Suggestions to improve the site

[SSLarry]

1. A Classified where no one can post to threads. The OP can only edit his original post with price adjustments and 'SOLD!', but that's it.

2. A new free for all, anything goes forum (politics, religion, etc). The moderators can take a break.


Anyone else think these are good ideas? Have other ideas?

[Russo]

+1 for a political thread...

there needs to be a reinforcement on For Sale threads, i see people trying to sell cars with NO pictures or VIN.. im glad im not a mod, lol

[SlingShot]

I think #2 has been tried before and it turned out like #2 ... Nothing but fights and threats, so don't hold your breath ...

[motorhead]

I don't believe the political unlimited thread would work because it would spill over to the rest of the forum. There are many other sites to go to that allow you to voice your views.

As far as #1 ,I don't see the problem with asking questions about the product or service that is being sold.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

I think #2 has been tried before and it turned out like #2 ... Nothing but fights and threats, so don't hold your breath ...

we tried having a political area in the past. and its one of those things like religion, its a very touchy area. people have different views and people can't always agree on things and it turns into a mud slinging event and then we have to come in a clean up house. its a lot easier for us to "take a break" by not allowing the problem to start.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

It's a lot easier for us to "take a break" by not allowing the problem to start.

Invariably...discussion from that section spilled out into the rest of the forum...and it became a nightmare. Our goal isn't to stifle controversial discussion, but to maintain a friendly and lighthearted atmosphere.

If political/Religious discussion is that important to you (which isn't a bad thing), there are many other sites allowing that sort of conversation. Some even built around it. We just don't wish to be one of them.

[SSLarry]

Originally Posted by motorhead

I don't believe the political unlimited thread would work because it would spill over to the rest of the forum. There are many other sites to go to that allow you to voice your views.

As far as #1 ,I don't see the problem with asking questions about the product or service that is being sold.

Just IMHO, but how would it spill over? All current rules would apply to every forum but this new one. People want to talk politics. Why should we haver to leave the site? Maybe the Camaro is the tie that binds and will keep the conversation way more civil than political forums. By the way, many sites have a forum like this, so this is not a new concept.

As for 1, I'm NOT refering to vendors. I'm referring to classified by members. Simple: a guy want to sell something, and non-interested parties feel the need to chime in with an opinion. They can't help it, they just do. That is not how a classified bulitin board should work. If soneone want to ask questions or communicate with the seller, then they can PM.

(by the way, this is a rule that you moderators are NOT enforcing... "thread crapping")

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by SSLarry

Just IMHO, but how would it spill over? All current rules would apply to every forum but this new one. People want to talk politics. Why should we haver to leave the site? Maybe the Camaro is the tie that binds and will keep the conversation way more civil than political forums. By the way, many sites have a forum like this, so this is not a new concept.

We've tried it, it failed miserably, and we're just not doing it again. Sorry. :(

Originally Posted by SSLarry

(by the way, this is a rule that you moderators are NOT enforcing... "thread crapping")

We enforce all the site rules provided we come across a post that breaks them. But remember we can't be everywhere at once. Please report any posts you don't think are appropriate, and 'we moderators' will give them our full attention.

[SSLarry]

Ok cool... so you're thinking about suggestion number 1, then. Awesome

[Milk 1027]

Originally Posted by SSLarry

Just IMHO, but how would it spill over? All current rules would apply to every forum but this new one. People want to talk politics. Why should we haver to leave the site? Maybe the Camaro is the tie that binds and will keep the conversation way more civil than political forums. By the way, many sites have a forum like this, so this is not a new concept.
We've tried it though, and it DOES spill into other section, whether we have rules to enforce them or not, people will ignore those rules. It is just too much of a hassle to control those conversation (and yes, they need to be controled, it can't be a free-for-all). I wasn't even a moderator when we had a political section, and it husrts my head to think about it.
As for 1, I'm NOT refering to vendors. I'm referring to classified by members. Simple: a guy want to sell something, and non-interested parties feel the need to chime in with an opinion. They can't help it, they just do. That is not how a classified bulitin board should work. If soneone want to ask questions or communicate with the seller, then they can PM.

(by the way, this is a rule that you moderators are NOT enforcing... "thread crapping")

Asking questions in a thread keeps the thread bumped and gives the seller better exposure. What happens when items that aren't sold yet, get pushed down to other pages because of new postings?
There would be no way to bump their thread up. Making a new thread would just be a waste of space.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by SSLarry

Just IMHO, but how would it spill over? All current rules would apply to every forum but this new one. People want to talk politics. Why should we haver to leave the site? Maybe the Camaro is the tie that binds and will keep the conversation way more civil than political forums. By the way, many sites have a forum like this, so this is not a new concept.

it spills over because members get into pissing matches with each other then they post offensive things. As I said above, we've had a political discussion area in the past and it doesn't work. Politics and religion are two of the most guarded areas of people's lives and what starts out as a nice discussion turns quickly into an "e-peen" battle royal. Then, after all that. Members start holding grudges against other members and then start trolling each other and posting snide comments in other forums based off their disagreement of political views.




As for 1, I'm NOT refering to vendors. I'm referring to classified by members. Simple: a guy want to sell something, and non-interested parties feel the need to chime in with an opinion. They can't help it, they just do. That is not how a classified bulitin board should work. If soneone want to ask questions or communicate with the seller, then they can PM.

(by the way, this is a rule that you moderators are NOT enforcing... "thread crapping")

as far as the thread crapping. we do try and keep things "cleaned up" of unneccessary posts throughout the whole forum. but we can't be everywhere at once. you can help us and flag the posts so it brings our attention to it faster.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by SSLarry

Ok cool... so you're thinking about suggestion number 1, then. Awesome

Thinking about it...yes. But I'm not sure on the logic behind the idea.

If a question is asked, chances are it's a question others have, but don't care to ask for one reason or another...by allowing it to be posted publically, it only benfits all those people...and might entice one of the 'nonverbals' to buy.

In addition...I find the non-related "Good luck" or "This is a good buy", etc comments to be relatively harmless. Do you disagree?

[SSLarry]

Originally Posted by Milk 1027

Asking questions in a thread keeps the thread bumped and gives the seller better exposure. What happens when items that aren't sold yet, get pushed down to other pages because of new postings?
There would be no way to bump their thread up. Making a new thread would just be a waste of space.

Ok, but that is easily solved by only allowing the OP to add posts. He can bump his own thread. Remember, I am trying to suggest ways to make the site better for selllers. Buyers have a lot of resources at their disposal. There are just so many people with no intention of buying just chiming in with their opinion.

Its in your rules, and I know you can't be everywhere at once. However, you now leave it up to the seller to constantly bug you to remove all threads that are not questiosn to the OP. That is practially every post to every thread in the classified forum, especially in the private Autos for Sale forum. I don't think anyone has ever sold a car there.

May I suggest a choice? Only for the Autos for Sale by members forum... allow a poster the choice of using the existing Autos for Sale or the new Autos for Sale (with no posting other than OP). I'm willing to bet that every seller will choose the locked down forum.

[SSLarry]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Thinking about it...yes. But I'm not sure on the logic behind the idea.

If a question is asked, chances are it's a question others have, but don't care to ask for one reason or another...by allowing it to be posted publically, it only benfits all those people...and might entice one of the 'nonverbals' to buy.

In addition...I find the non-related "Good luck" or "This is a good buy", etc comments to be relatively harmless. Do you disagree?

Ok, but the if the person is really serious, he will IM the poster. As it is, anyone can post any whim. These aren't really usefull questions or enhancments to the thread. Does the seller want to be bothered by people who aren't interested in buying a car

-again, I am only referring to the autos for sale forum. You are 100% correct on all other forums.

And 'good luck' can be viewed as 'yeah, right, good luck with that price' or 'good luck, nice price'. eliminate the ambiguity.