Thread: Moving to a classifieds system

I'd really like everyones input on this, but keep it nice please.

We've been planning on moving to a really nice classifieds system for awhile. And I'm ready to pull the trigger. But I want everyone to be able to vote on it.

We have two groups of people in BST, people that sell one or two razors every now and then, and people that sell a whole bunch of stuff.

We can move everyone into classifieds. Or Move only people that sell alot, and leave the rest in BST.

What do you think?

Here's another site that's using the system I'm leaning towards:

http://www.viperalley.com/classifieds/

(That is a live site, don't buy anything unless you mean it )

I like having the classifieds available in case I want to sell several items at once, or if I want to browse someone else's lot for individual items out of many.

But besides that, I like having a classifieds section separate from the forum, but still exclusively SRP

Thanks for considering!

Also, does a distinction need to be made between the frequent and the infrequent sellers? How would it be made? Would such a distinction be attached to a seller for a limited period of time?

I also agree with those who have already suggested that we need a way to delete offerings that have been sold. Maybe that would be easier in the classifieds assuming the classifieds don't offer conversational capacities like the forum does

P.S. There's also the old say, if it isn't broke don't fix it. I like the B/S/T. But I'd like the Classifieds as an option. I want it all! The Classifieds section was available in the past - I thought it was a neat addition that didn't interfere with anything

I like the idea of having a pic, pricing and description visible from the forum.
I don't like losing the comments, questions and answers in a thread.

Could we use the classified system but have the ability for discussion in an ad?

I would have to vote to leave it the way it is.... But then again I am only an occasional seller
The one thing that has already been brought up is that the BST is an informational resource in itself and I think that would be lost even if the selling was just split... JMHO

Does this mean items for sale would not show up in the "forums" section? That you would have to go to a different "classified" section? I'm sorry; I'm a little thick from time to time.

If so, I would vote no. I like the fact that the BST is "part" of the community. Its one of the reasons I feel comfortable sending newbies and others to buy things here. I fear that to separate the "market" might minimize the benefits of the "self-policing" we have. I also like being able to see "what's new" and available when I hit the "New Posts" button. Just my 2 cents.

We need a "two finger" quote smilie....


Jordan

It won't directly be in the forums, but it'll still very much be a part of the community overall. People will be able to post comments like now, sellers can manage their stuff better, there will be some form of review system, ut'll be able to be viewed historically, you'll be able to view new additions.. I can't really think of ANY drawbacks to this system.

I'd be against it. I don't think the B/S/T forum is broken. Even the heaviest sellers don't sell so much that it clogs up the B/S/T. I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish. Are you going to charge for ads?

Originally Posted by dwessell

I'd really like everyones input on this, but keep it nice please.

We've been planning on moving to a really nice classifieds system for awhile. And I'm ready to pull the trigger. But I want everyone to be able to vote on it.

We have two groups of people in BST, people that sell one or two razors every now and then, and people that sell a whole bunch of stuff.

We can move everyone into classifieds. Or Move only people that sell alot, and leave the rest in BST.

What do you think?

I like the idea of separating it out a little bit. To me it does clog up the boards some especially when you get a hotly commented upon item thats talked about for days after its sold or a bunch of items from a single seller.

I think a more organized classified system will also allow buyers to find what they are looking for faster. I remember it kind of sucked looking for a nice starter razor and stumbling through dozens of incredible restores that were way out of my price range, it made what I could afford (and should be using in the beginning) seem kind of shabby.

Originally Posted by dwessell

Here's another site that's using the system I'm leaning towards:

http://www.viperalley.com/classifieds/

(That is a live site, don't buy anything unless you mean it )

Looks nice but I couldn't buy anything, it seems Traveler got them all

Originally Posted by dwessell

It won't directly be in the forums, but it'll still very much be a part of the community overall. People will be able to post comments like now, sellers can manage their stuff better, there will be some form of review system, ut'll be able to be viewed historically, you'll be able to view new additions.. I can't really think of ANY drawbacks to this system.

Thats great. The discussion, both positive and negative, about each item is an education and very important to me. Plus being able to keep track of your listings better, a big bonus.

Thanks for all the hard work I can't wait to see it.

No plans to charge anytime soon. But I would like something more organized for sellers, easier for them to use. And the same for buyers.. Forums aren't really means to be markets.. At least that's my feelings.. Have everyone taken a look at that link I gave?

dw

I like the way the viper classifieds arranges and displays the ads; that is the sort of setup I think of when I think of a Classifieds section