Members only?????

[MP Guy]

Should the RFF classified section be visible to RFF members only?

 

[Andrew Touchon]

Yes.........................

 

[sf]

yes. I would say yes. There would be less of the post count discrimination, and a higher share of trust all around. It makes it, a little, less of a walk in the park for trolls.

 

[paulfitz]

I think so, with 4000 members now that is a significant number. This might resolve some issues that other members have about scammers and equipment dumpers.

 

[Gid]

I'll go with a yes for this. We are after all trying to support each other in a trusted environment free of scams.

Gid

 

[Kim Coxon]

Yes, it is a service for members not an auction house or saleroom.

 

[wlewisiii]

I'd say so as well, but it really doesn't take that much more effort for someone to register so I doubt that much would change. Now if you put a minimum post count before someone could sell... perhaps that would work.

William

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I think so, maybe only members with 50 posts or more, that way you aleviate the "for sale" ads by people with only one post...the "for sale ad".

 

[dmr]

Oops, I didn't read. I missed the word "classified", so my NO vote shoulda been YES.

What I thought Jorge meant was the board in general, which I do believe should be viewable without registering.

I know I registered after I got the idea that this was an active place with good conversation. I absolutely **HATE** registering for a web board only to find that it's a ghost town.

 

[RayPA]

Definitely, and perhaps another door once inside (like the 50 post limit).


.

 

[Fred]

Yes, definitely.

I'd not just put a post count. Anyone can flood post in a very short time. This has been seen by one or two members who err... like to ask the odd question and sort of post to err.. let me say prompt a reply of sorts.

So I'd suggest a combination of the two, a modest postage count, over a modest time. Say 30 posts over 30 days whichever comes sooner (with a minimum time limit of say 15 days). This way the less prolific poster can still be an active member. Gives us a chance to get to know and welcome new members without the opportunist kit dumper. Its just an idea. Any thoughts?

 

[darkkavenger]

Definitely yes 🙂

 

[Kim Coxon]

The trouble with a min count is that if the "one posters" really want to list something, it wouldn't take long to rack the count up with meaningless messages. There have also been several times when members have benefitted from such sales. Phelsuma is one example who had inherited some very nice Canon gear and offered it here to get a good home.

 

[JoeFriday]

I'm not sure what the purpose would be of allowing only members to view classifieds.. non-members wouldn't get much out of just reading them unless there's some direct contact info included, which usually is not the case.. and of course only members can post a classified ad of their own, if I'm not mistaken.. so it's a moot point

but I would support the idea of having a certain post count before being able to post an ad.. maybe 20 posts.. 50 seems a little high, but not excessive

 

[laptoprob]

I agree with Fred. A combination of posts and time keeps fast visiting sellers at a distance. That is about the only way except contributions to keep our community like a community, the way we all like it. I guess.

Rob.

 

[doubs43]

I'll go along with Fred; i.e., a combination of membership and a minimum number of posts. Scammers would have little compuntion about "joining" just to attempt a scam. If it required a little work, it would discourage 99 percent of them IMO.

So I say "Yes".

Walker

 

[bcs89]

I think members only also, it seems that in just the short time I have been here there has been a huge increase in first time posts being a FS post, but as William said it only takes a moment to become a member so that may not make much of a difference. Okay, this may not be feasible but here goes... what if the classified section was only visible to members? That way if someone finds the forum and likes it enough for what it is (a wealth of info and great people) to join, at that point "members only" (sounds very elitist doesn't it? sorry) sections would be open/visible to them. Just a thought from a newcomer.

scott

 

[Kim Coxon]

You could always have a max post count as well, say 3000. That would stop certain members grabbing all the good stuff and give the rest of us a chance. 😉 😀 😛

Seriously, I don't see the post count as a problem. It not only affects the "sellers" who could find a way round it but the buyers as well. I have seen quite a few people who have come looking for advice and generally being told that buying from RFF members is the best way to go. If they can't see or post in the classfied's, how can they?

Kim

 

[bcs89]

I should have mentioned in my above post that I have benefited greatly from the classifieds - while well below a 50 post count - but when I found the forum I was unaware of them, and they were not the reason I became a member. I guess what I am saying is I dont think the post count is important if people are here for the right reasons. IMHO

scott

 

[lido]

I think it should be open to everyone. This might help some of the regular members sell their gear faster as well as get some new people to the forum who might now know about the wealth of knowledge among these pages (Jeorge's mySQL database 😉) but would explore once they are drawn here by classifieds. Just my two cents.