THE FOR SALE SECTION: Why are we all trying to rip each other off?

[Chris Jordan]

Now I know that is a VERY general title, and obviously not everyone here acts in such a way. But I have contacted so many people with a part I need that they have for sale, and they are asking double for it. Why do we need to take advantage? From one RED brother to another, wouldn't you want to help one out in being able to use their camera?

Good business brings return customers, new and dear friends, and great word of mouth. I bought a scarlet. I have had it for a while ( like most ) and not been able to use it at all. I am a realist. I know that "that's what you get when you buy RED.." That is not my issue here. I have found numerous side handles, redmotes, and touch's for sale on here. Almost every person I have dealt with (EXCEPT for Chris G, He charged me ACTUAL cost plus shipping) has wanted to charge double or MORE for their part. I ask them if they could just make a few hundred for profit, but they say " Nah man, That's the price. Period."

Some of these people had more than one of each item. I understand making a profit too, but double? Doesn't seem honest to me. You'd hope we can help each other out ( which many of us do) by throwin some love out to other RED owners, while also building a better community.. ( Our community is somewhat of a joke to other communities, do to this elitist mentality)

[David Collard]

At the same time I've seen recent "for sale" prices a lot lower than retail.

Unless you have a relationship with someone, people tend to use others with a promise of a favour
returned in the future, so in that respect you can't blame someone from wanting to profit now.
But hey, in a few months Red's capacity will be improved and those charging too much will be
forced to sell lower than retail to get a sale.
Best wishes.

[Mike 'Fireman' Ross]

I think blatant profiteering evinces a 'bad attitude' but that's just me...

Mike

[Peter Strietmann]

I think blatant profiteering evinces a 'bad attitude' but that's just me...

Mike

+1.

[Chris Jordan]

Mike my point exactly. It speaks volumes of one's character. David, I haven't asked for a trade or favor, just that people are fair. Tacking on more than even the "new" red prices is just dishonest. I only hope no one pays the audacious requests.

[Michael Ou]

I hear ya Chris and agree completely! I would rather find other options than fall prey to unscrupulous profiteers. Folks of good character are few and far between, that's also why industry circles are so small. But great deals are out there. Don't let the bad ones discourage you.

[Dylan Macleod, CSC]

Although I agree with everything posted here and have always been "fair" in my pricing - isn't it the free market at work? If an item is not available anywhere (i.e. backordered) and you need the item now - if someone charges you double - and you are willing to pay it (because it fulfills your need at the time) then that IS what it is worth. It can't be compared to the price of the backordered item because you are being offered it "now". You are paying to get it "now". So if someone is asking for an unrealistic price - don't pay it. If you really need it and can't get it anywhere else - then that is what the item is worth.

[Scott Crawley]

I understand making a profit too, but double? Doesn't seem honest to me.

This is by no means a defense of price gouging, but this remark sounds a little naive to me. Double? You apparently have no idea what the typical markup on common everyday retail items are. I worked for an upscale women's apparel company, and markups of 400% were often seen 300% was not unusual, and 200% was downright common.

If there is a buyer and a seller who can agree on a price so be it. These are not life sustaining necessities after all, so you can't really even call it gouging.

You want something that's in short supply and high demand... That's just the kind of market a savvy business person loves to be selling in. I get it, you're impatient but you have two choices: You can wait, or pay up, that's just the way it goes.

[Chris Jordan]

Dylan, you actually are missing my point. It isn't that you can or can't charge what you want, it's why do we need to rip each other off? I am only talking extreme cases. I was willing to pay $1250 for a side handle, but someone wanted much more. They were already making a great profit, so why gouge my situation? Profiteering is wrong. I am arguing the fact that we should all be fair, and can testify that it can do so much good for anyone involved. But the "me me me" mentality always ends us alienated, not trusted, and leaves a bad taste. " yeah I got the part i needed, after so and so ripped me off... grrrrr" Or " Wow I am so grateful for so and so, they offered it to me at a fair price since I was in need, and they still made a good profit. I will be keen on buying from them again, and tell everyone i know too."

[Colin Sheldon]

Mike my point exactly. It speaks volumes of one's character. David, I haven't asked for a trade or favor, just that people are fair. Tacking on more than even the "new" red prices is just dishonest. I only hope no one pays the audacious requests.

Something is worth whatever someone else is willing to pay for it.

dis·hon·est (ds-nst)
adj.
1. Disposed to lie, cheat, defraud, or deceive.

Sorry, there is no lying, cheating, defrauding or deception going on. No one sold you a side handle and shipped you a watermelon. THAT would be dishonest and a rip off.

You admit that someone who put up the cash (and time) to order the item, and then to go through the risk of selling it deserves a degree of profit. Shouldn't they be allowed to value their time/efforts? Especially with the degree of risk involved - the moment Red is out of backorder the items will be worth 20% of new and the buyer could suffer a loss.

Red says sets the price of their items and says take it or leave it. In the used market, you just have a bunch of different people all setting the value of an item. For example, an original 5.6" LCD is listed as being $1800 at the red store, yet are going in the 400-600 range because there isn't the demand. I'm sure there are those who figured they may as well hang onto theirs because it's not worth selling, and supply decreases which levels out the price. There is a demand for side handles, so the price increases. As the price increases supply increases. Suddenly people think - hey, I could go without one for a few months and then just rebuy, maybe it is worth it to sell mine which allows someone who really wants one to get one. Price fixing tends to lead to shortages.

Now, I have nothing for sale on reduser, but as a buyer my philosophy is - if it's worth it, then buy it. If not then wait or do without.