From: pschleck@cwis.unomaha.edu (Paul W Schleck KD3FU)
Subject: A Guide to Buying and Selling on Usenet
Followup-To: poster
Summary: A guide to the rec.radio.swap newsgroup, providing a
         description of the group and its charter, net-wisdom on the
         best use of this forum, and some brief netiquette notes.
         Also provides general guidelines for the other forsale and
         marketplace forums.
Keywords: ham amateur radio cb buy sell swap netiquette
Supersedes: <swap-guide-1-712666851@unomaha.edu>
X-Posting-Frequency: posted on the 1st of each month
Reply-To: pschleck@unomaha.edu,jmaynard@oac.hsc.uth.tmc.edu (Guide Coordinators)
Organization: ACM Student Chapter, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 11:01:39 GMT
Expires: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 05:00:00 GMT

Posted-By: auto-faq script
Archive-name: swap-guide
Revision: 1.1 08/13/92 19:43:02
Changes: date and time created 92/08/13 19:43:02 by pschleck

(Note:  The following is reprinted with the permission of the author.)

This message is a guide to buying and selling over Usenet. It is intended to
serve as a guide for users unfamiliar with common conventions used in the
Usenet marketplace. Questions and comments may be directed to the author, Jay
Maynard, K5ZC, via Internet electronic mail at jmaynard@oac.hsc.uth.tmc.edu.
This message was last changed on 2 June 1992. Thanks go to readers of the
personal radio newsgroups, who provided feedback to the net about proper use
of this forum, and especially Paul W. Schleck, KD3FU, pschleck@unomaha.edu,
who compiled most of the net wisdom and suggested the creation of this
article. 

Usenet has proven to be a valuable resource for many folks. Along with lots of
discussion, argument, and good, solid information, it's also a good place to
buy or sell equipment, and many people have done so successfully. As with any
other medium, though, there are conventions that make everyone's life easier
if they're followed as much as possible.

The following are some suggested guidelines for using the rec.radio.swap
forum, based on general net-wisdom from users. Most of it is basic common
sense, but it is unfortunate that some users have consistently abused this
forum by not following such basic common sense. The general guidelines will
serve as well for other groups on the net, such as misc.forsale and
just.about.anything.marketplace. 

What is appropriate to post in rec.radio.swap?

Any offer to buy or sell radio and electronics equipment, such as
transmitters, receivers, antennas, electronics parts, and radio-related
computer equipment is appropriate for this forum. Posts concerning
non-hardware (but still radio-related) items such as documentation manuals,
books, radio-related software, and publications, are also welcome.

Please do not post discussion articles to this group. If you really must post,
please do so to the appropriate discussion group. Use email whenever possible,
especially if you feel someone has committed a breach of etiquette.

Articles concerning illegal equipment (such as CB linear amplifiers and police
radar jammers) are not welcome. Not only will you be severely "flamed," you
are also opening yourself (and possibly the owners and administrators of your
news site) up to civil and criminal liability. Individuals who are involved in
the regular business of buying and selling for profit are requested not to
abuse this forum by using it as a "free advertisement" service for their
business, although they are welcome to participate as individuals. The
distinction here is that there is a cultural bias on Usenet, and an actual
prohibition on some networks that carry Usenet traffic, against using the net
for commercial purposes. Let your conscience be your guide.

Doesn't this article violate its own guidelines?

Well, yes and no. In the strictest sense, this article violates the rule that
only buying and selling advertisements belong in the rec.radio.swap newsgroup.
However, since those using this newsgroup are most likely to see articles in
the same newsgroup, and since this newsgroup serves readers of the
rec.radio.amateur.*, rec.radio.cb, rec.radio.shortwave, and alt.radio.scanner
newsgroups, posting it here provides the greatest visibility with the least
instrusion. Other suggestions which achieve the same goals are welcome.  

If you are looking for something specific...

Try to first find the item through other channels before resorting to the net.
If the manufacturer is still in business, you may be pleasantly surprised that
they still have the items on the shelf. Other companies specialize in
discontinued and surplus parts and equipment and are your best source for
tracking down items. Consult the mail-order electronics list available from
ftp.cs.buffalo.edu in file ~/pub/ham-radio/mail_order or the advertising
sections of most popular radio and electronics publications.  

Once you have exhausted all other channels, then certainly do post. State
clearly what you are looking for (e.g. "a part# 345X56 Bakelite Frobnicator
for an American Hawk Fubar 2000, circa 1968-1970"), and how much you are
willing to pay (or that you're willing to negotiate). Avoid sending out
"equipment-wanted" posts unless you are willing to pay for shipping from
wherever it may turn up (this newsgroup is read throughout the world), or
state clearly where you're willing to accept items from. Use the Distribution:
header line to limit where your posting will go, but be aware that it's far
from an absolute restriction; articles with ba (San Francisco Bay area)
distribution, for example, are imported to places like Boston regularly.

If you are selling equipment...

Be specific in your first post about what you are selling and how much you
want for it (or that you're willing to negotiate). State clearly whether or
not the price includes shipping, and if it does, be sure to allow yourself a
reasonable amount to cover the cost. Avoid sending out "for sale" posts unless
you are willing to arrange for shipping to whomever in the message
distribution wants to buy it (and remember the comment above about
Distribution: headers...); if you cannot limit the posting's distribution for
one reason or another, be clear in your message about where you will and will
not ship. The US Postal Service and United Parcel Service have a 75-pound
limit on packages, and other carriers have similar limits; anything heavier
will have to go by motor-freight (read: EXPENSIVE). Don't advertise equipment
that you cannot ship within a reasonable amount of time. 

Once you have made a deal, state clearly your intentions and follow through on
them. Nothing angers a buyer more than delays and excuses. Once you do ship,
have it securely packaged (insurance is strongly recommended). Payment terms
should be whatever you and the buyer are comfortable with, and commonly
include options such as money up-front, COD (Cash on Delivery), or payment
upon receipt and inspection. Don't be offended if the buyer wants to take
steps to protect his position, since he probably doesn't know you. Most
readers of this forum are basically honest and want to maintain their
net-image, but the few bad apples should encourage you to only deal with
honest, reputable people and to reasonably protect your position in any
transaction.  

If you are buying equipment...

Respond to an advertisement in a prompt manner. (The item may well not be
available if you don't!) State clearly your terms and intentions and follow
through on them. Nothing angers a seller more than delays and excuses. As
radio equipment is generally bulky and fragile, allow for a reasonable amount
of money to package, insure, and ship your purchase properly. Payment terms
should be similar to those suggested under seller's guidelines, and should
reasonably protect your position (remember, you are probably buying equipment
sight-unseen from a relative stranger), but remember that he needs to protect
his position as well. If you are unsure of a given seller, ask a net-regular
discretly via E-mail. He or she will be more than happy to either ease your
concerns or confirm your suspicions.  

The Usenet marketplace groups in general, and rec.radio.swap in particular,
are a great place to buy that piece of gear you've had your eye on. Items go
quickly for reasonable prices. I've sold a radio within three hours of posting
the for sale message. The usefulness of these groups depends to a large extent
on the people who inhabit them, though, and a few unscrupulous users can
easily sink the whole thing. Whether you are a buyer, seller, or seeker of
equipment, remember that your honesty and integrity reflects on the general
reputation and usefulness of this forum and amateur radio in general.  

--
Jay Maynard, EMT-P, K5ZC, PP-ASEL | Never ascribe to malice that which can
jmaynard@oac.hsc.uth.tmc.edu      | adequately be explained by a .sig virus.
   "[...] have you noticed how many people have joined you on the back of
     Rosinante to help subdue this particular windmill?" -- Dan Herrick

--
73, Paul W. Schleck, KD3FU

pschleck@unomaha.edu