UHH Trolls: Maybe I’m just too optimistic for my own good. I recently posted a buy/sell on a canon lens 24-105. When someone asked for a clarification on my post, others joined in to...

tommymac Loc: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Maybe I’m just too optimistic for my own good. I recently posted a buy/sell on a canon lens 24-105. When someone asked for a clarification on my post, others joined in to vilify or defend the inquiry. The sell/buy post basically was hijacked by two trolls delighting in dissing each other. The editors need to police this blog or risk losing those solely interested in improving their photographic skills. There are many great contributors and immense resources available to members, but the trolls need to go.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Did you report them?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

tommymac wrote:

Maybe I’m just too optimistic for my own good. I r... (show quote)

Sad but true on UHH.It happened to me about pricing recently on a lens. People came to my defense and attacked the trolls.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Looks like ADMIN cleaned it up.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

There’s nothing much more irritating than some idiot who trashes a buy/sell/trade post by announcing that the item can be found cheaper elsewhere or some other such crap. If you’re not interested in buying the item or don’t have something helpful to say, please don’t post on the seller’s thread.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

There’s nothing much more irritating than some idiot who trashes a buy/sell/trade post by announcing that the item can be found cheaper elsewhere or some other such crap. If you’re not interested in buying the item or don’t have something helpful to say, please don’t post on the seller’s thread.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

TriX wrote:

There’s nothing much more irritating than some idiot who trashes a buy/sell/trade post by announcing that the item can be found cheaper elsewhere or some other such crap. If you’re not interested in buying the item or don’t have something helpful to say, please don’t post on the seller’s thread.

I'm with you 1,000% on that. About the only time I chime in on a seller's post is if it's a great price or if I have the item and love it. Then I might respond to that effect to support the OP.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

tommymac wrote:

Maybe I’m just too optimistic for my own good. I r... (show quote)

It's the Internet, been like this since it's inception in the '70s.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A few thoughts,

1. It takes a lot of patience to deal with trolls.

2. Ignore all their posts and never acknowledge them. They're the type of troll that lives on your outrage. Don't feed them a response and they'll have nothing to respond to / escalate against.

3. It takes a lot of patience to deal with trolls.

4. Use the PM or Report link to message to ADMIN and ask them to clean-up / remove the nonsense posts. Usually successful and silent.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

It's the Internet, been like this since it's inception in the '70s.

And before that it was CB Radio, The 'Redneck Internet'.
Sad part about this issue is that one of the those that got sucked in was desperately defending the OP.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

It's the Internet, been like this since it's inception in the '70s.

Their computer screen is a shield they hide behind,
untouched by courtesy and conscious,
extending their petulance over great distances,
expecting little reprisal and feeling accomplished.
Sad.

tommymac Loc: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Thanks. Spot on, as usual. Your posts are always informative and respectful.

rcarol

TriX wrote:

There’s nothing much more irritating than some idiot who trashes a buy/sell/trade post by announcing that the item can be found cheaper elsewhere or some other such crap. If you’re not interested in buying the item or don’t have something helpful to say, please don’t post on the seller’s thread.

I understand what you are saying but if I observe that an item is overpriced don't I have an obligation to both the seller and potential buyer of the situation? As an example, a seller may price a Version 1 of a particular lens at the market price of a Version II lens. And furthermore, he may have done so unintentionally. I think that this should be pointed out so that everybody is on the same playing field. I think this can be done through a PM to the seller.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

Longshadow wrote:

Their computer screen is a shield they hide behind,
untouched by courtesy and conscious,
extending their petulance over great distances,
expecting little reprisal and feeling accomplished.
Sad.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

rcarol wrote:

I understand what you are saying but if I observe that an item is overpriced don't I have an obligation to both the seller and potential buyer of the situation? As an example, a seller may price a Version 1 of a particular lens at the market price of a Version II lens. And furthermore, he may have done so unintentionally. I think that this should be pointed out so that everybody is on the same playing field. I think this can be done through a PM to the seller.

No, you absolutely do not have an “obligation” to play price police. You are not selling the item, and unless you are buying, it is really none of your business. (Sorry to be blunt, but that’s the case). Try to put yourself in the seller’s place - would you appreciate it?. You don’t know his circumstances, how much he has invested, or typically the details of the condition. And, without a ton of careful research, you don’t really know all those things about the competitive product/price. If the price is uncompetitive, the market (or lack thereof) will inform the seller, no need for an external critique or a spoiler. If you want to PM the seller to be helpful, then go for it, but it shouldn’t be posted on the thread (in my opinion).

Imagine selling your house. You have a ton of money invested and you have done tens of thousands in unseen upgrades to the structure and utilities. It’s been on the market for awhile, and you are hurting. You finally have a potential buyer, and while you are showing the house, a neighbor walks in and points out that there is a better deal down the street (he really does not know details about the condition). What would your reaction be?