Another forum that I frequently post on runs their classified section a little differently that the norm, and it may be something that is worth a shot here.

Basically they do NOT allow users to reply in threads in the classified section at all. The only person that is able to post in a thread is the OP. The other rule is that you are only allowed to "Bump" a thread once every 7 days.

What this does, is it eliminates side busting 100%. It also keeps the classified section clean and in a proper order and gives everyone equal exposure. As our classifieds are right now, you almost have to bump your thread every few hours just to keep it on the front page.

I think we are all sick of reading through pages of "If I had money, I'd buy it" or "Damn, that's nice. How much power did that give you?" or "Hey, you going to the meet tonight? Free Bump!!"

I think this may be something that would be good to try for a month or so and see how the users like it. Worst case scenario, we just put it back to the way it is now.

What does everyone think?

 

I agree with this. I hate it. lol.

 

That's a good idea

 

Mods or Admins opinion on this?

 

or maybe a bump every 2 days. cause once a week might take a while to sell your stuff

 

i like it

 

I like it too but to eliminate sidebusting is like 95% of the site.

 

No it wouldn't, because there aren't that many new threads everyday. Just old ones being bumped. The posts would stay on the first page for a while, and by them being in cronological order, people will always see the new threads.

So you're suggesting that we leave it the way it is for your entertainment?

Then you get to be the pitch man for the admins!

 

seems like it could lead to a lot of scams, think about it, item is sold, never shows up, person cannot complain in the thread...all this while the OP could continue to scam people in the same thread and collect more $ without sending out the item.

 

A simple PM to a moderator would take care of that problem...

We also have an iTrader rating system for dead beat sellers.

 

I agree with this. This is what the itrader system was put into place for. Everyone who buys or sells something should be leaving feedback. I think this idea would work great

 

my 2 cents...

iTrader doesnt have enough use or feedback to provide an accurate portrait of a user's track record.
Reporting deadbeats or scammers to mods will not alert the rest of the community, only can ban or infract the offender.

It's a good idea in theory, but I don't think it will work in reality. Just curious, how large is the site that this method is used on? bigger/smaller than ss.net...

 

Significantly larger. It's Canadian Guns and Firearms Discussion Forums for Shooting , Hunting and outdoor in Canada. Firearms Buy, Sell and Trade Listings. Forum de discussion Canadien sur les armes ŕ feu et la chasse

If it works there "safely" where people are selling guns. I think it will work fine here.

 

How about this idea if you still want people to be able to post in the threads.... just don't have the thread bounced to the top everytime someone posts in it. That way, all threads will be kept in cronological order forever. Only allow users to create a new thread for the same products after "x" number of weeks, and only allow a certain number of threads per user at one time in the classifieds section. There are a lot of options we can look at for cleaning that section up.

 

i like the idea of a 'mild' conversation in some for sale threads.. it gives people more insight into whatever the op is selling..
say someone's selling an exhaust(or watever) and some people might want to know if he had any problems while his car was lowered, or what that ding in the one picture is, or watever... Everytime I've sold or bought somethin on here, my inbox is always full of the same questions from 30 different people lol

Also, somethin one person might say in a FS thread might peak another person's interest(I bought my exhaust from Dart Si because of the discussions that were goin on, an bcuz another member poested pics of his similar set up... an plus I wanted it )

its pro's an cons... you jus gotta look at leavin like it is... or closin it up an havin 30 million more "how does this sound" an "what happens if i buy this" " wingless or not" lol

jus sayin..

 

I vote leave the classifieds alone.
If there is alot of sidebusting going on, it doesnt get reported often. I see all the reported threads and it doesnt seem like a huge problem.