[hooha]

it's 'broken', on the to-do list to fix....

 

[pawslover]

4. Descriptions should be as complete as possible. Include such things as the number of stems per bunch, the size of the patch. Including the size of the plants is recommended.

Any chance of modifying this guideline to include seller's tank parameters? I know I would find it helpful if seller's included their conditions when listing items for sale. Since all of my tanks are low tech, I have better luck purchasing from similar set-ups than acclimating plants from drastically different conditions. It's nice to know if the plants are used to high light, CO2 and dosing schedules or not. Maybe other buyers would find that useful as well. It would save users a little time on trying to verify that info before committing to buying.

 

[AaronT]

Any chance of modifying this guideline to include seller's tank parameters? I know I would find it helpful if seller's included their conditions when listing items for sale. Since all of my tanks are low tech, I have better luck purchasing from similar set-ups than acclimating plants from drastically different conditions. It's nice to know if the plants are used to high light, CO2 and dosing schedules or not. Maybe other buyers would find that useful as well. It would save users a little time on trying to verify that info before committing to buying.

While a good suggestion, I'm not sure we can require that sellers add this information to their ads. We do have the Plant Finder that should allow buyers to do research on most of the plants listed in the For Sale forum to help them make informed purchases. Of course, everyone here at APC is usually more than willing to help out as well.

 

[MacFan]

I don't want to call anyone out specifically, but it should be noted that Paypal prohibits the addition of a surcharge for accepting Paypal:

From the Paypal User Agreement:
4.6 No Surcharges. You agree that you will not impose a surcharge or any other fee for accepting PayPal as a payment method. You may charge a handling fee in connection with the sale of goods or services, as long as the handling fee does not operate as a surcharge and is not higher than the handling fee you charge for non-PayPal transactions.

From the Paypal FAQ:
PayPal is designed to be free for buyers. PayPal believes that surcharging for PayPal payments can harm the vibrancy of the marketplace by causing buyer confusion and complicating the transaction process.


I agree, fees suck, but Paypal increases the likelihood I will buy because I don't want the hassle of getting and mailing a money order, and as a seller it means more people will buy, I will get paid immediately, and I don't have to keep fresh plant cuttings alive somewhere while waiting for a money order to arrive.

Increase your price a dollar or two if you must, but otherwise, don't ask buyers to pay extra to use a service that really makes this whole online plant trading thing practical.

Michael

 

[smackpixi]

On the WTB issue mentioned above.

Only people with 25 posts can start new threads cause you want to limit ignorance and flaunting of the rules by dubious sellers. Which is great. Was noticed that this prevents buyers from posting want to buy threads. Was stated that it's a side effect of the rule, oh well (more or less).

This would seem easy to resolve my simply setting up a separate WTB area. Would also separate two different desires...buyers would troll the selling area, sellers the buying area.

I realize that you don't want to turn the forums into an auction site, something better for buyers might be nice.

I'm a prospective buyer of plants, won't be for a month, so i have time to establish myself, get my 25 post and not worry about this...however, i feel like this is a pretty practical forum...as a noob to planted tanks, i have little to offer in suggestions, and could really become annoying with questions and lack the personality to say "oh pretty tank" in a worthless post.

but would still like to post a wtb thread. something on the order of a noobs desire, "fill my 55 gal with anything for under 50 bucks".

considering that many of the sellers are senior members, your main and valued members, and often, to my eyes see their selling offers passed by, they may relish the opportunity to drop a bunch of prunings for a small profit. On something they'd otherwise throw away.

Yes, I know, anyone can buy as it is. Seller has to be motivated to sell though. Where as, a buyer's forum, which naturally consists generally of more noobish types, can provide an outlet for excess plants one's about to toss.

Just saying.

 

[AaronT]

On the WTB issue mentioned above.

Only people with 25 posts can start new threads cause you want to limit ignorance and flaunting of the rules by dubious sellers. Which is great. Was noticed that this prevents buyers from posting want to buy threads. Was stated that it's a side effect of the rule, oh well (more or less).

This would seem easy to resolve my simply setting up a separate WTB area. Would also separate two different desires...buyers would troll the selling area, sellers the buying area.

I realize that you don't want to turn the forums into an auction site, something better for buyers might be nice.

I'm a prospective buyer of plants, won't be for a month, so i have time to establish myself, get my 25 post and not worry about this...however, i feel like this is a pretty practical forum...as a noob to planted tanks, i have little to offer in suggestions, and could really become annoying with questions and lack the personality to say "oh pretty tank" in a worthless post.

but would still like to post a wtb thread. something on the order of a noobs desire, "fill my 55 gal with anything for under 50 bucks".

considering that many of the sellers are senior members, your main and valued members, and often, to my eyes see their selling offers passed by, they may relish the opportunity to drop a bunch of prunings for a small profit. On something they'd otherwise throw away.

Yes, I know, anyone can buy as it is. Seller has to be motivated to sell though. Where as, a buyer's forum, which naturally consists generally of more noobish types, can provide an outlet for excess plants one's about to toss.

Just saying.

This option was actually discussed, but eventually voted against in the interest of keeping the forum as streamlined and clutter free as possible. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[ropate]

is there a forum for Australian based members in For sale and trade section?

 

[hooha]

no...not yet

What I'd suggest is placing a suggestion in the Site Feedback forum, and getting more Aussie members to post. If there's enough interest we may be able to accomodate.....

 

[ropate]

thanks!! will do

 

[[email protected]]

Dear Moderator,

I have recently joined APC and made a couple of purchase.

The package in my last purchase seemed lost at destination USPS office.
(The tracking suggests arrival at destination USPS office but was not delivered to me)
Right now, the carrier's supervisor at USPS office is make an inquiry to it.
Since there is no insurance, there is nothing we can do about it.

I, as a buyer, have already paid in full.

Could you tell me who should take responsibility of this lost on the way ?
Buyer or seller or both ?

Right now, I took the lost completely.
Thanks.
cj

 

[AaronT]

Dear Moderator,

I have recently joined APC and made a couple of purchase.

The package in my last purchase seemed lost at destination USPS office.
(The tracking suggests arrival at destination USPS office but was not delivered to me)
Right now, the carrier's supervisor at USPS office is make an inquiry to it.
Since there is no insurance, there is nothing we can do about it.

I, as a buyer, have already paid in full.

Could you tell me who should take responsibility of this lost on the way ?
Buyer or seller or both ?

Right now, I took the lost completely.
Thanks.
cj

Sorry to hear about your troubles. As the rules state APC doesn't mediate sales in any capacity. Your best bet is to try to resolve this peacefully with the seller and use the trader feedback system accordingly.

9. Communicate, communicate, communicate! By simply keeping the other party to the transaction updated on timing and shipping method (i.e., tracking number) most of the problems experienced in transactions could be avoided.

While APC facilitates sales between members, we DO NOT endorse either the buyer or the seller. All disputes must be handled by the parties to the transaction. APC and its staff will not be held liable for anything related to the transaction. APC WILL NOT mediate on behalf of any party to the transaction.

 

[geneyoonit]

You can post that you want to buy(wtb) plants or equipment. A person with less than 25 posts cannot sell only, buying or trading is perfectly acceptable.

Welsome to APC!

ah ic.. i was wondering the same thing... because the rules said "post"

possibly changing the rules to "cannot make NEW THREADS" might be a more specific way of avoiding confusion... XD

 

[shark1505]

So I can buy plants with less than 25? And can someone take me through iTrader?

 

[ashappard]

yes, you can certainly buy without 25 posts.

itrader :

to the left of a post - in the area where the poster's avatar/post count etc. sits, you will see some text saying 'iTrader Ratings' with a number beside it. Thats the number of feedbacks the user has received. It is also a hyperlink into the itrader system, specific to that user. Click it when you have completed a transaction with a buyer or seller, and you will see another hyperlink saying 'Submit feedback for <username>'. Click that, fill out the form, and submit.

feel free to ask questions if needed, and iTrader can also be used to see how a seller or buyers feedback look before you deal with them.

 

[Cavan Allen]

Please note that rule #14 includes cameras. It's really stretching it as far as aquarium related and we feel it would be best if they were not offered here.

 

[ashappard]

group buy policy

after some discussion, we have implemented a group buy policy as rule #15

15. Group Buy Policy :
The group buy is a tool of hobbyists dating back many years as a way for the community to take advantage of lower costs associated with volume purchase. But how to differentiate the group buy from reselling?

Here are APC's guidelines:

In a true group buy, all original purchase information is public. The organizer will publicly inform all takers what the cost is for a given volume and must also identify the source. A link/contact information to the source must be provided for original price confirmation.

The intent of a group buy is not to make a profit, but to share the benefit of volume discount with the community. By making all original purchase information transparent, it is obvious how much is spent and whether profit is being made. Reasonable shipping costs are understandable when distributing the goods to participants, but the idea is to pass on a product without making a profit.

If it is not possible to share this information, then reselling is assumed. In a reselling effort, the upfront cost and source of the product are private. There may or may not be a profit, nobody knows. Any post suspected to be reselling will be treated as such; reselling on APC is for sponsors only. Keep in mind that APC will maintain its neutrality in all sales transactions. Buyer beware, negotiate disputes politely and effectively.