You can be the first responder here and think you had a lock on the item, but the seller has also listed it on eBay, Craig's List, SSW, newspaper and six other sites, and you may not be the first. So to be fair, the seller has to check the time of the PM or email, and then somebody is disappointed (at best or po'd at worst). It's happened to me, and it didn't seem like a good way to do biz.

I'd say to list an item or bunch of items on one site, and if you don't get a sale, remove the ad and list it on one of the other sites. If you still don't get a sale, remove the ad and try another, etc.

Wow, MM....
I understand Steve's point and that is how I operate when posting an advert.
But BEFORE I do that, I'm on your side, I always try to find the person that will get the most use from my prized model possessions, and make sure it goes to a great home!

I'm torn between you two's opposing views!

LOL good one, I think allot of times you're selling stuff you kept well and it's always nice to think your stuff will carry on beyond your ownership and not get put in a shoe box waiting for an estate sale. But, I'll sell to shoe box guy in a NY minute if he's a good buyer and from NY not Seattle, saves on shipping.

But my point is, some people have poor communication, don't use paypal, you have to drag info out of them over several emails that takes days they want free shipping ect. Other people first email bam I want it, what's your paypal here's my address done deal. Nobody knows who got there first so... Now you don't want to promise one guy then sell to another guy, that would be terrible.

Anyway, I rarely have multiple buyers for airplane stuff so it doesn't really come up. Bottom line is I can keep it all straight and keep everybody happy so please don't try and moderate what I do on other web sites.

MM  

Fortunately for us both, I'm not likely to have anything you're interested in, Jerry.
R,
Chris

Chris, Good one! You're probably right.

I'm just a bottom-to-middle of the pack advanced flyer and it doesn't look like I'll be moving up anytime soon!

Oh well........Jerry

I always offer what I'm selling in this Forum first, keep it in the family. 

And I do look to see who was "first" with a yes or offer. And, as it was said, once it's yours, do with it as you please.  I see no other way to look at it. Even in a trade, do as you please with it, trade it again! It's yours so knock yourself out.

I do believe though, there's a bit more money to be had if the item is sold on ebay.

I have an Enya .29 NIB that I will Post here, but it may not be well received, limited number of modelers.

But on ebay your selling options are greater with modelers viewing from all over the planet. Dat's a bunch of modelers!

I've sent plenty of stuff to other countries and purchased stuff from other countries also, modeling and not modeling related from ebay sales.

I've sent stuff to other countries from SH Forum sales also.

I still give the SH members first dibs on modeling stuff and will always do so.