A new place to buy and sell trees.

[A Random User]

This. regarding the scrolls: I think Mark handled it best he could while trying to keep everyone happy. Unfortunately that is never possible and frustrations will always surface. Sometimes people just have to pull rank and say "it's my way or the highway". regardless since it worked out in the end, you can see how he wants to be accomodating. One must realize he is doing it for free on his own time. There is no profit for him in this.

This is not true, sorry...
I had been selling the exact same scrolls on the site for more than 2 months
before it all of a sudden became an issue.
It was not however an issue until someone complained about me selling the
scrolls. The funny thing is that I had just had a disagreement, with a fellow
B-nut individual, just the week before, from the great state of Louisiana...
What do you think the chances are that they know each other ???

Let me state that I personally don't have a problem with Mark, we have made
up, and let by gone's, be by gone's... so were cool, But if Mark had handled it
the best he could, the incident would never of happened. Instead he chose to
listen to the wrong bird in his ear.

 

[coh]

Biggest problem at Bonsai Classifieds seems to be the consistency issue, with the rules changing for every auction. Mark seems to be trying to satisfy everyone and instead is winding up satisfying very few. Sounds like he is going to set up a stable auction system going forward and that should help the site.

Some of the other stuff (with Stacey and others) was not handled well in my opinion, there were public postings and arguments that should have been handled via PM. I'm sure that is also part of the reason that people are looking for alternatives. Not too long ago Mark made a post basically publicly calling out two members for some perceived underhanded activity, threatening to banish them unless they contacted him. Again, should have been done via PM behind the scenes.

At the end of the day, having multiple auction sites should be a good thing. Looking forward to it.

Chris

 

[Jester217300]

Not too long ago Mark made a post basically publicly calling out two members for some perceived underhanded activity, threatening to banish them unless they contacted him.

One of them was banned for being rude.

It's probably worth stating that both people tell the story very differently.

 

[coh]

One of them was banned for being rude.

It's probably worth stating that both people tell the story very differently.

I had forgotten the details but your post reminded me about the supposed rude phone call, LOL.

 

[Nybonsai12]

This is not true, sorry...
I had been selling the exact same scrolls on the site for more than 2 months
before it all of a sudden became an issue.
It was not however an issue until someone complained about me selling the
scrolls. The funny thing is that I had just had a disagreement, with a fellow
B-nut individual, just the week before, from the great state of Louisiana...
What do you think the chances are that they know each other ???

Let me state that I personally don't have a problem with Mark, we have made
up, and let by gone's, be by gone's... so were cool, But if Mark had handled it
the best he could, the incident would never of happened. Instead he chose to
listen to the wrong bird in his ear.

First off, preface this with i'm not arguing. I'm going off the basis that neither he nor the person who complained had no malicious intent to get you off the page. If there was some behind the scenes discussion about you between them, then that is beyond me and I cannot comment.

But based off what i see, he tried to accomodate members by posting what they like/need/want. And unfortunately as you stated he made a mistake, I can fully agree he did. But he did correct it by allowing you to return to sell. What happened in between there was not handled well by anyone and it's been stated PM is the way to handle it in the future. At the time I believe it was the first major issue on the page and the first time dealing with something like that. If he wasn't accomodating and trying to make everyone happy, would you be back on the page selling though? I guess that is my point.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I only state the scroll incident...because it factored in on why I left a second time. Handling things off a main wall my biggest thing. Which sounds is still an issue. I didn't meant to rehash old differences...sorry I brought it up. My apologies to everyone.

But...let's get back to why it's "okay" to have more than one option available for bonsai. Its beneficial to whoever is into that sort of thing.

I like the rule for reserved auctions as well. The rules seem well thought out.

 

[A Random User]

First off, preface this with i'm not arguing. I'm going off the basis that neither he nor the person who complained had no malicious intent to get you off the page. If there was some behind the scenes discussion about you between them, then that is beyond me and I cannot comment.

But based off what i see, he tried to accomodate members by posting what they like/need/want. And unfortunately as you stated he made a mistake, I can fully agree he did. But he did correct it by allowing you to return to sell. What happened in between there was not handled well by anyone and it's been stated PM is the way to handle it in the future. At the time I believe it was the first major issue on the page and the first time dealing with something like that. If he wasn't accomodating and trying to make everyone happy, would you be back on the page selling though? I guess that is my point.

I am not trying to argue either, was just pointing out what actually
Happened with the event. It unfortunately was an event
That happened that just should of not. I wanted to participate
In his auction, this was why there was a stink made in the
First place, because I cared and wanted to participate and
Add to what I believe is a wonderful way for us all to come
Together and create the feeling of like being at a bonsai
Convention in the vending area, when not at a convention.

Now, with that said, I am very thankful to Mark, and will continue
To participate there as long as I am allowed. My only complaint
Is as being discussed, the roller coaster ride as of lately, which
From my perspective as a seller, is not in my best interest...
Seeing that I pretty much do this for a living now, I need to
Have a place that I can rely upon as a possible steady income,
Or I will have to find another type of work and then would not have
The time to be able to do the work I do and be able to offer it
To the bonsai community.Which would be a shame...

I don't hink I am alone here...there are alot of others who are in the same
Situation. Just think of all the really cool trees, and hand made pots,
And stands, as well as items being offered that someone took the time
To import. If these folks cannot earn a living, or have a steady income
By doing this, they will not be able to offer what they do either, and then
Their is not cool things to buy... so, it all goes hand in hand.

Which seems to me why this new site is being created... not as a way to get
Back at Mark, or because someone has, or had a disagreement with him.
Quite the contrary, I think alot of us like and appreciate what he
Has done and offered to all of us, and were thankful for him for it...
We, well let me just say that I cannot continue on the direction it was
Headed .

Enough about me... I hope and wish that everyone here participates in this
New site and Mark's, there is plenty of room for the two sites and no
Reason why both shouldn't prosper... by them both doing so, it only increases
They wonderful resources we all get to prosper from in the bonsai community !!!
And to those of you not on Facebook, you should join if only for these
Two sites, you are really missing out on some of the best stuff that the
Bonsai community has to offer !!!

 

[A Random User]

I only state the scroll incident...because it factored in on why I left a second time. Handling things off a main wall my biggest thing. Which sounds is still an issue. I didn't meant to rehash old differences...sorry I brought it up. My apologies to everyone.

But...let's get back to why it's "okay" to have more than one option available for bonsai. Its beneficial to whoever is into that sort of thing.

I like the rule for reserved auctions as well. The rules seem well thought out.

Your fine, you were only saying what was on everyone's mind,
Seeing that unfortunately, this happened... it was a learning curve,
And made the community stronger in my opinion as a whole.
I wouldn't and still don't expect everyone to get stuff like this right.
It's a hard job to do, and I wouldn't want it !!!

 

[A Random User]

I am out of here, thanks for putting up the info for people here to see !!!

Also, I don't see it listed when the first auction is, so can you
Please put that up, so everyone will have it !!!
Thanks

 

[berobinson82]

I am out of here, thanks for putting up the info for people here to see !!!

Also, I don't see it listed when the first auction is, so can you
Please put that up, so everyone will have it !!!
Thanks

Sept. 30th

 

[Paradox]

I just got spammed by 81 friends requests. They were all bogus accounts and they all looked like they were bonsai related or from China, Korea, etc.

I am seriously thinking of deep sixing my FB account because of it.
I dont like auctions where I have to babysit the computer and bid every 10 seconds only to end up losing the item anyway.
Just give me a price and let me decide if its worth it to me to buy.
Regardless, Ill stick to more reliable vendors with real web pages that post trees and prices instead of a constantly moving target I cant keep up with.

 

[KennedyMarx]

I just joined the Bonsai Auctions page.

I only made one purchase on Bonsai Classifieds. Probably would have made more if the auction rules weren't so erratic. It was difficult to know when things were being listed and when the bidding ended.

The fact that he and his wife are the only moderators never sat very well with me so I like that this new page has several unrelated mods. There was never anything suspicious about their behavior, but I was turned off by the temperamental way he conducted himself in public when those issues should have dealt with privately.

 

[nathanbs]

I just got spammed by 81 friends requests. They were all bogus accounts and they all looked like they were bonsai related or from China, Korea, etc.

I am seriously thinking of deep sixing my FB account because of it.
I dont like auctions where I have to babysit the computer and bid every 10 seconds only to end up losing the item anyway.
Just give me a price and let me decide if its worth it to me to buy.
Regardless, Ill stick to more reliable vendors with real web pages that post trees and prices instead of a constantly moving target I cant keep up with.

try the bonsai sales page then. Less moving parts. Give it some time to build some momentum

 

[Cadillactaste]

I just got spammed by 81 friends requests. They were all bogus accounts and they all looked like they were bonsai related or from China, Korea, etc.

I am seriously thinking of deep sixing my FB account because of it.
I dont like auctions where I have to babysit the computer and bid every 10 seconds only to end up losing the item anyway.
Just give me a price and let me decide if its worth it to me to buy.
Regardless, Ill stick to more reliable vendors with real web pages that post trees and prices instead of a constantly moving target I cant keep up with.

That is odd...I would report them first thing. Never had that happen...since my cell phone doesn't work from home...I relay on Facebook very much. Instead of texting...I get PM's by friends.

 

[Beng]

Thought I would put out some info, regarding the two sites...
This new site, Bonsai Auctions, is going to be just like Bonsai Classifieds.
It will have pretty much all the same people selling all the same stuff.
I personally will be putting my items of art up for auction here and I know
quite a few others who will be doing the same. This is not to say that I and
the others will not be continuing to sell on the Classifieds. However, having
said this, for me personally, it has been a little to hectic at the classifieds as
of lately.

The biggest reason for them creating the new site and for a lot of us joining
was for consistency. Lately, it has become some what of a roller-coaster
ride at the classifieds, because of the constant changing of how the auctions
are taking place. Leaving a lot of people confused and frustrated, as well as
not being able to actually participate because of the system bogging down...

The two sites are similar in that we are having people sell things on there, but thats where the similarity ends. Our site is currently divided into two pages an auctions page and a sales page unlike classifieds, so auctions will be much easier to follow. We'll be managing it in a completely different manner. We won't be carrying on arguments publicly, calling people out publicly, we won't have tons of banter during auctions on auction items unless that banter includes bids. Anyone who's displayed they can't keep their cool and they're continually trying to start things will be deleted, any sellers or buyers that prove to be doing things that are outside of the terms won't be kept on the site. We want to form a community where people feel safe within the format and can enjoy both the community and the auctions/selling/buying process. We're trying to provide a more professional environment to buy and sell. We still want it to be a fun place but believe all disputes need to be handled privately. Discussions or concerns need to be don'e via PM as well with an admin, and or with the buyer/seller and if necessary an admin. Banter back and forth is great on a forum like this, but not on an auction items listing, places like Bnut are for that. Also the quality of the items we allow on the site will be much higher then over on classifieds. We don't want malsai, mass produced cheap chinese pots, or sick trees on the site. There will be voting amongst the admins on items we think fall into those lower quality categories. If it's voted that an item falls into one of them we will be removing the item and sending the seller a msg with the reason.

Your right though sawgrass we may have each stayed over there and kept using classifieds if it hadn't been for the consistency problems, in the end though we figured we could make an even better site. Our site will never have 2,000 members like classifieds as they were an open group for a long time before they changed it to closed. There's probably less then 100 actual active members on bonsai classifieds. These two new sites were closed from the start and will always be closed, a member needs to suggest you and an admin needs to approve you. Nothings perfect but we're trying to get as close to it as possible within the limitations of the site!

 

[Lazylightningny]

I just got spammed by 81 friends requests. They were all bogus accounts and they all looked like they were bonsai related or from China, Korea, etc.

I am seriously thinking of deep sixing my FB account because of it.
I dont like auctions where I have to babysit the computer and bid every 10 seconds only to end up losing the item anyway.
Just give me a price and let me decide if its worth it to me to buy.
Regardless, Ill stick to more reliable vendors with real web pages that post trees and prices instead of a constantly moving target I cant keep up with.

My FB account got hacked and started sending out spam. FB kicked me off, and I have no desire to rejoin not.

 

[Beng]

My FB account got hacked and started sending out spam. FB kicked me off, and I have no desire to rejoin not.

Sorry man that sucks.

The best passwords that are the least likely to be hacked have numbers, capitols, and underscores or a - in them.

D_rop05win3

That said most accounts are hacked after a phishing emial has been sent out to get you to type in your password on a website that looks like it's legit, not because the password was bad or hacked. But, unfortunately in todays digital world you're just as likely to to have your email or any other online service hacked as Facebook.

 

[Neli]

Perhaps you should have asked here for advise and people's opinions on how to make it better...you might have got some good ideas.
I personally think people are looking for bargains on the classified...and you should catter for those people too...there are not many high end bonsai buyers around, and less even on FB.
You should be able to provide an outlet for ordinary bonsai folks that are trying to make some extra cash....from their toil.

 

[Beng]

Perhaps you should have asked here for advise and people's opinions on how to make it better...you might have got some good ideas.
I personally think people are looking for bargains on the classified...and you should catter for those people too...there are not many high end bonsai buyers around, and less even on FB.
You should be able to provide an outlet for ordinary bonsai folks that are trying to make some extra cash....from their toil.

We aren't aaying we're only gonna have 5,000 dollar trees at all. I'm sure there will be a wide range of stuff on the site. From 10 dollars to 100 to 1000 and beyond. All we're saying is were gonna weed out the mass produced things like when someone used to add 10 Chinese imports of Fukien tea or ficus to classifieds. Or dozens of low quality Chinese pots. We're all for hand made and special things and those things don't have to cost a fortune.

 

[Ron Dennis]

I have kept quiet on the discussions on BC, here and other forums. I have not sold anything on BC but have bought several items including trees and some handmade pots. I have been pleased with everything I bought, especially two handmade pots which are treasures.

IMO, several points need to be remembered:
1. There will be quality and junk (both are subjective) on any auction site.
2. Some sellers have an over inflated image of worth of their items.
3. Some buyers have no concept what some items are actually worth.
4. IMO, it is the buyer's responsibility to know what he can do and understand there will always be someone who can do more. No whining if you are outbid.
5. Bonsai is a hobby for most of us and we have a limit on what we can or should buy. If one does not bid, it does not mean they necessarily dislike an item. They may be temporarily tapped out or the bid has gone beyond their means.
6. There will always be some who like the rules and some who dislike the rules. This does not mean we cannot be civil and courteous to others. If rules really bother you, then move on.

I appreciate what Mark has done on BC and wish him much more success. I wish the new site much success. And to all the quality sellers, I say thank you and look forward to seeing what you have next.