Should we change the Flea Market Rules?

rooftop59

So, what should we do? If the results are clear enough, we might send them on the Ken for a final decision. (Note, this poll is anonymous)

motorhead43026

How many posts do you have to have to vote...lol.

Kurt300

rooftop59

And just clarify option 3: what I wish we could implement is a rule that states that a newly listed item is only available for purchase by polkies for 1-2 weeks, but once that time limit expires, the seller can sell to anyone they wish through the forum. I don't think we can enforce a rule like that, but we can't enforce the current rule either.

My vote is for option 3.

tonyb

Maybe we can make it a sticky so it doesn't get buried. I'd also like to see it run for awhile so we get at least 100 votes in instead of the 30 we have now.


.....and what the heck ? My dead Grandmother can't vote ?
.....and why can't I vote more than once ?

rooftop59

tonyb wrote: »

Maybe we can make it a sticky so it doesn't get buried. I'd also like to see it run for awhile so we get at least 100 votes in instead of the 30 we have now.

Is that something Ken does Tony? I don't know how to make a sticky.

I agree with you that we need a lot more votes than we currently have. If nothing else this could be taken as one indication of the overall "active membership" on the forum.

tonyb

rooftop59 wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

Maybe we can make it a sticky so it doesn't get buried. I'd also like to see it run for awhile so we get at least 100 votes in instead of the 30 we have now.

Is that something Ken does Tony? I don't know how to make a sticky.

I agree with you that we need a lot more votes than we currently have. If nothing else this could be taken as one indication of the overall "active membership" on the forum.

be careful what you wish for. If the active membership is flaunted as being low, the lifespan of this place is going to get shorter.

Inspector 24

While I don't like the wording I picked option four. Basic premise, come for the sales, stay for the community.

When business is dwindling the last thing you want to do is make your door harder to get into, reguardless of the sign above it.

So I say let people buy, sell, do whatever they want within the boundaries of what is ethical and decent, it will help site traffic which will help the site.

tonyb

Inspector 24 wrote: »

While I don't like the wording I picked option four. Basic premise, come for the sales, stay for the community.

When business is dwindling the last thing you want to do is make your door harder to get into, reguardless of the sign above it.

So I say let people buy, sell, do whatever they want within the boundaries of what is ethical and decent, it will help site traffic which will help the site.

lol....have to disagree though, but I do like your choice of words. If people wanted to be part of this community, there is nothing keeping them from doing so. The FM and the forum are 2 separate entities, who needs the forum if you have access for free to the FM. The 50 post count entices people to be active on the forum instead of ditching after they got what they want in the FM.

rooftop59

Inspector 24 wrote: »

While I don't like the wording I picked option four. Basic premise, come for the sales, stay for the community.

I am confused. To me the basic premise of option four is there is no point in changing the rules because the forum is dead. I meant option four to imply that you do not care to change the rules because it does not matter. Is that not what's implied?

Inspector 24

rooftop59 wrote: »

Inspector 24 wrote: »

While I don't like the wording I picked option four. Basic premise, come for the sales, stay for the community.

I am confused. To me the basic premise of option four is there is no point in changing the rules because the forum is dead. I meant option four to imply that you do not care to change the rules because it does not matter. Is that not what's implied?

The defeatist nature of the language implies there's no hope so who cares.

I do care, I just don't think a minimum post count is necessary.

The 50 post count entices people to be active on the forum instead of ditching after they got what they want in the FM.

I am a perfect example of what I am referring to. Sure I came for the fleamarket but I had every intention of staying in being a productive member as I have been a polk enthusiast for a long time. The only thing the post county requirement enticed me to do was to make a bunch of junk posts really quick so I could buy and or sell something. And since then I think I've been a reasonably active member here.

Will no post county requirement solve all the problems? No, of course it won't but it's another tool to attract people to the forums.

vcwatkins

Inspector 24 wrote: »

rooftop59 wrote: »

Inspector 24 wrote: »

While I don't like the wording I picked option four. Basic premise, come for the sales, stay for the community.

I am confused. To me the basic premise of option four is there is no point in changing the rules because the forum is dead. I meant option four to imply that you do not care to change the rules because it does not matter. Is that not what's implied?

The defeatist nature of the language implies there's no hope so who cares.

I do care, I just don't think a minimum post count is necessary.

The 50 post count entices people to be active on the forum instead of ditching after they got what they want in the FM.

I am a perfect example of what I am referring to. Sure I came for the fleamarket but I had every intention of staying in being a productive member as I have been a polk enthusiast for a long time. The only thing the post county requirement enticed me to do was to make a bunch of junk posts really quick so I could buy and or sell something. And since then I think I've been a reasonably active member here.

Will no post county requirement solve all the problems? No, of course it won't but it's another tool to attract people to the forums.

I'm confused too. Why did you not like #3? - "Yes: Leave the limit for selling at 100; remove the limit for buying (leave it up to seller)"

gudnoyez

So I picked option 2 not sure if we should reveal our pick or not but I can guarantee you can trust the regulars here not sure I would even consider buying from someone before they have 100 posts and you get a feel for that person my .02

vmaxer

Although I voted #3, it really doesn't matter to me. I've had no issues with it as it is. However I don't think I would buy from a newbie?? I like the trust that is here.
On the other hand there are some items listed here that should have sold and haven't. That is why I picked #3, after a period of time he/she should be able to decide for themselves.

If I were selling I would give the longer time Polkies dibs for a period of time

gce

How can you set a rule when anyone with only 1 post can come in here and put something up for sale!@#$%&*

Mikey081057

You forgot you have to sell 50 things before your first post!!!

vmaxer

gce wrote: »

How can you set a rule when anyone with only 1 post can come in here and put something up for sale!@#$%&*

Simply don't buy, your choice. I do wish the software could take care of it though.

F1nut

How can you set a rule when anyone with only 1 post can come in here and put something up for sale!@#$%&*

Anyone trying to sell with less than 100 posts has their thread removed.

F1nut

Choice #4 is really not helping matters and it saddens me to see 10 people so far have wasted their vote on that one.

F1nut

In fact, I'm so pissed off about #4 that I think this poll should be deleted and a new one started.

daddyjt

These types of conversations are much better suited to privacy amongst the leadership/senior members of the forum - no one wants to see the inner workings of the sausage factory.

I find it somewhat off-putting that I, as a "noob", am prevented from buying items for sale here. I would put my buying/selling/karma-ing record up against anyone's, but I'm instantly viewed as "un-trustworthy" here...

And I take no offense here, I am simply overlaying this fact with your own observations of declining membership. Everyone you attract to this forum will be a "noob". Wether they stay or not, will largely be determined by how welcome they feel in their first months here.

Again, I take no offense - I just came here for some info on restoring some SRS speakers, and liked the diversity of conversation, and I've been coming back daily for the past month or so. F1nut makes a very valid point about option 4 - This comes across as snarky at best, and defeatist at worst. I sincerely hope this is not a look at the true culture of leadership - But if so, your prophecy may come true sooner than you think.

As for the buying and selling rules, just pick something (anything), post it, and stick with it. Hand wringing servers no purpose, other than to make the leadership look indecisive.

motorhead43026

Hope you stick around Daddy.

daddyjt

motorhead43026 wrote: »

Hope you stick around Daddy.

I'm all good brother - As I said, I take no offense whatsoever - Just offering thoughts and suggestions to maintain/grow the forum...

Probably sticking my nose in where it doesnt belong:-)

F1nut

I find it somewhat off-putting that I, as a "noob", am prevented from buying items for sale here. I would put my buying/selling/karma-ing record up against anyone's, but I'm instantly viewed as "un-trustworthy" here...

I find that attitude somewhat perplexing as there are any number of audio forums that have various restrictions on access to their classifieds, one I know of makes you pay to buy or sell. Yet, people come here thinking they should have the right to do both from the jump.

Like trust, the use of the FM is earned.

Kurt300

I suggest that the top two are run off against each other. Otherwise, policy looks like it would be set by a vocal minority. I personally favored #2, it retains a uniform comfort zone, but reduces the leap to FM participation, while preserving core members first immediate dibs on sweetheart deals offered by other members wanting to pass on some karma.

F1nut

Wow, now #4 has 13 votes. Really? WTF is wrong with you people!?!

Nightfall

For what it's worth, I voted #3

boston1450

I refuse to vote ive decided im gonna go read about speakers

daddyjt

Nightfall wrote: »

For what it's worth, I voted #3

Same here...

Inspector 24

I find it somewhat off-putting that I, as a "noob", am prevented from buying items for sale here. I would put my buying/selling/karma-ing record up against anyone's, but I'm instantly viewed as "un-trustworthy" here...

This. And 50 or 100 quick junky posts does nothing to add to a buyer or seller's credibility.

Like trust, the use of the FM is earned.

By 100 potentially fast, junky, one two three word posts that someone could rip through in an hour if they really wanted to sell/buy here. I've seen it, I'm sure you have.

I find that attitude somewhat perplexing as there are any number of audio forums that have various restrictions on access to their classifieds, one I know of makes you pay to buy or sell. Yet, people come here thinking they should have the right to do both from the jump.

Perhaps those forums have the traffic and the popularity to justify such actions. The question posed in this thread suggests that something needs to change and thus opens the issue up to discussion. In light of the fact that these forums are apparently dying it seems relevant to consider every way possible to maintain/increase traffic.

A question I haven't seen asked or answered...What is the downside of opening up the FM to all without a post count requirement?

F1nut

By 100 potentially fast, junky, one two three word posts that someone could rip through in an hour if they really wanted to sell/buy here. I've seen it, I'm sure you have.

Those posts are deleted in short order.

A question I haven't seen asked or answered...What is the downside of opening up the FM to all without a post count requirement?

Our FM has an excellent track record when it comes to successful transactions because of the restrictions. In the 12 years I've been here I can count on one hand the number of selling/buying problems. Opening it up to one hit wonders is simply inviting rip off troubles.