eBay and Craigslist finds

Dogs has probably built more bikes this year alone (for his own pleasure) than your little business exterprise has built all told. If I was you I would stick around listen and learn. Your copywriting is spot on but if you are going to make money on e-bay you have to be an expert in the product you sell. If had bought that bike for £600 and it arrived with dodgy fucking ends that would be your seller rep up in smoke. Don't take it personal just accept that we know what the fuck we are talking about.

I also wanted to say thanks to Motti for at least suggesting that I should be able to 'fight my corner'.

I feel like trying to respond to all these pointless digs in one go, but I know I can't and it's frustrating the hell out of me.

But to open up... this one's to you TheSmilingBuddha: how am I not supposed to "take it personal" when you start with the line "Dogs has probably built more bikes this year alone (for his own pleasure) than your little business exterprise has built all told".

Of course I'll take it personally! I've been riding, racing and building bikes "for my own pleasure" since 1980.

FYI - the bike I'm selling on eBay was a personal build (originally for me). I bought the frame from an LFGSS member who did vouch for me on another thread. I originally planned to build the bike for my own collection, but a friend of mine fell in love with it at the beginning of the summer and I built it for him. Sadly he was killed in an RTA in August in Dorset (NOT RIDING THIS BIKE) which means I still have the bike.

I'm NOT a business or 'exteptise' as you stated. I make this point quite clear in my eBay ad - again frustrating as there is FAR TOO much ranting speculating on who I am and questioning my motives.

I'd like to think that like you guys, I'm an enthusiast who has a passion for bikes. Not some no mark who's attempting to jump on the band wagon!

And to your point:"If had bought that bike for £600 and it arrived with dodgy fucking ends that would be your seller rep up in smoke."

I'm completely in agreement with you, but let's be honest I didn't think I would be selling this as a complete bike to the type of person who's on LGFSS... the majority of whom are (I'm assuming based on what I've read) knowldegable, opinionated, individuals who know their kit and most likely (like me) would prefer to source parts and build their own bike to their own personal spec.

In short, I was pretty sure guys like you wouldn't want to buy it as a complete anyway.

A fair assumption?

I genuinely joined LGFSS as I thought it was a 'community' and the idea of a community was a gathering of like minds with like interests. Yes... I accept that some people will know more than others, and I agree that a community should be self-regulating, but this 'exclusive' attitude seems demented. This might as well be The Masons' forum.

You've made assumptions about the frame based on what you've seen in a photo and one other members cycnical and, I feel, somewhat unprovoked attack on an item I'm genuinely trying to sell on eBay.

Furthermore, you've then made the assumption that I know nothing about the subject matter. Why?

Because I'm a newb on the forum?

Because I don't post regularly?

So should I conversely, therefore, assume that to be taken seriously or given any courtesy on LGFSS you have to have been a long-standing member or possess and ride something utterly unique and very rare, and only then will your validity be unquestioned? Makes it kind of difficult to attempt to become part of something if you're stone-walled.

Bit sad... seems a very conservative, stuck up attitude. Bit like a bunch of rich kids or an old school tie network.

The sort of thing I would have thought a group of intelligent, knowledgeable individuals who favour an alternative approach to life would collectively be against.

I can't stand the idea of bowing to peer pressure, but if it means I can avoid having my eBay inbox clogged up with uninvited judgements I'll change the wording to read 'track inspired' bike.