Condensing Threads In Classifieds

[Rudy]

I think I see the problem. You have been so successful flipping your stuff here that you think you are somehow entitled to set policy on this forum.

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If you want to argue that people are trying to turn it into a "no fee eBay", it seems rather short sighted.
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If people want to sell their gold, silver, detectors, coins, accessories, then let them.

I actually sell my precious metals and coins here more than anywhere else because it's more trusted to deal with members on this forum.

The reason people are more inclined to buy things here is because us forum members are established.

I've made about at least 100, maybe 150 sales on here.

So what if we turn a profit? It's not a sin for someone to make an honest dollar.

If you see something your interested in, so what? We are not gonna twist your arm to buy it. There is no flashing banner on the top that says "HEY BUY MY STUFF".

The reason we bump threads is because if they go to the bottom, and the price needs to change, it reflects that.

People will know that we are selling something, but it it's on page 1 or 2, they will not know that we changed the price, bumping it alerts said person that the price has been updated or the deal has been improved.

Let's get this straight. You do not make policy here. Only the owners, together with the admin's recommendations, make the policy for this forum.

And because of the large number of complaints that we have received from other members about bogarting the classified forums, we may be changing some of our policies in the future in ways that you might not like. So go ahead and continue to abuse the privilege ... while you can.

 

[Coin_Master]

100-150 sales? Volume speaks for itself. 30 days and 100 posts, is to open a thread, and start selling here, doesn't prevent people (customers) from joining to buy. You like it here, because you don't have the business competition, like on other sites, basically, it's just you. Bump-war with other users... Can't think of a proper response. Most people just want to reduce a little clutter from their lives, stuff that someone here might enjoy, as they have. It's not a store front, for moving product

I'm not implying that you are ripping anyone off, I'm certain people would be very vocal about anything negative. That's not the issue, it's about supporting the hobby of metal detecting, and using this established site, for your personal gain. Pushing everything else aside, so you can turn a profit, where you should be doing it in on a more appropriate site. There are sites, that deal specifically with coins, just like this site is about metal detecting. We dig a lot of coins, don't always know just how much they are worth, as apposed to a coin site.

I'm interested in reading threads about metal detecting, mostly. Some other topics catch my interest as well, but mostly I'm interested in learning what other people are doing, and what they find. It's always good to learn new techniques, fixes, and work arounds. Up to date silver prices isn't all that important, it'll be different tomorrow, or the next day.

This would all not be such a problem if the classified section was more separated from the actual forum.

February of 2010, not even 2 years ago, this forum had about 10,000 members.

Now it has 20,000 This site has doubled in less than two years.

If things are getting out of hand, not just the classifieds, but the site in general, why not employ more admins or moderators?

As a matter of fact me and someone else asked not too long ago asked to become a mod and was turned down.

I see this site getting bigger , perhaps doubling to over 40,000 in little then a year. Times are tough and the current economic situation is going to warrant more people to buy a metal detector.

Not only that but metal detecting is picking up in popularity as a whole.

Just shutting down part of the forum and calling it quits seems like a "throw up ones hands" tactic.

If this site needs room to grow, let it. If it needs more people to moderate, then get more moderators. There are many people on this site that would love to take care of the forum.

Simply letting everything get too out of control due to the infux of new members seems silly.

I'm not making trying to set policies. I'm tossing out some ideas to help this site out. As I see it the classified section may need it's own forum entirely separate from the current one with moderators on it. Nothing has to be set in stone, why not try things? If it doesn't work out, then switch back. Innovate!

 

[Carol K]

No Detecto, you're still not getting it.

The complaints are about YOU. I'm tired of hearing complaints about YOU.

So, just stop it.

The forum isn't out of control. We're just tired of having to monitor certain members including YOU.

Just behave yourself okay?

 

[chad27]

Having to be a contributing member to post in classifieds would help fund the site for expansion. Just a thought. Though many may not like that idea. The money to maintain a site has to come from somewhere. I mean if others profit from from the ease of sales why not the site too.

 

[Coin_Master]

Okay. My apologies if I have been bumping threads too much.

I will try editing them instead of replying to them to cut down on the "bumping".

But....I am not the only one that replies to my threads, other people do too, and lately what they say has little to do with trying to sell something. If people would simply pm me that would cut down on the replies.

I know it seems like I have been selling a lot lately. I was just selling off most of my collection, and getting into slabbed coins. I usually do not sell this much in a given month, or even six months.

I usually get a hold of sterling every week, but I think I will hang on to it until I have $50 or more to sell, that way it's a thread maybe once a month instead of once a week.

 

[Coin_Master]

Having to be a contributing member to post in classifieds would help fund the site for expansion. Just a thought. Though many may not like that idea. The money to maintain a site has to come from somewhere. I mean if others profit from from the ease of sales why not the site too.

This was my idea. I like selling here. I would be more than HAPPY to pay the owners/mods/ admins, heck, even the person who blows the dust out of the server 5 percent of so of what I sell. I like selling here, I like buying stuff from fellow forum members and I like selling stuff to fellow forum members. I like selling my old coins here because not everyone can afford a fancy detector to get them or live in an area that has them.

I will try to cut down on the amount of "dealing" I do on the classified section.

 

[Carol K]

You forgot something.

"This space for rent. "

 

[HarveyH48]

The classifieds shouldn't be used as anyone's personal store, or source of income (got to remember sit down and file my tax return sometime...). Which sort of brings up a few other considerations. Income is taxed, do you report any to the IRS? Businesses are taxed, who get stuck with that tab here? You buy, sort it out, and turn around and sell the cast offs here. You can't go back to Ebay, as you have competition, the regulars will continue to sell at the same price you just paid, you lose money in shipping and fees.

I really don't understand why you don't actually set up your own business. You seem to have a good knack for it. It's a lot of work, not so much fun, and a struggle the first few years, but you get a lot of satisfaction when it grows. Metal detecting, is a growing hobby, but it doesn't mean you should be allow to grow your business here.

 

[Jax]

Okay. My apologies if I have been bumping threads too much.

I will try editing them instead of replying to them to cut down on the "bumping".

But....I am not the only one that replies to my threads, other people do too, and lately what they say has little to do with trying to sell something. If people would simply pm me that would cut down on the replies.

I know it seems like I have been selling a lot lately. I was just selling off most of my collection, and getting into slabbed coins. I usually do not sell this much in a given month, or even six months.

I usually get a hold of sterling every week, but I think I will hang on to it until I have $50 or more to sell, that way it's a thread maybe once a month instead of once a week.

This is a Metal detecting forum, not a flea market! Instead of saving it and bring it here to sell, try doing what everyone else does, send off the the smelter, or sell it on ebay or like sites. You say you want to be a Mod, but I never see a MD related post from you. Its always selling something.

I wouldn't limit the post just because one person ruined it, just change a few options in the classified section. 2 bumps total per thread, any more and its deleted, no more than once a day . Once its sold seller locks it. I'm on other forums that have busier classified sections and they run smoother than this one. Its all about respecting the rules, and not taking advantage of the site for personal gain.

 

[Coin_Master]

Here is an idea!

 

[AceGVSU11]

 

[Banemorth]

 

[Xaquin]

Here is an idea!

I appreciate the fact that you want to make some money. All of us do. That said, you're using the fact that these are a popular forums and seem to be completely oblivious as to why these are a popular forums.

If these forums turned into what you seem to want, they would cease to be Friendly Metal Detecting Forum and turn into Classified Metal Detecting Forum

now I'm not the oldest user or the first user or an admin, mod, or owner, but I think the emphasis here is on the 'friendly', not the 'business'.

I also feel that you should let it go, as near as I can tell, you don't metal detect in the first place.

 

[chad27]

I like the way that is setup. Which would help in the matter of thread bumps etc. Also less clutter. However I think that the owners/admins dont want a mass classifieds section

 

[Rudy]

Here is an idea!

Great idea! Why don't you start your own forum and implement it.

You just don't get it do you.

 

[dirtdigger88]

That's what the rule was originally, and nobody liked it, that's why it was changed to unlimited. But if unlimited is not working, we need to fix it.

We need to be able to show "fairness" between the members items for sale,, and stop bumping.

We need to avoid having to monitor how many threads each member is posting.

There seems to be a fine line between supporting the forum and using the forum to support themselves.

Carol..

I have to agree with the constant bumping.. I watched a sellers listing for 20 days and it never left the first page.. I would think that people were just not interested in the item they had for sale. and of the 12 posts on the item, 10 of them were by the seller himself..

 

[HarveyH48]

Wouldn't an expanded classifieds section, also sort increase the amount of bandwith the forum uses? Each ad would most certainly contain detail pictures. If we did turn the classifieds into the best alternative to Ebay, we would also be attracting more customers, than members who are interested in detecting. At least Treasure Hunting has some appeal to most everyone, so it wouldn't be torture to stick it out for a month, and 100 posts, to gain access to selling stuff. I've had to do it, just to download a single file before. I've had to do it, before I could see attach photos, and embedded links. It's really best to leave it alone, and stay focused on Metal Detecting.

Word-of-mouth, is still a very powerful marketing concept, word will get around. There really is nothing stopping somebody from putting up their classifieds website. No reason to push this one in that direction.

Doubt this will ever come to an end, too much potential to make use of, there will always be an angle to work.

 

[Coin_Master]

Wouldn't an expanded classifieds section, also sort increase the amount of bandwith the forum uses? Each ad would most certainly contain detail pictures. If we did turn the classifieds into the best alternative to Ebay, we would also be attracting more customers, than members who are interested in detecting. At least Treasure Hunting has some appeal to most everyone, so it wouldn't be torture to stick it out for a month, and 100 posts, to gain access to selling stuff. I've had to do it, just to download a single file before. I've had to do it, before I could see attach photos, and embedded links. It's really best to leave it alone, and stay focused on Metal Detecting.

Word-of-mouth, is still a very powerful marketing concept, word will get around. There really is nothing stopping somebody from putting up their classifieds website. No reason to push this one in that direction.

Doubt this will ever come to an end, too much potential to make use of, there will always be an angle to work.

Bandwith would not be a huge issue. It could be set up so they use their own hosted pics from photobucket and the like.

I don't think the site would expand any from the addition. As long as people contribute, talk about detecting, coins, and help each others out.

It would not be an alternative to eBay. It would still be metal detectors, coins, accessories, gold, silver, etc.

I think almost everyone here has an interest in detecting. I don't see people singing up just to sell. 30 Days and 100 posts (which maybe should be raised to 150), is too much of a hassle for someone just singing up to sell their stuff.

I could see it as this:

A member has the option to buy it. The forum would not handle ANY part of the payment, just like it's done now. If people do paypal they send the money, or they send a money order, etc.

Or they could click another button and make an offer.

It would not all have to be hand made, their are codes for such sites that "come in a box". Me and a friend actually set up an auction website, and it was very easy to do.

Of course, some kind of limitation would be implemented to keep people from going wild....I'm thinking maybe 5 items per week. If someone clicks BUY, the listing is automatically pulled, making much less work for the mods.

It's not hard to do, it's not like back in the old days where all of the html had to be hand coded, free scripts exist, of course a little modification might have to be done to tailor it to the forum's specifics, but still, easy.

Everything can be put on a backup. We could easily try it out. Never hurts to try something. If it becomes a problem, or gets out of control, then it can be switched back. It's not permanent.

This would also:
-Solve the problem of thread bumping, and RUDE replies (which seems to be a problem for a few on here). Members would not be able to comment on the listing, any kind of question or comment can be handled through the forum's private messaging function.
-Make it much easier to find stuff. Things could be split into more categories.
- Less stress for the mods. Of course they could pull a listing if it does not meet the requirements.

I am pretty sure that due to all the controversy with the current classified section, that people are too afraid to list. The increasing amount of rude or unwanted replies has risen too.

 

[Cfmct]

Bandwith would not be a huge issue. It could be set up so they use their own hosted pics from photobucket and the like.

I don't think the site would expand any from the addition. As long as people contribute, talk about detecting, coins, and help each others out.

It would not be an alternative to eBay. It would still be metal detectors, coins, accessories, gold, silver, etc.

I think almost everyone here has an interest in detecting. I don't see people singing up just to sell. 30 Days and 100 posts (which maybe should be raised to 150), is too much of a hassle for someone just singing up to sell their stuff.

I could see it as this:

A member has the option to buy it. The forum would not handle ANY part of the payment, just like it's done now. If people do paypal they send the money, or they send a money order, etc.

Or they could click another button and make an offer.

It would not all have to be hand made, their are codes for such sites that "come in a box". Me and a friend actually set up an auction website, and it was very easy to do.

Of course, some kind of limitation would be implemented to keep people from going wild....I'm thinking maybe 5 items per week. If someone clicks BUY, the listing is automatically pulled, making much less work for the mods.

It's not hard to do, it's not like back in the old days where all of the html had to be hand coded, free scripts exist, of course a little modification might have to be done to tailor it to the forum's specifics, but still, easy.

Everything can be put on a backup. We could easily try it out. Never hurts to try something. If it becomes a problem, or gets out of control, then it can be switched back. It's not permanent.

This would also:
-Solve the problem of thread bumping, and RUDE replies (which seems to be a problem for a few on here). Members would not be able to comment on the listing, any kind of question or comment can be handled through the forum's private messaging function.
-Make it much easier to find stuff. Things could be split into more categories.
- Less stress for the mods. Of course they could pull a listing if it does not meet the requirements.

I am pretty sure that due to all the controversy with the current classified section, that people are too afraid to list. The increasing amount of rude or unwanted replies has risen too.

I'm guessing what Carol posted to you didn't sink in... let me say this on simpler terms... we are not changing the format of our classifieds... I can't say it any easier...end of story.

 

[Jressman]

Maybe we should change from a forum based classified to a site-based one.

This would solve the problem of threads floating to the top.

The treasure quest forum has something like this, but it's an auction, however I'm sure a fixed-price one exists.

I sell a ton of stuff here, buy AND trade.

Why not charge everyone 1-3% for selling something? This is a low amount and would help the forum out too,

I know the "powers that be" don't want the classified section to grow, but as many members we have now, it would be a profitable option for the mods and admins.

Maybe 3 percent for items up to $500, 2 percent for items up to $1000, and 1% over $1,000

Just throwing some ideas out there.

Coin_Master has a great idea!

I don't sell very often, nor buy for that matter, but I like the part about giving back to the forum. I wouldn't mind if a nominal percentage of my sale went to help the forum out.

Again, I do not sell very often so bumping classifieds doesn't affect me personally very much, but I can see where it could be an issue if I were selling something and my post kept getting pushed down.