Changes to Member Buy, Sell, Trade Forum

[Bumper]

We have had a number of members posting to the Member Buy, Sell, Trade forum that do not participate otherwise in the forum. These threads are generally not successful because the person has no "history" with the forum. We have also had an increasing number of spam threads posted

To remedy this, we have made a change that requires a member to have made over 25 posts before being allowed to start a thread in the Member Buy, Sell, Trade area.

We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but believe it is more important that we resolve the problem for our membership, in general.

A copy of this thread has been placed in the Member Buy, Sell, Trade forum.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Ram Rod]

I think that's a good idea personally.

[SIGguy229]

+1...thank you!

[Kerbouchard]

I think it's a good idea personally.

I have mixed feelings...some of the people on this forum I feel like I know fairly well, and some I don't. So I figure I would base it on what I know of the person, and I would probably do a search to find out what they had posted before.

If all they had posted was 25 "Welcomes" in the New Member area, I probably still wouldn't send them my money....Same thing goes for 200 posts.

I also worry about people posting nonsense, just to reach the '25' posts. I guess it will prevent the Spam guys from posting, and I would guess that the membership to this forum is smart enough to discern the difference between an actual member and somebody who is trying to reach the 'pre-requisite' number of posts.

Anyway, to steal a line from Retsup; Stay diligent, stay alert, stay armed...

[flagflyfish]

Glad ya did it, hopefully it will get people more involved!

[sniper58]

I think it's a good idea. Most of the newcomers dive in feet first and get addicted (takes one to be able to spot the symptoms....), thereby establishing themselves within the Forum community. I think Kerbouchard's comment about "junk" posts just to reach the 25-post minimum is a valid concern. I guess the way to spot that behavior is for a) a mod to monitor prior posts of someone listing in the MBST Forum for BS, and/or b) other members doing the monitoring. Some may fall through the cracks, but most will get caught. Either way, it's a lot of work for somebody who otherwise probably has a lot of other irons in the fire.

[LenS]

I've noticed a number of ads lately by people with 18-60 posts total. Some of these folks have been registered for a number of years. In these cases, I pass on whatever they are offering, as I consider them an "unknown quantity".

BTW: I am registered on a number of forums where I've only posted from 0 to a handful of times. I would expect others to treat me the same way unless they knew me from some other place.

I think this was a good move!

[LenS]

As I responded in more detail in the other thread, I think this is a good idea.

http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulle...974-post5.html

[retsupt99]

When I see WTS...with 2 posts...I look no further!

[Bumper]

I understand the concerns about people that might post 25 welcomes and then start listing, but most, it seems, just post their ad and go on their way. If they have to post 25 posts, even welcomes, I doubt that many will go to the effort. It's still a case of buyer beware, but most of the problem seems to people here for one reason. Spammers won't go to the trouble.

Another change made was that threads/posts made in that area do not increment the post counter so if you see someone with exactly 25 posts you may want to be particularly suspicious.....

[ccw9mm]

... requires a member to have made over 25 posts before being allowed to start a thread in the Member Buy, Sell, Trade area.

Very good step. That "history" is essential to helping gauge the intent of the parties. Without it, the risk goes up substantially.

Kudos!

[simon]

Thanks Bumper!Good Job!

[proudmarinesdad]

I think your rule of 25 posts before one can offer to sell something is ludicrous! I have posted a for sale item on 04/20/08 without this rule imposed. I went into the forum to repost a WTB item and was confronted with this "NEW" rule. New to me. I have read this forum for some time and have enjoyed the different threads and information. As well I have learned alot from the members posts. This inablilty to now post without having 25 posts to other sites seems unfair; and I am not sure I want to continue if this remains to be your atttitude. I would think you would welcome new members instead of trying to run them away.

[ccw9mm]

I would think you would welcome new members instead of trying to run them away.

View from the peanut gallery, having helped manage other forums previously ...

It's hard to distinguish between spammers/scammers and legitimate folks, without some method. A number of web forums do this, though not all. Everyone benefits in this way, in that having been around awhile gives folks a gauge of your intent and respectability, lacking another reasonable metric. It's no guarantee, but it helps.

[deadeye72]

Great idea. Although the other day a couple posted in different forums than the MBST forum. They got removed rather quickly though. Great job Mods.