Buying & Selling on the Classified Board

[lynwlt]

I'm not here to be 'liked'....

[Deleted]

no we likes you too lyn
when you getting that penelope up and running?????

[Perpetua]

Thanks Colli.

I'll move it then, as there's a danger of the topic overshadowing the adverts.


So, is the feeling that more ' regulation ' is required in respect of the criteria applied to buyers or sellers . . . or both?

[bennyboy]

With regular members the trust is there. Personally, I would only pay via paypal gift to those who have a good reputation on here. Everywhere else it is paid as "goods". That way, if something goes wrong you are covered.

[Brian]

I agree with Collis thoughts.

When we are at work and a trawler comes along and snaps up a bargain that one of our AAEC buddies have put up. It would seriously P me off.

We all noticed the guy (no names) who is only posting in the classies, despite 2 of us trying to encourage him to join in with the rest of us.

I think something like 20 posts before anyone can PM another, (non mod) member. and around 30 before they can post in classies.

Another thing..... Sorry to ramble, but a lot of the guys in here accept payment by paypal gift, whats to stop a scam artist from selling that way to a relatively new guy who doesnt realise the implications of gifting (no paypal security), and getting ripped off.

[lunerdog]

Oct 30, 2012 20:39:48 GMT Perpetua said:

So, is the feeling that more ' regulation ' is required in respect of the criteria applied to buyers or sellers . . . or both?

I wouldn't say more regulation, lets not get too draconian, but a min post count works for me, over on the Pit its 40 posts and on UKV its now 100

I see the classies as a service thats there for the benefit of the active members of the board, people who contribute to the forum, not folk who swoop in when they see a bargain, which is why I now put on all my sales threads that I withold the right to choose to whom I sell to and I do that on all forums that I sell on.

Even with a min post count its still up to the seller to choose who they sell to as new members can send pm's just as well as longstanding members, the responsibility of a sale ultimately lies with the seller and their own judgement should be used as to who they should sell to.

As for the argument that this would be unfair on longstanding members with low post counts, well I'm afraid that that holds no water with me, the classifieds is a free advertising service and if a min post count was brought in the only contribution required would be for them to participate a bit, is that too much to ask of anybody ?

I think not.

[Ellen]

^^^^^^
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What he said,

Classifieds should be for the benefit of active forum members and there are several who only drop by for the classifieds and it feels a bit rude....

The most important rule that needs putting in place is Luner should not be allowed to put anything up for sale before he has checked my bank balance

[Chrissie]

I've thought a lot about stipulating a post count before anyone can use the classifieds, however, all that would happen with the ones that just don't give a dam about joining in, is that they will just post useless one liners anywhere in the forum to up their post count.

[Brian]

That is a genuine problem.

I guess at the end of the day its up to us to be aware of these chancers.

I rarely buy or sell on the classies, but if i had an item for sale and a stranger asked to buy it. I would 1st off, check his/her posts to see if they take part elsewhere.

[Chrissie]

I think in a way that not having a minimum post count will help show up the chancers. After all, it's so much easier to check out a member with only 9 posts to see where they have bothered to post/join in, than a member with 90 posts that has just posted dross to up their post count.

[Deleted]

I suppose at the end of the day it will come down to the seller and as brian say's the seller can always check the prospective buyers posts if they want it to go to an active member

the other thing is there are many members here and someone always points to a forum member who is looking for a certain item should it come up in the classies

I am not sure going down the ukv route of min post of 100 is a good idea but certainly the buyer should be active on other threads after all that is what this forum is about and what keeps most of us active here

[kickit]

Can I say something as a relative newbie? I feel I can say this because I haven't used the classifieds at all up to now. However, who knows, that time may come...
It's often kind of difficult, however welcoming a forum may be, for some people to "break in" to an established community. Lurking is a way to get a feel for things, but unlike standing in a corner at the pub or a party, no-one can see you doing it, so you're only "visible" if you post. However, most of the time when you're new you haven't a lot to say. It can be a bit intimidating to post nothing but questions and requests for help/advice, and just being a newbie means that you are far more likely to be "taking" than "giving" because you haven't accumulated much knowledge to pass on.
I can see that if someone is putting up a particularly sought-after piece of kit for sale then it would be nice if it went to a proper contributor to the site, and not just a passing chancer, but perhaps the minimum posts limit may have a negative effect. Maybe not, but I think it's wise to be cautious about putting too many obstacles in the way of newbies.
I'll get me coat.

[Perpetua]

Please don't Kickit . . . you've made some very valid points.

[Gordy]

on the subject of newbie... if someone put up juices they no longer wanted then surely a newbie would be the person most likely to want them but then they would be restricted by being a newbie and not having the minimum post count

[Deleted]

Oct 30, 2012 21:34:52 GMT kickit said:

Can I say something as a relative newbie? I feel I can say this because I haven't used the classifieds at all up to now. However, who knows, that time may come...
It's often kind of difficult, however welcoming a forum may be, for some people to "break in" to an established community. Lurking is a way to get a feel for things, but unlike standing in a corner at the pub or a party, no-one can see you doing it, so you're only "visible" if you post. However, most of the time when you're new you haven't a lot to say. It can be a bit intimidating to post nothing but questions and requests for help/advice, and just being a newbie means that you are far more likely to be "taking" than "giving" because you haven't accumulated much knowledge to pass on.
I can see that if someone is putting up a particularly sought-after piece of kit for sale then it would be nice if it went to a proper contributor to the site, and not just a passing chancer, but perhaps the minimum posts limit may have a negative effect. Maybe not, but I think it's wise to be cautious about putting too many obstacles in the way of newbies.
I'll get me coat.

No need to get your coat

this is a debate for all and everyone's input is always welcomed
and as for newbies we love to help and guide them and I would hope they are positively encouraged to join in this forum