Miata.net Classifieds (semi-Rant)

I was about to post a rant about the seemingly ridiculous requirements to post a classified ad on Miata.net, but...

Here's the story. I have a set of wheels that I'm not going to use. They're pretty nice and somewhat desirable. I've posted theme here, but someone suggested that I also post them in the Miata.net classifieds.

Now, I've been a multiple Miata owner for ten years, but I have NEVER looked at the Miata.net classifieds when I needed something. I've poked around the forum a few times and picked up a few pointers, but it's not like the GRM forum at all. Too many of the posters there seem to be members of what I refer to as the "Peel-and-Stick Miata Club"; Every item in the Moss Motors catalog that is installed by removing the adhesive backing and pressing it into place can generally be found on their cars.

Anyway, I thought that maybe this captive audience (M.net) might be a good place to advertise the wheels. As I went to post, I discovered that I had two options:

A) Post for "Free" by becoming a "Supporting Member" for $23 per year, or

B) Use the "Paid" Classified section and cut them in for 10% of the selling price.

So, I figured that I'd go to my old standby, e-Bay, only to discover that the fees have quietly crept way up without my noticing. It would actually cost me more to use e-Bay than to become a "Supporting Member" across the street, er...internet.

Rant over.

Moral of the story: Folks, we've got it good, here in GRM'ville.

I've noticed that, like all enthusiast sites, the Miatas sold on those classifieds seem to demand a premium. I'd rather wade through 3 pages of retarded Craigslist adds and save a few thousand dollars.

At the end of the day, Miata.net is a business. And although they command a majority, not ALL the regulars there are the "peel and stick" variety. Hell Keith posts there.

Woody wrote: B) Use the "Paid" Classified section and cut them in for 10% of the selling price.

I'm right there with you. I have used their classifieds section over the years, but was shocked when I found out that they now want 10% of the selling price and it doesn't cap out until something like $50 bucks!

That's a steep premium IMO.

I agree. I've sold 2 Torsens and countless other parts and I never considered placing an add there. It would cost me $50 out of my pocket to sell a typical Torsen. It also seems it's on the honor system so you only pay once/if you sell the part. But I'm the type that abides by honor systems (call me old fashioned) so I just don't use the site.

This is by far my favorite place to post stuff as it's free, gets lots of visibility and the folks are the best to deal with!

I didn't know they charged, but I can say that as a potential buyer I hate using their classifieds. I like the typical forum-style post classifieds that offer the buyer the chance to put a ton of detail, pics, etc.

Not to pile on, but I've noticed a large section of peel-and-stick owners on that site as well. When I was lurking there regularly a couple years back (brother had a Miata we were building into a track car), I had a hard time finding the track junky section. Most of the people seemed to respond to modification questions with something along the line of "Mazda already spent $XYZ billions making it perfect, why would you change it?"

If there's a track-biased Miata forum (other than here, obviously), I'd appreciate a point in the right direction.

I've read some good info there for my turbo Miata projects. I find it's a lot easier to deal with than miataturbo.net's adolescents.

I've actually bought quite a bit off the m.net classifieds. I've bought a torsen, trunk lid, ecu, supercharger, etc. I do check it often. The only sections I read of m.net are autox, and the Canada section. The rest of it drives me crazy.

Sell them for $0.01 with a lot of shipping. Then cut a penny into 10 slices and mail them one.

I'll take another 10 yard penalty for piling on, but ever notice if you mention appearance mods (wings, body kits, lights, etc..) or things like drifting, the typical forum poster takes giant dumps on you?