keeping our cars on the road

[cobbler2u]

Ive had my e21 for about 13yeasr now.
Parts are gettig harder to get. I would of thought as forum members and ethusiats of our cars. We would help eachother to keep our cars going.

But what i have seen lately on this forum is.

1 not everyone is willing to help each other

2 OVER pricing cars and parts.
Hense others following suite and saying thats what market price is.

3 people using forum as a bussiness

So come on guys lets help each other to keep our beloved cars on the road and stop buying of these people who join to make money out of us for loving our cars

[harleytrike]

couldnt agree more

[m3gaz]

+1

[Jeroen]

Agree! And I will be more strict on vague or over the top ads as of today as this only ruins the forum. This is a place where enthusiasts meet, not where people need to be ripped off.

If someone has a business that's fine by me, but if the forum only serves to promote that business we're moving in the wrong direction. I will try to put some more effort in watching those developments.

[cobbler2u]

Thanks for agreeing with my thoughts. So maybe if we all agree not to pay the top prices then hopefully they will drop.
Lets keep our cars on the road and not buy of these guys

[e21-Mark]

As someone who regularly buys/sells parts on this forum I have always tried to be fare & helpful. On occasion, I have also given parts away for free or at cost. It's simply not always about the money. That said, I have also sold parts/cars to fund other builds/projects. I probably couldn't afford them otherwise. I guess what I'm saying is that one thing doesn't have to exclude the other.

Another factor is that not all UK e21 owners are forum members and away from this forum, e21 prices and prices for parts, have risen quite a bit in the past year. Even 'book price' for cars has risen by 30%. Look at mainland Europe at things like LSD will regularly make £600. There are also plenty of 2002 owners who's cars have rare and desirable e21 parts in them!

Another point worth mentioning is the number of 323i that have been broken over the past couple of years. There used to be loads of them but numbers are getting to the point where choice is running out, for those people who want a genuine 323i. Cars that might have once been scrappers are now potential restoration projects.

If we don't like the price of something, don't buy it. Either that, or make an offer via PM. No-one is going to get rich breaking the odd e21 but neither should we feel pressured not to ask whatever we see as a fair price, should we?

Just my opinion obviously

[cobbler2u]

It all depends what you call fair price.

Everyone has a differnt idea of a fair price.
To me a trader is someone who is often selling items on the forum cos he knows its the best place to shift the parts.

I would charge these people 10- 15% which would go to the up keep of the forum

[e21-Mark]

Personally I would be happy to contribute towards the upkeep of the forum whether I was punting a few bits here or not.

I don't see how we can dictate to someone what is, or isn't, an acceptable price though? Would we want to extend the same thing to people selling whole cars too?

[cobbler2u]

We all have an idea of the value of parts.
We just dont pay the over inflated price whether its a part or a whole car.
Its called price on demand. If they are not selling at the over inflated price then they will drop the price down to a realistic price

[TopCat]

Is this an echo?

[Jeroen]

LOL deleted the echo

Good discussion anyway. Sometimes it is hard to establish what is a fair price and what's way exaggerated, but previously I have stated several times that I hate it when extensive discussions start on pricing. If you think what's offered is too expensive, skip to the next topic or send the seller a PM, don't have lengthy discussions on here. People structurally overpricing things will rule themselves out eventually.

[m3gaz]

I think there's a fine line between selling a few parts and running a business on the forum.It depends on the individual seller.Every forum has people using that are taking advantage of a mode of free advertising.Unfortunately it's not long before they are taking advantage of the forum members.
Some members are eager and valued participants.Buying,selling,giving advice,organising and attending events.These are valued members and ,thankfully,the majority.
Others just post occasionally offering items at,lets face it,high prices,then follow it up with..."if it dosen't sell quickly i'll put it on ebay".JUST PUT IT ON EBAY!!
That same kind of person will also berate people for questioning the price of said item.Or,maybe,ridicule an ad elsewhere.Even worse ridicule someones car.
And all the time not bothering to attend meets and rallies involving their "beloved" marque.These are the minority.
Most of us know the price of the item we're interested in.Some of us don't.If you're not sure PM a member of "standing" for advice.
If you think the price is too high don't even respond.The seller will get the message.One way or the other.

[Jeroen]

Agree.

Most of all, I hear people complaining that this forum has become the place for a small in-crowd only and that's what I'd like to get away from. Issues like we're discussing atm may be part of this issue. Imo this forum should be the place where E21 enthusiasts from around the globe meet, feel at home and where we help each other out exchanging experiences, ideas and knowledge. Suggestions are most welcome, but all should keep in mind that together we make that possible.

Over the past few years we have lost a lot of 'members' from other countries. I know people tend to go to a place where they can discuss their common issues and that may be the cause we don't see many people from for example the US or Australia anymore. You can never rule out the strengths of local forums in peoples' own countries or languages, but for those who visit this forum, let's all make sure they get the warm fuzzy E21 community feeling when they pop up here. That is something we can only achieve together, as a team.

As stated before, anything I can do to accomodate this better, let me know. For one let me be more strict on certain behavior, point my attention to any issues as several of you already do (thanks for that!) and if this all means we have to say goodbye to a few users to further improve the atmosphere in the wonderful community we have, so be it.

So we've just started a new year, let me wish you a fantastic 2013 with loads of BMW fun and in good health, and let's make 2013 the year where we make this forum the best E21 place to be. For all fanatics.

[nas80]

On any other forum people who join solely to trade are asked to pay or never post in sales section

[a8dyc]

I have an E21 that Ive been trying to sell(not on this site) as I dont know enough about them to get it fixed up.But i think its simple,if the seller has a part for sale and wants 'x'amount for it but your not prepared to pay that price move on and find it somewhere else at a price your willing to pay.By all means make an offer to the seller but why make a scene if you think its to much money......just wait and find it somewhere else at your price.