This wraps around to the call back in January for more moderators, Sindy and Brad are reaching the saturation point...at least in my opinion.

There needs to be some "housecleaning" done here with more organization and consolidation. 121 pages of mostly long dead classified ads is a bit on the silly side, there should be a set limit for how long they are allowed to be on the site, say 30 days maximum.

But I understand that the appointment of additional moderators is unlikely considering how long it took to resolve the server issues a few weeks ago, and the near revolt it took to make anything happen.

 

I think the 50 posts is good. But the post count should only increase if you are posting in a technical section. That way you have to actually post something useful for your numbers to increase. Otherwise you can knock out 50 bs posts in an afternoon with some of the continuing "joke" posts that are on here.

 

I think that post counts in general are just something to tickle the egos of those so inclined to put anything more than a number behind them. Defining what constitutes a "worthy" post versus just interacting socially with other members would be a hard thing to do.

I think that just having a minimum post count would be sufficient, if a person has two posts and they are trying to dump their HHR or sell it off for parts, they really don't get the purpose of the site.

If someone just wants to access the site as a means of disposing of their vehicle or parts, then they should have to pay to post a classified ad which will have to be approved by either the moderator or assistant administrator.

 

One fly in the ointment about cutting all those old dead classifieds... there is a feedback thread with links to some of those posts.... Not a big deal, it would just lead to a "page not found" if somebody clicked on one and not that many use the feedback thread anyways. Just something to be aware of.


As far as post count, I agree. 25-50 should be okay...... as far as "meaningful posts" that may have to be up to the buyer to check what the guy has been up to on the forum before shelling out cash. It's always going to be a buyer beware situation no matter what the forum can change for the better.

 

"...cutting all those old dead classifieds... there is a feedback thread with links to some of those posts....".

When I posted about removing closed old classified threads, I thought about this also.. Especially since whenever I sell here, I always include my feedback links from those who have bought from me.

Granted not everyone who has bought, felt the need to leave feedback, but they were satisfied.. I always try & make sure every deal is good on both ends..

IMO it's the feedback thread comments left by buyers that is the most important part.
They tell you if all went well, & if they would buy again etc, etc... More important that even the old ad..

I do study these feedback threads before I buy from someone I haven't had much interaction with. Like ebay, feedback is important...

For that reason, I think starting with the oldest closed classifieds, could be removed without hurting anything..

And this is just my opinion..

 

Things like "nice car" or "me too" or "" and nothing else is a good sign of post padding when there are the 50/90 rules on forms. This is a common thing on all forums that I am on or have been on. Infact over on one of the fish sites I belong too, they too use this same V Bulletin software and have it setup to automatically make the classifieds invisible until the user reaches both minimum requirements and then it becomes visible once the counts are reached. They also uphold the "worthy" post requirement. I am not sure on what they do but I do know they will not hesitate to alter someones post count if they are deemed post padding. If the user has already met the 50/90 marks then all is well and there count is left alone. But of course they have a bigger staff to do all this.

 

I think 25ish posts is reasonable. 50 seems like a lot.

Also I gathered from another forum that a good rule is the item for sale must be accompanied by a paper with the users screen name and date to prove the picture didn't come from elsewhere.

 

I say ... Keep it simple for now.

Quit trying to fix everything at once.

1. Adds run 30 days then deleted with a way to easily repost with corrections and/or new info.

Delete all old adds over 30 days "NOW".

2. Allow for Editing your adds for the full 30 days.

3. Allow for "easy deletion" of the add by the poster at any time.

4. Make it easier for all to post their pic,s
Max 4 pic's per add.

Give these fixes 3-4 months of trial to see if we need more fixes.

As Greybeard says ... It's always going to be Buyer Beware.

It is on E Bay and Craigs list even though they have tried to control it.

Buy and sell with Pay Pal if you are really concerned.

Even tho I dislike Pay Pay and their policies in some cases.

SF

 

In my opinion 30 days would be to short, no reason to have them that short..... If someone keeps bumping an ad once a week or so, they are trying to sell but the right buyer hasn't come along yet, to have it automatically delete at 30 days is kind of rude, don'ch think?

But a lot of those ads are well over a year and dead ends..... those can go away anytime.

Posting pics is posting pics, there's a how to posted here on the forum in the help section. No reason to change anything there.

 

There are more reasons to keep old threads than to delete them. Every forum on this site has old threads. I think they are a good way of searching for pricing consideration on what your selling. Knowing what others have sold something for can only help this.


As long as the poster posts that the item is sold, the thread gets locked and marked as sold, so it's not like they are being resurrected later on.