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DPChallenge Forums >> Web Site Suggestions >> Make For Sale/ Wanted sections available to all
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AuthorThread
 12/06/2006 04:31:31 PM · #1
I was surprised to find out the other day that the "For Sale" section is available to members only. After giving it some thought, I suggest that it be made available to all. However, only members may LIST things as wanted or for sale.

IMO, it would be MORE of a benefit to members if all could see what you were selling. By limiting it to members only, you are restricting the amount of buyers/sellers available. I think it would be a smart change if non-members could buy our stuff too....LOL!

Just my 2 cents!

Message edited by author 2006-12-06 16:32:20.
 12/06/2006 04:37:35 PM · #2
That would make sense... Members can post, users can view.
 12/06/2006 04:57:28 PM · #3
that's a very good idea. :)
12/06/2006 04:59:49 PM · #4
Or... only members can start a thread, but users can respond?

Well... Reg. Users can always PM the thread starter if they are interested...

thinking aloud

Lee
 12/06/2006 05:02:59 PM · #5
Agreed (with original poster). It would be good to have it available to all.

Message edited by author 2006-12-06 17:04:28.
 12/06/2006 05:03:36 PM · #6
I think this would turn most sales into private offline sales since any non-registered members would have to take the conversation offline since they wouldn't be able to post.

IMO this is one of those all-or-none situations in order to keep it useful. Either keep it as a member benefit just for members or open the whole thing to everyone.

Message edited by author 2006-12-06 17:04:10.
 12/06/2006 05:06:40 PM · #7
Originally posted by Megatherian:
Either keep it as a member benefit just for members or open the whole thing to everyone.


Well the question is, how much is it really a member benefit if they can only sell to other members -- a minority on the site in terms of numbers.
 12/06/2006 05:07:51 PM · #8
Originally posted by Tranquil:
Originally posted by Megatherian:
Either keep it as a member benefit just for members or open the whole thing to everyone.


Well the question is, how much is it really a member benefit if they can only sell to other members -- a minority on the site in terms of numbers.


It's more of a benefit to the buyer if they don't have to compete with all the nonmembers.
 12/06/2006 05:11:37 PM · #9
Originally posted by Tranquil:
Originally posted by Megatherian:
Either keep it as a member benefit just for members or open the whole thing to everyone.


Well the question is, how much is it really a member benefit if they can only sell to other members -- a minority on the site in terms of numbers.


Maybe in overall numbers but not in participating users. I like it the way it is now. It's a membership perk to both read/purchase and sell. If you want to sell to the world at large, Craigslist is always available. Or just post your thread in the General area.
 12/06/2006 05:38:33 PM · #10
I think I like it better the way it is right now, too.
 12/06/2006 05:59:31 PM · #11
Originally posted by mk:
Originally posted by Tranquil:
Originally posted by Megatherian:
Either keep it as a member benefit just for members or open the whole thing to everyone.


Well the question is, how much is it really a member benefit if they can only sell to other members -- a minority on the site in terms of numbers.


Maybe in overall numbers but not in participating users. I like it the way it is now. It's a membership perk to both read/purchase and sell. If you want to sell to the world at large, Craigslist is always available. Or just post your thread in the General area.


I would rather sell and buy something from someone at dpchallenge first before going to the Ebays or Craigslists out there. Plus what is the point of making the whole thing a "perk" if anyone is allowed to post such material in a general forum? Doesn't make sense. Or is it just that only members would be allowed to put a FS thread in General. I guess that would make sense. Anyway I agree why not let it be viewable to all? It is a disadvantage to not allow half the site to see what you're selling.

Message edited by author 2006-12-06 18:03:41.
 12/06/2006 06:08:27 PM · #12
Originally posted by achiral:

I would rather sell and buy something from someone at dpchallenge first before going to the Ebays or Craigslists out there. Plus what is the point of making the whole thing a "perk" if anyone is allowed to post such material in a general forum? Doesn't make sense.


But...that's the point! A registered user (generally speaking) is just as much of a "stranger" as anybody on CraigsList. Personally, I would only buy used equipment from someone who has made a committment to be here (a member), and if I had something for sale I'd give special pricing to a DPC member rather than just anyone.

Those who feel differently are free to use a more general forum, which is a nice way to open up communication for those who are more trusting as to who they buy used equipment from, or less caring about offering special deals to friendly usernames.
 12/06/2006 06:30:06 PM · #13
Originally posted by L2:
Originally posted by achiral:

I would rather sell and buy something from someone at dpchallenge first before going to the Ebays or Craigslists out there. Plus what is the point of making the whole thing a "perk" if anyone is allowed to post such material in a general forum? Doesn't make sense.


But...that's the point! A registered user (generally speaking) is just as much of a "stranger" as anybody on CraigsList. Personally, I would only buy used equipment from someone who has made a committment to be here (a member), and if I had something for sale I'd give special pricing to a DPC member rather than just anyone.

Those who feel differently are free to use a more general forum, which is a nice way to open up communication for those who are more trusting as to who they buy used equipment from, or less caring about offering special deals to friendly usernames.


Everyone is a stranger on this site. The commitment of $25 a year means that I get things cheaper from you and you trust me more? Not very wise thinking, IMO. Because I'm a member doesn't mean I'm more reputable or know you and better than if I was a registered user. I'm familiar with lots of registered users here who don't want to be members for whatever reason. Let members sell to all. Let all buy from members.
12/06/2006 06:55:58 PM · #14
Originally posted by achiral:

Everyone is a stranger on this site.


Well, actually that's not quite true. There are many members who have actually met each other on DPC GTG's, and several members here who have each other's "real" telephone numbers and addresses, etc. So for many members, there is an implied sense of accountability from actual exchanges of more personal information.

Originally posted by achiral:
The commitment of $25 a year means that I get things cheaper from you and you trust me more? Not very wise thinking, IMO.


To each his own, but yes, I personally would trust a name where I've seen past transactions go well and certainly would extend the perk of a better bargain for someone who is at least serious enough about photography to spend the $25 fee. It's just my opinion, and you clearly have yours.

As I stated above, anyone who feels differently is free to use the general section, so what's the big deal? Membership here comes with lots of little privileges, like portfolio space, ad-free browsing and access to additional challenges...why can't an exclusive buy/sell area be one of the perks as well? No one is trying to stop anyone else from selling to world at large through a more general forum or off-site.

Message edited by author 2006-12-06 18:56:18.
 12/07/2006 07:29:49 AM · #15
I was surprised yesterday when i put something in the BUY/Sell area that my non-paying buddies couldn't see it. I thought immediately that it should be viewable by all â€Â¦
However, after reading this thread, I wonder if we should tread in this murky territory .... at least e-bay has the FEEDBACK section â€Â¦ is the equivalent of that going to be available here? ... I don't think that's possible without completely changing the site - and I don't think people want to turn this into a BUY/SELL site buy any means.

I'm on the fence but I think making it viewable to all would be the equivalent of Craig's List and would offer more opportunity for sales, but might increase traffic and possibly have the the negative effect of bots and possible a less sincere environment. I'm just wondering whether this could open a can of worms or if it's simply a better tactic for people to get rid of their stuff. If there's a vote, I would say allow it to be viewable to all but only paying members can POST sales.

Originally posted by L2:

To each his own, but yes, I personally would trust a name where I've seen past transactions go well and certainly would extend the perk of a better bargain for someone who is at least serious enough about photography to spend the $25 fee. It's just my opinion, and you clearly have yours.

As I stated above, anyone who feels differently is free to use the general section, so what's the big deal? Membership here comes with lots of little privileges, like portfolio space, ad-free browsing and access to additional challenges...why can't an exclusive buy/sell area be one of the perks as well? No one is trying to stop anyone else from selling to world at large through a more general forum or off-site.


Message edited by author 2006-12-07 07:30:38.
 12/07/2006 08:21:42 AM · #16
In my opinion, non-members should NEVER be allowed to post "for sale" threads, even in the General area. If we allow that, we're very likely to start seeing more and more spam threads. Sure, they can be locked, but wait till somebody pops up fifty identical threads and then it's going to be a big pain.

If we allow registered users to view the Buy/Sell forums, I think the problem becomes bigger, as well. Trust me, the word will circulate that DPC is a "buy/sell" site, and we're going to see more and more users simply sign up to see what is available. I don't like that. If I'm buying OR selling on DPC, since there is no feedback or statistics available, I want that person to be a paid member. Does that guarantee he/she is safe? No. I'm probably only going to deal with names I recognize, anyway. But the degree of "trust" is still somewhat higher with someone that I see has committed to the site by paying a membership.

To those who are regulars but either cannot or choose to not pay for a membership, I intend no disrpespect. Many of you would be great to buy or sell from and I would trust you as much as I would anyone else here. However, there are thousands of you out there, and I don't have the time to investigate every potential person that I might buy or sell from.

I simply think this is better left as a members only section. Completely. That at least makes potential spammers have a harder time finding out "what" is for sale or not.
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