Tightening classifieds rules. Opinions?

AlanRatcliffe · 2011-03-22T10:41:32+00:00

I'm thinking of tightening the rules in classifieds considerably. Specifically pertaining to responses, basically only allowing posts directly to do with the sale or the item being sold. This means: - No "wish I could afford it but I can't" posts. - No peripheral discussion on the merits of some feature over another (I figure if you want more info on this kind of thing, start a thread elsewhere on the forum - that's what the rest of the forum is for). - Additional info from third parties will still be allowed as will personal endorsements of the model or specific instrument being sold. Basically I'm trying to cut down on off-topic stuff, while still allowing 3rd party posts that might help the sale. Does that sound reasonable?

WantzChas

This has really snowballed. I don't think most realise how hard of a job it is to moderate a forum, especially when people acts like 10year olds. I really respect you guys, Alan, Norio and the other mods, for doing what I never would.

I think a self moderated classified section is a good idea. The OP can then decide what needs to be in HIS/HER thread and what not.

inflames wrote Also l think the seller should have a certain amount of posts before he/she should be allowed to post in the for sale section.

Won't some forum member's miss out on potentially good deals this way? As Bob said,

X-rated Bob wrote I was at a music store in Johannesburg on Saturday. Some guy walks in with a cort electric and a loop station and an itch to buy a Tokai. The staff in the shop told him that if he wants to get best value for the kit he wants to trade in then sell it privately and bring the cash to the shop. And they told him the best place to sell it is GFSA.

Bob-Dubery

WantzChas wrote
inflames wrote Also l think the seller should have a certain amount of posts before he/she should be allowed to post in the for sale section.
Won't some forum member's miss out on potentially good deals this way? As Bob said,
X-rated Bob wrote I was at a music store in Johannesburg on Saturday. Some guy walks in with a cort electric and a loop station and an itch to buy a Tokai. The staff in the shop told him that if he wants to get best value for the kit he wants to trade in then sell it privately and bring the cash to the shop. And they told him the best place to sell it is GFSA.

We all lose with that kind of qualification. New sellers will just bypass GFSA and go to gumtree.

Interestingly at said shop they were saying that GFSA is much better than gumtree etc because there is less risk.

vic

I am for keeping things as it were....a bit of chit-chat is not harming anyone. Also I bet those who have derailed the classifieds in the past have certainly taken note of this thread....that includes me as well.... ?

AlanRatcliffe

OK. From all of the comments, I am leaning towards allowing advertisers moderate their own ad threads. I'll still keep an eye out for obnoxious behaviour, but otherwise the advertiser decides...

singemonkey

vic wrote I am for keeping things as it were....a bit of chit-chat is not harming anyone. Also I bet those who have derailed the classifieds in the past have certainly taken note of this thread....that includes me as well.... ?

+1 all round.

MoJo-JoJoe

X-rated Bob wrote ... Stay out unless you have something positive to add to the thread.

Besides what may or may not be sold in the Classifieds, this is the only rule needed and it should be enforced rigidly. Not too difficult. If anyone thinks they need to tell someone something negative about the item being sold, they can use PM.

inflames

How about allowing the seller to close the thread once the item is sold?
This way people will know it is sold before starting to post again to the thread.

---mario---

RobK wrote
X-rated Bob wrote
RobK wrote

Well, if the post is deleted, and the pedal is sold, it will still come out(eventually) that XRB is a dishonest cheating @#$#$%$%#@(whatever that spells) ? and we'll have much more fun chewing popcorn watching the fallout thread from the sale ? ?

Only loser there is Stratisfear, 'cause now no-one will now he was the good guy

EDIT: Just in case someone mi-interprets this post, it isn't an insulting angry, etc, etc. post aimed at Bob.

I've been that guy with this thread ?

It feels like some serious emotions are floating around, hope everybody finds peace and forgiveness in themselves ?, negativity is what kills a character in the end.

I'd also like to thank Alan and Norio for what this forum has been so far, it has a culture that takes a long time and devotion to construct, but can fall in an instant... Thus, TBH, I think they may be a little dissapointed at late. Hope it doesn't progress.

I just want to punt something else as well, they recieve nearly (I wouldn't know, but from the past this is what it seems like) nothing for their effort, they have lives other than the forum and have to work, and I'm sure everybody can imagine how much work it must be to read through all the posts of a day each night when you come home. It's hard to stay motivated to do such work if you come across negativity and you can't simply ignore it and only read what you like (like the rest of us), simply because it's what is expected from them. What they do comes pretty close to charity work for all of us who enjoy the forum.

I think the best solution to this is that all of us, as said, moderate what we post first: am what I'm saying contributing to positivity and to growth of the forum, or am I just trying to be an ass now (sorry). Besides, it's really not hard to show a cold shoulder to something silly that could be offensive, though some things should be taken with regard to what EVERYBODY can percieve as humour, we don't all know each other personally. Also, if you feel offended you can kindly PM the person to either edit or remove the post (less work for the mods...), heck, I joined in July last year and until the beginning of this year I only had like 30 posts, it was the culture that I've noticed that made me stop being a lurker.

I hope I don't get decapitated now for being sincere and honest ?,
Peace be with you all

Mario

costafonix

...mario... wrote
I'd also like to thank Alan and Norio for what this forum has been so far, it has a culture that takes a long time and devotion to construct, but can fall in an instant... Thus, TBH, I think they may be a little dissapointed at late. Hope it doesn't progress.

I just want to punt something else as well, they recieve nearly (I wouldn't know, but from the past this is what it seems like) nothing for their effort, they have lives other than the forum and have to work, and I'm sure everybody can imagine how much work it must be to read through all the posts of a day each night when you come home. It's hard to stay motivated to do such work if you come across negativity and you can't simply ignore it and only read what you like (like the rest of us), simply because it's what is expected from them. What they do comes pretty close to charity work for all of us who enjoy the forum.

yep, thanks Alan and Norio,,, it may not seem so at times but ~~I think~~ I'm sure the majority of the GFSA members appreciate your efforts :yup: :goodtimes:

NorioDS

Alan Ratcliffe wrote OK. From all of the comments, I am leaning towards allowing advertisers moderate their own ad threads. I'll still keep an eye out for obnoxious behaviour, but otherwise the advertiser decides...

I've just done this. (Or redone it, if Alan already did it and I didn't notice ?)

You can now delete (but not modify) replies to your topic and you can now lock your own topic. This is strictly inside the Classifieds board. Let me know if there are any hassles or if it's not working. (You should notice new links for locking a topic at the bottom left (I think it is) and for removing replies to the right of each reply but, of course, only if it's you're topic.)

Hope this helps.

AlanRatcliffe

Great! Thanks Norio.

Just thinking - should the topic owner also be able to delete their own ad (for instance when an item is sold)? Would make for a smaller, more relevant and easily searched classifieds board. An automatic expiry/deletion after a certain length of time would also help.

FruitarGeek

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Great! Thanks Norio.

Just thinking - should the topic owner also be able to delete their own ad (for instance when an item is sold)? Would make for a smaller, more relevant and easily searched classifieds board. An automatic expiry/deletion after a certain length of time would also help.

Yes. I like that idea. It would also prevent people from having to bumb so often, because new and subsequently sold items get placed before them. Although I wouldn't make the time period too short. Maybe 90 days or so. Should be more than enough

EDIT: And yes, thank you for all the work you fella's have done. What a community we got going here ?

NorioDS

Making it possible to delete your own ad is easy enough but the expiry is a bit trickier and heading more into custom functionality (which is something we might want to consider doing - moving the classifieds to a non-forum section of the site, where we can add interesting features like expiry and soon.)

guitarboy2828

Alan & Norio props to you guys!!! For a site we don't pay a cent for, you guys are doing an amazing job! Thank you!

AlanRatcliffe

Norio wrote Making it possible to delete your own ad is easy enough

OK. Great! I think please go ahead and do that when you have time.

the expiry is a bit trickier and heading more into custom functionality (which is something we might want to consider doing - moving the classifieds to a non-forum section of the site, where we can add interesting features like expiry and soon.)

I'd also thought of adding a dedicated, integrated classad system to the site. But custom means time developing etc...

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