TOPIC:

I'm thinking of setting up a Sell/Buy Facebook group, for vintage RC AUCTIONS. (maybe only Tamiya?)

As far as I can see, there's no group on Facebook allowing "structured" auctions for vintage RC.
It seems like all the selling groups have been set up by/for "buyers", and only fixed price ads are allowed. Setting a fixed price can be hard when selling rare/vintage stuff.

I'm member of a non-RC selling group where bidding is the norm and bidding is allowed according to certain rules. Simply put, it works great, and there's very little problems.

Typical rules would be:
- Ads must include a minimum price and state that highest bidder wins.
- Ad must state the duration of the auction. Clock starts at the first bid.
- Seller states (as a comment) the end time of the auction (calculated from first bid's comment timestamp).
- "The 5-minute-rule" (see below) is optional for the seller. The use of this rule must be explicitly stated in the ad. (before any bid)
- "The 5 minute rule" is an (optional) extension of auction end time with 5 minutes if a bid is placed withing the last 5 minutes of the auction end. New end time will be 5 minutes from the last bid. Every new bid adds another 5 minutes if placed within the reised end time, (auctions can then in theory go on forever)
-All bids must be placed as a direct comment to the ad (ot as a reply to another comment) Bidding through PM or other means are not allowed.
- The advertised item can only be advertised at this group.
- The seller is responsible for commenting the ad after end of auction stating who's the winner and at what price.

I'm guessing the group must be moderated only allowing ads with correct format.

Would such a group be of interest of anyone?
Ay thoughts/comments of the mentioned format?

Sure, that could work It would take care of Shill bids and sniping

I stoped Facebook. And bids, I am afraid by the spéculations. But it should be interesting. If strict rules are respected. And moderators have to be here everytime.
But why not a specialised tamiya bidding fb site.

Hi Lars,
I think it's a good idea, there are similar pages that sell other items on FB.
Nevertheless, I would like to draw your attention, as Sting mentioned, to the fact that scammers are taking advantage of this page.
Unfortunately, I had an experience like that and since then I have learned from my mistakes. Now I am willing to pay more for a postal service with signature and payment by PayPal with an invoice by the seller. Everything else I avoid as much as possible.
If this Facebook page clearly stipulates such rules why not, but as far as I'm concerned I don't take any more risks.

I think we're touching on to one of the problems I also fear: Will the Facabook group have any responsibility in the trades being done based on it?
In my opinion, no.
Just like here on TamiyaBase, we can recommend good/safe behaviour when buying/selling, but we can't police in or take responsibility if something goes wrong.
The same thing would apply to a Facebook sell/buy group.

You run more or less the same risk on eBay, where new sellers may be scammer or genuine, you just don't know until a few have tried. Paypal Goods & Services and some investigating of the other party is always a good idea.