I love this idea of a separate area/section for "For Sale" and "Wanted to Buy" threads! I like the approach a number of forums have taken in this arena. For example, the RPF has a "Classifieds" section for members only. So if you're not a signed-in member, you don't even see this area. IndyGear has a similar approach with their "Cairo Bazaar." I think it's RPF that has a policy that you can't post in the Classifieds until you have a certain number of posts within the Forum. I think this is a great idea to weed out sellers who only come to the Forum to make a quick $ (or £) and then disappear. It encourages members to become active participants in the discussions and not just take some money and run. Of course, this minimum-posting rule applies only to selling, not buying. Anyone would be able to come on here and make a purchase - no need to reach a certain number of posts before you can contact a seller to buy something. I don't think it would be fair to a seller to restrict a possible sale.
I think there should be established "rules" for buying and selling that can be a sticky at the top of the Sales section. Maybe that's an obvious point, but I think it's worth stating. The rules can pertain to the number of times a seller can "bump" their own sales thread (or a buyer their own WTB thread). I also think a seller should condense their items for sale to one thread (instead of creating one thread for every item they're selling). This will certainly help in the cleanliness of the section. One other thing I like about the Cairo Bazaar on IndyGear is that threads expire after 30 days and are then deleted. This definitely helps with the housekeeping! I've never seen the Cairo Bazaar more than two pages long (40-50 threads maybe). If a seller hasn't sold their item after this allotted time, they can just repost the items again. It puts the onus on the seller to maintain their thread, instead of the mods. It also eliminates those 3-year old sales threads from popping back to life from a new member asking "Is this still available?"
Now I know these suggestions are just that, and it's ultimately up to the mods to implement what they feel is appropriate (and what's achievable with the software and time). But I think you're on the right track with a separate section. Any addition would be an improvement to the current set-up.
Sorry, still away and am late to the party. Broadly I agree with Mantis, actually amazed he put Props before Wardrobe
For example, you could have Props, Wardrobe, Toys, MISC.?
It hasn't been mentioned yet but I don't think we should go down the RPF route, where you have be a payment subsribed Pro user to sell. I fell foul of that recently and had an FS thread deleted. So my attitude there is 'Screw Them' I would rather offer things to you guys first, and then in time, put stuff on EBay at a slightly higher price. This offsets EBay charges and also gives members here a preferrential rate.
Whilst you're talking to SiCo, could we also have play pen where we could send Higgy Babe and SnakeBoy to so they can continue their bickering........ I'm joking, I love the banter and it is one of the things that keeps me here, even if I have to run all of Higgy Babe's post through Google Translate to understand them
Ok, this is a good idea and tidying up the stickies would also be good.
I don't see that a group of topics about selling particular types of items would work as every offer would merge with another?
I can create a new forum, but this in turn at the moment can't have sub forums / categories. It could have a user forced category system, i.e. tag your post at the start or end with [Prop] or [Wardrobe] etc.
I can make it so a member must have x posts before they can post a topic but anyone can reply. I don't want to have a hidden forum unless you are logged in though.
I won't have a payment system as the site cannot and will not actually start getting involved in these transactions.
Here's a little down and dirty Photoshop of how the Buying & Selling section could appear -
And if you drilled down another screen -
I think the eBay thread, as well as any "production runs" could live in this new area too. Maybe the Production Runs could be Stickies on this page? Just my thoughts. What do you all think? And from what you posted, SiCo, this seems doable.
If separate forums within the Buying & Selling section is a harder approach, perhaps it could be addressed as part of the "RULES" to include one of the following IDs in the thread header:
FS: or FOR SALE:
WTB:
WTT:
PRODUCTION RUN:
So an example would be -
PRODUCTION RUN: The SOLDEN Jacket is back!! (ROYALE Filmwear)
That way, if a member wants to look for all the Production Runs, they could go to the Search feature, and just type in "Production Run" and select the "Buying & Selling" section. In theory, if every post/listing has that in the title, the thread should come up in the search, and BINGO!
Yes, it requires more mod activity to ensure that users adhere to this policy, but it would then eliminate the need for the sub-forum sections.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,754Chief of Staff
I like the idea of another Forum just for sales/wants/trades/production runs that DBS suggests...especially the
FS: or FOR SALE:
WTB:
WTT:
PRODUCTION RUN:
part... -{
That shouldn't be too difficult to moderate...well, until our Teutonic friend stops by :v )
YNWA 97
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,754Chief of Staff
Please note that some threads from Memorabilia & Collecting Forum have been moved to the new Memorabilia For Sale/Trade Forum...and more will be moved when time permits...thank you -{
Ok I have created the forum (I have chosen to have one forum for the moment for both selling and wanted posts, I am open to ideas on this if it gets messy again). Sir M has already started moving posts into it.
I think you will need to come up with the relevant tags for the tagging system as it is a little outside my knowledge. Just bare in mind that anything under four letters long will not be searchable with the current on site search (This may or may not matter!).
-- Edit --
Having said that if you include [] around that tags that could make most of them four letters...
--
Hopefully this will help, I suggest trying to steer away from sticky threads as they eventually just get overlooked. I will see if there's a way I can add some rules (i.e.e the tags etc.) to the top of the page.
Simon
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,754Chief of Staff
And if you think I've moved some thread I shouldn't have - or not moved a thread I should, then please let know via PM -{
Brilliant work SiCo and Sir Miles, I think the new set up will work very well -{ I also second DBS's idea, would be a very simple way to categorise the topics and navigate the FST subforum.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,754Chief of Staff
Brilliant work SiCo and Sir Miles, I think the new set up will work very well -{ I also second DBS's idea, would be a very simple way to categorise the topics and navigate the FST subforum.
The work is all done by SiCo... -{
Everyone please feel free to comment both here and via PM - whichever you prefer - whilst this new forum takes shape...suggestions are always welcome, I've had several already...all from Higgybum...but I've told him "no, I'm staying" :v
Comments
I think there should be established "rules" for buying and selling that can be a sticky at the top of the Sales section. Maybe that's an obvious point, but I think it's worth stating. The rules can pertain to the number of times a seller can "bump" their own sales thread (or a buyer their own WTB thread). I also think a seller should condense their items for sale to one thread (instead of creating one thread for every item they're selling). This will certainly help in the cleanliness of the section. One other thing I like about the Cairo Bazaar on IndyGear is that threads expire after 30 days and are then deleted. This definitely helps with the housekeeping! I've never seen the Cairo Bazaar more than two pages long (40-50 threads maybe). If a seller hasn't sold their item after this allotted time, they can just repost the items again. It puts the onus on the seller to maintain their thread, instead of the mods. It also eliminates those 3-year old sales threads from popping back to life from a new member asking "Is this still available?"
Now I know these suggestions are just that, and it's ultimately up to the mods to implement what they feel is appropriate (and what's achievable with the software and time). But I think you're on the right track with a separate section. Any addition would be an improvement to the current set-up.
Kind regards,
Craig
It hasn't been mentioned yet but I don't think we should go down the RPF route, where you have be a payment subsribed Pro user to sell. I fell foul of that recently and had an FS thread deleted. So my attitude there is 'Screw Them' I would rather offer things to you guys first, and then in time, put stuff on EBay at a slightly higher price. This offsets EBay charges and also gives members here a preferrential rate.
Whilst you're talking to SiCo, could we also have play pen where we could send Higgy Babe and SnakeBoy to so they can continue their bickering........ I'm joking, I love the banter and it is one of the things that keeps me here, even if I have to run all of Higgy Babe's post through Google Translate to understand them
www.justgiving.com/inMemoryOfLewisCollins
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
The name is HIGGINS! X-(
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I don't see that a group of topics about selling particular types of items would work as every offer would merge with another?
I can create a new forum, but this in turn at the moment can't have sub forums / categories. It could have a user forced category system, i.e. tag your post at the start or end with [Prop] or [Wardrobe] etc.
I can make it so a member must have x posts before they can post a topic but anyone can reply. I don't want to have a hidden forum unless you are logged in though.
I won't have a payment system as the site cannot and will not actually start getting involved in these transactions.
No play pen either....
And if you drilled down another screen -
I think the eBay thread, as well as any "production runs" could live in this new area too. Maybe the Production Runs could be Stickies on this page? Just my thoughts. What do you all think? And from what you posted, SiCo, this seems doable.
Kind regards,
Craig
Do we need a wanted forum at the moment, I fear more than one forum dilutes the content and makes it harder for the moderators.
FS: or FOR SALE:
WTB:
WTT:
PRODUCTION RUN:
So an example would be -
PRODUCTION RUN: The SOLDEN Jacket is back!! (ROYALE Filmwear)
That way, if a member wants to look for all the Production Runs, they could go to the Search feature, and just type in "Production Run" and select the "Buying & Selling" section. In theory, if every post/listing has that in the title, the thread should come up in the search, and BINGO!
Yes, it requires more mod activity to ensure that users adhere to this policy, but it would then eliminate the need for the sub-forum sections.
FS: or FOR SALE:
WTB:
WTT:
PRODUCTION RUN:
part... -{
That shouldn't be too difficult to moderate...well, until our Teutonic friend stops by :v
I think you will need to come up with the relevant tags for the tagging system as it is a little outside my knowledge. Just bare in mind that anything under four letters long will not be searchable with the current on site search (This may or may not matter!).
-- Edit --
Having said that if you include [] around that tags that could make most of them four letters...
--
Hopefully this will help, I suggest trying to steer away from sticky threads as they eventually just get overlooked. I will see if there's a way I can add some rules (i.e.e the tags etc.) to the top of the page.
The work is all done by SiCo... -{
Everyone please feel free to comment both here and via PM - whichever you prefer - whilst this new forum takes shape...suggestions are always welcome, I've had several already...all from Higgybum...but I've told him "no, I'm staying" :v
https://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/37849/counterfeit-goods-and-usage-of-trademarks-copyrighted-material/
Good idea -{
I do like your idea of using prefixes...
FS: or FOR SALE:
WTB:
WTT:
PRODUCTION RUN:
It really does simplify things and make clear what the thread is after...I think we should this (or similar) moving forward...