Selling ON APUG?

[David A. Goldfarb]

Regarding the classifieds module, as I recall, the old gallery style system had its problems too, like not being well integrated with the rest of the forum. Some people didn't like the fact that the "contact" button sent e-mail instead of a forum PM, and you couldn't get to a user's forum profile easily from their ad.

I'd be fine with just a classifieds forum and required designations in new threads like FS/FT/WTB, where only subscribers would be able to post new threads, but anyone could post within a thread. I don't know why it has to be a separate content area. Anyone who doesn't want to look at the classifieds could just turn it off, as they can do with any forum. We could have a limit on the number of new threads per day per user. Maybe there could be subforums, but I'm not sure we have enough new ads to justify the additional complexity. One big forum seems to work for the LF forum.

 

[Sean]

ok, I'll look into migrating the current system to forums which shouldn't be too painful as the data is held within vbulletin to begin with (It wasn't on the old classified system). We can basically have it viewable to all but only subscribers can post ads -similar to how it is currently setup -and I should be able to have a product thumbnail listed next to each post.. Stay tuned!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I think that people want consistency across a website. The complaint is that the Classified do not work like the rest of APUG.

Steve

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I think that people want consistency across a website. The complaint is that the Classified do not work like the rest of APUG.

Steve

This is very true. I was discussing this with the owner of a gastronomy forum not long ago, very much like APUG, and he said that content areas outside of the forum structure generally didn't attract many visitors, no matter how useful they might be or how they attempted to direct users to those areas, and they would ultimately have to be folded into the forums or eliminated or would have to develop their own lives as independent entities.

 

[2F/2F]

You're saying that the photographers on photo.net can't shoot?? Have you looked at the galleries?? I urge others here to take a look. It's some of the best work anywhere. Sorry, 2F/2F but you have no idea what you're talking about.

In that case, I suppose our opinions differ.

 

[k_jupiter]

In that case, I suppose our opinions differ.

Agreed.
I stop going to photo.net for the following reasons...

1.) Too many big egos.
2.) I found APUG.
3.) When I would post a photograph detailing some interesting technical tidbit, such as the difference between using W2D2+ and Rodinal on identical LF shots, showing the expanded range of the W2D2+ negatives, all I got was crap about how "That shot shows you don't know crap about setting up a image in your camera" and the like.
Duh. I don't show my artistic work because I could care less what anyone thinks of it.

The absolute is: There are good photogs everywhere. But the ratio of good to crap on photo.net is way lower than here on APUG.

tim in san jose

 

[Mike1234]

I don't recall ever posting on photo.net so I can't comment on attitudes. I'm only saying the site has some of the best images anywhere... egoes aside.

 

[Rick A]

I don't recall ever posting on photo.net so I can't comment on attitudes. I'm only saying the site has some of the best images anywhere... egoes aside.

Yes, photo.net displays some incredible DIGITAL work. I have rarely seen any true full-on film and darkroom work. I'll stay here and continue to get pointers on how to refine my work in the darkroom.

In the matter of classifieds, I still think a time limit on ad duration would be helpful, since you are apparently revamping the section. The classifieds are getting increasingly difficult to wade through with all the "sold" items lingering about. How many times has someone said "aw crap" when they have found something interesting, only to see SOLD in the comments? I'v said it a bunch.
Well, thats my two cents worth.

Rick

 

[Mike1234]

Good points, Rick. However, APUG does allow us to edit the add at any time including the title. If I sell something I try to always mark it SOLD in all caps at the start and end of the title. That stated... I just found four of my ads that I hadn't marked "SOLD" in the title. I guess I'm getting sloppy but I remedied it.

 

[Rick A]

Good points, Rick. However, APUG does allow us to edit the add at any time including the title. If I sell something I try to always mark it SOLD in all caps at the start and end of the title. That stated... I just found four of my ads that I hadn't marked "SOLD" in the title. I guess I'm getting sloppy but I remedied it.

I just dont understand why anyone would want to keep an ad posted post-sale. My preference is to delete my ads when the item has sold, or I feel its been on long enough. I know some want to look for [research],but for what purpose? I do appreciate the folks who do mark items sold in the header, at least I can skip those.

Rick

 

[Mike1234]

I agree, Rick. I only mentioned my points to try to remain a bit positive about it. Being positive about something that's not quite right is a real challenge for me. Many folks don't understand or appreciate my attempts.

We could pickit outside the APUG Corporate Offices chanting, "APUG ads. Too many bads. APUG ads. Too many bads."

 

[BradS]

The current ad system works but is broken. My gripe is that if your itemn falls off that first page...it might as well not be listed. I find it just too hard to search. too difficult to navigate. Maybe, I just haven't tried hard enough.

However, I really do prefer how it is completely separated from the fora and that ads can be edited, and that comments on ads are "lower valued" than the ad it self.

I'd be more in favor of making incremental improvements to the current system.

I also, always want to know where the item offered for sale is located!!!! This should be MANDATORY!

 

[John Koehrer]

I just dont understand why anyone would want to keep an ad posted post-sale. My preference is to delete my ads when the item has sold, or I feel its been on long enough. I know some want to look for [research],but for what purpose? I do appreciate the folks who do mark items sold in the header, at least I can skip those.

Rick

I had sold something & deleted the ad on another forum & was contacted by another user chiding me for not leaving it up for reference.:confused:
Like I care about how he thinks I should handle my sales.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I usually delete my own ads when items sell, but sometimes there can be useful discussion about the item in question, so it could be of value to leave them up. Some people are also interested in looking at a seller's history to get a sense of what kinds of things they sell and how reliable their descriptions might be.

 

[jon koss]

Well, here are three of the reasons I leave mine up.

1 - I like to be able to check in on my babies once they've left the nest.

2 - I like to be able to keep track of how much I have donated to APUG by selling. When I start feeling like a cheapskate I know it is time to list another APUG benefit item.

3 - So that everyone will still be able to enjoy the witty repartee long after the item is sold. For example:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

This being said, if it really upsets folks then I will be glad to take everything down.

J

I just dont understand why anyone would want to keep an ad posted post-sale... Rick

 

[BradS]

one of the beauties of the current system is that you can make your ad visible or hide it as your heart may desire.

So, after an item has sold, you can hide it without removing it.

 

[Rick A]

I guess its the OCD in me that feels the need to unclutter the classifieds, and keep it neat and orderly.
I've ceased being a packrat at home as well, thats another reason I'm giving a few items away here as well.

Rick

 

[jonw]

Is there anyway one can "bump" an ad to the top of the list? Jon

 

[Mike1234]

^^^ Nope.