So, I've apparently run afoul of the rules for the members marketplace and my ad deleted.
It doesn't really matter since in the short time the post survived, the item was sold, I was offered much more than I expected to get for it and the buyer just picked it up and paid much less than he offered for it.
So, at the end of the day two members put together a deal where both parties were happy and satisfied yet the ad that facilitated this was pulled because it didn't meet a very narrow set of rules.
I know we're at the whim of the moderators and I know topics like this don't usually end well, but I'm genuinely curious about the need to control posts so tightly.
1. All marketplace thread titles must begin with "FS: ", "FT: ", or "WTB: " and must contain the item name. Thread titles like "*MUST SELL NOW*" will be deleted. Multiple item sale threads must at least contain a general description, such as "Garage sale: 02-07 impreza parts"
Funny that the example doesn't follow the general requirement. Shouldn't it be FS: Garage Sale 02-07 impreza parts?
Is there something particularly unclear about 'Must Sell Now' that means it should be banned?
Is 'For Sale or Trade' somehow more troublesome than FS:/FT:?
2. All "For Sale" threads MUST INCLUDE: (Copy the below format if you wish)
Description: Accurate description of item and its current condition (possibly a cross reference of which cars the item will fit, if you know)
Location of seller:
Willing to ship:
Method of contact:
Price:
Pictures: A quality picture of the item (blurry upside down iphone pic not allowed) http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=12481.0
A lot of this makes sense, but why draw a hard line on price and pictures.
I think the inclusion, or not, of a price will impact the success of the ad anyway. But, as just happened - I had something I wanted to sell more to get rid of it than to get a certain dollar amount back out of it. If I wanted 'offers' it could have turned into a great deal for someone who was looking for it...
Pictures will help sell items but really, many of the items being sold will either look identical to every other similar item or would need further inspection in real life before the deal is done. Better would be a requirement that any pictures be of the actual item for sale, not a catalogue picture of the item in general.
3. No “Testing Waters” or "Feeler" posts. If you‘re going to post an item, please have the intention of selling it. If you don't know what the item is worth, do your research. All else fails, put a random price of what you would like to receive for it, and the market will take care of it. (eg. If it doesn't sell, your price is too high)
I can see this, to a degree, but an all out ban on this is once again excessive. Who does it hurt? Why should it be banned?
4. Discussion of price should be done via PM. Negotiation of price by people intending to purchase should be done via PM. Criticism of price should be done respectfully and must include evidence. (related forum ads, kijiji ads, etc)
Posts like "Are you crazy?" will result in deletion and possible points.
Agreed
5. Thread bumping is limited to once every 7 days, and may only be done by the seller/buyer.
Define thread bumping? Having friends ask seemingly legit questions every day would be OK?
6. Unrelated posts such as "GLWS" and "wish I had the money" will be deleted, and points will be issued. Interpretation of an unrelated thread bump is at the interpretation of the moderators. Trending will be taken note of. If you are in the habit of posting in FS threads without ever buying anything, it will be noted.
Because, yah - we can't have conversations in an online community. For some people this is the only form of contact with real people they get!
7. Marketplace threads with no activity for 30 days or more may be locked.
What harm is there in keeping them open?
Any violation of these rules will result in points and/or post moderation and/or deletion without explanation. If you find yourself in this situation, please review the rules.
Do people REALLY have enough time on their hands to enforce rules that don't seem to have any real value or do anything for the greater good?