Request for some feedback on a classifieds ads forum

The idea has been put forth a few times in the past, that we create a classified ads type of forum for those people who want to put up an advertisement to the members here.

The idea is that it should curtail completely the occasional issue of having a member try to use our forums to promote their products or services. By having a classified ads forum, the theory goes, it would give a venue for people to post that stuff and we wouldn't have to worry (as much) about it happening on the rest of the site.

I've been a little uneasy about the idea until Terry recently approached me with a new idea: setup the forum but charge a nominal fee to post an ad, and also limit the time that the ad would run. It seems like the fee would prevent spammers from abusing it, but it would be low enough that legimitate people would be happy to post there.

Here is what Terry wrote to me:

Any thoughts from ya'll?

dave

So, this would be an actual forum of stuff for sale, but only a single item/group per post? What types of things would be allowable for sale? Also, this would just be one forum and no ads outside of the forum?

Have a couple of questions.
1. Will it be for all the members OR Subscribers only
2. Would it be open to sell even single plants/seedpacks ?(that would be a threat to the spirit of what DG stands for IMHO)
3. Is it only those members/subcribers with companies who will be able to advertice?
Janett

If it costs $5 (which I think would be both reasonable and wise) to run an ad, it is unlikely anyone is going to use it to sell single plants or seedpacks. I like the idea. The biggest irritant I can see coming along is someone writing barely-on-topic posts in multiple threads and forums, just to gain attention for their ad(s). I'm glad you don't have tag lines and signature thingies in here, Dave. :-)

Yes, that's correct. Also, there would be no discussion - it would consist entirely of one post that was written by the submitter.



I'm not sure. I guess anything one wanted to list, as long as it was legal and appropriate for the site. I don't see why we would not allow people to post a teapot that they wanted to sell, for example.



Right, just one forum and, as always, no advertising is allowed on the rest of the site. We deal with this issue a lot and are frequently having to edit posts and issue warnings to people. With the classifieds forum, we can send them to that forum to satisfy their desire to advertise.



I don't know why we would need to restrict it. I expect we'd let anyone read it, and anyone who wants to pay the fee should be able to post.



I don't see how it would be a threat to the spirit of the site. Most people prefer to trade, rather than buy, but those who want to buy, I don't see a reason to prevent them from being able to do it.



No, anyone at all would be able to do it.



That would be strictly enforced against, just as it is today.

dave

Another idea has come up here: if we found that there were an inordinate amount of "problem" ads posted, then we can introduce moderation by having a group of interested folks form a "committee" of sorts that looks at all the ads and clicks on "Approve" or "Decline" before they are shown in the forum.

That's an idea for the future, as a way to solve a problem if it becomes one. :)

dave

I am just starting a company that is service as opposed to selling product. Would I be allowed to post my website and tell a bit about what we do?

Carmen

Yes, I see no reason why not, as long as the service isn't something that would be inappropriate for the site (like illegal things, explosives, drugs, etc)

dave

Darn! No explosives? chuckle

It does sound interesting and I will be looking to see what other people have to say. I think I just had a really icky thought......Dbay. LOL

I think this a great idea that just adds another dimension to the DG experience. I think it would be prudent to approve/disapprove ads right from the get go though so "problem" ads never appear in the first place (ie...the ads can sit in queue until approved).

Erynne

Lol @ Badseed!!!

I also chuckled (and groaned) at the dBay name. :-)

As for the moderation (approving and disapproving) it's a good idea and I can think of a really nice implementation for it. I'm sure there are several members who would be happy to be on the committee, especially if it's easy to do (which it would be)

dave

So, when will it start?

Will you be able to put in a zip code to get local ads?

I'm still gathering feedback as to the start date, and then I'll have to actually program the thing. :)

zipcodes: I'm thinking not. Maybe if it becomes huge then I can consider it but I can't imagine it ever being used enough to warrant that.

dave

When I first read the initial post, I was shaking my head no. Then after I read more of your explanations and thought about it a little more, I'm warming to it.

I can see where it would be tempting for some to post little hints throughout the site, but like you said, it would be strictly enforced against. May cause a little more work for you guys, but if you don't mind, then that's not for me to worry about.

I do think that ads should be looked at before being released/posted. Much like the PF photos are now. That would eliminate getting some really bizarre ones like we all get in spam emails.

I like the idea, only concern is would there be a way to give feedback on the d-Bay sellers (I love the name!)? I think people are probably going to have a certain level of trust in people/companies who advertise on here, and it would be great if there was someone who was abusing that trust if they could be kicked off and not allowed to advertise anymore. Companies you could give feedback through Watchdog obviously, but I wasn't sure if it was going to be set up so you could give feedback on a person.

ecrane3........you can leave feedback on a member here as it is right know.
Janett

Janett has the right idea; I expect we'd use the member feedback system for that very purpose.

best,
dave

OK, guess I've never used that feature!

Would the advertisers be "forced" to set a fixed price in the ad or would it become D-bay via D-mail for the highest bid. I realise that all adds cant have pinpointed price but when it comes to single items ads.
Janett

Janett, I don't think the seller/advertiser would be forced to set a price, but there's no eBay-esque auction functionality to this, so it would probably be in their best interest to list the price, unless they're willing to sell it for "best offer".

I had a slightly different idea from Dave on the question of number of items within an ad.

While it would bring in more money to require people to list everything separate, I honestly don't see much of a problem of someone listing multiple items as long as they put it all in the ad at the outset. (No adding more stuff for sale after the ad is posted.) Since the ad is only going to run for a set time, someone could list 1 item or "everything but the proverbial kitchen sink" and it shouldn't really matter much to us. 'scuse me while I don the old shin guards in case I'm about to get kicked under the table....

Terry, that's my idea, too.

dave

Great! I hate wearing those shin guards, especially in summer.

If I pay money, can I see just one little kick? I am locked in on the fourth of July, banging and cracking all around while it is raining!! Sure there is a law against this?? LOL I need *some* kind of amusement....

You ARE being bad. Do you know how easily I bruise????? Sheesh.

I think this is a great idea! (No, not kicking Terry)

DH and I vote YES. Looking forward to how "Dbay" (LOL) shapes up.

You do have the shin guards.......I am locked in with six kids!!! Help...............Hubby is getting time and a half and I am getting gray hair. LOL

i got 4 kids, 2 raccoons and a puppy.... want to trade? LOL

And I think the classified forum is a great idea

Janis

Not on your life! LOL

chicken

I am with you Dave, I don't like Dbay and I figure there would be a huge lawsuit from Ebay. Does make one chuckle to say Dbay though.

Maybe I could do a time share ad. I could let some one use my house here during Hurricane Season while I use theirs in a safe area during that time. This is Sounding better all the time. ROTFLOL

Now on the serious side what about a trial period of about 4-6 months and re-evaluate? That way no one could get upset if all of a sudden it was gone.

Terry let me use your shin guards now. Please. I know every one here are honest people, but to keep out hard feelings about dmailing a price to the seller on say the best offer they should be posted so as no arguements start about someone doing favortism? Or not selling to someone they may not like?

Just a thought?

I don't see how requiring a price to be posted would have any effect on the potential disputes you're describing.

If you place a classified "item for sale" ad in your local paper, you might (if you're lucky) have dozens of offers, and you have to pick whose offer to accept - it doesn't have to be the first offer, and it doesn't have to be the highest offer. If you post a help-wanted ad, you have to decide which candidate to hire...and that's not necessarily the first applicant.

There's no way for anyone to guarantee that the seller's final choice won't be arbitrary, subjective, and based on the their personal preferences. (There's also no way for us to tell the seller whose offer they have to accept.)

ANY and all such disputes (hopefully there would be very few) would be strictly between the buyer and seller. If someone wants to invoke their right to "refuse service to anyone", I can't see us getting in the middle of any disagreement that may arise as a result.

Hey, I like this idea. I know that many of us "pack rats", if given the opportunity would like to clear out our stuff, and what a wonderful way to do it. I do think having a committee to screen the ads first is a good idea. It would assure that all the questionable items would be screened and eliminated if deemed unappropriate. Sure hope that this idea flies, and we can give it a test drive to see if it is beneficial, and if so, make it a regular thread on DG.

I am turning many prospective Ideas over in my brain too.
Sidney

Not worth bringing up. Sorry

think be great idea and may also be a real help to some of us now.. if could list more one item on ad.?? i thought dbay neat .. i know other sites using the bay word in them but not the E..thought always be neat to have this..

Would there be no problem with someone advertising, then getting known for having certain items or types of things and thereafter being contacted on a regular basis through their d-mail? (avoiding the pay-per-ad idea)? I'm thinking of people who sell items or services on an ongoing basis rather than a one-time item or teapot.
Sherry

I really like the idea of having a group of people to moderate the ads. Maybe you can set up a Slashdot-kind of system, where the people who are looking at it can either push "this is acceptable," "this is not acceptable," or "this needs editing (with a space to say why)" and the ad doesn't get posted until it gets enough moderators who push the "I approve" button. (Does that make sense?) I have no idea how hard that would be to implement.. If nothing else, maybe it could be done with the polling mechanism in a forum that just the moderators can access.

~ Marylyn

Howie and I love this idea!

How about DGbay since you'd have the eeee sound without using actually using it?

Here's my pennies worth...
~I like the idea of Members/Registered users being able to access a "Community Bulletin Board" but not sure how outsiders/non paying members having access to our comfy lil Dave's world will be. We are a unique group of folks & most of us pay for the privilege to be here, so why should just anyone be able to have the same access for a nominal fee???

~How will the onslaught of sellers from outside effect our server??
~Will the DG folks ads get lost in the shuffle???

~It will sure give the folks that already sell "behind" in the open forum an appropriate place to do that .

~ I sure wished this had been in place a few months ago before my move. I could have sold some very nice plants & other extras to DG folks , then at least I would have felt like I was sharing with friends. :)

I feel confident that Dave & Admins will make the right choice for all of us for the good of Daves Garden.

Thanks for allowing us to feild our concerns.
MsC



Edited for typos




This message was edited Jul 4, 2006 11:42 PM