Site suggestion for Classifieds

[deleted]

As it is on AGF.

Could we not have a system where we have to donate a once off R50 (or something) to guitarforum.co.za to get a new membership status, "charter member"
And only then once you have done that are you allowed to use the services of the classified section.

you can view, read, but not post there unless you are a charter member...

Just seems like to much stuff going on in the classifieds...

Just a thought...

I would pay a once off for this service... ?
That way you dont have to bump your item from page 10 to 1 in a 24 hour period... ALL the time...

ActionArnie

Or maybe restrict creating topics in the classified section to users that have been registered for more than 1 month?

MikeM

I also think bumps should be limited to once every 3 days. Seen this implemented on another forum and it was effective. That way we don't have classified threads being spammed into the latest post list the whole day.

StephenG

with the constant GAS attacks I suffer, I dont care if the person has been a member for 1 hour or 5 years.. whether they have 1 post or 3,000 posts... if they got a bargain they looking to sell, i want to know about it !!!!

I'd hate to miss out on a bargain cause the poster finds it easier to post on gumtree than here.....

maybe, like gumtree, have a small section at the top of the classified where paid for slots can stay up longer, but still at least maintain access to 1 time posters...

DonRoos

I too am constantly seeking to cure my GAS and read the Classifieds regularly to find a bargain. I also like to see some of the photos of wierd stuff I have never seen before. I find a good mix of new items and classifieds and would not change anything.

shaundtsl

DonRoos wrote: I also like to see some of the photos of wierd stuff I have never seen before. I find a good mix of new items and classifieds and would not change anything.

I agree, although I would maybe say that a general rule to not bump everyday, maybe every 3 days or something as mentioned by MikeM would be a good idea.

AlanRatcliffe

Norio and I have discussed the classifieds at length before. The thing is, it is one of the things that consistently brings us new members. People join to sell or PM a seller and quite often end up staying around and joining in. Putting any limitations on the classifieds will dissuade people from joining and send them elsewhere to sell, which is not in our best interests.

Jericho

I don't see any issue with people bumping their ads...you could just ignore the classifieds thread (s)?

I think the classifieds section should remain open and free to anyone to post. Why would a non-regular pay to post their ads here when they could do it for free elsewhere? Granted, they would be losing a dedicated guitar community to sell their gear to but GFSA members would also lose out on lots of potential deals...

There's no upside to a paid / restricted classifieds section of GFSA.

BluJu

I don't think that there is any problem with the classifieds. Limiting bumps may be an option but I don't think that guys are abusing it here.
That's just my opinion.

raithza

StephenG wrote:
maybe, like gumtree, have a small section at the top of the classified where paid for slots can stay up longer, but still at least maintain access to 1 time posters...

This might not be a bad idea. Some way for 'trusted'/paying members to have their classifieds stickied for a limited time? Say, if you donate R50, you're given one sticky license which you can use to sticky any of your ads on the classifieds. If you want to sticky more than one ad, you have to donate another R50. After a year, your sticky license expires...?

Bob-Dubery

ActionArnie wrote: Or maybe restrict creating topics in the classified section to users that have been registered for more than 1 month?

Who would be the losers if that happened?

Say I'm not a member of GFSA. Say I have some kit that i want to get rid of in a hurry, and because I want to conclude the business quickly I will make the prices attractive. Now there's an impediment to me offering that gear at those good prices on GFSA? Well I'll just take my business elsewhere.

Manfred-Klose

keep it as it is.

i'd rather be open for donations to keep the website running. like once a year or so or if you ever feel that the website holds value to your lifestyle, you give a small donation.

ActionArnie

X-rated Bob wrote:
ActionArnie wrote: Or maybe restrict creating topics in the classified section to users that have been registered for more than 1 month?
Who would be the losers if that happened?

Say I'm not a member of GFSA. Say I have some kit that i want to get rid of in a hurry, and because I want to conclude the business quickly I will make the prices attractive. Now there's an impediment to me offering that gear at those good prices on GFSA? Well I'll just take my business elsewhere.

True, but often classifieds posts found on GFSA are put up on gumtree/junkmail too and I suspect most GFSA'ers with gas browsing for a bargain frequent these other classifieds sites.

The main advantage of the GFSA classifieds for me is that you have a little bit more security in that you sort of "know" the sellers. There's a relationship link and a track record that you don't have with the free-for-all classifieds sites. This relationship link doesn't exist with the guy who has only ever posted once in the GFSA classifieds section and nowhere else.

MikeM

Yep.. When I put stuff up for sale here, it's stuff that I love and don't want going to some random strangely enough.

Charlie4

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Norio and I have discussed the classifieds at length before. The thing is, it is one of the things that consistently brings us new members. People join to sell or PM a seller and quite often end up staying around and joining in. Putting any limitations on the classifieds will dissuade people from joining and send them elsewhere to sell, which is not in our best interests.

I have to agree with Alan because I was one of those guys who joined because of the classifieds - It's a safe place to do business and buy quality gear from like-minded individuals.
That and the fact that the site is a great source of information.

MikeM wrote: I also think bumps should be limited to once every 3 days. Seen this implemented on another forum and it was effective. That way we don't have classified threads being spammed into the latest post list the whole day.