Too much "conversation" in FS/FT forum

[mjsorkin]

Gentlemen,

It seems to me that the only appropriate replies for a FS/FT post should fall into one of two categories. The post should express serious interest in the item. A question may be asked about the item. A lot of people are posting replies that have nothing to do with the above two. People post in the FS/FT topics just as if they are normal discussion topics. It is clogging up the forum with extra posts, and makes it more effort to check if an item has sold.

-----Michael

[chop-chop]

While this is a reasonable request, monitoring would require constant attention, despite the sticky at the top of the B/S/T Forum page. Please keep in mind that our moderators are volunteering their time, for our benefit.

As a courtesy to other members, a "PM Sent" post is appropriate... as is a reply from the seller, if the PM did not result in the sale of said item(s). Many items are sold the minutes from the time that they are listed. A "Sold" post does help to limit activity, as well.

Additionally, we have to give new members the opportunity to learn the ropes. With a growth rate of roughly 50 new members per week... on average... that tends to complicate things even more.

If you have a concrete solution to handle this, I'm sure that the moderator team would be willing to consider your thoughts. Since "Ouch" is the moderator for the B/S/T Forum, sending a PM to him is the appropriate chain of command to follow.

Tchau,
chop-chop

[android]

Respectfully, I disagree (irony now ensues, as this is now a conversation thread).

I like the conversation. That's why I hang out on B&B. And often the conversations in FS are very helpful for future buying choices. I'm of the school that too much freedom is better than not enough.

[ouch]

"Conversation" comes in many forms, as does one's perception of its usefullness.

Members will tend to comment on anything they find interesting. They may point out a price that is way out of whack (or, for that matter, particularly appealing), or offer encouragement to a seller whose item seems to be languishing in limbo. I don't think that comments such as "boy, that Maestro sure is purdy" or "wish that 195 wasn't out of my league" detract from the nature of the forum too much.

Remember, we're not ebay. The shave mall is just a place for likeminded individuals to get together and see what they can hammer out amongst themselves. It's for the enjoyment of all our members, including those who just want to participate vicariously.

All things considered, I think things go remarkably well there- how many complaints do you hear of? That's a testament to the character of the folks involved.

[Wil]

[moses]

Well, the final word is Jay's, and he's had it, so I don't know what I'm doing here. Proving the point that we just plain WILL chat, I guess. But I'd just like to say I find the discussions that take place from time to time in the buy/sell/trade forum pretty harmless, and generally entertaining. Yes, it may take a couple of moments to determine if something you are interested in has sold. But I'll trade that for and interesting conversation any day. And generally Sellers are kind enough to mark SOLD prominently in the original post, anyway, which solves any downside.

-Mo

[BrianP]

Is it possible to edit the subject line that appears on the thread page to reflect "sold"?

eg.
Original thread: FS/T Foo
Edited thread: FS/T Foo - *SOLD*

Saves from bumping a thread to close a transaction at the expense of open/active transactions.

My apologies if this has been raised in the past.

b.

[Jodanster]

"Conversation" comes in many forms, as does one's perception of its usefullness.

Members will tend to comment on anything they find interesting. They may point out a price that is way out of whack (or, for that matter, particularly appealing), or offer encouragement to a seller whose item seems to be languishing in limbo. I don't think that comments such as "boy, that Maestro sure is purdy" or "wish that 195 wasn't out of my league" detract from the nature of the forum too much.

Remember, we're not ebay. The shave mall is just a place for likeminded individuals to get together and see what they can hammer out amongst themselves. It's for the enjoyment of all our members, including those who just want to participate vicariously.

All things considered, I think things go remarkably well there- how many complaints do you hear of? That's a testament to the character of the folks involved.

[ouch]

Well, the final word is Jay's, and he's had it,
-Mo

Hate to disagree, Mo, but the final word is yours.

If I thought (or became convinced) that the members wanted things run in a specific manner, I'd want them to get their way. The forum is for the members, and nobody knows better than they do. I certainly don't.

In this instance, I see more people adding commentary than complaining of same, at this time, at least.

[jazzman]

Hate to disagree, Mo, but the final word is yours.

If I thought (or became convinced) that the members wanted things run in a specific manner, I'd want them to get their way. The forum is for the members, and nobody knows better than they do. I certainly don't.

In this instance, I see more people adding commentary than complaining of same, at this time, at least.

You'll never be promoted to dictator with that kind of attitude.

[Jim]

I would think there might be room to dis agree!

[DoubleE]

Is it possible to edit the subject line that appears on the thread page to reflect "sold"?

eg.
Original thread: FS/T Foo
Edited thread: FS/T Foo - *SOLD*

Saves from bumping a thread to close a transaction at the expense of open/active transactions.

My apologies if this has been raised in the past.

b.

Brian:


I wish you could but currently you can not, only the forum moderator can.

[Mottern Man]

Brian:


I wish you could but currently you can not, only the forum moderator can.

Well you need to keep Mr. Ouch employed.

[Jim]

Well you need to keep Mr. Ouch employed.

He's Busy

[ouch]

When have I ever refused an accommodation?

[moses]

When have I ever refused an accommodation?

Fuhgetaboutit...

-Mo
Capo Supremo

[Xert]

Well, the final word is Jay's, and he's had it, so I don't know what I'm doing here. Proving the point that we just plain WILL chat, I guess. But I'd just like to say I find the discussions that take place from time to time in the buy/sell/trade forum pretty harmless, and generally entertaining. Yes, it may take a couple of moments to determine if something you are interested in has sold. But I'll trade that for and interesting conversation any day. And generally Sellers are kind enough to mark SOLD prominently in the original post, anyway, which solves any downside.

-Mo

x2

[guenron]

Gentlemen,

It seems to me that the only appropriate replies for a FS/FT post should fall into one of two categories. The post should express serious interest in the item. A question may be asked about the item. A lot of people are posting replies that have nothing to do with the above two. People post in the FS/FT topics just as if they are normal discussion topics. It is clogging up the forum with extra posts, and makes it more effort to check if an item has sold.

-----Michael

Michael,
While I agree that the "BS" detracts from the principle purpose of the for sale/trade forum, remember this is about feel good. You see a great deal of this all over B&B, many feel good posts that provide nothing more than that feel good feeling. Though these posts really detract from the information value of many of the threads, the camaraderie they promote has some value too.

[Doc4]

The best thing is when the sellers edit the first post with a prominent

SOLD when something has actually sold. Or we could have a massive make-work project for Ouch and he can move all the threads to a new forum once the items in the threads are sold. Methinks not.

[vincentl]

... we could have a massive make-work project for Ouch and he can move all the threads to a new forum once the items in the threads are sold. Methinks not.

+1
He spends way too much time watching family guy and not enough time on B&B