Classifieds discussion - what do you think?

[Saltheart]

Originally Posted by Fishoholic

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

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.

[tattoobob]

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

[Finaddict]

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 ... ... 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 ...

[Hookedagain]

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.

[IFG]

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

[Rob Rockcrawler]

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.

[Raven]

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

2% isn't much to ask

[striper774]

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.

[Notfishinenuf]

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

[HESH2]

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.

[slow eddie]

have a min. amout of posts before your allowed to sell. i buy and sell all the time on here. less chance of being burnt by a unkown stranger.

[The Dad Fisherman]

For the "Active" Lurkers who claim they feel like they don't know enough to post.....asking questions is contributing too, it leads to discussion

[Pete F.]

Some rule about minimum posts would help with the spammers, but I have'nt seen that as an issue. Of course I don't go to classified much I have "enuf fishing stuff". Just remember no matter what rule(s) you make the person who is going to be a problem will be a problem.

[fishsmith]

I love the virtual tax free yard sale here. I vote to leave it as is

This will -
1) let John go fishing vs. work on the site
2) prevent restrictions which will lead to less variety.

I would be all for a % of sale or base fee to add an item to the classifieds.

[MakoMike]

I agree with most of the others. Some sort of participation should be reuired or there should be a fee.

[JohnR]

This is far more about selling than buying. I want this to be as reasonably open as possible but also want to reward those that participate. I can't see cutting out people that want to buy but I can see having some rational rule that one must participate for the betterment of the site (post/ask questions) versus just finding a free market to target.

Thanks! You've all giving me some good info to mull over.

[wader-dad]

I think if we have complicated rules on number of posts, it gets into an SOL morass of rules. Do we want to be that? Does John want to be the Tim grand policeman?

I would go for the 2%- and no commercial sales.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by wader-dad

I think if we have complicated rules on number of posts, it gets into an SOL morass of rules. Do we want to be that? Does John want to be the Tim grand policeman?

I would go for the 2%- and no commercial sales.

KISSICF

(Keep It Simple So I Can Fish)

I'm thinking like 20 non-classified posts & 1 month minimum member on site.

[chefchris401]

john how does the "itrader" work??

ive done a good amount of deals here and would like to rate people i dealt with and have them rate my sales too, kind of like ebay feedback right,

that way people know your legit and honest.

[Redsoxticket]

Then you will need to have rules to dispute erroneous feedback and on and on and on.
KISS
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[chuckg]

Leave it as it is, after surf fishing for 30 years I have little to say given the nature of some of the threads and I chime in where I think it is worthy of a response, and, if I think I have something worthwhile to offer but I don't spend my day here...

[Adam_777]

If you start rating responses and their values I fear I will not be able to participate.I try and post here and there but there are some real hardcore fisherman on this board that get paid to speak about fish.Like Clammer and stuff.

[tattoobob]

I have found that people that don't post in the main forum are not trust worthy and I won't buy from them I got screwed once and thank god I paid with paypal because they got my money back.

[Sundowner]

I guess I too am one of the member/lurkers. I come on S-B many times a week, but I hardly ever post either. I am mainly looking at whats going on in the fishing community. I hope to this year meet some members as I changed careers and work no longer runs my life. I look at the classified once and awhile, dont buy or sell, but would like the option if I wanted to, but the lack of posts might make it hard to do. I do think that it also doesn't take much to post, so I hope to do more of that too.

[Sweetwater]

I'm getting into this discussion a bit late, but I think it boils down to how much everyone (especially JohnR) believes that classified sellers add to the useful and interesting content of the website. Personally, I think a rich classified section contributes to the quality of the content, and if a guy makes a few bucks, who's harmed? Clearly the line has to be drawn that it cannot include "commercial" selling and must be personal only.

[Saltheart]

I don't think anybody is proposing writing ratings on posts or posters except in relation to them as buyers or sellers in the classifieds forum. I'm not sure I want to see ratings there either but I know we will not be rating people based on their posts in the general forums.

[GattaFish]

Definitely a qualifier to sell,,,,

Maybe we could also do something once a year where guys donate stuff to sell like a plug or something and all the proceeds go to JohnR for maintaining the site....

[Justfishin']

I'm in line with what Ross has to say about it but also agree that John should get more time to fish, a moderator should take the burden from him. And the tip jar is a good idea too.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Justfishin'

I'm in line with what Ross has to say about it but also agree that John should get more time to fish, a moderator should take the burden from him. And the tip jar is a good idea too.

I want to make LESS work for everyone - not just me so we can go

[MVbluefish]