Classifieds Change

[Bull]

Dear GJ Folks,

I'm writing to let you here in the tool section know of a change to the classifieds portion of the site, where many of you probably browse and/or buy and sell.

We have instituted a 100 post count minimum before a member can sell here. I know opinion will be mixed on this. We are trying to discourage people from joining just to sell, reduce the chances of new people coming in to fleece our members, and maintain the section as a place for actual, active community members to do friendly business with each other.

I went through the first ten pages of the section this morning and deleted about 49 ads. I sent a PM to each affected member explaining what was happening. To those who were very close to having 100 posts I added a line asking them to contact me once they reach the benchmark so I can restore their thread.

We are going to try to be better about early bumping as well as sellers creating multiple listings when combining makes sense. I haven't been doing nearly enough in that section of the site, personally. I have a lot more time to manage things when I am not in school.

Anyway, thank you for your time. I apologize to those with under 100 posts who have been selling on here reliably. We are not trying to punish you. Active members of the community should not take long to reach 100 posts. I will state that we want 100 "real" posts from people, not just a bunch of "whatever" to get the numbers up!

 

[ezriderga]

I applaud the new policy.

 

[Lilsmokey]

It will take me a year at the rate I talk. But I don't plan on selling so lol. What about buying? I know people have issues with low post counts but I prefer reading to talking. I thought about getting some stuff before but will I need a higher post count?

 

[signcrafter]

Just posting to bump my post count so I can sell! Just kidding. I think it's a good policy. Better go check to see if my pressure tester for sale got deleted!

 

[Bull]

Unless I have misunderstood, the rule only applies to selling, not buying.

 

[Lilsmokey]

Just checking

 

[lisiecki1]

I think this is a good idea and I will support it.

 

[Bearkat]

Might take me a while to get there, but I support it.

 

[GSteg]

Other forums that I visit have implemented the same policy. Not only do they have a minimum post count, but you must be an active member for at least 90 days if I recall. If you're a die-hard tool guy, it won't take you long to reach 100 posts. In fact, at least 90% of your posts will probably be in this thread:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103272

 

[DOlsen]

So, after being a member for several years, and not having reached the magic 100 post mark, I can't sell here?

I suppose that our post counts will now be adjusted to reflect only the "real" ones, not the irrelevant one or two word posts that have been common here.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I care more about join date than post count, too much garbage posted.

Also would LOVE to bring back the days of being able to post in classifieds, but that's a WHOLE different thread....

 

[volleyball]

I agree with join date. You could easily get a report to see how many 3 year old members with less than 100 posts. Why fill up the forum with a bunch of junk replies so you can sell a $20 item.
So maybe a year or 100 posts.

on a similar note, anybody know of a site to get blue book value on old tools? I have some, a few in original boxes that I would sell if I knew a fair price.

 

[gm54210]

I think most realize how much constant work it is keeping up with these things. I know I appreciate the effort and figure the new policy is fair to all involved.

Thanks again.

 

[Bull]

So, after being a member for several years, and not having reached the magic 100 post mark, I can't sell here?

I suppose that our post counts will now be adjusted to reflect only the "real" ones, not the irrelevant one or two word posts that have been common here.

As it stands, no, you will not be able to sell. Perhaps other mods can chime in about the option of an either/or situation: 100 posts/x-length of membership. Personally, though, I say "Why not post more?" You collect old tools; it would be easy to post up some recent finds, your entire collection, or just talk about tools in general.

And no, we aren't going to start hunting for "fake" posts that are being used to get totals up unless it is something noticeable and obvious. Who has time to go on that kind of a hunt on a board of this size.

Any rules can be defeated; we'll rely on the overall decency of the membership not to make this a lot of work.

I care more about join date than post count, too much garbage posted.

Also would LOVE to bring back the days of being able to post in classifieds, but that's a WHOLE different thread....

I brought it up this morning in the mod forum.

 

[zkling]

Hopefully this new rule will add a bit more....security to the classifides. Although it reminds me of the saying "Locks only keep honest people honest".

With that said, I'd like to personally vouch for STEVENC. He doesn't constantly ramble on here like myself, but is a very upfront and honest person to do business with (In my experience) although his post count is only in the double digits.

 

[bczygan]

"whatever"

 

[Bull]

I agree with join date. You could easily get a report to see how many 3 year old members with less than 100 posts. Why fill up the forum with a bunch of junk replies so you can sell a $20 item.
So maybe a year or 100 posts.

on a similar note, anybody know of a site to get blue book value on old tools? I have some, a few in original boxes that I would sell if I knew a fair price.

If a new member is, quite frankly, being a jerk by posting garbage just to get his post count up so he can sell, then he isn't going to be welcome here.

If you look through the membership list, sorted by post count in ascending order, you will go through 6,160 pages of members with under 100 posts.

As for vintage tool values, eBay is your best bet.

 

[bczygan]

Actually, I am disappointed. I was hoping this was to announce the opening up of the section to posting again.

This discourages, no eliminates, first time (And low count) posters from offering things here. Makes the classifieds even less useful. They were already irrelevant.

This is like the FAA responding to every crash with new, and ever more restrictive, rules.

Instead, I would have added a buyers guide, making it required reading before you could see the classifieds, urging buyers to take all the precautions necessary and prudent.

 

[bczygan]

If a new member is, quite frankly, being a jerk by posting garbage just to get his post count up so he can sell, then he isn't going to be welcome here.

If you look through the membership list, sorted by post count in ascending order, you will go through 6,160 pages of members with under 100 posts.

As for vintage tool values, eBay is your best bet.

OT:
It would be interesting to see a list of the top 100 or even 1000 posters.

Bill

 

[Bull]

Every action has its costs, Bill. Do nothing or do something there will be people on both sides of the fence.

We had also kicked around the idea of a 50 post count minimum. I don't see these as being unreasonable measures.

If you click the "Community" tab towards the top of the screen, you can then choose to view the site's members. Once there, you can organize them by post count to see the top 100 most prolific.

 

[zkling]

Instead, I would have added a buyers guide, making it required reading before you could see the classifieds, urging buyers to take all the precautions necessary and prudent.

Are you honestly going to tell me you read every warning detail and "check here to indicate that you read the above and consent" pop up screen?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I appreciate the changes. One other change I would like to see is a little more scrutiny of classified posts for non tool and garage related items. I see people posting furniture and all sorts of stuff that have nothing to do with this forum. The people who casually break the posting rules are giving a big middle finger to those that follow the posting rules, and that isn't right.

Thanks, Dave.

 

[DOlsen]

In my first post, I gave my eBay user ID as a reference. I figured that would allow other members to check my feedback, and give them some confidence in my reputation.

Dan

 

[Bull]

In my first post, I gave my eBay user ID as a reference. I figured that would allow other members to check my feedback, and give them some confidence in my reputation.

Dan

Having dealt with you, Dan, I can vouch for your legitimacy.

I'm a Humanities type of guy, so I don't like it when numbers rule my life but in this case it is a number we have chosen to guide us here.

 

[jefferyb_2]

Sounds like a good idea. As little as I post it'll take me years to get to 100, but then I don't plan on selling anything.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I care more about join date than post count,

Same here. It is unlikely that someone is going to create an account 6 - 12 months in advance just to scam people.

 

[Bull]

I just communicated with Ryan, the owner. He does support the 100 count minimum.

As to replies in the classifieds section, he states "No way" or "No way in hell," so I think it's safe to say that is a clear answer.

 

[frugalscotty]

Slightly disappointing as a new member although I had no immediate plans to post in the Classifieds forum. I would say that regardless whether the minimum is 50 or 100 posts I believe a minimum length of membership should also be a component of this rule.

If I were at the discussion table I might suggest 75 posts and 6 months membership.

 

[jakemac]

I think it's perfectly reasonable to restrict the forum's classifieds to participating members. The intention of this site is to promote a sense of community among it's members, not to become ebay or Craig's List. The classified section was created to give members a way to trade or sell in a peer to peer environment. Allowing "one-and-goners" to solicit sales from the membership defeats that purpose. It also opens the membership up to scammers in what was intended to be a "safe' trading environment.

That said, I'm saddened to see that some of our quieter members, some of who have traded successfully in the past, are now excluded from posting adds on the forum. Their longevity is proof that they are productive members despite their low post count.

I would suggest that an exclusion be extended to members who have been here for more than 2 years. And/or to members with low post counts that have already posted in the classifieds and have had no complaints against them. The new rules would apply to all new members going forward.

 

[bczygan]

Are you honestly going to tell me you read every warning detail and "check here to indicate that you read the above and consent" pop up screen?

Ha, ha, ha!

zkling, ya got me there!

I've probably agreed to give away my first born numerous times!
...good thing I don't have one!

Bill

 

[texasfiremedic]

I don't know what to say. Its kind of like putting your finger in the dike. The best policy is to put insurance on your purchase and don't pay as a gift. I'm sorry, you don't go to a bank and put money in that is not protected. 3% sound like cheap insurance. Although I do understand that if after a certain amount of sales a year that a person could be considered a business and that brings in other problems.
I know just a noob but it don't make since to me. I guess this counts as a post. One down and how may to go?

 

[bczygan]

Every action has its costs, Bill. Do nothing or do something there will be people on both sides of the fence.

We had also kicked around the idea of a 50 post count minimum. I don't see these as being unreasonable measures.

If you click the "Community" tab towards the top of the screen, you can then choose to view the site's members. Once there, you can organize them by post count to see the top 100 most prolific.

OMG Bull!!!

I'm no. 72!!!

I've got to get the hell outa here and GET A LIFE!

 

[volleyball]

An alternative for old members with low post count is for them to speak their mind and participate.
If they truly have nothing to say, maybe an email to the mods to get special permissions. It would solve the spammer issue.

 

[Davefr]

It's a double edge sword.

The unintended consequence is that it deprives members an opportunity to pick up tools from someone that has to liquidate an estate/collection.

This means that the thread will be only sr. members selling to other sr. members.

Unfortunately "good stuff" can come from the outside but not any more.

Were there really a lot of bad transactions in the classifieds as a result of newbies? Are we solving something that isn't even a problem? Just curious.

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, the rules here on GJ are loose enough for even we nut-job-libertarians and seem to strike a fair balance between discussion, fun and facts. There are other tool/machinery-related fora run with an iron fist.

jack vines

 

[adstock]

What about an iTrader feedback system?

 

[bareass172]

For anyone here who has never run their own forum I'd tell you that this is just an unfortunate reality. Sometimes the actions of a few bad apples end up punishing the majority who are good, but on a forum this size it's a necessary evil. If not for tough decisions like this the site mods would go insane managing the place. This ensures a certain degree of automation and self-policing without complete involvement by admins.

I applaud the change simply because I can appreciate the reasons. I'm appreciative we have a place like this and that the mods work to keep our community as safe for us as possible.

 

[Farmall450]

I applaud the new policy.

Agreed. Most of us have plenty.

 

[Aaron10647]

Understand the rationale as some criteria has to be there to prevent people joining just to sell but it would be nice to see a time criteria also used.

1 post closer

 

[zkling]

It's a double edge sword.

The unintended consequence is that it deprives members an opportunity to pick up tools from someone that has to liquidate an estate/collection.

This means that the thread will be only sr. members selling to other sr. members.

Unfortunately "good stuff" can come from the outside but not any more.

Were there really a lot of bad transactions in the classifieds as a result of newbies? Are we solving something that isn't even a problem? Just curious.

I'll poke the bear. The person whom really sprawled this whole classified shenanigans cycle had 100+ posts. So this new rule really wouldn't have changed anything in that case.