1145 4683]

3 hours ago, Willy iine said:

Yep.. 

 

 

 

I found him!

Theres me trying to decide what colour to paint my Mini Cooper shell and you’ve done it in all colours 😂

[sosidge 667]

This is a small audience. Most ads are now on Facebook (a lot of which are very optimistically priced), or on eBay (which has far fewer listings these days, BIN listings are usually optimistic, but at least you still have a handful of people using auctions).

A lot depends on seller motivation. If they don't really need to sell, they won't be too bothered about dropping prices.

There was a big boom during lockdown, but the economy is not going in a good direction right now. Having said that, most vintage RC enthusiasts are older and are more protected from interest rates etc. than younger people.

Anyway I'm rambling - if you want to buy go on Facebook or eBay. If you want a bargain, you will have to keep your eyes open because a lot of people are looking for the same.

[Juls1 1716]

To be honest I never think to look on this website. 
 

the few times I have, items are not what I’m looking for and often have little information and either poor pics or no pics. 
 

I tried selling items too, doesn’t seem to be very many views. 
 

personally I have 0 interest in Facebook. So it’s just eBay and buyee for me. 

[Gebbly 772]

1 hour ago, Juls1 said:

So it’s just eBay and buyee for me. 

I'm a Facebook refuse-nik too. Never had an account and never will. So if I want to search for discontinued or 2nd-hand stuff I try ebay but I'm finding there are more and more scammers there

[futureworks 902]

I think the forum has always tended to be good for requests for small parts, like bits off a parts tree, basically stuff you can’t buy on their own or are vintage and hard to find. I’ve occasionally bought the odd kit when it’s been listed here, but haven’t used it to sell parts and kits for years given, as mentioned already, that it’s a relatively small audience and feels a more random and less likely to yield a sale than using the likes of eBay. I really value that part of the forum though just because of the level of help I’ve had from other members over the years in obtaining hard to find bits and pieces. I’ve also helped a fair few myself when wanted ads have matched things I’ve got spare. So I wouldn’t say it’s dead, perhaps more focussed or specific in how it gets used these days.

[bRIBEGuy 3376]

Others have already posted the same thoughts, but I'll mirror them here in my own words as well:

1. I think the hobby (and I know definitely myself...) goes through buy/hold/purge cycles.  We definitely saw a huge "buy cycle" during the whole covid thingy, so right now I think a lot of people are in the "hold" cycle.  This keeps perceived values high, which is combination with the economic climate (financially), makes for a pretty poor time for "buyers".
2. Shipping shipping shipping.  Oh dear sweet god.... shipping.  I've had 2-3 kits on the site I've looked to buy in the past few months from within Canada or the USA, and something that would have cost $25-$50 in shipping only a few years ago, is now more than doubled.  Buying a $150 car to spend the same on shipping makes zero sense.  The same then goes for selling... I have a few cars and a bunch of parts I'm likely looking to part ways with... but there is almost no point listing them as the shipping cost from Canada will be such a deterrent to anyone not within 100km of me.

[lentner3 328]

I’m going with the hoarding theory.

makes me feel better 😂