Info Your Input Requested - HAM Community Classifieds Questions

[hameditor]

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.
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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?

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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

 

[Joey 69]

Classifieds = 2 weeks
Price = 200 HAM Points

 

[hameditor]

Classifieds = 2 weeks
Price = 200 HAM Points

Thanks!

 

[FL22]

So I have an interesting idea so let’s say 1000 points for 30 days, with the requirement that the buyer reimburse the cost of the ad up to 50% upon purchase if they are not a “well known member” who should honestly be the only ones allowed to post in the classifieds to begin with.

Also, maybe it should cost HAM points to actually view the ads.

I mean, why not keep it exclusive? This should only be a benefit to those of us who are highly contributing members. jmho.

 

[pan60]

i would say two weeks possably a month. i lean to the two weeks because if its price right it will sale promptly INHO.
i would also say a minimum of 200 but i personly might would lean to a higher for the first go and maybe 200 after if possible? this way those saleing are good standing members with a presence.

 

[jlowe]

100 points and 2 weeks in length.

 

[hameditor]

So I have an interesting idea so let’s say 1000 points for 30 days, with the requirement that the buyer reimburse the cost of the ad up to 50% upon purchase if they are not a “well known member” who should honestly be the only ones allowed to post in the classifieds to begin with.

Also, maybe it should cost HAM points to actually view the ads.

I mean, why not keep it exclusive? This should only be a benefit to those of us who are highly contributing members. jmho.

Thanks for the great suggestions!

The 50% reimbursement idea would require me to manage that as I am the only person who can credit or debit HAM Points. I would prefer something that is automatic, so we would need to think about that.

The "exclusive area" could possibly be done, again we'd need to look into this.

 

[wolfmangreg]

Classifieds = 2 weeks
Price = 200 HAM Points

 

[hameditor]

i would say two weeks possably a month. i lean to the two weeks because if its price right it will sale promptly INHO.
i would also say a minimum of 200 but i personly might would lean to a higher for the first go and maybe 200 after if possible? this way those saleing are good standing members with a presence.

Pan, great input, thanks!

 

[Chief55]

I'm leaning toward 1 week 100 points because if it ever gets even close to the volume of NGA in a week or two it might get so buried no one will see it anymore and also the ability to edit it to change the price if it just isn't getting any attention. But possibly 50 points for a week of WTB/ looking for something ad. I am also not totally sure what most people consider to be a fair price for something used in like new perfect condition. Like say for example maybe 75% of new?

 

[hameditor]

I'm leaning toward 1 week 100 points because if it ever gets even close to the volume of NGA in a week or two it might get so buried no one will see it anymore and also the ability to edit it to change the price if it just isn't getting any attention. But possibly 50 points for a week of WTB/ looking for something ad. I am also not totally sure what most people consider to be a fair price for something used in like new perfect condition. Like say for example maybe 75% of new?

Thanks for your great comments!

 

[Danman]

Yeah @FL22 ideas are pretty terrible, ignore those, esp it costing us points to view the ads (dudes clearly an underground liberal) Another cool Ham benefit I probably can't really participate up here in "The home of the free" but I do like the 200 points for 2 weeks idea. That's enough points that someone who joined last week and posted a comment or 2 can't list anything yet but they won't 'have to' wait months and months to list something.

 

[FL22]

Yeah @FL22 ideas are pretty terrible, ignore those, esp it costing us points to view the ads (dudes clearly an underground liberal) Another cool Ham benefit I probably can't really participate up here in "The home of the free" but I do like the 200 points for 2 weeks idea. That's enough points that someone who joined last week and posted a comment or 2 can't list anything yet but they won't 'have to' wait months and months to list something.

liberal? I hope the airgun gods punish you by causing your Ghost to leak lol.

Well, my opinions may seem harsh, but I’ve been on other forums and classified cause a multitude of problems.

They encourage people who don’t have any real interest in the forum make a lot of useless posts and trash threads just so they can sell their sh1t and leave.

I am aware of one incident where an individual was bullying another individual by ruining their reputation to get a better deal.

Which leads to another thing I’ve seen happen where the item that was sold broke, and they took it to the forum to hash it out to everyone’s dismay. Even when the moderators tried to settle everything and stop them from bickering they both ended up just being kicked out.

There’s a lot of good in having a classified section, and I’m of the strong opinion that there is just as much bad.

I want to see strong safeguards and high standards to make sure that the HAM Community as a whole doesn’t suffer for it.

 

[Luis Leon]

100 points / 2 weeks

 

[wolfmangreg]

They encourage people who don’t have any real interest in the forum make a lot of useless posts and trash threads just so they can sell their sh1t and leave.

Lots & lots of this. Enough that it degrades the experience of the forum.
@hameditor - Truly hope it works out well & increases HAM membership. And you've certainly earned our trust as HAMmander In Chief! That said, I also hope it doesn't drive you mad. Fear that, eventually, it will require considerable babysitting.

Don't get me wrong- I want to end up eating crow with that opinion.

 

[hameditor]

Yeah @FL22 ideas are pretty terrible, ignore those, esp it costing us points to view the ads (dudes clearly an underground liberal) Another cool Ham benefit I probably can't really participate up here in "The home of the free" but I do like the 200 points for 2 weeks idea. That's enough points that someone who joined last week and posted a comment or 2 can't list anything yet but they won't 'have to' wait months and months to list something.

@Danman I think this will work for you in Canada as no legal tender is changing hands. Appreciate your comments and support as always

 

[Luis Leon]

Maybe include the members reaction score? Make it a minimum amount of positive reactions… You could maybe limit the “privilege” of posting in the classifieds to “well known” members. There are many established members here that I believe would be safe to buy from and sell to…

 

[hameditor]

Lots & lots of this. Enough that it degrades the experience of the forum.
@hameditor - Truly hope it works out well & increases HAM membership. And you've certainly earned our trust as HAMmander In Chief! That said, I also hope it doesn't drive you mad. Fear that, eventually, it will require considerable babysitting.

Don't get me wrong- I want to end up eating crow with that opinion.

Greg, yes I understand precisely your points. But many people have asked for a Classifieds page and I am trying to provide the Community that people want. Oh, and thanks for the kind words. HAMmander In Chief. That's a new one

 

[ctshooter]

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.

 

[hameditor]

Maybe include the members reaction score? Make it a minimum amount of positive reactions… You could maybe limit the “privilege” of posting in the classifieds to “well known” members. There are many established members here that I believe would be safe to buy from and sell to…

Luis thanks for the great suggestions. The issue is that we have no way - I believe - to automatically limit posting to "well known " members. That's why I wanted to use HAM Airgun Points instead. That we can control and monitor automatically.