"WANTED" adds on Astromart

Well, my last question about Astro-physics telescopes engendered quite a lively discussion! Now let me try another (possibly controversial) topic - the use and response to "WANTED" adds on A-mart.

Since I am a relatively new user to the system, some things are clear to me:

1. This is an EXTREMELY valuable resource, and I applaud Anacortes for its availability.
2. I have only had good experiences with it.
3. The use of "time-stamped" replies to "SELL" ads helps sort out the prioriy of the selling order.

That being said, is there any such priority order for "WANTED" buyers. I often see "SELL" adds listed almost directly next to "WANTED" adds for the very same item. I don't understand that (unless the seller wants to start an auction). Is there any "unwritten" rule or system courtesy that says before you list an item for sale you should take the time to determine if anyone has an active "WANTED" add for that same item? If the seller wants to initiate an auction, I think that fact should be stated in the seller's add.

I think I know the answer to all this, and its probably no, but I thought I'd ask it anyway. If there is no such understanding, I question the value of placing a "WANTED" add at all. I have, in fact, had one positive sale that started with a "WANTED" add I placed, but in general I don't find that process very helpful, especially for very popular items. Actually I recently purchased an EP from a lister when I had an active "WANTED" add for that same item. Maybe a "WANTED" waiting list - like APs telescope waiting list - would be helpful. That's probably beyond the scope of A-marts mission, however.

Looking forward to comments. Please forgive me if this has been discussed in the past. I could find no similar topics in the archives. Perhaps an email from Herb could rapidly dispell my confusion. Thanks!

John

I think the value of a Wanted ad, other than someone might just contact you and offer the wanted product, is that it may prompt someone to post an item for sale that otherwise might go un-offered.

Well, there might be another factor, and that is location. For an eyepiece or such, this probably doesn't matter. But for a big, expensive scope, I'd much prefer one that was within driving distance so I could a) check it out, and b) save on shipping and possible shipping damage. If I were looking for, say, a $3000 scope, I'd personally be very very reluctant to buy it from someone I'd never heard of before all the way across the country, in spite of good feedback. (I know, I seem to be nearly alone in this feeling.) But if that scope were, say, 200 miles away, I'd drive that far on a day off to check it out if I were really interested. This would be especially true on a large, heavy scope that would be difficult and expensive to ship, and also to return if the seller agreed to such.

So if I wanted such an item, I might post a "Wanted" ad even though I saw a couple for sale, if they were 2000 miles away or whatever. Of course, I'd explain that in the ad.

Want Ads RULE!!!

Thanks to Astromart and other online astro-classified websites I was able to solicit my desire to buy peoples' UO
Widescan eyepieces. I thought there were no more out there at times as my want ads went unanswered. Then I tried a really wacky one and got my eyepiece! Now, thanks to want ad placing, persistence, generosity of the host websites, and buyers who were willing to answer my calls of desperation I have this binoviewer set of UO and Unitron Widescans. The ultimate most fulfilling accomplishment of my LIFE!!!

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