Funny Craigslist Beef

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davenmandy said:
I don't think the issue is the flip, I think the original owner is warning against misrepresentation. Ad doesn't say just bought this tank the other day off CL, says bought a brand new tank. I'm just speculating here, don't have enough info really, but I think that's the part the original owner feels is shady, because if you let something go for half its value you have noone to be upset with other than yourself (unless you were relying on the potential buyers information, which you shouldnt do anyway).
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Judging from the packaging, it appears to be in the original packaging and "unopened", so yes, this would be considered "brand new". He stated he purchased it and can't use it. Sure, he didn't disclosed that he bought it for $400, but why does he have to? We don't demand for retailers to disclose the actual whole cost of merchandises, so we know the actual mark-up. So, why should this be mandatory, or even an etiquette, for private sellers?
 
I have no issues with people flipping stuff on Craigslist. Craigslist, in my experience, is a den of thieves, grifters, cheats and noobs. Caveat emptor for buyers and sellers.

I do have issues with people flipping stuff in our fish club forum or flipping stuff that people have given them because they're a member of the club / out of generosity / helping them out. There's no quicker way to end an ethos of "paying forward" than for people to start trying to make a buck off of members' generosity and good will.

Matt
 
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I agree with xraycer, the aquarium can still be considered new.

Also, keep in mind, Craigslist is full of unrealistically priced aquariums that never sell and even fairly priced aquariums that never find a buyer. I've picked up more than one super cheap or even free aquarium from people who over value, mis-time, or poorly market a Craigslist add. This guy (allegedly) put out $400 to take a chance on a profit which may or may not ever materialize. If he makes the sale in the end, I say good on him.
 
As for flipping within an aquarium club, that is another issue.
While I have offered fish and tanks to fellow club members (specifically for flipping) I can see the point of view on the pay it forward idea, but there is another perspective as well. If you breed fish for a hobby, you know that making new baby fish is the easy part. Finding a buyer and navigating pickup, shipping, loss claims, etc. is the real challenge. If someone in the club has an expanded market to sell fish to and is willing to work aquabid, pack, ship, and deal with retail customers, I would happily sell them my fish wholesale (with no hassle) so they can flip them for a profit (full hassle). I see that as paying it forward too. Many of us have the dream of turning a profit with our hobby, and if flipping some of my cichlid fry helps them make it, then I feel like I was part of their success too.
 
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If you flip at a club, then I'm certain you'll quickly earn a bad reputation for yourself, and that reputation will quickly spread.
 
We have a few folks in the club who run online businesses... good on them for buying fish and other stuff from club members and selling them nationwide. We really don't have any local fish stores that give even decent credit for fish. Ironically, people tend to be willing to pay more from a vendor for the same fish as from a hobbyist.

If the OP and the guy he got the tank from were just two random people on Craigslist, I see no problem at all in the 2nd seller trying to make a buck.

Matt

Kogo said:
As for flipping within an aquarium club, that is another issue.
While I have offered fish and tanks to fellow club members (specifically for flipping) I can see the point of view on the pay it forward idea, but there is another perspective as well. If you breed fish for a hobby, you know that making new baby fish is the easy part. Finding a buyer and navigating pickup, shipping, loss claims, etc. is the real challenge. If someone in the club has an expanded market to sell fish to and is willing to work aquabid, pack, ship, and deal with retail customers, I would happily sell them my fish wholesale (with no hassle) so they can flip them for a profit (full hassle). I see that as paying it forward too. Many of us have the dream of turning a profit with our hobby, and if flipping some of my cichlid fry helps them make it, then I feel like I was part of their success too.
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Come on guys if he was a hobbyiest he wouldn't be so bitter or care about such a low price. If I sell something cheap which I do all the time I don't care if they sell it.

Only times I get mad is my friends or people I trust screw me over. The ones that you know tend to bend you over the most with absolute no lube
 
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