Buying and Selling via Chowhound

[jljohn]

While many forums of this type seem to have an associated classified section, Chowhound does not. I did a quick search for rules or etiquette regarding listing and selling items on CH, but I couldn't find anything.

If I have a couple of pots and pans to sell that might be of interest to this particular group of people, am I stuck going to ebay, or can I offer them here?

If not, Hey Mods--how about a classified section?

Thanks,

Jeremy

[The Chowhound Team]

Sorry, we're not really set up for this sort of thing -- we don't offer private messaging or secure offline contact, we don't have a feedback mechanism for transactions gone wrong, etc.

[jljohn]

I get it. But please, do think about it. I'm sure there are many, many, online forums with classifieds that could be used as an example. You could even just have a Classified/Wanted/For Sale section (just like the Cookware or Home Cooking sections) that is an "operate at your own risk" kind of thing. A person could start a 'thread' to sell an item, and the comment section is open via the reply button. The Cookware crew here is very active, and it would facilitate the passing around of items that folks might be hanging onto just because they are a pain to sell. If folks use Paypal (which of course is entirely up to them), then there is a mechanism for things gone wrong built into the payment process. Of course, if people want to mail cash to each other, then that's their problem!

[mcf]

Why not use craigslist and try to sell locally, no fees or shipping to pay?

[jljohn]

I have found that when dealing with specialized good (like custom knives, high end cameras, and quality cookware like Falk copper and de Buyer frying pans), specialized forums are the best place to find people who know their value. Craigslist is often a good place to buy specialized good under market value, but it is a tough place to sell them. And while I can and do use ebay, I like to avoid it if possible.