Model Boats – Classified Adverts

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Just a Question ??

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi All,

What are peoples views on asking for the Free Classified Adds being brought back into the magazine. I for one have bought and sold many things via this medium. It maybe a surprise to hear I'm not an ebay person !! or maybe not

I thought we may let the editor know via the Boss (Colin) that now Covid is mainly behind us oldies it would bring another reason for people to buy the magazine.

And I have 25 boats I don't know what to do with

Regards Ray

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

I don't see any harm in asking Ray but, just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons, one of the questions might be, "Why should it be free?". If the space is being taken from advertising there is a loss of revenue to consider and if the space is being taken from contributor's content then could it affect sales negatively rather than positively? When you consider the time involved in submitting something to it being published I think a very high percentage of readers would rather have posted it on Ebay for a much faster turnaround and at least a degree of protection should things go pear shaped.

Don't get me wrong, I'm only playing devil's advocate, as I used to enjoy looking through the adverts myself, but we might need to have a good case behind the suggestion as I could see those concerns being raised.

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Richard,

I wouldn't use ebay because all sorts of folk use it, I like the idea of enthusiasts being able to reply rather than somebody trying to make a quick few Pounds or Euros. also location is important to buyer and seller as model boats are not easy to transport.

I think it would bring extra interest to the magazine + circulation ??

Regards Ray

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

Ray , l agree that ads should be brought back , certainly in the mag. . I did ask the question of mag editor some time ago and was told there were no plans for their reintroduction . I would also suggest that if they are , that the information form describing the items for sale should have the mag issue details printed within the header. I know a number of people with similar " minority" interests buy their respective magazines in part because of the adverts sections . Similarly l believe an ads section would boost flagging mag sales , with maybe a 12 month trial period to confirm . Trevor

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

It would be interesting to know a little bit more about the demographics of the readership nowadays and we are not advocating something that we would like to see as opposed to what the majority of the readership would like to see.

I understand your concerns as regards Ebay Ray and agree with your views as regards aiming at enthusiasts, but I strongly suspect that there are a fair majority of Model Boats Magazine readers are not averse to using it nor are they as concerned as regards who buys their models. We have to accept that our age group with similar views are slowly but surely dwindling in numbers and the magazine has to appeal to as broad an audience as possible.

If, as Trevor says, the question has been asked and the reason it was turned down must be based on some sound evidence.

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi All,

I still like the face to face seen as sold method My experience with ebay via my daughter was selling a Hornby Rocket 3 1/2" gauge set was the buyer then comes back wanting money off for every damn thing on something 40 years old (lesson learned)

Covid unfortunately will be the excuse for reducing services and not re-introducing them for reasons of costs

Regards Ray

[Chris EParticipant @chrise]

Ray

I am not in favour of reintroducing the free ads. Ther are many ways to sell items these days beyond the bounds of ebay and with as near to face to face contact as Covid allows.

There are frequently items for sale (& sold) on Mayhem and I use Gumtree which is both free, if you use it as I do, and always allows face to face contact. If buying you tell Gumtree where you are & how far you want to travel etc. Just like the old days of small adds but with lots of pictures.

As Richard says the magazine space would need to come from somewhere & I fear that it would be editorial. I can also imagine that preparing the page would end up as being time consuming. I think that there would also need to be pictures for it to work.

Sorry but no.

[redpmgParticipant @redpmg]

I agree with Ray – the interest in model boats comes from the older set to be polite. The average age of model boat clubs must be well into the 60s . Know that at SRCMBC the average was +-65. There are still a lot of people out there who are not computer literate and don't use the internet . The budget for the club always allows for the postage of the quarterly news – believe it was to about about 50% of members . I am personally only computer literate because my job called for it. Further developed as my son  was interested in I T  which is now his profession – he also only uses Kindle as books are cheaper that way………..

There is also a problem selling online – Gumtree and the like don't take payments so you could well end up giving out bank details to a swindler – as I was asked to recently. – fortunately I did not !  Also sold some kits a few months ago via a list  sent to some of the remaining clubs in SA . The secretary from the biggest one had to print out quite a few of those  for members who don't use the internet ……………..

The free ads were always limited to a half page in any event and added a bit of interest – usually with the mail section. Paul Freshney saw no need to dispense with it and as far as model boats go nothing has changed since then – he was one of the best editors in my opinion.

I also begin to wonder just how many fliers migrate to model boats as they get older ?

Edited By redpmg on 21/09/2021 12:08:06

Edited By redpmg on 21/09/2021 12:14:23

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

I have bought a few boats on E Bay from England with Global International Postage.

Why the postage is cheaper then the postage from Sydney to Hobart.

I was going to buy a Perkasa kit from Sydney to postage was $270 !!!!!

I bought a Javelin 39" built , cost $275 au boat, postage and import duty !!!!!

The same for a Spearfish only a few months ago.

So help us out with your boats we will buy them.

Both boats were package well and I posted good remarks about the seller.

Harry

Tasmania

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi All,

Yes history of the magazine includes Free Add's which was back then the only way to get in touch, but I still find the phone as an initial contact method the best way to judge the seller, normally a 5 minute chat allows you to compare notes etc, a vetting process if you like which you don't get electronically.

I don't much care for the the electronic age although I have made many friends on the forum very few of them I have ever spoken too !!

Peter is correct the use of computers is far less common among the older generation than is commonly thought who had real jobs not computer jockies like me for the last 30 years and I float much more than I fly RC these days.

The Free Add's are the most interesting section changing every month, not as predictable as the content in many ways.

RCM& E is the other title I buy still has free add's

Regards Ray

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

Posted by Ray Wood 2 on 21/09/2021 11:11:00:

Hi All,

I still like the face to face seen as sold method My experience with ebay via my daughter was selling a Hornby Rocket 3 1/2" gauge set was the buyer then comes back wanting money off for every damn thing on something 40 years old (lesson learned)

Covid unfortunately will be the excuse for reducing services and not re-introducing them for reasons of costs

Regards Ray

I think in all fairness Ray that can happen with every single method of buying and selling and is more a reflection on the individual rather than the method of selling.

If anyone ever tried that on me they would be bundled out of the door pretty quick no matter what method of selling we were using.

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Richard,

I suppose speaking to somebody initially gives you a chance to decide if you want to give them the address of your front door

Regards Ray

[Chris EParticipant @chrise]

Posted by Ray Wood 2 on 21/09/2021 12:23:51:

Hi Richard,

I suppose speaking to somebody initially gives you a chance to decide if you want to give them the address of your front door

Regards Ray

Gumtree, Mayhem & others offer this facility. Initial contact is via message or email (your email address isn't revealed to the prospective buyer) and it is then up to you whether you exchange phone numbers or arrange meetings etc.

Personally I would never buy or sell a model unseen as I can foresee all sorts of problems as Ray mentions.

[redpmgParticipant @redpmg]

Richard I think the most relevant point is that with ads in the magazine you reach people with an interest in model boats – whereas with online sales you tend to reach a far greater audience (plus more swindlers of course…….)

Its tends to be the older modellers who are downsizing etc that are selling their boats – and they are more likely to be computer illiterate……… Where else could they sell their boats – without resorting to asking someone to place them on an internet site…….

And when dealing with another modeller and not someone buying a present for their son or father (usually) its easier to understand each other . I sold off a lot of kits before leaving the UK on Ebay and the only problem I had was when dealing with a non modeller buying a present for one………….

The best sale was to a lady in Malta ( the Harvey a Baltimore Clipper) – She was not allowed to join the club there – but made a superb job of the Harvey and a couple of others she sent pictures of……

Edited By redpmg on 21/09/2021 12:43:23

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

Posted by Chris E on 21/09/2021 12:31:38:

Posted by Ray Wood 2 on 21/09/2021 12:23:51:

Hi Richard,

I suppose speaking to somebody initially gives you a chance to decide if you want to give them the address of your front door

Regards Ray

Gumtree, Mayhem & others offer this facility. Initial contact is via message or email (your email address isn't revealed to the prospective buyer) and it is then up to you whether you exchange phone numbers or arrange meetings etc.

Personally I would never buy or sell a model unseen as I can foresee all sorts of problems as Ray mentions.

Again I tend to think the challenge is the individual rather than the method of selling. I once tried to sell an expensive item on Mayhem and had interest and many communications from one chap. Against my better judgement he knocked the price down a number of times, then, when we finally agreed a price, he wanted to pay in installments but wanted the item up front. I told him where to stick it.

There are such people no matter how you try to buy or sell something.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Sorry to be late to the party (I have been out today) but Lindsey and I did discuss this in August 2020. It is correct to say that the classified ads were intended to appeal to older, maybe non computer savvy readers and was fairly well used in the past. The decision to drop it was partly due to Lindsey's concern that, despite a disclaimer it is possible the magazine might be drawn into disputes between buyer and seller and secondly because it does absorb an appreciable amount of editoriial time in preparing the item when the editorial budget has been cut to the bone! I know it takes a while as I had to do it myself once or twice when standing in for Paul Freshney.

However Lindsey did say at the time that she would be open to reintroducing classified ads if the demand is there and sufficient editorial time is available. I will flag up this thread to her to see what her present views are.

Colin

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi All,

On reflection does anybody else think it would be worth asking Lindsey our editor to bring back the classified Adverts to bring something back something live to the magazine ?? I'm sure It would encourage more sales and circulation, and if you like me are not happy with the modern online ways of ebay, etc.

Regards Ray

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Ray,

Lindsey has taken this on board and said she would discuss with some of the other editors. Personally I rather doubt if bringing back the free ads would have any significant effect on circulation – after all, just how many people do buy and sell models and how regularly? Collating them does add to the editorial worklload as I have already said.

I am not aware that there have been any requests for their return other than the few posts on here.

So, yes it is being considered but not I think as a priority at the moment.

Colin

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Colin,

Another knock on from the pandemic, once cost cutting decrees only part time working obviously the input is going to be limited

Worth a mention I thought

Best Regards Ray

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Yes, indeed worth mentioning and it may still come to pass. I don't know for sure but when I used to do my Special Issues I was given a budget per issue and it was up to me how long I spent on it. (and how much I spent on contributors). Lindsey may be in the same boat (sic) I think when Martyn was editor he had other jobs on the go at the same time. You'll never make your fortune editing a niche interest magazine I'm afraid.

Colin

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

I thought all the views had already be aired on this one. I'm sure it would be almost impossible to determine whether bringing back classified adverts would affect circulation in any way and with real estate in the magazine being at a premium I'm sure all content is already very carefully scrutinised. For me I would rather see the space used for articles.

Personally I prefer to look at second hand boats on the internet where a number of good photographs and a much more detailed description is included. I tend to think good pictures are worth many words and are far more accurate than a telephone conversation.

[Kev.WParticipant @kev-w]

My take on this is, If I buy or sell a boat, I always look 'in house' first.

If I have a boat that I have no further interest in, I usually put it up with my club, at a price that will help another club member to move forward.

If I am looking for another boat to move into another class, I will ask my fellow club members if they have one they would sell.

I find that there are always boats to be had within club, rather than a risky eBay purchase & you save all those packing & postage charges.

I'm not saying that I distrust my fellow readers, just that I prefer to stand face to face with my buyer or seller when making a deal.

Edited By Kev.W on 12/10/2021 23:11:29

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Kev

The last three boat/kits I got from E Bay (England) as I live in Tasmania, Australia.

Getting new boats into the club has been a problem for years.

Many of the boats for sale in England do not have International Postage which limits the item for sale.

If the seller packages the boat well, it is no problem as per the same around England.

Postage to Australia is cheaper than in Australia !!!!!

One of the boats from England was a 39" Javelin and the total price with boat, postage and import duty was the same as the postage only from Sydney to Hobart !!!

Same size boat .

Generally Forum members on both this site and Mayhem do the right thing and look after each other.

Regards

Harry Smith

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