Never going to find a bargain in the For Sale section

[ScoobyStoo]

Does anyone know if there's any way to get AstroBuySell to alert you when a new advert is posted? I always forget to have a look at the site.

[astroimpulse]

I check it every 4 or 5 mins!

It's a habit now. Even if I'm not on the hunt for anything.

Just like when I go to the fridge, look inside, and close it...without getting anything!

[astro_al]

I put a "wanted ad" for an ST80 for 3 weeks - gave up the ghost - not a sausage - so I killed the ad and got a brand new one. The day it arrived two ST80's appeared in the for sale section - sometimes that's just the way it goes - ho hum.....

I had a very similar experience last month on UKABS. Nearly all of my new purchases turned up for sale used a day or two later. I had to check my 'astro cupboard' to be sure that my wife wasn't selling my gear as soon as it arrived!

[barkis]

Does anyone know if there's any way to get AstroBuySell to alert you when a new advert is posted? I always forget to have a look at the site.

Why don't you make the site your home page, you can have a quick look then move on.

Ron.

[ScoobyStoo]

Why don't you make the site your home page, you can have a quick look then move on.

Ron.

They don't even have an RSS feed or anything do they...

The advert IDs are sequential I think. If I get a moment I might knock up a quick .NET app which polls the site every minute and emails the details of any new adverts. Just need to find some dirt cheap Windows hosting to run the app.

Had a lot of help from the folks on this site in the last few weeks. Time for me to pay back a little. Would anyone else be interested in getting near instant emails? If so drop me a PM. Can't promise I'll get it up and running for a while as work's getting busy but when things die down again I'll turn my hand to it. Maybe I can poll the other second hand astro sites as well. Create a consolidated feed?

[Stephen]

I check it every 4 or 5 mins!

It's a habit now. Even if I'm not on the hunt for anything.

Just like when I go to the fridge, look inside, and close it...without getting anything!

Ditto LOL

[Tim]

I once sold a scope without it even getting onto the for sale section, just mentioned it in another thread

The popularity of the for sale section, and this very 'problem' is one of the key reasons the admin and mod team have to hold a firm position with who and what is allowed. We take a very dim view of those who are in effect traders, buying up the bargains, and then selling them on at a profit. There are plenty of places they can do that, we would rather that SGL members got a chance for some pre-loved stuff at a good price, rather than someone more interested in what he can get FOR the kit, rather than OUT of it.

[ismangil]

Does anyone know if there's any way to get AstroBuySell to alert you when a new advert is posted? I always forget to have a look at the site.

OK I am going to regret this sharing my super secret way of monitoring UK Astro Buy and Sell: use a service from followthatpage.com

It allows you to put keyword filters so for example I filter out Wanted, Sold and so on.

There, now I've lost my advantage for bagging those bargains!

[ScoobyStoo]

OK I am going to regret this sharing my super secret way of monitoring UK Astro Buy and Sell: use a service from followthatpage.com

It allows you to put keyword filters so for example I filter out Wanted, Sold and so on.

There, now I've lost my advantage for bagging those bargains!

Thanks Perry. Didn't think of that. Doh!

[Pete Presland]

I once sold a scope without it even getting onto the for sale section, just mentioned it in another thread

QUOTE]

i did the opposite and bought a scope while just chatting in the imaging section

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I just got (OK, it is on its way to me) a 17mm T4 . I had not expected to see that, let alone it still being available after a price bump. You just need to be (very) lucky and quick.

Regarding selling stuff: I have a colleague who is always interested in EPs I no longer want (he may be interested in my 14mm UWA shortly), so that is very easy for me. I just hand him the EP to test in his scope, and see if he prefers them over his own, and generally he brings over the cash next day.

[Dave R Smith]

If you think bargains go fast in SGL's buy and sell section, then the speed at which they are sold on astro buy and sell will blow you away. Mainly b

Proof, if ever needed, that SGL's 50 post and 1 month membership rule does do its job.

Cheers,

Chris

As a sub-50 newcomer I'm not sure what its job is?

In receiving advice here, it seems required budget just keeps going up, making secondhand necessary, especially for a first telescope where its a toe into unknown territory.

In the last couple of months i've read on the internet and read books until i have glazed eyes, but this wears thin, not actually be able to see the wonders through a telescope.

I don't understand why specialist retailers don't bother to have open evenings/nights to demo their wares.

By the time my 30 days are up, I may well be looking to apply the available budget to more pressing matters.

[Carbon Brush]

I recently bought a TAL200K from the 'for sale'. The rule of going for it without hesitation paid off. There were apparently 5 others interested in the next hour.

Before I had even collected, I got a pm asking for a 'heads up' if I wanted to sell.

Sorry but it is not going anywhere soon. I'm a scope hoarder!

[haitch]

By the time my 30 days are up, I may well be looking to apply the available budget to more pressing matters.

...and, if that's the case, the 30 day/50 posts rule will have saved you spending money on a whim.

Seriously though there are plenty of scopes for sale on Uk Astro Buy & Sell where you don't need to fulfill any criteria.

[cgarry]

As a sub-50 newcomer I'm not sure what its job is?

In receiving advice here, it seems required budget just keeps going up, making secondhand necessary, especially for a first telescope where its a toe into unknown territory.

In the last couple of months i've read on the internet and read books until i have glazed eyes, but this wears thin, not actually be able to see the wonders through a telescope.

I don't understand why specialist retailers don't bother to have open evenings/nights to demo their wares.

By the time my 30 days are up, I may well be looking to apply the available budget to more pressing matters.

My point was not that it is a good thing to keep beginners away from the buy and sell section. I too found it a bit frustrating during the first month/50 post period.

What I meant was that if you allow everybody access to the buy and sell section then all the 'bargains' will be snapped up by dealers who will immediately sell the kit on for a profit or put it straight on eBay. Many times I have seen bargains sell really quickly on Astro Buy & Sell just to be re-listed at a higher price shortly afterwards by the new owner.

If this were to happen here then the title of this thread would be true.

Chris

[Dave R Smith]

...and, if that's the case, the 30 day/50 posts rule will have saved you spending money on a whim.

Seriously though there are plenty of scopes for sale on Uk Astro Buy & Sell where you don't need to fulfill any criteria.

You may be right, in that it is a whim.

I've been into photography for 45+ years, video 25 years and 'TV astronomy' for probably 45+ years (I'm 53 now).

I like to do things well, and know my own aspired scope won't have images we are otherwise spoilt with, but will have the real live buzz and natural wonder.

So, yes I'm curious, but don't know if a long term hobby is on the cards, but second hand and selling later to upgrade or leave the hobby is a sensible way forward.

A house move is also on the horizon, so converting shed into obs isn't practical.. yet.

I have been monitoring astro and will continue to do so.

[haitch]

You may be right, in that it is a whim.

I've been into photography for 45+ years, video 25 years and 'TV astronomy' for probably 45+ years (I'm 53 now).

I like to do things well, and know my own aspired scope won't have images we are otherwise spoilt with, but will have the real live buzz and natural wonder.

So, yes I'm curious, but don't know if a long term hobby is on the cards, but second hand and selling later to upgrade or leave the hobby is a sensible way forward.

A house move is also on the horizon, so converting shed into obs isn't practical.. yet.

I have been monitoring astro and will continue to do so.

Must say doesn't sound like a whim though. I think the trouble is it's impossible to please everyone. We had a system before that was open to everyone and that wasn't working. Whilst the current system will obviously put new members at a disadvantage until they have done their penance it does provide a slightly more secure environment.

[Dave R Smith]

Must say doesn't sound like a whim though. I think the trouble is it's impossible to please everyone. We had a system before that was open to everyone and that wasn't working. Whilst the current system will obviously put new members at a disadvantage until they have done their penance it does provide a slightly more secure environment.

I'm a member at a video related forum where the classified section isn't used by traders, prevented I believe only by a rule, I'm not aware of admin team having any hassles in this area to preclude traders and prevent abuse.

Possibly, astronomers are more active in buying/selling second hand, so it's more of a target?

I've been wondering how many active astronomers are out there - in UK, and also how many more would likely be more active in astronomy if access was easier to newcomers.

[chris connolly]

would just like the chance to buy but still not reached 50 posts

[astroimpulse]

Just join in with any of the 100s of discussions and it will happen. *thumbs up*

[John]

One benefit of the 50 post / 1 months membership rule is that it allows a little time for newcomers to the hobby to develop an understanding, through posting questions and reading threads, of what sort of equipment might be right for them. As I'm sure those who are new to the hobby have realised, selecting scopes, eyepieces and other equipment is a complex and bewildering business. It's much better to enter the 2nd hand market place armed with a little knowledge I reckon

Personally I've bought and sold many, many times on the UK Astro Buy & Sell website and I've never had a problem with a transaction. Quality equipment does move very quickly though - I advertised 3 Nagler eyepieces at decent prices (around 70% of their new price) there last year and sold them all within 30 mins

Do as much research as you can before you start to purchase though - then you can quickly spot the good buys and spring into action !

[astroimpulse]

Yet more very wise words from Mr jahmanson :)

Couldn't put it better.

[Dave R Smith]

One benefit of the 50 post / 1 months membership rule is that it allows a little time for newcomers to the hobby to develop an understanding, through posting questions and reading threads, of what sort of equipment might be right for them. !

Every time I logon to SGL, my over-riding thought is 'This is the place where 'Admin' think I'm a potential dishonest devious person, guilty of being a trader, a nasty person who promptly pays a seller what he/she is asking for.

The 50/1 month rule is OTT and insulting to each newcomer.

In life do you meet and greet everyone with the same approach?

In wouldn't be a very nice world if everyone adopted this SGL policy.

I thought perhaps it was a sponsor rule to ensure newcomer sales go there way, as directed by some threads.

OK, I'm guessing that isn't true, but that's turning the tables. Suspicion of doing something you are innocent of isn't very nice.

In law, you are innocent until proven guilty.

Is there a ducking stool suspected traders go through?

[foundaplanet]

Surely the forums primary purpose is to provide its community with valuable information and interesting discussion.

Is the for sale section not better seen as a convenient place for its members to sell unwanted items rather than a place for us to buy them.

[astroimpulse]

Dave, the only OTT and insulting thing going on here is that reaction.

Suck it up...it's the way it is.

You should be motivated to learn here...not to take from the community whilst putting zero back in (other than victim whining).

It's got NOTHING to do with being accused of being guilty or dishonest and EVERYTHING to do with SGL protecting (to the best of their abilities) the members who come here and contribute to the community...ultimately making this place what it is.