Issues with Classified Rules

[thatdecade]

Yeah... I'm really not a fan of the changes in classified rules. Specifically, the rule that nobody can reply to a classified thread, not even the author. Was wondering why I wasn't getting much interest in my thread recently. Then I found my classified thread in the "old listings" section, moved without my permission.

Of course the moderator would have no idea if a thread is active or not during his cleaning. All he sees is the thread started date in the sorting.

This last run of mine was very dissapointing and showed the least responses ever. Maybe it's my fault for being lame, but I do not think so (I am awesome) and am leaning to blame the new classified rules that went into effect in the last year.

A classified thread has little chance of success without replies.

I've already brought this up with Spase and was informed the current classified rules were written to prevent bumping. WTF?! Completely goes against my method of browsing a forum. I never browse the individual forum selections, hitting the New Posts button to inform myself about the hot threads.

Edit:
All you have to do is check the view counts to see that the new classified rules are NOT working.

[Will_Turner]

You're not the only one who has that opinion, but I figure there's a reason.
I for one would like to see the classifieds get changed around to allow replies and more images per post.

[Nintendude]

I have to agree, there's been a lot of restrictions on the forum since the last site update, when the time could have been put to better use.

[Will_Turner]

Personally I think this forum could stand to learn from the Replica Prop Forum as they've been in existence for many years and have had a working system in place for their classifieds section that this forum could yet take inspiration from. I hope this will be viewed as constructive criticism and not a negative comment though.

[Jedi Ranger]

This has my support as well! I doubt I will ever have anything for sale, but I think it would be nice to be able to post public feedback/compliments on specific transactions.

[thatdecade]

Thanks guys, I want to assert that this is a respectful observation and I am understanding if the forum rules are not a democratic process. Many folks would very much like this policy changed, but will respect the decision of the admins.

[Walter "Spase"]

The rules were put in place to treat the classifieds as just that, a classified section. The rules are a response to what we were seeing members abusing the site that is provide free to members for a purpose that was not intended. This was also done to reduce the clutter and provide a streamlined experience. I'm not sure what the correlation of view counts has to do with the rules as they are written working. There was no direct solution to the problems we were seeing and this was the best solution that could be found at the time. As for suggestions I am always open to them, but without the reason for the change it is difficult to judge whether that suggestion is worth considering.

As for threads being moved without permission, they are moved according to the rules, if the sale ends or 30 days has passed then they are moved to the old listing section.

[Will_Turner]

Couple of ideas that might be effective for classified postings.

1. Allow replies to posts by original creator of the posting, thus allowing it to be bumped back up to the top for viewers to re-read (if the thread isn't updated, move it over to the old listings. If its updated, forgo the move in lieu of letting the thread die on its own).

2. Allow more images to be posted for postings made in the classifieds as opposed to needing to link to an album for more pictures.

3. Allow for sections within the classifieds, much like a main section with different tiers of sales. Allowing us to post in each tier as needed.

Eg:
Armor
- helmets
- upper body
- Lower body

Services
- pepakura building
- fiberglassing
- bondo-ing
- Model building
- painting
- molding
- casting
Etc.

Non-armor related
- video games, laptops, portable game systems, (whatever you want could be listed here)

More categories could be added as needed.

Implement the changes slowly and I think it'd be good to have a trial period for awhile.

[thatdecade]

View counts give me feedback to how successful a thread was of being seen. View counts are way down.
Replies allow valuable feedback for potential buyers and YES bumping. Each reply puts a thread back into the new thread sorting allowing more users to see it.

Yes, it is a classified section, but is a forum classified section. Currently, is missing out on a forum's most valuable feature, discussion. Doesn't have to be run like a newspaper.

[Will_Turner]

View counts give me feedback to how successful a thread was of being seen. View counts are way down.
Replies allow valuable feedback for potential buyers and YES bumping. Each reply puts a thread back into the new thread sorting allowing more users to see it.

Yes, it is a classified section, but is a forum classified section. Currently, is missing out on a forum's most valuable feature, discussion. Doesn't have to be run like a newspaper.

What do you think of some of the ideas I had? If you don't mind me asking?