Warning leads to limited access of Classifieds forum at DVinfo.net

Rod Finch · April 4th, 2005, 09:03 AM

If you see this name (Bill Sepaniak) and (FOR SALE), Do not buy
he sold me a busted camera that I had to spend $1200 to fix
WARNING

Dylan Couper · April 4th, 2005, 10:49 AM

Where (what site) did you find him?

Josh Hibbard · April 4th, 2005, 11:15 AM

Probably here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?threadid=39855

And here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39974

Heh, to the man with "For quick answers try our Search!" in his signature ;)

K. Forman · April 4th, 2005, 12:22 PM

I am ALWAYS leery of new folk selling stuff here. Those who have been around for a while, are usually to be trusted. But, there are always going to be those who find this site, only wanting to sell their stuff. Check those post stats.

Chris Hurd · April 4th, 2005, 01:04 PM

Perhaps I should limit access to this forum (only for posting new for sale threads, not limiting responses) to members over a certain post count. Or not... let me know what you think.

Josh Hibbard · April 4th, 2005, 01:23 PM

Eh, I really think buyer beware is what we all need to follow. Look at the number of posts they have and make your own decisions, some people will be comfortable buying from a few, others will want to buy from only the most well known, and just because they have more posts wont necessarily make them reliable, Buyer beware is the way to go we should all take Rod’s experience into consideration when we make deals.

Christopher C. Murphy · April 4th, 2005, 01:25 PM

I'd definately do a limited post count AND date...minimum of a year!

K. Forman · April 4th, 2005, 01:39 PM

As much as limitations suck, that might not be completely unreasonable. As Josh said, post count isn't the best way to judge, but it works for me, and I use it on ebay as well. Those who have been here forever, are here because of strong conviction to this field. They are likely to be more seasoned, and respectful of their equipment.

People who buy gear because they expect to become instant film makers, lack the experience, and can do great damage to equipment in no time. No offense to new film makers in general, but you get my drift. After screwing up a new camera, they want to recoup some of their loss. So, they seek out others with the same dream, and hope to pass off the damaged goods.

John Sandel · April 4th, 2005, 01:41 PM

Chris, I think that's probably advisable. Unless you're fascinated by the prospect of mediating disputes, you might consider limiting your involvement to that. Of course your---& other moderators'---case-by-case attention will always be a bulwark of this site's success.

Let Ebay be Ebay and DVInfo provide its core service: friendly, responsible dialogue among pros and amateurs.

Dave Ferdinand · April 4th, 2005, 02:40 PM

Bill Speniak registered in January 2003, so I don't think the date you registered in bears any significance to your dedication to DV, and this website in particular.

I think post count will tell you how devoted and interested a user really is.

David Yuen · April 4th, 2005, 02:48 PM

So far, we have only heard from one party. What attempts were made to contact him? What was the outcome? Should he be advised of this thread so as to give him a chance to defend himself? His words, or lack thereof, will give us a more balanced perspective.

As eBay gives both sides a chance to post feedback, so we too should hear from the seller as well.

Dave Ferdinand · April 4th, 2005, 03:38 PM

Agreed.

But let also use this opportunity to see how safe it is to shop using this website? After all it could happen to anyone, paying $4000 for gear that is broken, or just doesn't arrive.

Having said that, I think most people here seem to be pretty honest. This is probably the first complaint in a long time?

Rod Finch · April 4th, 2005, 04:08 PM

Someone will have to e-mail him he will not reply to any e-mail I send

Dylan Couper · April 4th, 2005, 04:10 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Josh Hibbard : Probably here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?threadid=39855

And here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39974

Heh, to the man with "For quick answers try our Search!" in his signature ;) -->>>

Ooohhh....busted... I'm going to go stand in the corner with my face to the wall for five minutes now.

I'd suggest limiting posting a classified to someone with a minimum of say 20+ posts.

John Sandel · April 4th, 2005, 04:16 PM

EDIT: Rod, I've found 2 phone numbers for this fellow by searching thru Google. Email me privately & you could try them.

April 4th, 2005, 09:03 AM	#1
Rod Finch New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 21	Warning leads to limited access of Classifieds forum If you see this name (Bill Sepaniak) and (FOR SALE), Do not buy he sold me a busted camera that I had to spend $1200 to fix WARNING

April 4th, 2005, 10:49 AM	#2
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Where (what site) did you find him? __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

April 4th, 2005, 12:22 PM	#4
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I am ALWAYS leery of new folk selling stuff here. Those who have been around for a while, are usually to be trusted. But, there are always going to be those who find this site, only wanting to sell their stuff. Check those post stats. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

April 4th, 2005, 01:04 PM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,369 Images: 513	Perhaps I should limit access to this forum (only for posting new for sale threads, not limiting responses) to members over a certain post count. Or not... let me know what you think. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 4th, 2005, 01:25 PM	#7
Christopher C. Murphy Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,707	I'd definately do a limited post count AND date...minimum of a year! __________________ Christopher C. Murphy Director, Producer, Writer

April 4th, 2005, 11:15 AM	#3
Josh Hibbard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manitowoc Wisconsin Posts: 77	Probably here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?threadid=39855 And here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39974 Heh, to the man with "For quick answers try our Search!" in his signature ;)

April 4th, 2005, 01:23 PM	#6
Josh Hibbard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manitowoc Wisconsin Posts: 77	Eh, I really think buyer beware is what we all need to follow. Look at the number of posts they have and make your own decisions, some people will be comfortable buying from a few, others will want to buy from only the most well known, and just because they have more posts wont necessarily make them reliable, Buyer beware is the way to go we should all take Rod’s experience into consideration when we make deals.

April 4th, 2005, 01:39 PM	#8
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	As much as limitations suck, that might not be completely unreasonable. As Josh said, post count isn't the best way to judge, but it works for me, and I use it on ebay as well. Those who have been here forever, are here because of strong conviction to this field. They are likely to be more seasoned, and respectful of their equipment. People who buy gear because they expect to become instant film makers, lack the experience, and can do great damage to equipment in no time. No offense to new film makers in general, but you get my drift. After screwing up a new camera, they want to recoup some of their loss. So, they seek out others with the same dream, and hope to pass off the damaged goods. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

April 4th, 2005, 01:41 PM	#9
John Sandel Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: stately Eldora Road Posts: 386	"limit access to [Private Classifieds] forum" Chris, I think that's probably advisable. Unless you're fascinated by the prospect of mediating disputes, you might consider limiting your involvement to that. Of course your---& other moderators'---case-by-case attention will always be a bulwark of this site's success. Let Ebay be Ebay and DVInfo provide its core service: friendly, responsible dialogue among pros and amateurs.

April 4th, 2005, 02:40 PM	#10
Dave Ferdinand Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 359	Bill Speniak registered in January 2003, so I don't think the date you registered in bears any significance to your dedication to DV, and this website in particular. I think post count will tell you how devoted and interested a user really is.

April 4th, 2005, 02:48 PM	#11
David Yuen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 185	Both sides of the story? So far, we have only heard from one party. What attempts were made to contact him? What was the outcome? Should he be advised of this thread so as to give him a chance to defend himself? His words, or lack thereof, will give us a more balanced perspective. As eBay gives both sides a chance to post feedback, so we too should hear from the seller as well.

April 4th, 2005, 03:38 PM	#12
Dave Ferdinand Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 359	Agreed. But let also use this opportunity to see how safe it is to shop using this website? After all it could happen to anyone, paying $4000 for gear that is broken, or just doesn't arrive. Having said that, I think most people here seem to be pretty honest. This is probably the first complaint in a long time?

April 4th, 2005, 04:08 PM	#13
Rod Finch New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 21	Someone will have to e-mail him he will not reply to any e-mail I send

April 4th, 2005, 04:10 PM	#14
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	<<<-- Originally posted by Josh Hibbard : Probably here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?threadid=39855 And here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39974 Heh, to the man with "For quick answers try our Search!" in his signature ;) -->>> Ooohhh....busted... I'm going to go stand in the corner with my face to the wall for five minutes now. I'd suggest limiting posting a classified to someone with a minimum of say 20+ posts. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

April 4th, 2005, 04:16 PM	#15
John Sandel Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: stately Eldora Road Posts: 386	EDIT: Rod, I've found 2 phone numbers for this fellow by searching thru Google. Email me privately & you could try them.