Issues with Classified Rules

[tubachris85x]

I'm not trying to bash anything on the site, but I do see the classifieds has having been a major weak point with this site. Yea, I don't want someone to post about "how can I charge THAT much" for an item I'm trying to sell. I got it. However, how am I suppose to look at a new/old seller and get legitimate feed back on a run or product quality? I don't want to have to spend more time then I have to searching on backround info and then risk getting burned or not getting what I'm expecting based solely on a one time post.

Not being aloud to post a reply on a seller's thread? I don't see the reason why we can't at all. The reason for not allowing a thread bump is frankly counter-productive. The classifieds has turned into a stale and dry section that I hardly visit anymore and I honestly feel that's a major part of why I don't see nearly as much activity on this site as I used to. People will want to visit more to see what people are offering, not necessarily showcasing work, but to see how others can get ahold of their work if available. If the classifieds had more freedom instead of an unnecessary tight fist of a rule, then I think more traffic would come through here. I can keep posting why, but I'd be here all day...

Next point; price posting. I STILL don't get why there is a heavy restriction on this. I get it that the "405th as an entity" doesn't sell armor, rodger that. But I do not see why makers cannot post their prices on their behalf. This reminds me incredibly of how the 501st was early on when getting a stormtrooper costume was much like having to buy something off the black market. Why? Lucasfilm and the 501st have an unspoken agreement in that they are mutually beneficial. Never mind the fact that LFL is a sue happy company. I have yet to come across anything that says "microsoft" or "Bungie/343 studios" does not like us or wants us to cease and desist our hobby. It's only legal until someone calls it "the official master chief helmet of bungie/microsoft/343studios"

This is the only site I've seen to have these restrictions on a sale section, I don't get it, not one bit at all. It's hurting the site in the long run.

[Nintendude]

I have to go a little off-topic here, this site used to be something, then the 405th started having works posted up on the Waypoint site, and it was like a flood of new members came in. This site has lost so many veterans, good members of the 405th, that helped people the best they could. Now the site is turning into nothing, and I know when the next Halo game comes out it's just going to become worse here. By the time Halo 4 comes out if changes are not made to the site by then, there will be nothing positive about this site anymore other than the new members that have taken over the site and the mass amount of restrictions this site already has too much of. I hate comparing one site to another, but maybe what the 405th needs to do is take a look at site's like the RPF and follow the example starting with a On/Off Registration, where it's off for a few months that way the new members can learn from the site, get thier question's answered, get them taken care of, then oepn the registration up again for another flood of new members, not just leave the flood gates wide open and expect the problem to fix itself.
Now back on topic. All the current restrictions are doing is choking the site. I have to agree with the part about bumping, and not allow that at all, unless the topic is close to the 30 Day mark and the item still is not sold for the person. As for commissions on the site I never saw one complaint thread about it on the 405th, and I monitor the areas of this site better than a moderator watching for someone having a problem with something. Heck I'm here multiple times a day, but with all the restrictions on the site and with all the new members on here, it's really become a downer for me.
In final, I can say this, the site needs to have improvements made, otherwise, all the staff of the site will have to deal with is nothing but new members, and all the veterans will be gone like we have lost so many others.

[Walter "Spase"]

"I am of the opinion that there should not be a classified section."
I was not in opposition to removing the classifieds, in fact I had suggested it at one point and it almost happened. But after much discussion we decided to keep them but restrict their usage. The intent here was that this site is about building the items, not selling them, but there is always the eventuality that you have something extra you don't need, or you want to make that extra cool prop you made available in limited quantities to people that share similar interests. Restrictions on number of active listings, items per run, how often you can re-post and item, and active time limits were all done with careful thought to balance out "flooding the market" with never ending classified listings where people are selling copy after copy and in some cases running multiple never ending listings.

"I don't want to have to spend more time then I have to searching on backround info and then risk getting burned or not getting what I'm expecting based solely on a one time post."
This was interesting to see someone actually come out and say. If you want feedback on quality, ask the seller to provide it with additional photos, videos, written descriptions etc. You want to be sure you are not going to get scammed, ask for references from previous buyers. You should always be clear on the terms of your transaction with a seller, including payment type, shipping method and dates, if in doubt, ask the seller to be as specific as possible. If you have a question regarding the item condition as stated in the description or shown in the photos, always ask prior to entering into any agreement with a seller. It is always the seller's responsibility to provide enough information so as to re-assure that a buyer does not get scammed. It is always the buyers responsibility to ask for enough information so as to re-assure themselves that the seller is not scamming them. Faulting the site for personal lack of time and willingness to research and make a secure transaction. As a buyer, if you participated in a transaction for a listing that is closed and has been moved to the Old Listings section, it would be acceptable to post a reply stating the item was received as described, which goes toward building a better reputation for the seller. It isn't a site problem that a buyer isn't replying to an old listing, giving feedback. If your not doing your proper background research on an item or a seller, then you shouldn't purchase an item, unless you are willing to get something other than what you paid for or scammed all together.

"General statements about replies in the classifieds"
See above regarding seller feedback, but I will elaborate more. Allowing replies in the classified section invites abuse of the no bumping rule, and if there is a no bumping rule, why do you need to reply to your listing when you can edit the original post.

"Why dont we just change it so that sales are handled off site then and make the classifieds a place to list your sale"
As far as I was aware, that's exactly whats stated in the rules. All sales are private matters and are to be conducted as such. The 405th is neither middle man nor broker, and all responsibility for sales lies between the seller and buyer. The classifieds are just simply a place to state you have an item available.

"All the current restrictions are doing is choking the site"
Restrictions are meant to restrict, in this case forcing the buyers and sellers to practice responsible buying and selling behavior. Many of the complaints we have recieved in the past could have been avoided if people had insisted on more secure transactions, written agreements, or doing the proper background research before making a purchase. The classifieds is for listing an item, commissions aren't tangible items, and therefore would violate several other classified rules.

[aabateries2]

I think that summed it up quite well. I like the classifieds section the way it is. i usually just browse through it seeing what people are selling or getting rid of. if i see something i like/ want, i look further into the thread. there is only like 2 pages of active listings. its not a big deal to scroll down and click page 2 to see whats there. we dont need bumping.

[Arioch]

Well said. Ive bought several items from the classifieds and not had any real problems. I only had one transaction that was rough, but in the end I got about what I paid for considering I talked him down on the price. After that, I bought from people who are well known on the site. I watch the classifieds a lot, taking note of sellers who seem to have problems and making sure to avoid them.

Overall, the sellers that Ive worked with are great, and I will continue to use the classifieds.Since like I said earlier, they work 99% of the time. And this place isnt even set up to be used as a market.

I feel that the rules combined with the type of members we have in general are working. If someone lists something that doesnt sell here, there is always ebay... But we all appeciate getting first dibs before it goes somewhere as public as ebay.