thoughts on a trade section?

I've been a member of several automotive forums over the years and they all seem to have a Buy/Sell/Trade/Wanted under a Classifieds section that allows users to post a thread of things they are trying to sell off or what they might be looking for. I know we all have spare parts and things that if someone is in need of it could be a way to organize those types of requests. Obviously it wouldn't be anything affiliated with Robo and all sales are to be resolved by the two parties. I've bought several automotive parts this way. Could even be threads people start pointing to a craigslist, ebay, amazon, or similar site where their item is posted for sale. Just gets the word out. Robo has been out for a few years now and there are going to be a lot of parts or whole printers that could be put up on the site for others.

Another thought, I have seen times when forum members have something break that if they had a second 3d printer they could print and be back up and running. For those without a spare printer, maybe have a way to post a need for a new part to be printed for their Robo. Not a printing service, just a way to get a part out to a member in need to get them going again. If it isn't the right color or material or whatever, then they would at least be able to print out another they way they want it.

Just some thoughts to help support the forum.

 

Bad idea.

Ebay exists and the last thing these forums need is an avenue for even more bad posting when someone buys a broken printer or gets ripped off.

Also, no way is Robo3D as a company going to permit users to resell on these forums.

Too much liability for Robo if they give permission.

 

Trading NO, no way . never Trading on forums is a recipe for bullshit disasters and people not satisfied.

a Classifieds/For Sale MAYBE, but there would need to be a crapload of rules and regulations.

I would take my chances with some of the folks here over ebay. But realize that if I got burned i got burned..and there is nothing that could be done.

 

The only way it would work is the way that changes nothing as far as these forums are concerned.

Create your ebay listing, then post an announcement in the Off-topic section with a link, then move on because there is nothing to see.

The threads we have so far where people get frustrated because nobody makes a serious offer (because there is no listing on a legitimate sales site) are 100% due to people not using an actual legitimate sales site.

Creating a special sub-forum will accomplish nothing to solve this.

 

I like the idea of being able to have someone print off a part for me if I am in a bind and can't scab the printer together to get a print going. But I feel Robo is going to frown upon this because wouldn't it make more sense for them to just sell the parts in their store. For instance, they would need to figure out the problem parts and put them for sale in their store instead.

Or perhaps Robo would be willing to hire a handful of people to print these parts and possibly regulate the Classified section?

How would you pay for something that someone else prints for you? I guess Paypal could work unless you are printing these parts for free? I see a lot of issues/problems arising with this though. What if the part, that I just had someone print for me, doesn't fit? Or if it breaks? As long as the part lasts long enough for me to print one.

A simple Classified seems legit but what will be eligible to be posted? Whole printers? Original Parts (not sure what this would be maybe gears, hotends, beds or boards)? Upgraded parts (like if I got a newer LCD and didn't have a use of current one)? How would you regulate the authenticity of all the parts though? You may say its a new nozzle but how do I know? Your LCD may have worked before but does it now? Pictures are great but how do I know I'm getting that one?

A lot of questions will need to be answered before anything like this will happen, I have a feeling.

 

3dHubs and Shapeways exist. We don't need a unique part printing request section.

 

A benefit that will be there regardless of whether a specific forum section exists or not.