Disable posting on classifieds threads by anyone other than the author

[proffrink]

I know there have been one or two instances where it's been beneficial to let potential buyers know of something that's not included in the OP, but realistically the majority of the bumps on these threads are nothing that can't be done via PM.

ZeroIn disables posting by anyone other than the author and I think it'd be a good idea for that to happen here as well, because I'm seeing a lot of really old thread being necro-posted or just excessively posted on by people who either don't know about or can't be bothered to use the PMing system. Seems to have got a lot worse in recent years where a lot of people are used to Facebook for their buying/selling (and where PMing generally isn't done all that much for initial negotiations). Certainly a little while ago we were getting a lot of "PM'd you" posts - the reason for which I'm not sure as receiving a PM not only gives you a big red '1' (on the desktop site) but also emails you.

It's really cluttering up the 'view new content' and I don't think we'd lose any functionality from doing this.

Also I know the chances of Devastator actually reading this are slim to none, but hey I thought it worth posting here officially because I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in seeing 1/4 of thread bumps coming from the classifieds when they aren't needed.

 

[proffrink]

Double post. Soz.

I see this isn't quote as unanimous as I'd think. I'd be interested to know what the argument is against this if anyone has one? I'm being sincere (I've probably missed something).

 

[ImTriggerHappy]

Because its too much fun poking the chancers that put stuff on for ridiculous prices.

 

[sp00n]

while i agree with you for the reasons you posted prof, i think trigger has a point

i dont know what the answer is, personally, what i would like to see is either a min post count before you can post in there, or maybe you have to read the rules etc before you can post etc

 

[proffrink]

I'd agree too if it weren't for the fact that that maybe happens in only one of every 50 cases. I know I've PM'd before about prices etc. if the post is more than a day old and I don't want to bump it again. Tricky one though.

I mean just today you can see multiple unnecessary posts:

http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/index.php/topic/32852-like-new-aps-aug-a3/

http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/index.php/topic/32570-asg-aw308-sniper-rifle-cz-sp01-shadow/

http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/index.php/topic/31956-kwc-imi-uzi-co2-powered-as-new/

http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/index.php/topic/32685-adjustable-drop-leg-pistol-holster/

http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/index.php/topic/32576-asg-urban-sniper-custom-painted/

http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/index.php/topic/32800-my-custom-sniper-for-sale/

That's just from around 12 hours and makes up 1/3 of all newly bumped threads.

Maybe if admittance of overpriced rubbish was allowed for AFUK threads in Mack's Dreamers thread, but I know currently it isn't because it could cause drama.

 

[Monty]

Really like this idea, just a shame I can't get a hold of Dev.

 

[Jedi_Master]

Pity that there is not a way to make it impossible to post a classified ad without including pictures. Still see several per week that have not used the template or included any photos of their gun. It would also reduce the number reports going to Monty.

 

[proffrink]

There are certainly plugins for IPB that can handle that sort of thing, but the admin isn't active enough for stuff like that to happen :/

 

[Sacarathe]

It's really cluttering up the 'view new content' and I don't think we'd lose any functionality from doing this.

Do you need to have those subforums showing on 'view new content' though? I removed them in march when the number of posters shot up. Certainly can't see any harm in your suggestion.

 

[proffrink]

Yeh, I certainly like having them up there. I'd estimate 50% of my chairsoft purchases are done through classifieds (albeit mostly through ZeroIn). You're right that recently the quality has got so much worse though.

 

[proffrink]

Double post, but an excellent example from today: http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/index.php/topic/20081-p90/?p=255484

People new to these forums (and indeed probably forums in general in a lot of cases) just don't know that it's a bit counter-productive to bump very old threads when nothing is being contributed. I can't blame them really, but it would help to be able to stop them.

 

[PT247]

Double post, but an excellent example from today: http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/index.php/topic/20081-p90/?p=255484

People new to these forums (and indeed probably forums in general in a lot of cases) just don't know that it's a bit counter-productive to bump very old threads when nothing is being contributed. I can't blame them really, but it would help to be able to stop them.

Love that he necro'd it himself after 2yrs to drop the price by £15 lolSeriously though, just remove notifications from those threads/forums and just go into them manually when you want to buy something or "window shop".

 

[proffrink]

I don't see how that's any more than a temporary solution, especially with how many good deals I've had on various things simply from being the first to PM someone. I'm certainly not disabling the notifications from the 'View New Content' when it's the case of a simple tick-box on the IPB back-end.

Again, ZeroIn does it, and they don't get any more stupidly-priced items as we do. Plus they're basically the most popular classifieds in the UK.

I guess I'm just not seeing a reasonable argument for keeping it there other than the fact that it can be fun to point out ridiculous prices. Which is again something that can be done via PM.