Minimum Post Count to Post a For Sale Thread

[mmahany]

This may sound weird coming from someone who joined FPGeeks after the FPN started charging a fee to sell on their site.

However, would it make sense for FPGeeks to implement a minimum post count rule in the “For Sale” section? Perhaps something reasonable like 30-50 minimum posts before you can create a thread?

I don’t believe that you should have to pay to sell on an internet forum, but I also don’t believe in taking advantage of the situation either.

Perfect example: member “Colonelz” has 11 posts and they’re all in the for sale section. They have contributed nothing else to the site. They currently have 5 threads going and are all bumped to the very top of the for sale section.

I realize that I am a newer member to FPGeeks, but I attempt to contribute to this site. That should be evident in the fact that I have been “Thanked” 69 times out of my 99 posts.

I look at it like this: In a circle of friends, if one of your buddies told you they were selling something, you probably wouldn’t be annoyed or offended. However, if a stranger rang your doorbell trying to peddle their vacuum cleaner or sell you magazines, you’d be more annoyed with the situation.

These new users coming to FPGeeks strictly to sell pens are the equivalent of that stranger knocking at your door. All I ask is that we put a “no soliciting” sign up for the strangers and only allow our “friends” to sell on the site.

[Paul-H]

Sounds like a good idea to me, even if its just for a safety point of view.

Paul

[KrazyIvan]

I can stand behind that idea. I am also glad that you voiced what I was thinking.

[writingrav]

I think this is a very reasonable idea

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[mmahany]

I'm glad I'm not alone on this.

I didn't want it to come off harsh, but I think this sort of rule would be effective on many levels.

-It is easy to implement from a forum management/moderation standpoint
-It would provide safeguards against spam and fraudulent sellers
-It could potentially generate other forum activity
-Member retention would likely improve (people wouldn't just come here to sell a pen they bought at a garage sale then leave)
-It would allow more opportunity for contributing member threads to be seen

In a way, this hits home to me on a personal level: I got into fountain pen collecting after buying a pen at a garage sale. I posted on FPN to see how much I could sell it for. After quite a bit of feedback, I decided to keep it and have it restored. Since then, my collection has grown exponentially and I plan to be a collector for life.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Kind of a cool story, too.

[I like mango pudding]

yup, my other hobby forum has this rule implemented. Don't see why not here.

[cwent2]

Yes - I would also "vote" yes on this issue.

Hi I am so and so - I just joined, look I got these pens for sale. --Really? - but I have seen it recently and after the several threads spot lighting fraud attempts lately...

Just my 2 cents worth.

[tandaina]

I think that's totally fair. I really prefer sales areas on boards like this to be for those of us who have gotten to know each other.

[AndyT]

It's a good policy which has worked well elsewhere - no objections from me.

[hunnymonster]

As a lurker here, but moderator elsewhere, I have to say that stopping those that only come to your forum to sell is a good thing for your community. Would get my vote even though I'd lose out in this particular instance.

[heath]

Sound good to me.

[Mod_wolves]

I think it's a sound and reasonable idea.

[reprieve]

A simple, straightforward rule designed to encourage forum participation and facilitate fraternity is very different from creating unnecessarily complicated rules that hinder trading among hobbyists and exclude mom-and-pop businesses.

That is to say--I do not have a problem with a minimum post count rule. Thanks for speaking up.

[dannzeman]

It's certainly something that can be implemented if the community feels it's necessary.

The one thing I don't like about the minimum post requirement to sell is that it encourages people to post just to be able to sell, which usually results in posts like "Sweet!", or "+1", or "Congrats!". These are the kinds of posts I don't want to see and is one of the reasons why I implemented the "Thanks" button. Also, who's to say what the appropriate post count should be?

[cwent2]

Good point, and I can see where the posts could be an issue.

Personally I am put off by a post like Hi I am so and so buy my pens - and would not purchase from someone without the recommendations of my fellow geeks that by association and spending time in this forum I have to grown to trust.

I do not have an answer, but maybe a time/post combination.

and I know I am a new comer myself

Respectfully Submitted

[dannzeman]

...

Personally I am put off by a post like Hi I am so and so buy my pens - and would not purchase from someone without the recommendations of my fellow geeks that by association and spending time in this forum I have to grown to trust.

...

Then the solution is simple, don't buy from that seller. But what if someone else doesn't have a problem from buying from that person? Who's to say we shouldn't even give them the opportunity to buy?

Perhaps a combination of the suggestions would be appropriate: we offer paid accounts to those only wishing to sell, and also an option where you have to meet a certain combination of time/posts/reputation/thanks to be able to sell.

I'm open to all ideas.

[Jon Szanto]

I'm open to all ideas.

And that, right there, might be the best thing about FPG. Thanks!

[KrazyIvan]

I think if you limit the selling to people with a certain number of thanks, with the post count requirement that might be workable because the community is also involved in the process. If a pay to play scheme is used i could live with that as long as it does not change long time forum members access.

[dannzeman]

My idea of a "pay to play" setup would be more like a shortcut for those who don't wish to take the time to meet whatever requirements are established to post in the classifieds forum. It wouldn't be a requirement for every member.