Official Luthiers Forum!

There has been some mumblings of wanting another swap meet. I thought the last one was fun and productive, BUT it was quite a bit to administer, both for us and for those who sold items.

SO

I would like to get an idea, who would be interested in participating in a swap meet at the Luthiers Auctions?

I have just finished adding the "Trade" option to the listing options page, so now you and sell and trade. I did this for the purpose of the 2nd OLF Swap Meet.

I think the only way this could work and be fun would be to set a time frame. Say, one week.

Please comment here on your interest. If there is sufficient interest we will organize it.

Thanks
LanceLanceK39092.5354050926

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I think the attractiveness of the previous swap meet was the ability to outright purchase items--most were very nice products at more than reasonable prices.
A sort of inventory clearance, if you will.
I would participate in any venue, however I think the idea of having to bid/compete in an auction format might take the fun out of it?

[QUOTE=af_one] I think the attractiveness of the previous swap meet was the ability to outright purchase items--most were very nice products at more than reasonable prices.
A sort of inventory clearance, if you will.
I would participate in any venue, however I think the idea of having to bid/compete in an auction format might take the fun out of it? [/QUOTE]

Agree!
Besides the fact that its right here at the forum, plus the ability to claim an item right away makes a lot of excitement.

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

At the Luthiers Auctions you can have a buy it now option, bid or trade.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I watch the Luthiers Auctions site every day, and its a little disappointing, it - could - be a great resource if it were being utilized. That is one reason I am thinking of hosting the Swap Meet there.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I don't like the auction approach either. The first swap meet was awesome and even I bought a couple of items, but I never visit the auction. Might just be me, though.

Of course, if most sellers are using the "buy it now" option, it might work.

Ronold man39092.5628819444

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Sounds like it may work fine.... but consider one thing, are people really looking at the Luthiers Auctions? Maybe this will bring some needed traffic over there?

Personally, I never remember to check it out. Rarely I take a look. I used to check it out often but I got to admit I lost interest. Not enough items to keep me coming...

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Its the snowball rolling down a hill, trouble is, we have no snow

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Filippo, yes, that is how we did it last time.
But still, it was more work than it appeared. The Luthiers Auctions site would automate the process.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I agree with all the folks above, I know the last Swap probably took some time from all involved but the format was an easy read with the different Sellers actually having their thread, I liked that. I would imagine that they (sponsors) liked that as well with the singular exposure and updating and communication ability with all the buyers.

I don't like the ebay type format with everything kind of line item listed first in first out type order where a category is to broad, that is just me. Hopefully, even if you use the Auction site a similar format can be established. I like the others will participate in whatever end up providing, the last one was a great expereience.

Mike

Could you have another section and call it something like "Classified" or "Garage Sale" where we could post things for sale or trade. You could open it up for a week or two every couple of months?   

I had some things for the last one that I would have liked to sell, but when I started to sign up, it seemed more trouble that it was worth. I did buy/trade for several items.

Just some random thoughts. YMMV

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Its seems like some ppl are having a problem getting thier head around the fact that the swap meet in its previous form was alot more work for Lance than it would be if it were an auction format -
I was one of the people who piped up and saod I prefered the previous format - but - I didnt realize how much extra effort it was for our kind Admins and Mods here, so I would definitely rethink my position on the auction format. Auction buying just seems more impersonal in a way.
I think that people liked the haggle/barter/chat aspect that comes with a thread format, and thats why people are more insistant on that way of doing it.
I personally think the auction is a great idea on its own - a great resource for all of us here and mabye having the swap meet there may bring more attention to how easily things can be bought sold and traded there.
However it does end up - I really appreciate that the OLF brass would have this for us, thanks!
Cheers
Charliewood
charliewood39092.5953472222

Charlie, while I do understand the fact that doing it here would require more work, I am also taking in consideration the effectiveness of the swap meet.
The easy way is normally the least effective in most part of my day.... specially with guitar building.

peterm39092.6372222222

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I'm interested in it. I could try trading a website for some koa or
something.

[QUOTE=James Orr] I'm interested in it. I could try trading a website for some koa or
something.
[/QUOTE]

or you could trade a website for a set of buttress figured Tazmanian blackwood....

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

What I liked so much about the last swap meet format was the fact that each person selling had their own thread.

This gave the effect that you were visiting their table and browsing over their wares. You pick out what you wanted buying it then and there knowing for sure that you had secured the item/s. Then you could move on to the next seller.

Best of all was the excitement of revisiting a seller the next day and discovering new things on display, it was just like a real swap meet with the vendor pulling more stuff out of the car to place on the table. This style of trade created a bit of a frenzy that got me in a little strife with the wife, but certainly not enough to say that I won't do it again

Cheers

Kim

We will do it either way. Since this is an "event" it is no problem to do it as a separate thread, but as Lance said... there is quite a bit of work involved in setting it up. But we want it to be as successful as possible.... so either is fine in pursuit of that goal.

.. but with reference to the LA... we do want that to be successful too... so try to remember to use it (buy or sell). We need to help that get to critical mass.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Do both. Have a seperate forum for the swapmeet were each can list his wares and each item listed should be a link to the BIN auction on the Luthier's auction site.

Best of both worlds and perhaps less work for Lance et al than a full blown swapmeet.

That or just call the LA site a failure and sell it... to me... I believe in it's potential

I agree with Ronn on this one. I think it would be great to use the OLF to link to items on the Lutier's Auction site. THe LA site has potential but it needs traffic.

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Brad
Avon, OH

I actually like blackwood even better.

Hey thats a really good idea - Each person can set up his table in a thread, and people can chat about it discuss it with others get additional info about certain items etc and do the actual buying in the auction?
Hmm mabye something like that could work, and yet improve peoples familiarity with the auction site.
PS I dont really have an idea how much extra work it is for Lance and the Staff, really
but I was sort of sensing a little resistance on the OLF brass to the added task mastering -
thats why I chimed in on that score - its an extremely cool priveledge to have a place where we can do things like this, I just wouldnt want it to become such a burden that its not worth the staff here wanting to put it on occasionally for us.
It was sort of lost on me why initially the push was toward making it an auction based theme this time, and I was sort of just voicing my opinions on the matter without really considering what else what is involved for others running it.
Anyhow Im sure Lance and Brock will eventually figure out how it can be done without it being too too much hassle for them.
Cheers
Charliewoodcharliewood39092.7849421296