[CR]Ain't Gonna Happen/was: CR parts ratings call

(Example: Framebuilders:Pino Morroni)

From: "Eric Elman" <tr4play@home.com>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <92.1dc9846e.29342727@aol.com>
Subject: [CR]Ain't Gonna Happen/was: CR parts ratings call
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 19:29:15 -0500


Is anyone up to reading another post on this thread? If so, here's my two cents:

It doesn't matter how much effort, thought and consensus goes into a rating system - it will not work, not here, not there (ebay), not anywhere.....

I have been restoring, buying and selling British sports cars for well over twenty years - same issues applied regarding grading. What I have learned from experience is this, regardless of the definition of the various grade levels, is that everyone sees the item being graded through there own eyes, and rarely, very rarely, do different eyes see the same thing. Many automotive/classic car grading systems exist and the only time any one of them works is within the one company or person using it. There is consistency then, but as soon as that system is used by two or more companies/people, they apply the standard differently. Same will happen here.

A grading system will only help to have a common definition for each of the rating tiers; but what has not been discussed is the fact that the rating being applied is based on the individual person rating it. Can having a rating system help those of us on the CR list - probably not, my experience has been that everything I've bought through this list I've been satisfied with - I think we are an honest lot of people interested more in the hobby and friendships then we are in maximizing a profit at the expense of same.

Over the past year I've gone through a lot of boxes of my stuff, struggled with the notion of selling it (I like to collect) since I may need it in the future; once I made the decision to sell I put together a list with as honest a description as my eyes and integrity allow; then I post to the group; then I add that I will supply JPEG's on request; then I send the item out before payment is received; then I will accept the item back for a refund if it isn't what was expected - never happened yet. Such a system has worked fine without a rigid list of definitions and grades. I am comfortable with how I judge, describe and rate an item - I would not be comfortable applying my judgement to a predetermined rating list agreed too by some consensus.

So what's my point? Know who your buying from. If that's not possible, know what you expect and communicate that back to the seller with a request for photo's to back up their claim that the item is to your expectations. Yes, the burden should be on the seller, especially on this CR list. The problem exists mainly on ebay or other selling venues, accept that the burden is clearly on the buyer and as has been pointed out in various previous posts, ask questions, get good clear photos, and if something seems fishy - it is - always.

I say, forget a rating system - it will create more confusion on this list by forcing people to use a canned rating instead of their own description. A person's own description will almost always be better then forcing them to apply a canned version.

That's my experience and opinion for whatever it is worth.

Respectfully,

Eric Elman Somers, CT where it has been in the low 60's today