For Sale Section

[Ed]

Given that the For Sale section can only have new posts created by Premium members wouldn't it be more sensible to change the message you receive when clicdking on New Post from:

"Sorry, but only users granted special access can post topics in this forum."

to

"Sorry, but only Premium Members can post topics in this forum."


Then have a button that redirects them to the Premium Membership page.

Too many people trying to create posts and getting the above silly message and then posting in the other sections because they also don't know what the search function is for.

[Speedy]

Could do, but thats a general permission problem message. We'd have to do some fairly in-depth hacking to get that one in

While it would be good, it would easily be taken out by a revision to the underlying software.

[vodkaprince]

I have to say that I really think that restricting the for sale section posts to premium members only is only going to serve to reduce theavailability of parts for our beloveed Mr2's if this happens it cant be a good thing...

I signed up as a premium member long ago of my own accord as did many of us. I would not sign up now just to post an item for sale, I would just goto E-Bay where its free.

Has anyone else noticed the reduction in new posts in for sale over the last few days? has it started already?

[tonigmr2]

Where did you get the idea ebay is free??? Last time I looked there was a listing fee and a final value fee....

T

[Charged]

I have to say that I really think that restricting the for sale section posts to premium members only is only going to serve to reduce theavailability of parts for our beloveed Mr2's if this happens it cant be a good thing...

I agree 100%. There has been a significant drop in trade since the new rule was brought in, there are less bargains to be had, less people dropping in... we have members who are members of other clubs (MR2OC, GT4OC etc) who will be unwilling to join as a premium member to advertise their parts. This is not of benefit to club members what so ever.

I understand why the rules were brought in, to increase revenue for the club which is now costing more to run and also to cut down on admin time spent sorting out disputes between buyers & sellers. I still do not agree with it though!

I was very vocal (as were some other mods/admin) with my reservations about the rule change but unfortunately it didn't help.

Ollie

[Speedy]

I understand why the rules were brought in, to increase revenue for the club which is now costing more to run and also to cut down on admin time spent sorting out disputes between buyers & sellers. I still do not agree with it though!

Er, it was *not* done as a revenue increasing thing. It was done because the admin team spend a not inconsiderable amount of time fielding queries and requests for information about sales which have gone bad. This should help reduce those by making sure that those people selling are slightly more trustworthy.

[Spittinflames]

Thats not so true, Just because your a premium member it dosent mean your any more trustworthy.

I'm no longer an mr2 owner but still visit the site, I also still stumble across the odd mr2 part i have for sale or can get my hands on.

I'm no longer allowed to offer it to what once was my home, so now it goes onto ebay where i get more money for the item than i would on here, but it was always nice to know that a member from here was getting it at a great price.

All it takes is a notice in the for sale section sayin something like "Imoc takes no responsiblity for any items sold/bought through its site, items are bought/sold at there own risk" Or something along those lines.

[jmachling]

Thats not so true, Just because your a premium member it dosent mean your any more trustworthy.

It does in that if you've paid to be a Premium Member, you will have given either your PayPal or bank details which means a reduced risk of being ripped off as you're more traceable.

[Spittinflames]

Thats not so true, Just because your a premium member it dosent mean your any more trustworthy.

It does in that if you've paid to be a Premium Member, you will have given either your PayPal or bank details which means a reduced risk of being ripped off as you're more traceable.

So your saying im not as trustworthy as a premium member.

John who has 1 post and has signed up as a premium member is selling a genuine border front bumper for 100 quid, is he trustworthy???

I'm selling the same thing but im not a premium member, although i've actually met people from here and have sold previous items in the past.. But in your eyes im less trustworthy..... thanks mate

[jmachling]

Thats not so true, Just because your a premium member it dosent mean your any more trustworthy.

It does in that if you've paid to be a Premium Member, you will have given either your PayPal or bank details which means a reduced risk of being ripped off as you're more traceable.

So your saying im not as trustworthy as a premium member.

John who has 1 post and has signed up as a premium member is selling a genuine border front bumper for 100 quid, is he trustworthy???

I'm selling the same thing but im not a premium member, although i've actually met people from here and have sold previous items in the past.. But in your eyes im less trustworthy..... thanks mate

Damn...you saw through my subtly veiled but obvious personal attack against you.

My post wasn't about individuals, just about generalities. If someone is more traceable and has had to pay up front in order to sell, in general it reduces the number of dodgy traders ripping people off, thereby engendering a more trustworthy buying/selling culture.

Of course it doesn't replace the trust from personal acquaintance of long-standing members, but it's a step in the right direction and adds to that.

Premium Membership is about much more than selling things anyway and the membership fee is easily recouped through the discounts it affords (free carriage, reduced insurance, etc.)

[Speedy]

Thats not so true, Just because your a premium member it dosent mean your any more trustworthy.

It means your willing to put some money where your mouth is. It means you're likley to be less of a here-today-gone-tomorrow poster, out to rip off members.

[Spittinflames]

Thats not so true, Just because your a premium member it dosent mean your any more trustworthy.

It means your willing to put some money where your mouth is. It means you're likley to be less of a here-today-gone-tomorrow poster, out to rip off members.

I paid up when i had my mr2... I dont see why i should now as i dont own one. Although i do come across parts that a could offer the imoc members.

But seens as i'm a here today gone tommorow poster out to rip of members i shant bother

Wasnt neo's design a paid up member???? didnt he rip people off ??? Of course he couldnt of ripped anyone off..... hes a paid up member.... infact one of my first dealings on imoc was with a paid up member for a set of side skirts that didnt even fit

[Spittinflames]

Anyway why am i so concerned

[Slarty]

Thats not so true, Just because your a premium member it dosent mean your any more trustworthy.

It means your willing to put some money where your mouth is. It means you're likley to be less of a here-today-gone-tomorrow poster, out to rip off members.

So someone can pay, almost anonymously, £7.50 or whatever it is, post up a whole heap of things to sell, take the cash and run. They're genuine huh?

Oh wait, idea = fail.

/plants head on desk.

[monkeyra]

[jmachling]

Thats not so true, Just because your a premium member it dosent mean your any more trustworthy.

It means your willing to put some money where your mouth is. It means you're likley to be less of a here-today-gone-tomorrow poster, out to rip off members.

So someone can pay, almost anonymously, £7.50 or whatever it is, post up a whole heap of things to sell, take the cash and run. They're genuine huh?

Oh wait, idea = fail.

/plants head on desk.

No-one's saying paying £7.50 makes you genuine or that it will stop the scammers completely. If someone really wants to rip you off, the chances are, they will find a way to do it as long as there's cash to be made.

IMOC is just making a few steps towards improving buyer protection by making people think twice before trying to rip people off on here. We aim to keep an eye on the sales forums and challenge members who appear and then just list a load of parts without contributing to the rest of the forum.

It's impossible to stop the scammers, but for every determined scammer willing to pay £7.50 (via PayPal, so it's not that easy to stay totally anonymous) there will be a much greater number who will go elsewhere where it's easier, cheaper and less traceable.

Obviously, you're entitled to your opinion, but I hope you accept we're trying to act for your long-term benefit.

[Scott Barton]

Its not just about the 'For Sale' section though. Please lets not forget that.
Due to increased costs in running and hosting this very brilliant forum it has become neccessary to a)increase subscriptions to £7.50 and b) come up with ways in which to generate more revenue.

By making the 'For Sale' section 'Premium Only', which, i hasten to add is exactly what other car forums do, we hope to increase our Premium Member base.
And if i am very much mistaken, this is exactly what it has done.

[ferrit]

If it's mainly down to scammers... how about a minimum post count before being able sell something? I know of a few forums that do exactly the same, and the sale forum is as honest as the day is long.

If someone was spamming, just to be able to post something for sale as a scam, you would see from their average posts in a day.

[Spittinflames]

Its not just about the 'For Sale' section though. Please lets not forget that.
Due to increased costs in running and hosting this very brilliant forum it has become neccessary to a)increase subscriptions to £7.50 and b) come up with ways in which to generate more revenue.

By making the 'For Sale' section 'Premium Only', which, i hasten to add is exactly what other car forums do, we hope to increase our Premium Member base.
And if i am very much mistaken, this is exactly what it has done.

Increased your premium membership but also lost alot of chances for members to grab those sort after items.

As said before i'd prefer to trust a long standing member on here regardless of being a premium member or not rather than John whos paid 7.50 with 10 posts all in the for sale section.

It's got nothing to do with keeping this place safe as when things go boobs up IMOC can do very little in either case.