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[catta12]

Buyer beware, as long as this forum does not become a CL. I don't mind ignoring sale ads that I am not interested in.

[Jamb]

There is nothing wrong with those ads as long as they BT3 related. Finding parts for my BT3 is one of the reasons I visit this site.
I’d rather read those ads than other “site related” posts on colonoscopy, dog for sale or laundry detergent cost. What about running a poll on this topic?

[twistsol]

This has always been a very friendly and open site and I would hate to see that change. If someone is joining just to post a sale, that's unfortunate but unless it becomes an undue burden on the moderators I don't see the harm. We're all big boys and girls here and can pretty quickly figure out good and bad deals for ourselves.

[leehljp]

For you folks that would like to see it open, do you "not" have a problem when there is absolutely nothing posted by them to give even a "hint" of who they are or where they are?

This is where my concern is - responding to someone who refuses to give anything about themselves. If nothing else, they could be "phishing" for spam purposes, in this case for a specific target audience.

If you want to respond and take the chance, OK, but I personally am leery of people "using" a forum "without identification and selling", - simply because it says I don't trust you folks to know "anything" about me, but I want your money.

[Stytooner]

Hank, I am with the other crowd I think.
This guy may have been a lurker for some time too. Just never realized he was going to sell until that time approached. I think specifically if it's a BT related sale, it should be allowed by all means. Then let the buyers sort things out.
We are after all, BT3Central. Why should it not be a venue of related parts for sale?
Especially so when they want to use Paypal. That pretty much guarantees the buyer of a positive result.
I say we leave it open for discussion on some items, but BT related stuff, postem if ya gotem.
We can all make a determination after contact with a seller as to whether to proceed.
Parts may become increasingly hard to find.
Don't knock out a venue for parts later on.
Thats my take anyway, but I am a trusting guy.
I am a trusting guy, but I haven't got burnt on thousands of internet transactions both buying or selling.

[Charles Darwin]

Well, as a newbie, I like the idea of letting new members post ads (but perhaps I am biased ).

I have followed this forum on-and-off for around a year before I signed up, and my first posting was a response to a new user's ad for a BT3000. I know I am a newbie, but I don't really feel like one.

It really doesn't seem like such a problem. If the seller is just fishing for email, then he just added my email to his spam list, but if he has a BT for sale, I just might get that saw I have been wanting a long time for . I'm very willing to take that risk.

[leehljp]

Guess I see lots of innocent suckers get taken, AND I have to keep LOML constantly from just "accepting" "clicking". If this is what people want, no problem. People need to be sure that they know that it is totally a "buyer beware" deal.

[leehljp]

Well, as a newbie, I like the idea of letting new members post ads (but perhaps I am biased ).

I have followed this forum on-and-off for around a year before I signed up, and my first posting was a response to a new user's ad for a BT3000. I know I am a newbie, but I don't really feel like one.

It really doesn't seem like such a problem. If the seller is just fishing for email, then he just added my email to his spam list, but if he has a BT for sale, I just might get that saw I have been wanting a long time for . I'm very willing to take that risk.

CD,

I could get caught by phishing and bad trusting decisions myself, because when I see something that relates to a region or state or town at the least, as in your post, I open up. If someone were to post and list Memphis or a nearby city, I would open a dialog. There has to be "some" level of trust, and if a seller doesn't want to reveal anything about himself as a seller, I think "snakeoil" instantly. I do see this on occasion.

I will admit that having a location does not prevent a person from getting taken. There is a pen supply person that takes people constantly and he gives his name, address and email. He basically answers emails that deals with sales but not emails concerning followup after money has changed hands.

[Pappy]

Someone coming on board with a first post to sell 1,000 BF of wood or hundreds of pen blanks to me would smell of a commercial operation, no different that someone posting just to sell something like magazine subscriptions or bottled water.

A new member, that may or may not have been reading the forum before joining, posting to sell parts to his BT that died would be a different game entirely. Little chance he has a warehouse full of BT parts he bought cheap and is selling just for profit.

[just started]

Hank, I have questioned before why everyone isn't required to fill in their location when registering. The answer seems to be that there is no real reason other than that's the way the wiz wants it. I think it should be, but I can't see how it would make a difference in safety in a transaction.

[shoottx]

There is nothing wrong with those ads as long as they BT3 related. Finding parts for my BT3 is one of the reasons I visit this site.
I’d rather read those ads than other “site related” posts on colonoscopy, dog for sale or laundry detergent cost. What about running a poll on this topic?

+1 I think the new poster could add to their post count by posting a whole bunch of jokes, computer and software questions, sports questions and links to YouTube. Would that make anybody feel better about a for sale post of BT#K stuff!

I think we need to be clear about posting FS or want ads. The poster needs to include their location, contact information and prices. Don't allow open ended posts.

[Black wallnut]

Folks somehow some of you must be getting the wrong impression about my role in this. I mostly do not care if we have a rule or not. A PM was passed around the staff this morning or late yesterday bringing this subject to the forefront. I read some new posts and made the decision to reply to one and post this one. I think most of those other than perhaps the engineer loring understood what I was asking and how to vote to communicate their views. I've probably said before and granted many of you were not even member then but I don't find much use with either Bargain Alerts or Member Classifieds! For the most part I have the tools that I need and don't bargain shop. I buy what I need when I need it. So you might say that I don't read very many posts in either forum. If one of our members were to make anumber of bad buying decision because of some item or bargain listed here then I'll feel sorry for him but he should have known better as buyer beware should be an internet shopping motto. In another forums classifieds I actully have sold a surplus part. So I see the use of these but tuey just do not get much attention.

However this is a user supported community both by donations and content. I do not see a need to limit posters in this forum or any based on post count. I however do wish that folks that join here and gain by us being here also add to the site. So if Fred from ferndale flordia joins and wants to sell his ryobi saw so that he can buy a piece of iron I think he shuld post his Ryobi here but since he's a woodworker he should also join in the other discussions. I know there are folks that lurk, I know there are also members that signed up some time ago and have never posted. To me it just seems that if someone does me a favor, and Sam, our host is doing lots of favors by having these two forums on his site, the least folks can do is repay the favor and be a positive member. With all the active posts at any given time I do not think it would take much effort to find a handful to respond to in a week or so.

I plan on keeping this poll open until the end date I specified when I started it. Then this topic will remain as a sticky. I think discussions of this type are of great benefit to all of us. Either side of this issue has valid points. Suffice it to say that unless the results are heavily weighted to limit posting to only certian members that is unlikley to happen. IIRC every time this type of discussion comes up Sam has stated that he welcomes all with no strings attached. He's not above granting perks but for the most part there are no favorites and all members are equal.

I have had a PM expressing confusion on this polling question. If folks do not understand it I am sorry. At this stage of the game if you do not understand do not vote as editing it again would not be fair to those that alredy voted. I could however strip the poll and still might.

[footprintsinconc]

from what i read, the poll is about "want ads", but your initial post about selling an item or two?

if the item is being seeked or sold are bt3 related, i dont see any reason why they should be restricted. perhaps, if they are wanting or selling anything else, then i maybe there should be a minimum thread count before they should be allowed.

anyone could become part of this family by wanting a bt3 and then it may turn out that he/she stays on and becomes a part of the site. it could also be that he/she had a bt3 and never knew of this site and now wants to sell it, there is no reason why a fellow bt3er cant take advantage of that sale.

However it should be mandatory for a new member who wants to post a WANT or SALE ad, to have complete contact info with the location filled out and like other have said, open ended threads should be closed.

lastly, i think for us being open to other to come and go as they feel, giving help to those who need it, is what makes us stand out from other ww sites. i dont think they are causing us any harm.

[Black wallnut]

I can't help to keep thinking that I would not go to a strangers yard and conduct a yard sale just because that person has a better location. I may however after getting to know someone with a better location ask if I could have a yard sale. Each of us is no more than a guest of our host of this site.

[dkerfoot]

I agree with those who see no problem with new members posting to sell BT related items. In some cases, they may even be long-term lurkers who like to read but not post. In any case, if someone is selling BT related items at a great price, I'd like first crack at it, rather than having it go on eBay.

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