mattpayne11 wrote:
Love the B&S forum here, and I recommend it to so many people who don't even know it exists. I've noticed something over the past year or so, and wondering if others have noticed it too. There seems to be way more sellers than buyers now, and heaps of stuff goes unsold. Is this a sign of the economy? Something else?
Anyone else noticed this, or is it just me?
Since FM has become a GREAT place to sell your equiptment, there have been WAY more sellers(sales ONLY) than buyers.
Look at the "profiles" of many of the sellers....No photos just merchandise!
That is fine because it brings in money for Fred to keep the site "alive".
B&S used to be a place where members "unloaded" their gear to fellow members who were very pro active in photography and posting.
Scams of ALL types and forms started to become evident!
Buyers became more "aware" of who was selling what.
The prices on B&S were most times were not "fair market value". You could buy the same item from 1 of the top companies/sellers AND get at least a 90 day warranty. And just for the same or a tad more denaro.
Part of my buying and selling comes in the form of comfort. Ease of sale or buy. No "acid indigestion" worrying about the sale or buy.
I dont mind paying more if the item it get has some assurance that it works correctly!
Just some insight!
When I first joined FM, many members would ship the item and allow the buyer to "check it out" before they bought.
My 1st few lenses(500, 600mm) were bought this way. High dollar bodies also.
Not any longer unless I know the person.
The US economy is not in good shape, in my area, IMHO, despite what the politicians are telling us.
mattpayne11 wrote:
Love the B&S forum here, and I recommend it to so many people who don't even know it exists. I've noticed something over the past year or so, and wondering if others have noticed it too. There seems to be way more sellers than buyers now, and heaps of stuff goes unsold. Is this a sign of the economy? Something else?
Anyone else noticed this, or is it just me?
Since FM has become a GREAT place to sell your equiptment, there have been WAY more sellers(sales ONLY) than buyers.
Look at the "profiles" of many of the buyers....No photos just merchandise!
That is fine because it brings in money for Fred to keep the site "alive".
B&S used to be a place where members "unloaded" their gear to fellow members who were very pro active in photography and posting.
Scams of ALL types and forms started to become evident!
Buyers became more "aware" of who was selling what.
The prices on B&S were most times were not "fair market value". You could buy the same item from 1 of the top companies/sellers AND get at least a 90 day warranty. And just for the same or a tad more denaro.
Part of my buying and selling comes in the form of comfort. Ease of sale or buy. No "acid indigestion" worrying about the sale or buy.
I dont mind paying more if the item it get has some assurance that it works correctly!
Just some insight!
When I first joined FM, many members would ship the item and allow the buyer to "check it out" before they bought.
My 1st few lenses(500, 600mm) were bought this way. High dollar bodies also.
Not any longer unless I know the person.
The US economy is not in good shape, in my area, IMHO, despite what the politicians are telling us.
mattpayne11 wrote:
Love the B&S forum here, and I recommend it to so many people who don't even know it exists. I've noticed something over the past year or so, and wondering if others have noticed it too. There seems to be way more sellers than buyers now, and heaps of stuff goes unsold. Is this a sign of the economy? Something else?
Anyone else noticed this, or is it just me?
Since FM has become a GREAT place to sell your equiptment, there have been WAY more sellers(sales ONLY) than buyers.
Look at the "profiles" of many of the buyers....No photos just merchandise!
That is fine because it brings in money for Fred to keep the site "alive".
B&S used to be a place where members "unloaded" their gear to fellow members who were very pro active in photography and posting.
Scams of ALL types and forms started to become evident!
Buyers became more "aware" of who was selling what.
The prices on B&S were most times were not "fair market value". You could buy the same item from 1 of the top companies/sellers AND get at least a 90 day warranty. And just for the same or a tad more denaro.
Part of my buying and selling comes in the form of comfort. Ease of sale or buy. No "acid indigestion" worrying about the sale or buy.
I dont mind paying more if the item it get has some assurance that it works correctly!
Just some insight!
When I first joined FM, many members would ship the item and allow the buyer to "check it out" before they bought.
My 1st few lenses(500, 600mm) were bought this way. High dollar bodies also.
Not any longer unless I know the person.
The US economy is not in good shape, IMHO, despite what the politicians are telling us.
Good luck!
Dan
Sep 16, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Previous versions of Danpbphoto's message #17107527 « Buy & Sell Forum Observations »
