Classifieds section now a paid section

[RMDSM Admin]

As part of the upgrade we have turned the classifieds section into a paid subscription section. Please read the Classifieds Policy under FAQ.

http://www.rmdsm.org/forums/faq.php?faq=spg

[DlandryTSI]

Ok well its obvious that some of you choose not to express your concerns here so I will elaborate on the decision to do this and how the pricing works. First off the junior members chose to break the rules by posting classifieds in sections they shouldn't be in, complaining about the post requirements and some of the premium members were not following through with deals made. So this is what we have resorted to.

Now the pricing is easy. $10 for one week non recurring, 35 for one month non recurring and $300 for a year non recurring. Do I expect anyone to pay the $300? No its there as an option.

I would expect anyone that has concerns to voice them here.

--Dave

[mkgearhead]

Of course it becomes a pay item the day I hit 50 posts!! :mad:Just kidding.:D Oh well, at least I can reply to classifieds now.

[buckley]

This is a really poor idea. I probably won't be doing too much research on this forum anymore. Sorry to hear that it has resorted to this.

buckley

[v413nc3]

Research of purchases? Seriously if the only reason you use RMDSM is to buy and sell stuff then why are you here? Ebay is much better.

[DlandryTSI]

Remember the only section that has moved to a pay section is the Classifieds. Not the entire site. Nor will the entire site be moved to a paid subscription.

--Dave

[Dan Ritchie]

It seems a bit steep. Do the classifieds really generate that many sales? Even $10 for a week, for a $100 item, that's a 10% fee. I think most items are well under that price.

I'm not sure where the crossover is, but I'd guess it's more expensive to deal with this local community forum than to deal with a national market like eBay for an item less than $250 or so...not very realistic for classifieds that don't have a major market draw.

Additionally, I think Craigslist offers more parts availability, competitive pricing, it's free, and touches on a broader market (not just people in this one forum, but likely members of other forums, and people who don't even use the forums).

As far as WTB ads go, it's hard to justify paying money to hope someone sees your post and has the part at a price you're actually willing to pay (after figuring that the part cost is essentially $10 more).

I could understand this fee for a vendor or power seller, but for the average person this just doesn't seem reasonable.

What about a part that is only worth $10? If you're a seller you have to double your price just to break even - you'd have to triple your price to make the $10 the part is acually worth (who would actualy pay that? - if someone would pay that, charge $25 and list on Craigslist for free and make 150% more profit). If you're a buyer searching then your parts cost is doubled (assuming sellers won't raise the prices to cover costs). Even for a $50 part, you're talking a 20% increase in cost.

I may be missing something but it doesn't seem very reasonable and doesn't sound like something I would expect from a local community forum. If we were talking high demand parts and this was the only outlet in the entire market for buying/selling this would but understandble but would still seem like a pretty high cost. I think we're talking about fairly low demand items and the buyers/sellers have many other outlets available.

Is the purpose to generate income or deter scammers, or reduce member disputes? I don't feel like this is adding any benefit or offering any service to the forums. I'm interested to know if I'm overlooking some aspect of this.

[DlandryTSI]

Ok here is what we are going to do. I will be restoring the permission on the classifieds section to what we had before and we will go back internally to review how we are going to handle the classifieds section.

Just so you know the main reason behind trying to do this is to get rid of scammers, disputes not for income reasons.

--Dave

[ReggieRay]

Nicely put Dan, you the man.

[Dan Ritchie]

I'm all for detering scammers and reducing disputes. Steep fees are a great solution if the idea is to deter people so much that it's just not used, but it will also keep the legit members away...not so easy to come up with a solution for this problem though - I don't really have any good ideas either.

I think some change is a good idea and I would be for a tiered fee structure, just not really sure how it would work for the 'anyone got a $5 part that I really need' WTB type ads.

I agree that something needs to be done...there are just too many 'he said she said' type threads, and some of it is total bs and just a headache to try and follow. There's got to be some middle ground though where scammers can be detered and legit members can use the classifieds, and I appreciate that an attempt is being made to find that middle ground.

[buckley]

The problem with online purchases through forums is that there are scammers. It is buyer beware and the buyer should know that. If not, the buyer shouldn't be purchasing items privately through a local forum. It's not the site's fault that there are scammers and the members should not be punished for such things.

Like Dan said, it is difficult, but I come to this site for help and if I have pay to deter scammers then I'm just not going to visit at all. I'll go to DSMtalk.com and look up information over there. They have some pretty smart people ( dumb ones too) and I can filter the difference. So, I thank you for looking for a better solution but a fee for classifieds is not the way to go in my honest opinion.

buckley

[dsm_gsx97]

Like Dan said, it is difficult, but I come to this site for help and if I have pay to deter scammers then I'm just not going to visit at all. I'll go to DSMtalk.com and look up information over there.

They've already told you once on this thread that this is only for the classified section and not for the tech sections. You'll still be able to search and find all the information you want to know on RMDSM. You just wont be able to use the classified section without the subscription.

[v413nc3]

It simply amazes me Buckley how your argument made no sense. Technical and Classified sections aren't related. And seeing how half the time the advice you take from people ends you up in a worse place than you were before I would say stop looking on T00nerz and get your ass under the hood of you car to get the engine out.

[Dan Ritchie]

Is there any way to verify individuals who can post responses to WTB ads, or to post FS ads? If you're not verified, you can't post.

I have seen problems with the buyers, but generally the sellers seem to be more of the problem.

If anyone could post a WTB ad, knowing the responses would come from someone verified somehow would be reassuring. Also, reading a FS post, it would be reassuring that the seller was verified.

With that said, I don't exactly know that 'verified' means. I'm just thinking that if anyone should be scrutinized/charged, it should be those responding to WTB ads or posting FS ads.

That way, anyone could respond to the FS ads (when we find a good seller with parts we need) and anyone could post a WTB ad (we could reach out to good sellers when we need parts).

Not sure if the forums even allow for that kind of setup, but thought I'd mention it...just trying to brainstorm.

[Anne]

3si has a Verified Classifieds section... I don't know quite how they do it but I'll PM you the "rules" Dave.

[Hal]

I vote we just do away with the for sale/ wtb section entirely.

[Mirage]

It has created some issues similar to the shit talking section used to.

I, personally would like to see it stay, but with stricter requirements to post and reply to ads.

This is what I'm thinking:

Every forsale ad is required to have an asking price (at minimum a start point for offers),
A high quality picture of the actual item to prevent misunderstandings and a full description.

WTB ads. Well. I don't know at the moment. I'll have to think about this one...

Marcus

[birelshifterkart]

Sometimes knick knack parts that aren't easily avail. online would be nice to find in a friendly community. Maybe just have a barter/cheap parts section like Awdpirates?

DSMtrader has really sucked lately....It took me nearly 7-8 weeks to get a reputable guy to actually send me a set of door locks!

I know I need a few interior pieces for my car and it would be neat to get them from a fellow member who is local. Just a thought:)