Info Your Input Requested - HAM Community Classifieds Questions

[hameditor]

Length I'm thinking 2 weeks but have the option to renew for free.
Point to post = How about what ever level would let 80% of the people post.

Thanks for the suggestions. Problem is we can't do renew for free due to technical reasons.

 

[hameditor]

I'm thinking 100 points and 1 month.

I'm going with 100 points as I feel it takes a good about of forum participation to rack up 100 points. Heck I'm here since the beginning, feel I participate on a regular basis, but still only around 1000 points so far. I think going above 100 points will start to become exclusionary of legit people.

Assuming that you cannot reply to or 'bump' your posts and they stay in the chronological date order they were posted I think that 1 month worth of visibility gives people a good chance of making a sale.

Great comments, thanks!

 

[hameditor]

I am very much looking forward to having an active, yet properly regulated/supervised Classified Section here. Of primary importance is safety, vetting both the seller and potential purchasers. We should always have actual pictures of the product being offered.

Now to respond directly to the posed questions: 1) perhaps one month per classified add. After a month, if the product hasn't sold, the add could be dropped. After another month the add could be renewed once again. The sellers need to figure out what sells and for how much. This will help keep the adds fresh. 2) I like the idea of using one's HAM Points to participate in the Classifieds. Somewhere between 100 to 200 HAM Points per 30 day add. I also believe that there should be a limit on the number of products being offered in each add; I don't know just what this number might be. Viewing the Classifieds should be free.

STEVE, thank you for always keeping this forum fresh and up to date, and thank you for seeking out our input. I heard it first on HAM is my mantra. Thanks again. Orv.

Orb, great comments, thank you

 

[Chief55]

I agree with FL22 that people may do a lot of spam posting to try to get ham points so I think that a person should be a member for a period of time but I also agree with Luis that most importantly they should have a certain number of REACTION points. The reaction points are what separates the wheat from the chaff. It would encourage worthwhile participation rather than a ton of spam that doesn't impress anyone.

​

 

[Ezana4CE]

I dísagree regarding the notion of considering a reaction count because I can’t see a metric distinguishing reactions to useful posts in comparison to reactions to irrelevant chit chat. As it is there’s a significant amount of chit chat going on in HAM threads that doesn’t contribute the meat of a thread (the question or subject). It appears to me that many reactions may be based upon videos/photos or may be a general acknowledgement of a response - any type of response - as opposed to a response pertinent to the discussion. Or someone getting a reaction because the person giving the reaction sees that a particular member has a habit of frivolously returning the favor; for every action there’s a reaction. Therefore, promoting or considering reaction counts will likely lead to more irrelevant chit chat that could leave HAM discussions with a Facebook or X feel. I like Airgun forums because we can discuss airguns and airgun related topics.There has got to be another way.

 

[Luis Leon]

Even after some of these suggestions are incorporated as “guardrails” in the classifieds? Its still up to the buyers and sellers to “suss” each other out. The individuals involved in any transactions within the classifieds are still required to exercise “due diligence” on any transactions… For example if “I” were looking to purchase an item of interest from the future HAM Classifieds? I would only buy or sell from members whom I have PM with prior on other matters. Or, from members who through time and postting. Reveal themselves to be good people…

 

[JoeWillie]

Yes, I know it has taken a long time - entirely my fault! - but we are making progress on setting-up HAM Community Classifieds.

As always, we're trying to do things better and a little different than other airgun fora. Also - inevitably - there are technical limitations which we have to work within.

So I would appreciate input from as many HAM Community members as possible on these two questions before we go live with the HAM Community Classifieds.
____________

QUESTION 1: How long should a Classified ad run?

The reason for this question is that our implementation will not allow Classified ads to be "renewed" after a fixed period. So, we need to set a time period for the ad to be "live". If the ad is to be repeated, the advertiser will need to "buy" another ad with their HAM Points. As communication with the advertiser will be by PM only, it will not be possible to "bump" an ad higher by commenting on it.

So should the "live" period of the ad be 1 week, 1 month, 2 months or 3 months? Or something else?

____________

QUESTION 2: How many HAM Airgun Points should be redeemed for a Classified ad?

The plan is that HAM Members "pay" for their Classifieds ad by redeeming HAM Airgun Points. This ensures that ads are placed by members only. I feel that the "price" in HAM Points should be low enough to make it attainable for many members, but high enough so that only "genuine, reliable, participating" members can place an ad.

So should you be required to redeem 100, 200, 500 or 1,000 HAM Airgun Points to place a Classified ad. Or some other number?

Please let me know your thoughts!

Thanks in advance,
Steve

100 and 1month, not everyone checks the site everyday, and why be punitive on the points? Unless you’d like a slow, slow start?

 

[Pumacarl]

I don't know, I can't see charging members helping other members. The classifieds are valuable to us, or can be. And, reaction points are a good measure because people give them when they have liked spending time with the content. They don't have any other purpose but to negate meaningless conversation and acknowledging the point quickly, or disagreeing with it and seeing it as wrong or a waste of time. Only give points to positive comments and you can see who is engaging in conversation the community finds valuable or just plain likes. You definitely need a grace period for new members and maybe a ham points threshold, but charging members to sell stuff we might want to buy, doesn't make sense. I am talking about actual active members, have a steep enough point of entry and you are going to stop a lot of problems before they can start.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Even after some of these suggestions are incorporated as “guardrails” in the classifieds? Its still up to the buyers and sellers to “suss” each other out. The individuals involved in any transactions within the classifieds are still required to exercise “due diligence” on any transactions… For example if “I” were looking to purchase an item of interest from the future HAM Classifieds? I would only buy or sell from members whom I have PM with prior on other matters. Or, from members who through time and postting. Reveal themselves to be good people…

Exactly. None of our suggestions are a substitute for due diligence. Folks still will need to use good sense, agree upon terms, and keep their word.

I don't know, I can't see charging members helping other members. The classifieds are valuable to us, or can be. And, reaction points are a good measure because people give them when they have liked spending time with the content. They don't have any other purpose but to negate meaningless conversation and acknowledging the point quickly, or disagreeing with it and seeing it as wrong or a waste of time. Only give points to positive comments and you can see who is engaging in conversation the community finds valuable or just plain likes. You definitely need a grace period for new members and maybe a ham points threshold, but charging members to sell stuff we might want to buy, doesn't make sense. I am talking about actual active members, have a steep enough point of entry and you are going to stop a lot of problems before they can start.

I think charging a currency generated within the HAM community can be a good thing. It could also be considered to allow members to redeem a portion of their HAM points spent to buy an ad (like a deposit). Then once a transaction concludes and feedback reflecting said transaction is left by the buyer and seller for all to view (if that's even an option or requirement in the HAM classifieds) they receive their deposit. It would be nice to know who the standup buyers and sellers are. The ability to redeem some of the points spent could help encourage a healthy space to transact and encourage good interactions while weeding out bad actors.

 

[Florida_Man]

This thread got long quickly. I wouldn't expect HAM points for sales, I mean the seller is getting the benefit of the forum having a classified. If there was points, it would only be from a positive reaction from the buyer.

For duration, Ive had a thought about this in the past. I'd like to see an ACTIVE and an ARCHIVE. Probably not feasible, but its good for people that have items that aren't so high demand. I found a rifle i love that wasn't actively for sale from an inactive thread. I reached out to the guy and he was willing to part with it. The archive can be were a searcher can do the work, the ACTIVE is limited to a month.

 

[Basher]

This thread got long quickly. I wouldn't expect HAM points for sales, I mean the seller is getting the benefit of the forum having a classified. If there was points, it would only be from a positive reaction from the buyer.

For duration, Ive had a thought about this in the past. I'd like to see an ACTIVE and an ARCHIVE. Probably not feasible, but its good for people that have items that aren't so high demand. I found a rifle i love that wasn't actively for sale from an inactive thread. I reached out to the guy and he was willing to part with it. The archive can be were a searcher can do the work, the ACTIVE is limited to a month.

Another benefit to an archive is sale pricing history. For items that are discontinued, hard to find, etc., it’s helpful as a seller to be able to see what things were priced at the last time they were in the classifieds. I realize a posted price doesn’t necessarily equate to a final sale price, but the info is still helpful. It’s also helpful to buyers for the same reason.

As far as points, ad lengths, etc., I’ll just echo what a few others have said regarding those of us who aren’t super duper active but are nevertheless upstanding buyers/sellers who do contribute when we have something worthwhile to say, which is that having a higher point cost could keep a lot of folks out of the classifieds. I totally understand and support the idea behind limiting access to those who are active, honest members but if it’s priced TOO high, I think you’ll see a lot of folks going elsewhere who would otherwise list here. I will say that starting higher and dropping the points cost will be more palatable than starting low and raising it.

Anyway, as a super new guy myself, take that for what it’s worth. I’ve been buying and selling online for a little over two decades, but I realize the weight of my comments is low given my lack of tenure. Classifieds are a privilege I’ll just be grateful for and happy to enjoy when I’m able.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

I don't know, I can't see charging members helping other members. The classifieds are valuable to us, or can be. And, reaction points are a good measure because people give them when they have liked spending time with the content. They don't have any other purpose but to negate meaningless conversation and acknowledging the point quickly, or disagreeing with it and seeing it as wrong or a waste of time. Only give points to positive comments and you can see who is engaging in conversation the community finds valuable or just plain likes. You definitely need a grace period for new members and maybe a ham points threshold, but charging members to sell stuff we might want to buy, doesn't make sense. I am talking about actual active members, have a steep enough point of entry and you are going to stop a lot of problems before they can start.

I realize that I'm going "old school" here, but every newspaper that I've seen charged for reader classified adds. Orv.

 

[hameditor]

Another benefit to an archive is sale pricing history. For items that are discontinued, hard to find, etc., it’s helpful as a seller to be able to see what things were priced at the last time they were in the classifieds. I realize a posted price doesn’t necessarily equate to a final sale price, but the info is still helpful. It’s also helpful to buyers for the same reason.

As far as points, ad lengths, etc., I’ll just echo what a few others have said regarding those of us who aren’t super duper active but are nevertheless upstanding buyers/sellers who do contribute when we have something worthwhile to say, which is that having a higher point cost could keep a lot of folks out of the classifieds. I totally understand and support the idea behind limiting access to those who are active, honest members but if it’s priced TOO high, I think you’ll see a lot of folks going elsewhere who would otherwise list here. I will say that starting higher and dropping the points cost will be more palatable than starting low and raising it.

Anyway, as a super new guy myself, take that for what it’s worth. I’ve been buying and selling online for a little over two decades, but I realize the weight of my comments is low given my lack of tenure. Classifieds are a privilege I’ll just be grateful for and happy to enjoy when I’m able.

More great points. We have been investigating a Classifieds archive - for exactly the reasons you suggest. However, we're still working on it.

 

[Danman]

When we say "Archived" we mean the item never sold I presume, and therefore the ad stays in an archived section? I would ask that any item that sells, the ad is removed though? I am still in favor of charging points (@FL22 and others made some good reasons why!) for sure with a minimum of 2 weeks for an ad to a month's time before renewal. I just looked and I have over 4,000points (I clearly spend too much time on Ham?) and have been an active member since October so 50-100ish points for an Ad should be about fair. I too would hate to see mindless posting from someone who is obviously just trying to amass points. I hope this turns out!

 

[hameditor]

When we say "Archived" we mean the item never sold I presume, and therefore the ad stays in an archived section? I would ask that any item that sells, the ad is removed though? I am still in favor of charging points (@FL22 and others made some good reasons why!) for sure with a minimum of 2 weeks for an ad to a month's time before renewal. I just looked and I have over 4,000points (I clearly spend too much time on Ham?) and have been an active member since October so 50-100ish points for an Ad should be about fair. I too would hate to see mindless posting from someone who is obviously just trying to amass points. I hope this turns out!

Thanks for the input. We're working on it!

 

[Florida_Man]

When we say "Archived" we mean the item never sold I presume, and therefore the ad stays in an archived section? I would ask that any item that sells, the ad is removed though? I am still in favor of charging points (@FL22 and others made some good reasons why!) for sure with a minimum of 2 weeks for an ad to a month's time before renewal. I just looked and I have over 4,000points (I clearly spend too much time on Ham?) and have been an active member since October so 50-100ish points for an Ad should be about fair. I too would hate to see mindless posting from someone who is obviously just trying to amass points. I hope this turns out!

That’s correct. If it doesn’t sell it goes in an archive. My Avanti Valiant could take a long time to sell. It’s an old rifle without a big following anymore. There are many things like that. It’s not a price thing, it’s waiting on a buyer to come along.

 

[Basher]

When we say "Archived" we mean the item never sold I presume, and therefore the ad stays in an archived section? I would ask that any item that sells, the ad is removed though? I am still in favor of charging points (@FL22 and others made some good reasons why!) for sure with a minimum of 2 weeks for an ad to a month's time before renewal. I just looked and I have over 4,000points (I clearly spend too much time on Ham?) and have been an active member since October so 50-100ish points for an Ad should be about fair. I too would hate to see mindless posting from someone who is obviously just trying to amass points. I hope this turns out!

From my view, I mean every ad is archived whether it sold or not, but labeled as either “sold” or merely “archived” (maybe where tou can contact the seller still?). Having the ability to search sold items is extremely useful IMO. I purchased a Taipan off AGN that had been sold three times in less than 6months, and was able to contact prior owners to figure out what was going on and verify all was good. I’ll mention this is a two-edged sword though, as scammers like to use info from old ads.

Honestly, I frequent many forums and see classifieds of both persuasions (those that delete sold ads and those that merely archive them). I use and enjoy both.

 

[Woogie_man]

So when can we start selling things and that would include buying things as well

What about an option to help out the site with a donation for a few months of classified postings?

 

[Sydney Monk]

Yes, I know it has taken a long time - entirely my fault! - but we are making progress on setting-up HAM Community Classifieds.

As always, we're trying to do things better and a little different than other airgun fora. Also - inevitably - there are technical limitations which we have to work within.

So I would appreciate input from as many HAM Community members as possible on these two questions before we go live with the HAM Community Classifieds.
____________

QUESTION 1: How long should a Classified ad run?

The reason for this question is that our implementation will not allow Classified ads to be "renewed" after a fixed period. So, we need to set a time period for the ad to be "live". If the ad is to be repeated, the advertiser will need to "buy" another ad with their HAM Points. As communication with the advertiser will be by PM only, it will not be possible to "bump" an ad higher by commenting on it.

So should the "live" period of the ad be 1 week, 1 month, 2 months or 3 months? Or something else?

____________

QUESTION 2: How many HAM Airgun Points should be redeemed for a Classified ad?

The plan is that HAM Members "pay" for their Classifieds ad by redeeming HAM Airgun Points. This ensures that ads are placed by members only. I feel that the "price" in HAM Points should be low enough to make it attainable for many members, but high enough so that only "genuine, reliable, participating" members can place an ad.

So should you be required to redeem 100, 200, 500 or 1,000 HAM Airgun Points to place a Classified ad. Or some other number?

Please let me know your thoughts!

Thanks in advance,
Steve

100 points and 2 weeks.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

Doing things better and a bit differently is why the HAM forums will succeed and remain the first forum I search daily. Steve, thank you for your innovative and caring approach to this group of shooter's. Orv.