Info Your Input Requested - HAM Community Classifieds Questions

[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 points. Thank you

 

[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?

@Chief55 thanks for your comments! As for the pricing, I don't have a good answer myself. But my guess is that most sellers think their product is worth more than most buyers...

 

[Pumacarl]

I figured this would happen sooner or later. I am very pleased to see a thoughtful approach being taken and one that won't be abused by people flying in here to sell their junk (or stolen property, in some cases) and messing with the community instead of adding to it. The idea you are pursuing is excellent. Charging points will persuade people form posting indidual items in separate posts too, which will keep clutter down. I would add that you should not permit threads of complaints by new people showing up trying to sell or buy hoping to circumvent or change your rules. They are a waste of space and time. There has been constant whining over at AGN, just about a simple ten post rule, before using the classifieds.

I think the points charged should probably be dynamic and not fixed. There are a lot of very good sellers that buy and try and sell a lot. They are a boon to the community and a great resource. So maybe after three or five great sales, with both buyer and seller happy, you get your points back. There is no sense to be charging people for doing us all a service. A minimum of 100 points to post and I would personally like to see it last a month. Why? Because often I don't really need something and I tell myself that if someone really wants it they can have it, but if it's still there after a while I'll buy it. But two weeks could work too.

And by dynamic, I mean that after multiple postings and multiple successful times of recouping your points, say three times, it only costs you 50 points to post. All leading to a successful 100 sales, or whatever, you are no longer charged points at all.

 

[Pumacarl]

One week isn't enough time. People get busy, go on vaction, get sick, etc., can't always be cruising the classifieds.

 

[Solo1]

I think it would be nice ifit was 100 pts for 2 weeks but after 1 month you could post the same item once more for 1/2 price

 

[hameditor]

I figured this would happen sooner or later. I am very pleased to see a thoughtful approach being taken and one that won't be abused by people flying in here to sell their junk (or stolen property, in some cases) and messing with the community instead of adding to it. The idea you are pursuing is excellent. Charging points will persuade people form posting indidual items in separate posts too, which will keep clutter down. I would add that you should not permit threads of complaints by new people showing up trying to sell or buy hoping to circumvent or change your rules. They are a waste of space and time. There has been constant whining over at AGN, just about a simple ten post rule, before using the classifieds.

I think the points charged should probably be dynamic and not fixed. There are a lot of very good sellers that buy and try and sell a lot. They are a boon to the community and a great resource. So maybe after three or five great sales, with both buyer and seller happy, you get your points back. There is no sense to be charging people for doing us all a service. A minimum of 100 points to post and I would personally like to see it last a month. Why? Because often I don't really need something and I tell myself that if someone really wants it they can have it, but if it's still there after a while I'll buy it. But two weeks could work too.

And by dynamic, I mean that after multiple postings and multiple successful times of recouping your points, say three times, it only costs you 50 points to post. All leading to a successful 100 sales, or whatever, you are no longer charged points at all.

@Pumacarl thanks for your excellent comments and suggestions. The dynamic points idea is great, but unfortunately we do not have the technology to make that work. We have to stick with a fixed number.

Steve

 

[Woogie_man]

How about just a price to be apart of the classifieds? As long as you are in good standing and are currently participating in the forum your good. Nothing like other sites where you need 10 posts and then you can post. You get a bunch of stupid posts that add nothing to the forum.

A few hundred for a month would be good in my mind. And then a few hundred more for a "premium" add that shows on the front page somewhere.

 

[Pumacarl]

@Pumacarl thanks for your excellent comments and suggestions. The dynamic points idea is great, but unfortunately we do not have the technology to make that work. We have to stick with a fixed number.

Steve

Well, you already have a number for the dynamic points charges, our member posts that we already have. If you are trying to protect the community already here, and newbies that stay and contribute, tie the price to post, to how many posts people have made: 100 points for under 100 posts, 75 points for 101 to 200 posts, 50 points for 201 to 300 posts, etc.

 

[Ezana4CE]

200 points per week, 300 for 2 weeks, 400 per month. Maximum ad run time of one month before it needs to be renewed. This should ensure that participating members can sell their goods. It should also ensure that members list multiple items per ad as to not clog of the Classifieds with a string of ads burying the ads of other paying members. Please consider that a classifieds forum will open the door for all sorts of nonsense on the other forums. When I say "other forums," I mean the other sections and sub-sections on the HAM website outside of the classifieds forum. Namely people joining to scam others or just to profit from the forum and with little to no intention of making meaningful contributions to the HAM forums. I feel that this community is still building itself up as a repository of valuable information to our hobbies and shooting sports. I hope this effort doesn’t stymie any progress towards building a quality resource chocked full of valuable information.

I like to look at ads, but I’m not one for games. If it doesn’t come to fruition no big deal to me.

 

[FL22]

@hameditor is it possible to restrict access to the classified section until a member has reached a certain threshold?

I am thinking cashing in your HAM points using the normal methods available, receiving your discount, and that this would also unlock the ability for you to utilize the classified section.

If if so, perhaps consider limiting the access to say one year to encourage continued point accumulation and community participation.

 

[hameditor]

I think it would be nice ifit was 100 pts for 2 weeks but after 1 month you could post the same item once more for 1/2 price

Hello @Solo1 another great suggestion but unfortunately we do not have a way to make the second post at a lower rate

 

[hameditor]

How about just a price to be apart of the classifieds? As long as you are in good standing and are currently participating in the forum your good. Nothing like other sites where you need 10 posts and then you can post. You get a bunch of stupid posts that add nothing to the forum.

A few hundred for a month would be good in my mind. And then a few hundred more for a "premium" add that shows on the front page somewhere.

That's another great idea. I don't know if it's technically possible but we'll check.

 

[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. Another great suggestion for us to investigate!

 

[hameditor]

Well, you already have a number for the dynamic points charges, our member posts that we already have. If you are trying to protect the community already here, and newbies that stay and contribute, tie the price to post, to how many posts people have made: 100 points for under 100 posts, 75 points for 101 to 200 posts, 50 points for 201 to 300 posts, etc.

Yes, but unfortunately the software doesn't allow us to do this when creating a classified ad

 

[Pumacarl]

Maybe the answer is just to keep it real simple and have a fixed time as a member, with at least so many points, and so many reactions. Maybe three months, 250pts, 100 + reactions?

 

[GHairgunner]

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.

 

[Franklink]

For perspective, I've been here almost 15 months and only have 1700 points. Although I'm not gunning for points or even very worried about it, I am here multiple times per day, just cruising the comments.

200 points per listing seems steep, especially b/c I've seen comments where guys are utilizing those points for manufacturer discounts.

Some guys move through equipment much faster than my normal rate of acquiring points.

So my 2 cents (or maybe my 2 points, as it where) would be to not "charge" points for a classifieds listing, but perhaps limit access to the classifieds (buyer and seller) to those who have a reaction score of at least 50, or maybe 100.

The reaction score route ensures theyve been here a bit and are an active member of the community and not just here for the classifieds. Ie, somewhat invested.

And I'd also suggest not allowing public comments to listings. PM/DM the person who posted if youve got something to say. A snarky comment saying the price is too high can ruin a sale, even if the price isn't too high for some other potential customer.

 

[Dogowski]

I think the 100 points for one month would be good.

 

[Farmplinker2]

100 points for 2 weeks, 150 for a month.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

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.