by jlf1000 » Sun May 18, 2008 1:58 am
Hello All,
I couldn't help myself not to try to post a NEUTRAL, freelance reply to this very interesting thread & add my 2 cents... I'm not trying to lecture anyone, but you should give it some thought.
As far as I am concerned this website does not charge money for consulting information and/or to interact with its members::: so I cleary do not see what all the fuss is about.
Moreover, honesty and business profits do not go hand in hand - which some people seem to be preaching the contrary here. For those of you who think that the reeink seller is an 'honest guy' just because he's saying that he just got married and is having kids...... please... (unless you personally know him). And whether he came on pjcollectors.com clearly stating that he was researching for the best price is not a fault.
We all live in free market economies and products/services are never offered/sold at a 'fair price'. No one should feel cheated that they didn't have a 'chance' to eventually win this auction. Whether you're a collector/hard core fan, is also besides the point. Whoever has the most $$$ wins, there's nothing more elementary than that.
I am not an active member of this site, and personally I do not believe that I have contributed much too it compared to others (...and I wish I did), but the fact remains that it is a free and open source of information for anyone to consult.
Now unless pjcollectors.com wants to write up a stricter code of ethics & conduct just to indirectly protect their chances of winning these types of auctions, then I do not see the 'fair', and 'morale' approach that some members believe they have. Networks (such as this one), businesses, and ultimately friendships thrive with transparency - not mis-information and silence. It's not like you are trying to protect trade secrets of anykind.
Start charging annual subscription fees if you feel the need to protect your efforts and information - I would be the first to pay for it because this website is useful to my pj hobby.
This site should not strive to become a cartel. Be happy that 'outsiders' come here to consult with members: that's what forums are all about. And the only way you can improve and expand is by acknowledging what the public wants.
But then again I'm just a simple member giving my free opinion to pjc.com for the sake of making it a 'better' place.
Jack
p.s. speculation is a part of life and a natural process. we use it all the time to get what we want, and there is nothing wrong with that.