Restricted Posting in B/S Forums

[Terence]

Hi,

Could I suggest a feature that would restrict posts in the buy/sell threads to those of the original poster and no one else? It could be a user selectable feature.

A lot of unnecessary OT can be eliminated this way and it'd save the moderators a ton of work monitoring the threads, and not to mention the bandwidth caused by off topic posts.

Thanks.

 

[binbeto]

you can lock the thread after you created it.

So, no one can reply.

 

[azul123]

Previously I would agree with this, but ever since a bad experience I think this suggestion leaves open to some abuse if questions are not allowed on the thread for transparency, though it would be difficult to manage, but better protect the community for both buyer and seller.

Here are some examples:

Almost brand new. Body and glass in great condition. Comes with caps, soft pouch, manual and box. RP $1820 - Current Bid $1660 - Sale closes Feb 24 Thurs

i bid $1670 for this. How old is this lens (almost brand new)?

Buyer then replies:

Please, please, please read my post. All bids and questions via email.

I would love to keep the thread clean and post only updates of the sales.

Along with any bid, please forward your HP contact.

Thanks

This leaves room for abuse and deceit, I think restricting banal talk is ok but asking questions pertaining to the sale on the thread should be allowed. People are generally good but there are some bad apples out there and this forum has to protect both parties.

In buying and selling of photographic equipment buyer needs to understand what is up for sale here and asking questions and looking at the answers are what weighs towards decision making.

Some people tend to abuse the rating system and rate suka-suka or overly rate theirs better than usual and that is why questions should be allowed so buyer understands clearly what they are getting themselves into.

My 2 cents.

../azul123

 

[Terence]

you can lock the thread after you created it.

So, no one can reply.

If you lock a thread, no further replies can be posted on it. What I meant was that replies can continue to be posted but only the original creator of the thread can post on the thread he/she started.

 

[jbma]

Sorry Terrence. I don't get you here "replies can continue to be posted but only the original creator of the thread can post on the thread he/she started." What is the difference between reply and post on the thread? No offence but no flame intended here. Just curious.

 

[Terence]

Sorry Terrence. I don't get you here "replies can continue to be posted but only the original creator of the thread can post on the thread he/she started." What is the difference between reply and post on the thread? No offence but no flame intended here. Just curious.

A reply and post are the same thing, in my mind at least.

Basically, hope I can make myself clearer this time, I'm suggesting that a user selectable option be included in the buy/sell forums that would disallow anyone else from posting on the thread except the person who created the thread.

The reasons why I think this feature should be included:

• Eliminates off topic posts by other users
• Reduces moderator workload

The buy/sell threads are often open up to abuse like unfair price comparisons ("How come BH sells for $500 and your price is $501??"), irrelevant questions ("Wah, only 3 months only and want to sell? Something wrong with it??") and personal swipes ("This guy sucks, don't buy his crap!!").

Questions should still be posed to the seller, albeit in a private manner like PM, email or SMS. The seller can always post the answers if they are relevant to the sale. I really feel that such a feature will clean up many of the threads which are filled with highly irrelevant posts.

 

[Terence]

And as discussed elsewhere, a seller/buyer feedback system is highly desirable IMO. Perhaps just a simple thread made into a sticky in the buy/sell forums should do it. Users should be able to post in this thread, giving brief details of the sale and their personal experience and rating about how it went.

 

[azul123]

Questions should still be posed to the seller, albeit in a private manner like PM, email or SMS. The seller can always post the answers if they are relevant to the sale. I really feel that such a feature will clean up many of the threads which are filled with highly irrelevant posts.

But what happens is seller post fictitously via email that someone with proficient standing in CS already made offers and viewed the item and just waiting to for pay day or something and you better get this quick otherwise it is as good as gone etc.. etc..

Not being transparent allows this sort of happening. Workload is one thing, but there must be some sort of environment suitably protects everybody's interests.

Say if a newbie don't know the current market price and a seller say I sell at this amount, someone should be allowed to say, "hey, seller.. brand new is only $xxx, please be realistic".

../azul123

 

[Darren]

If you lock a thread, no further replies can be posted on it. What I meant was that replies can continue to be posted but only the original creator of the thread can post on the thread he/she started.

What binbeto replied is workable (but have to verify first).

As far as I know, the THREAD STARTER can open/close threads as he/she wishes, so if a member wants to make his thread read-only he/she can :-

a) Create the thread then immediately lock it.
b) Re-open the thread to post and then immediately lock it again.
c) Repeat step b as often as needed.

Having said that, it may not be in the best interest of the thread starter to basically have a one-way conversation as there might be interested buyers who want to post in the thread.

But this option of closing/opening threads is available in Buy & Sell.

 

[Terence]

What binbeto replied is workable (but have to verify first).

As far as I know, the THREAD STARTER can open/close threads as he/she wishes, so if a member wants to make his thread read-only he/she can :-

a) Create the thread then immediately lock it.
b) Re-open the thread to post and then immediately lock it again.
c) Repeat step b as often as needed.

Having said that, it may not be in the best interest of the thread starter to basically have a one-way conversation as there might be interested buyers who want to post in the thread.

But this option of closing/opening threads is available in Buy & Sell.

Oh thanks, I didn't realise the threads were unlockable even after they've been locked. That would make my suggestion irrelevant then.

The buy/sell threads being the open forum it is, I think different sellers would have a differing style as to how they would want their sales to be conducted. I'd agree that a one-way channel of open posting on the threads may have certain disadvantages but personally, it suits my style.

It's really up to the seller to be fair in the way the sale is conducted. Much like everything else, any forum is open to abuse but should a seller want to maintain a decent rep, it'd be in his own interests to treat each sale in a fair and amicable manner.

 

[ST1100]

Just a note, Terence, i usually don't bother to look into locked BS threads, bcoz i assumed the sale is done or aborted.

 

[Darren]

Just a note, Terence, i usually don't bother to look into locked BS threads, bcoz i assumed the sale is done or aborted.

Good point. Also, by allowing members to post in your thread, it also serves to bump up the thread.

 

[Terence]

Just a note, Terence, i usually don't bother to look into locked BS threads, bcoz i assumed the sale is done or aborted.

Ya, that was a concern of mine too. Might have to stick something in the Subject line to indicate that the thread is live.