please vote yes to put the For Sale & Wanted thread so that latest replies go back to the top .. am sure anyone bumping threads can get a 3 strike warning.. then a weeks ban or something .. :thumbsup:

Col ..

We are looking at an automated software solution to handle the whole classifieds area. This would probably involve limiting users to 1 classified ad in a set period of time, so you would list all your items for sale in a single thread rather than everyone filling the forum with a topic per item. Further thoughts and feedback on the way forward for this area are welcome...

Actually, if I understand what you're saying, you can re-sort the threads into the order of 'most recent replies' by using the dropdowns at the bottom of the page.

I know when this was first implemented it was generally one of those things we tried to do to avoid banning people. :)

Just experimenting with the ticker on here. I clicked thumbs down initially and it wouldn't move! It stayed at 5. So I tried again, still it refused to go down. I tried up and it went straight to 7. A conspiracy?

I tried down again and it went back to 5 but still won't go lower.

Please see note in the now closed thread. The ticker isn't foolproof, but it's better than nothing (hopefully). Please stay on topic on this thread ;)

Don't know if it work here, but on another forum I frequent(!) they have a system where every for-sale type post is appended by a paragraph or two of text from the mod team outlining the rules.

No-one is allowed to reply directly to the thread (instead should be done via PM).

The threads get 3 'bump' replies from the mod team at a specified interval of time.

That way an ad will resurface a couple or 3 times after initial post in a controlled manner and prevents the replies just to bump up.

If seller wants to add info, they edit their original post rather than replying.

The only gripe I have with the For Sale section is that it moves so fast. You can post an item and within a day it's pages down!

What about a 'free to good home' section, or classifying the For Sale section into various groups - cars, electrical, household, garden?

What about a 'free to good home' section, or classifying the For Sale section into various groups - cars, electrical, household, garden?

Maybe incorporate one of the many classified ads scripts?

Don't know if it work here, but on another forum I frequent(!) they have a system...

Can you provide a link please :)

www.dyxum.com

The only gripe I have with the For Sale section is that it moves so fast. You can post an item and within a day it's pages down!

What about a 'free to good home' section, or classifying the For Sale section into various groups - cars, electrical, household, garden?

I agree with both points.....perhaps a swap section as mentioned in another thread recently?

Jayne

I like the free to good home point ... and maybe a mobile phones only one .. theres loads of posts on for mobiles for sale .. lol

Col ..

Don't know if it work here, but on another forum I frequent(!) they have a system where every for-sale type post is appended by a paragraph or two of text from the mod team outlining the rules.

No-one is allowed to reply directly to the thread (instead should be done via PM).

The threads get 3 'bump' replies from the mod team at a specified interval of time.

That way an ad will resurface a couple or 3 times after initial post in a controlled manner and prevents the replies just to bump up.

If seller wants to add info, they edit their original post rather than replying.

I like this ... that the for sale thread should be automatically closed so people have to pm for details ... and the mod bumps are cool ...

I like this ... that the for sale thread should be automatically closed so people have to pm for details ... and the mod bumps are cool ...

I like the idea of closing the threads and doing everything by PM.

The Mod Bump idea is intriguing but the Mods will kill you for the extra work... :)

Maybe it could be automated?

I like all the suggestions here particularly more classification

I think splitting the for sale section into groups is a fantastic idea, it would make it much easier if you are looking for a particular item.

We are looking at an automated software solution to handle the whole classifieds area. This would probably involve limiting users to 1 classified ad in a set period of time, so you would list all your items for sale in a single thread rather than everyone filling the forum with a topic per item. Further thoughts and feedback on the way forward for this area are welcome...
I noticed that the mods have become quite active in merging for sale ads - but they're now a nightmare to use from a purchasing point of view!

at the moment they may as well all just say 'some stuff for sale', as there just isn't room in the title space for all the items - and the classifieds are now so busy that opening each thread to read the items is ludicrously time consuming!

I'd agree with the suggestion for different sections, but have a concern with the concept of a 'free to collect' section, as the forum is already 'suffering' from a bunch of people who are 'free collecting' then commercially re-selling. I really don't see who else benefits by dividing the forum up by this method. A 'home and garden', 'computers', 'cars', 'phones' type format would be far more beneficial to those trying to purchase

The issue of thread bumping on the classifieds is an interesting one. The ideal situation would be that dead ads be removed, but that would be impossible to mod. Perhaps the classifieds should be set so only the OP can post on their threads, the ads are auto-removed after only a week, and if they want the ad to remain they have to bump the thread?

I noticed that the mods have become quite active in merging for sale ads - but they're now a nightmare to use from a purchasing point of view!

at the moment they may as well all just say 'some stuff for sale', as there just isn't room in the title space for all the items - and the classifieds are now so busy that opening each thread to read the items is ludicrously time consuming!

I'd agree with the suggestion for different sections, but have a concern with the concept of a 'free to collect' section, as the forum is already 'suffering' from a bunch of people who are 'free collecting' then commercially re-selling. I really don't see who else benefits by dividing the forum up by this method. A 'home and garden', 'computers', 'cars', 'phones' type format would be far more beneficial to those trying to purchase

The issue of thread bumping on the classifieds is an interesting one. The ideal situation would be that dead ads be removed, but that would be impossible to mod. Perhaps the classifieds should be set so only the OP can post on their threads, the ads are auto-removed after only a week, and if they want the ad to remain they have to bump the thread?

in which case would it then make sense to remove threads which are bumped within say, 6 days and ban repeat offenders from using the for sale section?

not really - as some people can't get online daily, so a 6 day bump would be acceptable

I suppose the current system of static positions would be best if this were implemented

The only gripe I have with the For Sale section is that it moves so fast. You can post an item and within a day it's pages down!

What about a 'free to good home' section, or classifying the For Sale section into various groups - cars, electrical, household, garden?

Good idea, Ill second that suggestion!

The free section looks like it's doing well. I've have a sort out in my garage and get some computer stuff up there.

On some of the Freead pages the advert post doesnt go onto the page straight away it has to be checked by a moderator first. I know this was the way that we used to do it on the old forum i was Admin for. That way if you found that a person was posting the same item over and over again, we could just not allow the posts through to the board.

I also agree with alchresearch that there should be more of a breakdown in the thread.

:)

On some of the Freead pages the advert post doesnt go onto the page straight away it has to be checked by a moderator first. I know this was the way that we used to do it on the old forum i was Admin for. That way if you found that a person was posting the same item over and over again, we could just not allow the posts through to the board.

I also agree with alchresearch that there should be more of a breakdown in the thread.

:)

If this work could be automated then that would be fine, otherwise I suspect it's going to be a dog's dinner for the grossly overworked mods.

The only gripe I have with the For Sale section is that it moves so fast. You can post an item and within a day it's pages down!

What about a 'free to good home' section, or classifying the For Sale section into various groups - cars, electrical, household, garden?

i like this idea

We are looking at an automated software solution to handle the whole classifieds area. This would probably involve limiting users to 1 classified ad in a set period of time, so you would list all your items for sale in a single thread rather than everyone filling the forum with a topic per item. Further thoughts and feedback on the way forward for this area are welcome...

Can I just ask for clarification on the current status of this issue - particularly i would like to know whether we can now repost items for sale every week or so if they havent been sold within say 7-10 days?

Outcome of suggestion

The classifieds area was improved at the end of May. A further review will happen in due course.