A question to FOG members, re For Sales Ads

For some time now, we have had a passage in the Rules that states that a member needs at least 50 posts before they are allowed to post a vehicle for sale.

Of late, we have had to decline a number of vehicles for sale (and parts) as they have been posted by members with less than 50 posts and more often than not, only 1 post. I have also received emails from individuals, traders and breakers wanting to tout their vehicles and parts.

This rule was put in place to give a potential buyer more confidence in what was on offer in that they could search through the sellers' other posts to see if that particular vehicle had had any problems and what, if any, fixes had been applied. This also ensured that the seller was a regular member/contributor and should not be too far away from replying to a PM.

So, we thought we'd ask you, the members, what you would like.

There are a few options, along the lines of:

1. Leave the 50 post minimum rule in place
2 .Increase the minimum post count
3. Decrease the minimum post count
4. Do away with it totally.

Personal phone numbers and email addresses will still not be permitted with members encouraged to make contact via PM

I've added a poll above - please vote, and additionally feel free to comment or discus below.

Regards
Lawrence

As a newish member, I would support keeping the 50 post for the reasons Lawrence has stated, but allow admin to be PM'd for users with less than 50 posts.
50 is a good number as it keeps out those just wishing to sell, then never use again. Send them to ebay.
Any user with under 50, but has shown good activity within the group could PM admin to be granted access to post for sale items, then admin can make the decision based on their posts.
A notice explaining the rules and how users with less than 50 post may be considered could be added to the for sale pages.

We could also allow a new comer to be sponsored by a nearby older user and have them post the ad. Obviously its a none profit making sponsor, just a "Ive met and now know them " type.

Lawrence, I totally agree with the above mate. I would like to see it left as is, and admin pm'ed for their final decision.
Also if someone joins and sells straight away, then dissappears again, their name is still down as a member. This doesn't give us a true member count list.

I also am a fairly new member and i think if i was to be selling a item that would be of interest to be people of this forum then i would prefer to have built up a small amount of rep among fellow forum members before listing items on these pages. If i was just trying to shift some old stuff then ebay is way forward. if people have less than 50 and are genuine then a message to admin cant hurt there chances.

see im only just over the count so now i can talk lol

i think members might have more confidence buying from a fellow member with at least 50 posts, but if someone wants to deal with someone with less then thats their choice, perhaps a section for sellers with less than 50 posts ?

keep it the way it is,

I think the present system is fine as is!

At least you know youre not being sold a lemon without knowing about it first.

Ive just had to sell my Fronty. I hope to buy another one some day soon. This will be the first place i will be looking when that day comes.For me those with i high message count would make the differance.

Alan

Leave it as it is, 50 posts isn't a great number but does show a bit of commitment as a member.

Having just under 50 posts myself, and now in a position were im selling my 2.3 i was worried admin would say no. But as you say, if you have made contributions to the forum i think admin can make a fair guess as to if your here just to flog a lemon or you have genuine reasons.

Im quite happy for members to go through my old post and see what has been done to my Frontera, and on other forums i've done just that to see what potential problems there may be with ant purchase i had been thinking about.

Anyway, my 1994 2.3td is in the 'FOR SALE' section :dance:

There is nothing to stop anybody making over 50 legitimate posts in less than an hour just by answering or making a comment upon current or previous threads.

We do check on whether or not they are spamming to get 50 post, usually its quite obvious and we take appropriate action, constructive posts ie not in any word type game threads :wink:

I agree, Keep it like it is. It's a good system and I think the 50 posts minimum is a good yard stick of member participation. Leave admin to make a final decision for other inquiries from out side the club.

Cheers peeps - this is all good and interesting feed back.

I'll leave this here for a week or two to see how things pan out, but for the moment it looks like we have it about right as it is.

Cheers
Lawrence

Over on Vauxhall Owners Network (i'm regional organiser for South Wales) they have in place a post limit + member time limit.

I don't see an issue with it regarding a complete vehicle, unless your stupid enough to send money to someone for a vehicle you've not seen yet. Take someone with you and feel free to walk away.

The only time a rip off could occur is "i have a ? , gimme £50 by paypal, tra, Lansarote here i come"

As someone who is about to buy a fronty from a member of this very forum, I find the 50 post rule extremely worthwhile. Because of this rule, I am able to go and buy my fronty in complete confidence, as I have been able to track the problems as they were posted and the help and hard work done to fix these problems. So when i go to pick it up on saturday, i know that there wont be any nasty surprises awaiting me.

I think the ruling should stay.

I personaly wudnt change the 50 post rule as being able to check on the history (mods or problems)of any vehicle shud be benefical to all . as a owners group website you dont need the hassle of someone trying to lay blame on you if they feel they have been ripped off .

A question to FOG members, re For Sales Ads

What should we do with the 50 post minimum rule on For Sale ads?