Classifieds Change

[PowderKeg]

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.

No matter what or how many limitations/restrictions are put on, caveat emptor (buyer beware) always applies.

While a 100 post minimum may seem a little excessive, IMHO something needed to be done - seems to me there's been a noticeable uptick in low count sellers that also over-bump and/or multi-multi-post because they don't bother to read or adhere to the rules. On a high volume site like this, the classified section should be a privilege for active members and not a burden for the mods - how much work can be thrown on them before they start throwing in the towel altogether?

Sorry to see longer-term low-post members get bit - I'm not the most frequent poster myself considering how long I've been round - but the mods will never come up with a plan that will satisfy everyone or completely restrict the bottom-feeders.

 

[simplec6]

This is a great idea and more forums should implement a policy like this.

 

[Exceller8]

I think it's a great idea!

 

[gtermini]

I think this is a good move. Will it solve all the issues? No, but I don't think it will hurt anything.

Greyson

 

[jeffmoss26]

This is a very good idea.

 

[woody 73]

I like the idea, I only wish more people would chime in (not just for the selling 100 #) but rather talk about their tools and what works for them.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Count me in the camp that is happy to see this change made. We've had way too many people getting fleeced on here lately and while no strategy is going to stop all the scammers, this is should still make a difference.

For the record, I was also happy to see confirmation that the ability to reply to classifieds is not coming back. There were always too many jerks abusing it to bump threads and who refused to play fair.

 

[Outlawmws]

OMG Bull!!!

I'm no. 72!!!

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

You know, I was about to post that I didn't see the big dea,l it's not like 100 posts is a huge hurdle. Then I saw your post and said: Hmmmmm....


and I've only been here a bit over 2-1/2 years

 

[fozzy]

I prefer the membership length personally as a low volume poster, but as I don't foot the bill for the forum, so I certainly respect the wishes of he who does.

I read a lot on this forum, especially when I should be doing other things, and have been on a few other forums where the number of posts that you read determines your seniority, but nefarious people will find a way around any rule as Bull said. If it saves even one honest member from heart and wallet-ache, I'm OK with it. If I wasn't, then that would be my choice, as it could be the other 6k who don't have 100 posts.

On another note, I'm now 1 post closer!

 

[Jason280]

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.

Absolutely, the worst thing you can do is allow replies in the classifieds.

 

[Krokodil]

Good change.

 

[Talidog]

What about an iTrader feedback system?

I agree with the change but really wish an iTrader feedback was also implemented. Past trading experiences are much more useful to a buyer than a post count.

 

[sgs236]

Doesn't affect me much, but if I could not sell in the classified section, then I certainly would not buy from the classifieds.

 

[PT Doc]

Should help with bs sellers and non sense.

 

[Bull]

Ryan has clarified some things:

The rule applies to the "wanted" section as well.

Alliance members are exempt from the restriction.

 

[Audiocrazy28]

Northcountry had more than 100 posts. That's didn't stop him from trying to rip off people.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Absolutely, the worst thing you can do is allow replies in the classifieds.

I'm curious...you were barely around when that policy changed. So how do you pretend to know what you're talking about?

Replies in the classifieds worked well for years, very few issues. And if people started replying when NorthCountry was selling his stuff, a lot fewer people would've been ripped off b/c they would've saw that the stuff they wanted had already been spoken for. The classifieds worked better then than the way they are now.

 

[Gregg33]

Great there aren't enough rules in society already. I really think we need more restrictions. A lot of people that aren't tool junkies could very well have interesting stuff to sell, especially if they inherit tools. Now they can't do it. Totally not in favour of this rule or even the no replies to classifieds rules. If some idiot bumps his ad 15x it could just be removed, no need for that rule either.

 

[sgs236]

Ryan has clarified some things:

The rule applies to the "wanted" section as well.

Alliance members are exempt from the restriction.

So if someone pays a fee, then they are considered trustworthy enough to sell in the classifieds section. That sounds like BS to me.

 

[Fordman7795]

The minimum post count for the wanted section is silly. Someone has to post 100 times because they are looking for a couple sockets to complete a set?

 

[Junkman]

I would buy more, if the forum were better organized. I hate having to search through a page full of ads just to find a particular brand that I am looking for. If the forum is to have a revamp, possibly breaking it into some sub forums for particular popular brands would also help.
I have no problem with the 100 post requirement, and part of that reasoning is that I am already past that point. I don't know how the post counting is done on each of the forums, but I do know that a person can get to the 100 post count quite quickly, if they are a frequent poster in the Free Parking Forum. I don't envy any of the moderators for attempting to keep the peace, and do a balancing act between over moderation, and under moderation. I do know that if you think twice before posting a controversial thought that you will steer clear of any problems.

71st on the post count leader board...

 

[kams1973]

So if someone pays a fee, then they are considered trustworthy enough to sell in the classifieds section. That sounds like BS to me.

Ryan has the physical address for each alliance member, so this makes sense that they would be exempt.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I'm curious...you were barely around when that policy changed. So how do you pretend to know what you're talking about?

Replies in the classifieds worked well for years, very few issues. And if people started replying when NorthCountry was selling his stuff, a lot fewer people would've been ripped off b/c they would've saw that the stuff they wanted had already been spoken for. The classifieds worked better then than the way they are now.

Ad hominem is not an argument.

If there were no issues, the no-reply policy would not have been proposed in the first place. If there were no issues, the change would not have been supported by a majority in the poll and implemented as a result.

 

[Thegratenate]

It sounds like a reasonable requirement. Everything we do is a tradeoff, here is another.

 

[MN4x4]

Alliance members are exempt from the restriction.

That seems like a reasonable solution for anyone who is a serious player. They could shorten their wait time without having to go bonkers posting.

 

[tweedlestan]

A fat lot of good this will do. A pay to play scheme? What a joke.

If you can't reply to an ad you might as well shut the entire classifieds section down. Not being able to reply invites fraud.

 

[kursplat]

I've been busy, and not on here too much lately, but it's good to see any change is still met with equal amounts of praise and derision.
it's Ryan's sandbox, and if Bull and the other mods want to spend their time herding cats here, instead of having meaningful tool interaction in the garage, I appreciate it.
thanks guys

 

[kursplat]

psst, new guy's, this is how it's done...
I'm going to hide a useless post here below my mostly useless post, to up my post count

 

[balane]

I buy more than I sell but I definitely use the section for both. I'm not 100% behind the idea but my vote would definitely still be in the positive column. Nothing is perfect, you do the best you can.

 

[ecally]

I would be in favor of a minimum post count OR time as a member, say 3 months. I am on the site almost daily for the last few years, but I just don't post much. The new rule penalizes me and as it stands is illogical and will result in meaningless posts.

 

[MDSPHOTO]

Almost every forum I belong to has some type of longevity policy to participate in specific parts of their forum. Most institute a 100 post AND 90-days before being allowed to participate in buy & sell sections. I support the change.

 

[Bull]

Being an Aliance member:

Provides Ryan with your address

Requires a financial investment of some significance

Therefore it suggests that you are invested in the site. This is probably the logic behind the exclusion.

No one will contend that any rules change (or any rules at all) will eliminate deviant behavior. Look at the thickness of law code books in the civilized world and the crimes that still exist. Doesn't mean we shouldn't do anything.

I agree with John about the old version of the classifieds, but Ryan is top dog here so we need to let it go.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Ad hominem is not an argument.

If there were no issues, the no-reply policy would not have been proposed in the first place. If there were no issues, the change would not have been supported by a majority in the poll and implemented as a result.

I didn't say no issues, I said rarely an issue. There's always going to be some issues when you have people involved in transactions with no vetting process.

Basically, your argument is that they wouldn't have changed it if there weren't issues, and because a majority voted one way in a poll, the change was infallible. Weak argument.

 

[CDD]

So 100 post to be able to post on the classified section or if you pay for the Alliance Membership you can post no matter what your post count is?

There is no real difference. A scumbag will be a scumbag for free or paying.

Think of this. Scumbag pays for the Alliance fee and then scam some member for double or triple the membership fee. Free membership and free money to spend elsewhere. Yes ADM have member info but what makes the info provided to be an Alliance Member 100% truthful?

If the staff really want to clamp down on this motherf!@# instead of post count make it thread count.

Like others members has pointed out you are going to see a lot of stupid post just to get their post count up.

PS: I'm not interested on selling since I don't have time to deal with the shipping process but I do buy from members here and would not like to be burned by some low life Motherf!@#$%

 

[augustus]

This does make me feel a little put out, I have sold successfully in the classifieds. I would post more, but someone on here always knows more than me! At the end of the day, I'm happy to have the site, if I don't like it I can start my own. And this should get me to 35

 

[byoungblood]

So if someone pays a fee, then they are considered trustworthy enough to sell in the classifieds section. That sounds like BS to me.

I can see the logic here. Someone who pays to be a member is much less likely to be out to scam someone.

I have been a member of some boards where the ONLY people allowed to post in the classifieds are paid members. Granted, these were rather limited audience car clubs, so pretty much anyone who was active on the board was a paid member.

 

[stang6768]

Having a low post count I do agree with the over 100 post rule. I don't sell on here or any other site, because never have anything to sell.

 

[Strouty]

I am behind the rule. I can't stand it when someone with one or two posts is selling on the classified section. If they are an alliance member and are selling with one or two posts, I would still be leery. At least there would be some accountability if a problem arose.

As for the guys with multiple years and under 100 posts, that one is a little touchy. This is a forum, the only way to be an active forum member is to exchange ideas and views. If you are only reading, you are in no way giving back to the community. I have seen threads with thousands of views and only a few posts. I have seen good threads get lost in the junk because no one posts.

Bull, I think one of the biggest areas that should be addressed is removing "free parking" from the "new posts" search. That would solve a lot of issues. I like to check out the new posts, but free parking takes it over, then you have to go into each section individually to find anything worth reading. I do post in free parking, but I would post a lot less if the results were not in my face all the time.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

Been reading posts here since I registered in 2007. With this one I'm up to 45 posts. I've only sold a few items, and I understand why this is being done. I only need to bump this post 55 more times before I can sell my Buffalo drill press.

 

[Haveblue]

I like the policy, and I agree with it. Although I have not used the classifieds, it is always an option for me, I do browse them. I think the 100 post rule is a good measure to weed out the BS.