Classifieds discussion - what do you think?
 

We have a few people that only use the site for Classifieds buy / sell, and little or no other participation.

I'm looking for YOUR opinions on whether we should let that continue or require a minimum amount of posts in order to sell things in there.

I really want this place to be an avenue for people to talk fishing, buy/sell is a fair bit down the list. The vast majority of folks just using the site to sell offer no real contribution to the community, and they don't offer anything to the Tip Jar.

How about a nice, productive discussion on this (not looking for "throw the bums out"). What says you?

Take 2% handling fee!

My vote: must have 0.1% post of BigFish to use Classified!

100 posts that aren't in Classifieds and you need to have posted in the last 30 days to show you are an active member.



and can we apply this logic to the Pit of Despair forum too.....just a thought

Man not only does he makes some mean booze , he is smart too, I like it.

No posts or recent activity equal no right to post in the classifieds IMO. I think we should keep it between active members only. I look from time to time in the classifieds and have purchased from people that are good people here. This is a community IMO not an Ebay.

If he really was smart, he'd stay out of the "Pit of Despair" forum.:grins:

TDF is pretty smart in this case, though. I like his thoughts on this, although I think 50 posts would be ok. Some people don't post a ton, but are still active on the site and not just here to buy/sell.

Think you must be a contributing member in some way.

there are people who just post in the plug building forum but bring a lot to the table so thats fine, guys like rowhunter and musky slayer who dont fish for stripers but offer lots of great info and contribute.

Some kind of required post or member for so long needs to be enforced.

The down side is a lot of people lurk on here and maybe are just starting out and learning and dont post cause they dont want to look like a newbie, so maybe the member for so long is the way to go.

Thats my thoughts.

If one of them would buy my currently listed mint Penn 965, He would be exempted... Otherwise, throw the bums out:rotf2:

Hate to see rules here.... rubs a nerve, if you know what I mean. A little message to said parties from the board of moderators would go a long way to solving the problem. Kind of a form letter on file sent as a PM, requiring an acknowledgement. One would seem to be <18 yo. Might need to have an age requirement, or a parental thingy, as we had to do on trips to Cuttyhunk.

I post regularly on two sites, this one and the other one. I initially joined both sites to sell stuff, believe it or not. :uhuh:

I had thousands of dollars in tackle I amassed over the years and wanted to unload it all, which I did. Over time I met alot of guys from both sites and made a lot of friends, which was a much bigger dividend for me than simply joining the site to sell stuff.

Also, the BST rules have necessarily changed a bit as more people are visiting sites just to buy and sell, thus the number of issues related to buying and selling have increased since I joined in 2003.

Over time I got more involved, but I still view the BST as a reason to visit, meaning if you're a fisherman you're always looking for discount tackle deals if you're like me.

As long as the people selling stuff aren't getting carried away, I wouldn't do anything...perhaps they'll become regular contibutors over time. The amount of buying and selling here isn't that great, so I'd leave it alone but monitor for signs of abuse.

Its the same brain abnormality that makes me drink Fruity Beers and Watch "Women in Prison" Movies......I just can't stop....If I let the shrinks in, They'd need shrinks.

Must be an active member (No, BST forum should not be used to constitute "active" involvement).
No, "lurking" will never be considered "active" involvement.

Maybe 25-50 posts BEFORE allowed to post on BST, figure that would be about 1-3 posts a day, so maybe 1-2 months depending on how serious the person is about this site. Call it a "probationary period".


Just a couple of thoughts on the topic.

Using the site/server cost money. People who lurk only to sell and not contribute cost JR and us moola. The use us. And they certainly dont follow the minimum post requirement, which was my idea, (the internet was my idea as well) and is utterly unenforceable unless they get locked out. But like Ross says, rules arrggggg! JR your kind, thoughful, insightful, the owner, we'll stand by your decision.

Drop the POD forum, who'll miss it?

John,
A member should have a minimum of posts before selling, I like to check back posts of members that are selling, to make sure I'm not dealing with a Jackwagon!

On your comment of the "Tip Jar" - The site isn't Craigslist...... Having mentioned the tip jar, I know myself and other members will be willing to tip now.

It's all about contributions.... Your going to have to police the posts, don't let them get away with saying "HBD" 50 times, like I did.....

"100 posts that aren't in Classifieds and you need to have posted in the last 30 days to show you are an active member."

Have to agree with TDF and Fishbones (50 posts).

Although I agree that its not really out of hand yet, it has the potential to get that way if nothing is done. We don't want to come off as condoning it. I like Ross's idea of a form letter, but will that be too much work for the mods if this is becoming a trend here?

Therefore, I think we should do something along the lines of what Kevin TDF laid out.

I'm OK with people buying on the BST forum at no minimum so that's fine. I'm more thinking for the sell side.

Otherwise, seems fairly consistent

ban luds :smash:

define "contribute" .... I mean I post.. but I'm not sure exactly what I contribute :D

The only other thing I would add is that once you hit a 100 (or whatever the # is) only a certain percentage can be in that forum.

Maybe these 2 posts can count for 1/4 post.

Anyone with that Avatar would be perfectly fine :rotf2:

Thanks John! No one wants my junk anyhow :smash:

Just coming here to sell isn't cool if you ask me.Unless the guy is selling some bigfish spooks.I need a few new ones.:)

I only have a few posts but I know I've contributed something - even if it's only some bytes in the DB. :)

Other forums I've visited have a "reputation" counter based on users interacting with each other - separate from posts. Wonder if there's a similar plug-in for this system.

One of the qualities of this site is that there is no need for a tyrant, err I mean a lead executioner. The members have always for the most part been able to self police the site, for the sake of the site. Not to knock Tim, because his is a good site for striper fishermen, but it's just different here. And that's why I check in here first, every day. A PM to every registered member should cover the bases of what is expected, what is not. And a message upon signing up stating the same should work going forward. It could be from the members in good standing, unless John wants a new title....:grins:

Divide a member's total number of posts outside of the Classifieds by 30. The result is the number of items he or she is allowed to sell per month. Fractions don't count. If it comes out to 1.785, it's still the "1" that applies.

Appoint a dedicated Classifieds moderator to monitor it. Someone who has the time to do it.

Don't include nonsensical "throw-away" posts, like the one word reply such as "nice!!!!" or "sweet!!!".

I've been around 18 months and this is my 10th post.... At this rate I'd never be able to sell anything .... I'm okay with that ...There are plenty of places to sell stuff.... I believe by limiting the sell side you don't hurt the seller... you hurt the member..... now the member is forced to leave the site to look for "deals"... sounds like a bad idea.... I would think you would encourage sales to members... and like and earlier post.... the seller became an active member...

I dont see the current rules/lack there of as a problem. The classifieds dont get a whole lot of use. I wouldnt mind seeing more in there. Buying and selling stuff is pretty fun, seeing what is out there etc. I would like to see more activity by the sellers but have a feeling that the adding rules about the amount of posts they need wont help them participate more. And I pity the fool who has to moderate the classified section.

By the way will someone give me a good deal on a boga 60!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You should have 50 posts minimum and/or .3 posts a day average.

I like the classifieds on here more than other sites.

A few reasons, good deals, good people to deal with, no bs, and never been burnt on anything.

Plus meeting people from the site is always nice.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Some contribute by serving as bad examples. :)



Tough call. Like to see regulars get bargains. Hate to see unknowns profit from the site.

Could do something like a minimum number (significant number of real posts , like 50 ) to sell in the classified forum or they can buy in before that minimum number for X number of dolllars to Site.

I don't know , its a complicated issue.

Charge everyone 2% of the total sale, and put it towards the upkeep of the site

While I have responded to requests for items to buy ... I have not been able to sell anything on site ... I guess my stuff hasn't been so popular ... :smash: ... requiring a certain number of posts is not such a big problem, or overbearing ... I also agree a percentage of each sale is not unreasonable to request for the site.

But ... be cautious about implementing rules that are too strict ... life always has a way of catching up to us at times unexpectedly so that we may not be able to be active on the site as much as we'd like ... and for that, we get penalized? Just something to consider.

That's my three cents ...

I feel that weather theres a 2% of the sale fee, or a minimum number post, if you're an active member its not going to drive you to another site to sell an item. I enjoy checking in here and I don't abuse the BST forum. So, if you're offended by the proposed new rule and want to go elsewhere to do your selling I don't think you really wanted to be here in the first place. This has become a community of real good people who want to chew the fat and talk abut common interest subjects, the classified is a bonus to all of us. I have both, bought and sold here, Thanks John for having this as part of the site.

I agree with Mike P.

With an addendum, there should be an appeal process by way of a moderator, there are many "active Lurkers" on the forums that may not post but stay active in the S-B.com community. For frequent sellers and big ticket items the tip jar should be mandatory. This site is not craigslist, it is a community of sportsmen and the classifieds are a great way to pass on great deals but for the unscrupulous its free marketing.

-Pete

I like the tip jar thing. Maybe there could be a link to paypal, that would make it mighty easy to do.

"This site is not craigslist, it is a community of sportsmen and the classifieds are a great way to pass on great deals but for the unscrupulous its free marketing."
-Pete

I do agree with your point Pete, i didnt think of it like that.

targeting S-B fishermen as a group is spam
unless your gonna add some friendly banter
on occasion

2% isn't much to ask

Sometimes it is impossible to even button my shirt never mind typing out paragraphs on what i would like to respond to.There are nunerous reasons why some people don't chime in.In my case it's physical.I read alot on here but most of the time i can't even move the mouse.John,do what you think will work best for everyone.Lots of opinions here to be
thought about in your final decision.

I guess I am a "member/lurker". I do not post much as most are much more knowledgeable than I. I am a reader and check in and read almost daily. I have offered a few for sale items and also offered the sale with a percentage to go to the site. That seems fair to me. You can not sell on E-bay for free. I hate a lot of rules but don't want something for nothing. The mods can detect someone who is taking advantage and could restrict that member. I don't like a lot of "big brother". That is my 2cents.

Vic

think you gotta set some standard for the classified section.think its up to john to use his right to rule on the matter.some posters were getting out of hand to sell there things on this site.remember a member post up about a stricken family member and someone post up a thought and prayer with his site telling you to buy its item.this site unlike the bigger site is a more personal family group of posters who know in alot of cases each other.i've met a few people fishing from this site and are all great people,remember 1st get together with boss man and liam was just a baby.