50 posts to view classifieds?

[Maxx]

I prefer to look at it from a selfish perspective vs a business one.
I want RF to continue existing. If Scott continuously loses money on the site because the sponsor's don't wanna pay to be sponsors, then we all lose....

If we enforce the 50 post/90 day rule and keep the sponsors and premium members happy and paying the bills, then I get to continue enjoying RF.

So...it's really all about me.

 

[Scooterman]

lol I guess that is why your a MOD also, so you can make sure we stay open! We have just enough sponsors to pay the bills and usually anything extra eventually goes back into the forum. One way or another, it was never about trying to make a fortune but rather have a place that we can call home without all the b/s of a high paced forum.

I prefer to look at it from a selfish perspective vs a business one.
I want RF to continue existing. If Scott continuously loses money on the site because the sponsor's don't wanna pay to be sponsors, then we all lose....

If we enforce the 50 post/90 day rule and keep the sponsors and premium members happy and paying the bills, then I get to continue enjoying RF.

So...it's really all about me.

 

[Maxx]

I'm here for you Scott!

 

[tricksterya]

I understand the rule more than you know, it makes since, but if i didn't ask i would just be sitting here biting my tongue. anyway thanks for the clarification, i get it no hard feelings.

 

[rek]

J.schroeder,

I understand your frustration with this rule. However, when you see it from the other side of the coin, it may make more sense.
As Kirk already stated, this is first and foremost, a discussion forum. Craigslist, Ebay, and many other websites exist which are designed to be selling forums.

One of the main reasons this rule was put into place, is financial.
This site either breaks even (cost wise) or operates at a loss to the owner.
Running this site cost money every month.
The site is free to join for anyone.
For those wishing to advertise their businesses, they must pay to become a sponsor.
Sponsor fees cover the cost of running the website.

If anyone can join and sell things without spending money to become a sponsor, where is the incentive for a business to sponsor RF?
If businesses do not sponsor RF, RF cannot afford to continue.
There were numerous individuals who were registered members here who's only posts on the forum were items for sale. Strangely enough, these users had an AWFUL LOT of stuff to sell, every month.
This was noticed by the sponsors, and action was taken.

This was determined to be the least intrusive and most effective (Free) way to solve the issue.

I hope that makes sense and explains things in a little more detail. It also explains why there is a post reset on people who spam the forum with 50 posts in a very short period of time.

FWIW, this hobby is cyclical in terms of things for sale. What is being sold right now, will be sold again by someone else later...probably for less money.

Apparently you do not understand his frustration. No where does he mention he wants to sell he only wants to buy.

I personally do understand his frustration (especially since I have been a member since 2004) and will take the advice from the mods in this post and go elsewhere.

 

[ReefGeeker]

First off I will say that the 50 post minimum is a pretty meager feat to achieve, also the 90 day thing as much of a pain as it may be it is in place to protect the forum as stated before and in the grand scheme that's not that long either and patience is a good thing to have in this hobby anyways. I think tricksterya gets the jist of it and being a new member is it expected that you may ask questions about such things. I can tell you that if you engage with others on this forum you will meet some very nice and generous people with a little effort on your part of course. That said I believe that not many people on here will miss a guy who has 6 posts in 7 years, people like you are why rules like this are made because you probably just joined to get stuff for cheap and now you can't so you left because that's the only reason you were here in the first place. Thus the rule seems to be working so far, great idea in my book! I think whoever came up with it deserves a pat on the back and maybe a beer.

:whoo:

 

[Maxx]

I understand the rule more than you know, it makes since, but if i didn't ask i would just be sitting here biting my tongue. anyway thanks for the clarification, i get it no hard feelings.

No worries with that regard. Asking about the rules/circumstances doesn't cause an issue.

I've found that if people have a better understanding of why things are happening, and realize that there really is a purpose behind the rules/situation, they tend not to get upset or misread a situation.

It cuts down on confusion.

No hard feelings here at all.

 

[Maxx]

Apparently you do not understand his frustration. No where does he mention he wants to sell he only wants to buy.

I personally do understand his frustration (especially since I have been a member since 2004) and will take the advice from the mods in this post and go elsewhere.

Rek,
No where in my post do I advise J.Schroeder or anyone else to go elsewhere.
I merely pointed out why the rules were enacted. I also pointed out that RF was started as an information sharing board primarily about the reef keeping hobby. The buying/selling portion of this board was created as an after thought to the information sharing function of the board. Yes, there are other websites that were designed as buying/selling forums. RF was not designed to compete with them. Last time I was on Ebay and Craigslist, I was not able to find the reef keeping discussion forums. If you know where they are, could you please post a link to them? They might be informative.


Sorry you feel the need to go elsewhere. Best of luck to you where ever you decide to go.

 

[cruzanm]

Hrmm.

The forum is a pretty amazing information sharer. I was able to buy prior to the rules being hard core enforced and found the experience far better than going to a LFS. I do understand the change though, I figure if its important enough to me, I'll post enough to gain access to it again! :loco:

 

[tricksterya]

Crap i hope i didn't cause this thread to grow in size. i am a staff member (we have them labeled as veterans) on a gaming website so that is why i understand but had to ask, as far as Craigslist i would bash it and eBay for the headaches it has caused in the past but i cant. I met Ipisces because of Craigslist, which in-tale has lead me to this site where i am learning something everyday, its my homepage for my phone. lol. not sure if thats sad or not.. lol.. and i have seen some awesome designs and had a few offers to come learn more in person so keep with the rules, we should all have rules... no rules=craziness.

 

[NC2WA]

tricks,

why would you say that?

it is all good..

 

[Maxx]

You neither started this thread, nor caused any tension on it.

Seriously, its not an issue.

 

[user 26995]

Crap i hope i didn't cause this thread to grow in size. i am a staff member (we have them labeled as veterans) on a gaming website so that is why i understand but had to ask, as far as Craigslist i would bash it and eBay for the headaches it has caused in the past but i cant. I met Ipisces because of Craigslist, which in-tale has lead me to this site where i am learning something everyday, its my homepage for my phone. lol. not sure if thats sad or not.. lol.. and i have seen some awesome designs and had a few offers to come learn more in person so keep with the rules, we should all have rules... no rules=craziness.

Yeah, its all good. What I appreciate from this is that you are learning something every day. That is what we are all here for and thats what this site is all about. And thats really cool its your home page. :bounce:

 

[NC2WA]

Tricks,

this is the MAIN intent of the site..for people to interact with other hobbyist AND LEARN something from them...

 

[mrlang1981]

Well you can learn by reading the threads and not alway having to comment. I for one do a lot of reading and don't usually post but I still enjoy all the build treads. This site has been a great help to me when I first got into the hobby. I also had the opportunity to visit a lot of the members houses to see their awsome set ups and pick up a few corals back then. I got out for a bit due to rough economic times but have recently thought about getting back in. Thought I'd take a look at the classifieds for a more cost effective rought but now I can't even get in. Kinda sucks if u ask me.

 

[abmxdad2]

Sounds good been awhile for me to I got upset when I gave some members some frogspawn & seen it for sell the next day on Craigslist

 

[Scooterman]

All you had to do was ask, pm a staff member and we could of helped you but instead you made almost 50 ridiculous post, spamming the board, you got an infraction and can't post in the classifieds. This was done to point out the issue and hopefully you read the user agreement section that I posted here as to why we have these rules and post padding isn't allowed. Then maybe you can regain that access once you meet those requirements. I could of helped you out if you would of came to us and explain your situation but you didn't give us a chance, so there are two sides to each story. I hope you can realize this and move forward, I know there is a lot the forum has to offer to help out and we're not here to police everyone but give an inch and people take a mile so we have some rules, easy to follow at that. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from and not take this offensively, I don't want or intend that.

Well you can learn by reading the threads and not alway having to comment. I for one do a lot of reading and don't usually post but I still enjoy all the build treads. This site has been a great help to me when I first got into the hobby. I also had the opportunity to visit a lot of the members houses to see their awsome set ups and pick up a few corals back then. I got out for a bit due to rough economic times but have recently thought about getting back in. Thought I'd take a look at the classifieds for a more cost effective rought but now I can't even get in. Kinda sucks if u ask me.

 

[Scooterman]

Our sales policies from the user agreement! Please abide!

Reef Frontiers is first and foremost a Reef Discussion, Information sharing site. Reef Frontiers is not to be used as a glorified classified ad site or to be used in place of other sites such as eBay or Craig's List. As such we implement registration and post requirements in our for sale forums. The sales forums are for one purpose and one purpose only, selling personal used equipment or equipment not needed and selling fish or corals that out grown the tanks or similar reasons. Any other types of selling isn't permitted, these forums are a privilege to being a member, selling to support your tank is considered commercial and must follow the commercial policies provided. At any given time we reserve the right to revoke ones selling's rights if we deem commercial or unethical to the efforts of the forum.

Users will abide by the Reef Frontiers Sales policy.

1. Must be registered for at least 90 days AND
2. Must have at least 50 posts (meaning members didn't sign up just to buy and sell).

Users are not to arbitrarily make posts just to up their counts so they can post in these forums and is defined as Post Padding. Any infractions of these actions are subject for membership removal. Once criteria is met, users will be able to see and access the sales forums, until then the forums will be unavailable.

Group Buys are permitted at Reef Frontiers, only if they are being handled through a current Reef Frontiers Sponsor and must be made available to all Reef Frontier members. These Group Buys must take place within the Sponsor Forum of the participating vendor.

Reef Frontiers does not host any vendor feedback forums as they tend to spiral out of control quickly due to many different personal experiences with vendors or sponsors (or private parties) amongst the whole community. As such, it is against Reef Frontier's policy to air out one's issues about sponsors, local fish stores, or private deals which have been made or may have gone bad. We would ask all those who have issues like this or similar in nature to work these kinds of problems out in private. Reef Frontiers staff retains the right to retain or remove such posts from the general forums.

This User Agreement and any disputes arising out of or related to the services of this web site shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the United States.

 

[jschulst]

I'm working my way to get 50 post, I have been a member for 2 yrs now. I loved the classified section. Now I worried that after I start posting, the rule will block out 80-90% of the members from viewing my ad since they don't have 50 posts.

I'm ok with getting 50 post to add ads to the classified section, but not ok with 50 to view the classified. Before the classified section became restricted, we usually get more bites on this forum than on craigslist. Right now I'm not getting any bites on craigslist alone.

 

[Scooterman]

80 90 % of the members have way more than 50 post, and these rules have been in place almost 2 years now, we are doing away with the classifieds.

I'm working my way to get 50 post, I have been a member for 2 yrs now. I loved the classified section. Now I worried that after I start posting, the rule will block out 80-90% of the members from viewing my ad since they don't have 50 posts.

I'm ok with getting 50 post to add ads to the classified section, but not ok with 50 to view the classified. Before the classified section became restricted, we usually get more bites on this forum than on craigslist. Right now I'm not getting any bites on craigslist alone.